fall 2015 profiles class - First Presbyterian Church of Opelika

QUINTIN & CHELSEY BALDWIN
Quintin & Chelsey both grew up in Wisconsin where they
met and were married 11 years ago. They moved to South
Carolina 9.5 years ago to work with The Navigators, a
campus ministry, at Clemson University. They recently
relocated to Auburn to relaunch The Navigators ministry
at Auburn University. Quintin is the Campus Director of this ministry and Chelsey
enjoys her part-time role as a staff trainer. They have a precious and busy 3 year
old, Samuel, who they adopted from Ethiopia, and are currently in midst of a
second adoption from Uganda. Quintin enjoys golf, the outdoors, and wrestling with
Samuel. Chelsey enjoys warm drinks, all things creative, and meaningful time with
other women.
MADELEINE BOBANGO
Allen and I just married in September, and we work for Cru
at Auburn University. I moved here from Athens, GA where I
worked with Cru after graduating from UGA in 2014. Allen
has been on staff with Cru at Auburn for the last 3 years
after graduating from Auburn in 2013. Yes, we have a house
divided, but by God’s grace we are growing closer each day.
We are excited about all the Lord has for us in this next stage and serving FPO!
FALL 2015
PROFILES
CLASS
LUKE & JARIS COLLINS
Luke, from Birmingham, and Jaris, from Atlanta, met at
Rhodes College in Memphis, TN through a campus ministry.
Recently married in Summer of 2015, they moved to Auburn
where Luke is working towards his MBA degree. They are
looking forward to finding biblical community and a place
to serve here in Auburn. Luke enjoys watching and playing
basketball, while Jaris loves French things, movies, and both love candy in bulk.
JOSEPH & ALLISON DRAKE
Joseph and Allison Drake are both from Dothan, AL.
They have lived in Auburn for the past 9 years. They
have one son, Wynton, who is sixteen months old, and a
baby girl due in January.
CAROLINE ELLIOTT
I am 21 years old, and I was born and raised in Montgomery,
Alabama. I am pursuing concurrent degrees in Communication
Disorders and French in addition to a minor in Human
Development and Family Studies at Auburn University, where I
am a junior. I am a member of a sorority, and I have been active
in RUF on campus since I was a freshman. I feel that I have truly
found a home in the Reformed church.
ADAM FEHR
I’m Adam Fehr. I’m from Westfield, Indiana. I am the
youngest of four with three older sisters. I am a Freshman
Pre-Civil Engineering major at Auburn and look forward to
my time here at FPO.
AARON FINCH
My name is Aaron Finch, and I am currently a
senior at Auburn graduating in May with a degree in
chemical engineering. I am originally from Tuscumbia,
AL but have enjoyed making Auburn my home during
my college years. I am engaged to Francesca Tully and
look forward to being married next summer. I am very
thankful for the gospel-centered teaching that First Pres
has provided and look forward to becoming a part of the community.
DANIEL HATCHER
My name is Daniel Hatcher. I am from Tuscumbia,
AL. I am majoring in Wireless Engineering Hardware
and I am currently a Junior. I have been attending FPO
for about the last year and a half now, and I am really
excited to finally join this church body as a member.
PAUL HOGUE
Paul Hogue grew up in Louisville, Mississippi as the
oldest of 8 kids. After high school, he went to Mississippi
State University and earned his bachelor’s degree in
microbiology with plans to go to optometry school.
Currently, he is working at Basden Eye Care in Auburn
with plans to pursue optometry. His interests include
reading, hunting, fishing, camping, or anything that
involves being outdoors.
KRISTIN JANIKOWSKY
My name is Kristen Janikowsky and I’m a sophomore
majoring in Civil Engineering at Auburn. I’m originally
from Maryland so I’m a long ways from home and First
Pres. has been very influential in making Auburn feel
like home. I’m very excited to become part of the church
body of First Pres. and learn more about how I can love
and serve this community!
HILARY KISER
The youngest of four children, I was raised in a
Christian home in coastal Virginia. God graciously
drew me to saving faith at the age of eight, and I
was blessed to meet Noah while completing nursing
school at James Madison University. We were
married a year and a half later as Noah attended RTS Charlotte. The last
nine years have brought us three wonderful boys (Wyatt - 5, Eli - 3, Asher - 15
months) and a very recent (and exciting!) move to the family of First Pres.
JOSIE LANGER
I am a sophomore at Auburn University, studying
business management and pre-law. I’m originally from
Iowa, and am the oldest of four children and daughter of
two loving parents. I enjoy sarcasm, excessive coffee, and
not living in Iowa.
JIMMY & FELICIA LONG
We met on Auburn’s campus almost 30 years ago. In
the years since, we have lived all over the southeast
chasing Jimmy’s pharmaceutical sales career. Living in
Birmingham, we were active members of Briarwood
Presbyterian. We have two boys, ages 20 and 22, also
enjoying an Auburn education. Our favorite place on
earth is Lake Martin where we are currently planning to live.
