First Church

Rev. Donald J. Sheerin, Jr was elected Pastor of First Church on October 28, 2002. He was elevated to the position of Senior Pastor on February 25, 2006. He is the Children's Ministries Director for the Missouri District United Pentecostal Church, a position he has held since July 2005.  He is also the Director of Promotions for the UPCI Children's Ministries, a position he has held since February 2007. He also serves on the Missouri District Board as Presbyter for Section 4, which he has held since July 2011.

Prior to coming to Kennett, Bro. Sheerin was a full-time evangelist based out of Solid Rock Ministries in Fenton, Missouri.  He has served as principal of West Point Christian Academy in Doniphan, Missouri, and as assistant pastor of Deeper Life UPC in West Plains, Missouri.  He also served as Missouri District Youth Secretary from 1999-2004.

He and his wife, Chae (who serves as Section 4 Ladies Ministries President), have three daughters:  Tess, Emma, and Abby.

Sis. Sandy Smith was elected Secretary-Treasurer of First Church on December 13, 2004. She had previously worked as church secretary since December 2003. Prior to that she worked at a local manufacturing plant as Senior Cost Accounting Clerk for 18 years. She became a member of Kennett First UPC in July, 1987.

Sandy has 3 daughters: Michelle, Rebecca, and Julia and 2 granddaughters, Alayna and Haddie.

Sis. Lesia Willett serves as the Children's Ministry Director. Her heartbeat and passion is to see children brought to salvation. In her position as Children's Ministry Director she serves as the Sunday School Superintendent, Masterpiece Club Director, and VBS Coordinator. She has been the Teacher of the Year for the Missouri District (2010), and the Teacher of the Month for the UPCI (August 2012).

She has three adult children: J.J, Ashley, and Hannah, and six grandchildren: Tessa Jo, Carlee, Madison, Izzabelle, Jaxson, and Jamin.

Rev Sheila Durk serves as Hyphen and Single Adult Ministry Director. She previously served as Student Leader from May 2019-August 2022. She had also previous served as assistant leader from 2010-2019. She has been a member of First Church since 2004. In addition, she also serves as the Elementary Teacher for Kennett Christian Academy.

Sheila has one dog, Max.

Rev. Laura Butler serves as Ladies Ministries Director and Recovery Director. She previously served as Youth Pastor from June 2010-May 2019. She also previously served as the assistant to the Youth Pastor from 2004-2010. 

Laura has one son: Dawson.