Available at (734) 662-4466 (Extensions listed below)
Looking for a list of contacts with emails and extensions? View the contact list on the main "Staff/Leadership" page.
Rev. David Prentice Hyers
Lead Pastor
Email: dprenticehyers@firstpresbyterian.org, Extension: 341
Sabbath: Monday
Dave was born in North Carolina and grew up in east Tennessee. He received his BA from Presbyterian College, Clinton, South Carolina in 1994, and his M.Div. from Columbia Theological Seminary in 2001.
Rev. Prentice-Hyers served as a probationary minister at the First Presbyterian Church of Asheville, North Carolina in 1997 and as a probationary minister at Troon Old Parish in Troon, Scotland from 1999-2000. Upon his return to the United States, he enrolled in a year-long unit of Clinical Pastor Education (CPE) at Crossroads Community Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia, and worked as a counselor for the marginalized and homeless, and was ordained in 2003. From 2003 – 2011, Dave served as an Associate Pastor at first Presbyterian Church of Waco, Texas, and as Director of Campus Ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor from 2011-2013. In the summer of 2013, Dave was called to return to Scotland as the Minister of Troon Old Parish Church where he has been since 2013.
When Dave was the Campus Minister here, his wife, Mary Elizabeth (Mel) was in the Resident Ministry program. Dave and Mel have two sons; eight-year old Finlay and five-year old Angus. As much as they enjoyed the challenge of ministry in Scotland, they are excited to return and continue their journey in ministry in the USA.
Dave says, "I love to tell stories in sermons. Christ understood the power of story and parable to challenge and provoke in loving and graceful ways."
Dave enjoys good music, bad jokes, cheap movies, and cooking with the family. Days off may find him on his bike, on a boat, digging in the sand, or walking the hills. Most of all he loves being a Dad.
Rev. Melissa Anne Rogers
Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care and Congregational Life
Email: mrogers@firstpresbyterian.org, Extension: 390
Sabbath: Monday
Melissa Anne served as campus minister from ’98-’00 before rejoining our staff in 2005 — after producing two children and a Master’s Degree in Marital and Family Therapy. In addition to her experience in ministry to small congregations in Oregon, Alabama, and Pennsylvania, she worked as a family grief and crisis counselor for Hospice of Lansing and as a therapist at Michigan State's Family and Child Clinic. Her M.Div. is from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Known to most as “Mel”, she marvels at the loving community that has evolved at First Pres, welcoming vulnerability and honesty, seeking justice for everyone, accepting all, and incorporating the loving compassionate ministry of our Deacons, Stephen Ministers, Retired Clergy, and an army of volunteers who help with meals, transportation, errands, and more — known as the “Helping Hands” group. Her special joy is working with the “Promises” group of specially-abled young adults. At First Pres, Mel feels called to build a culture of compassion, expanding spiritual pilgrimage for all ages, and helping support and nurture small groups for every member of First Pres. For Mel, the church is at its best when ministers lead from behind and get out of the way so that everyone can use their God-given gifts to serve others. In Christ’s kingdom here, all are accepted, and all are loved, and all can partner with the Holy Spirit to spread kindness, seek justice, and support the afflicted.
A morning person, she enjoys reading, running, weight-lifting, biking, good coffee, exploring craft breweries, spending time with her college-age sons, and hanging out with her two Golden Retrievers.
Rev. Mark Mares
Associate Pastor for Mission and Youth & Family Ministries
Email: mmares@firstpresbyterian.org, Extension: 353
Sabbath: Friday
Mark is originally from Holland, Michigan, and a graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary. Mark enjoys soccer, so much so that he named his dog Lio (short for the greatest footballer of all time, Lionel Messi!). He is also a Detroit Tigers fan and visited the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown twice while in New York.
Mark enjoys the energy that working with youth brings. At his previous position, he led local pilgrimages with youth, where they looked at local history and challenges for the people at that time. They then explored the spiritual practices that sustained them. When you meet Mark, you will find one of his greatest skills is listening thoughtfully. He is not intimidated by tough conversations: One of his more meaningful moments as a high schooler was participating in gatherings that would bring rival gangs together.
A lifelong learner, Mark was influenced at a young age by multi-generational and multi-cultural approaches to liturgy and worship. Mark leads an intergenerational team to develop and nurture our ministry with youth and their families at First Pres.
Rev. Tommy Langejans
Resident Minister
Email: tlangejans@firstpresbyterian.org, Extension: 362
Sabbath: Friday
Tommy was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and grew up attending Forest Hills Presbyterian Church. He studied ministry and music at Valparaiso University before earning his Master of Divinity degree from Western Theological Seminary. During school, Tommy served as an intern and a 5th/6th grade youth minister at First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven. He also served on worship planning teams in college and seminary and as a Hebrew teaching assistant. Tommy especially loves planning and leading worship services (traditional or unique), preaching, performing music, facilitating group discussions, and being a listening ear for others. Long-term, Tommy is feeling called to pastoral ministry, and looks forward to jumping into it with a good support system here at First Pres. For fun, Tommy loves board games, good (and bad) movies, tv, cooking new recipes, singing, and playing saxophone.
Nathaniel Fryer
Rev. Resident Minister
Email: nfryer@firstpresbyterian.org, Extension: 355
Sabbath: Monday
Nathaniel is a lifelong Michigander and grew up in the city of Wyoming. Trained as a historian, Christian educator, choral singer, conservationist, and theologian, Nathaniel is grateful for the opportunity to incorporate these various skills in ministry. Nathaniel is passionate about bringing his love of creation, education, and service to First Pres. He’s a recent graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary with a Masters in Divinity and Masters in Christian Education and Formation. In his free time, Nathaniel enjoys going on walks, running, hanging out with friends, and traveling. A fun fact about Nathaniel is that on family vacations, he ‘pesters’ his family members to visit old historic buildings and churches with him wherever they are traveling.