KATHERINE MALLETT
Hi I’m Katie Mallett!! I’m so excited to be joining
First Pres. as a member. I’m from Northern Virginia
originally, right outside of Washington, D.C. I grew up
in a Christian home with both my parents, my older
brother Peter and our little dog Toby. I love sports, art
and music as well as kids! I’m a sophomore at Auburn
majoring in interior design with an international minor and a business minor.
I’m hoping to one day work as an access ability designer.
EMILY MUNN
I grew up in Eufaula, Alabama. My parents took me to
my first Auburn game at 6 months old, and I have loved
Auburn ever since. It was my dream to one day swim
for Auburn. I am now living that dream as a distance
swimmer for Auburn University Swimming and Diving. I
am a senior in Exercise Science, planning on pursuing my
Master’s degree in Secondary Science.
ANSLEE PALMER
My name is Anslee Palmer and I am from Birmingham,
AL. I am a Junior at Auburn University where I am in the
Interdisciplinary Studies Program focusing in Business,
Dance, and Human Development and Family Studies. I am
so excited to joining First Presbyterian Church of Opelika!
CATHERINE PARISEAU
Catherine is from Enterprise, AL, where she lived for 18
years before moving to Auburn for college. Catherine
graduated from Auburn University with a degree in
Accounting last May, and is currently working on Master’s
in Accountancy at the university. She enjoys reading books,
spending time outside, and going on walks. Catherine is
excited to become a member of the body at First Pres.
FRASER PERRETT
Fraser Perrett is originally from Atlanta, GA and
graduated from Auburn in 2012. After spending the past
two years serving in East Asia with Cru, he has moved
back to the area to work for Prevail Coffee Company.
ELLIE PORTER
My name is Ellie Porter and I am from Nashville,
TN. I am currently a student at Auburn studying
Communication Disorders. I have been attending
FPO for the past year, and am so excited to have the
opportunity to join and serve the community alongside
the church body.
JOHN & CONNALLY SASSER
We are so excited that First Presbyterian Church of
Opelika will be our first church home as a married couple.
We got married on June 27, 2015 and have been so blessed
by the Lord in our first few months of marriage. We
actually got married in the sanctuary of this church, and it
will always hold a special place in our hearts! We are living
in Auburn and working for the campus ministry called Cru. This is John’s third year
working with this ministry and it is Connally’s first. We are thankful for the year the
Lord has given us here and look forward to all that he will have in store for our lives
in this church body!
EMILY SHERROD
I’m a sophomore at Auburn University, majoring in
communication disorders. I’m from Mobile and have 4
siblings. Since coming to Auburn, I have loved getting involved
in Reformed University Fellowship (RUF).
GINNY SHERROD
I grew up the oldest of five kids in Mobile, AL. This year I
transferred from Mississippi State to Auburn University for my
Junior year. I’m studying to become a speech pathologist and I
enjoy reading and writing creative fiction. During my time at
Mississippi State and also in my months at Auburn, I have been
very involved with RUF and look forward to using my spiritual
gifts and talents to serve the church.
CRISTIANA SHIPMA
I am a junior majoring in Communication with minors in
Spanish and Community and Civic Engagement. I’m from
the Huntsville area. Post graduation, I hope to pursue either a
career in university admissions or youth or college ministry.
EMILY SMITH
Hey! My name is Emily Smith. I am a sophomore at Auburn
University majoring in Elementary Education. I am involved in a
social sorority, IMPACT. I have enjoyed attending First Presbyterian
Church of Opelika and I am excited to become a part of the
church!
FRANK & SHARON STANKUNAS
Frank and Sharon Stankunas met while attending
Auburn University in the early 90’s. They are coming
to us today from Gainesville Fl, where they have been
active members of Christ Community Church (PCA)
for the past 18 years. While raising their four children
(Trace 20, Tyler 18, Hayden 16, and Callie Beth 14)
in the Swamp, they have successfully taught them to
be avid Auburn Tiger fans amongst all those Gators.
They are drawn to FPO because of the Gospel-centered
preaching and teaching, the order and style of worship,
and the college students. They look forward to discovering more about who God is
and growing in Grace with the family at FPO.
EMMA KATHERINE THOMPSON
Emma Katherine Thompson is from Auburn, Alabama. She
is currently a junior at Auburn University and is in her first
year of Nursing School. Emma Katherine is excited about
becoming a member here at FPO and she can’t wait to meet
everyone.
FRANCESCA TULLY
I am currently a sophomore at Auburn University. I am
majoring in biomedical sciences and plan to attend medical
school to become a doctor. I love to play sports and be active.
I enjoy serving others and the community and look forward
to becoming more involved with First Presbyterian Church
Opelika.
JENNIFER WALKER
My name is Jenny Walker, and I am a sophomore at Auburn
University. I am studying Biomedical Sciences, Pre-Optometry.
I grew up in Madison, AL, and I have been attending First
Pres. for a year now.
BARBARA WARD
Originally from South Alabama, I lived at Lake
Harding, Georgia and St. George Island for the last
thirty years. As a retired business owner, I moved
to Opelika almost a year ago. I have attended First
Presbyterian for approximately four years.