These are the people who sense God's leading to partner with First Assembly to "prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." (Ephesians 4:12). Paul Thurston, Senior Pastor Pastor Thurston came to First Assembly in April, 2002. Prior to that he served in Burlington, Kansas for eight-and-a-half years. He also served for three years as an associate/youth pastor in Arkansas City, KS, and a youth pastor in Ottawa, KS. He began as a volunteer youth pastor in 1984, and has served full-time in ministry since 1990. He met his wife, Dana, during their college days while serving as a volunteer youth minister. They've been married for over 20 years, and have six children. Pastor Thurston was raised in Kansas City, MO, and is the seventh of ten children. During his freshman year of college, a friend who lived in his dorm introduced him to Jesus Christ. Though he had been studying to become as an architect, his conversion experience radically altered that pursuit, and shortly thereafter followed God's leading into the ministry. He studied architecture & design at Kansas State University, missions at Manhattan Christian College, and Bible ministry at Global University. In addition to being an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God, he has also served as a district youth representative, men's representative, assistant men's director and men's director. Additionally, he has served on the boards of several schools, community groups, and non-profit organizations. On the personal side, Pastor Thurston is an avid sports fan. He loves college and professional football, professional baseball, and enjoys staying active riding a bicycle, working out and playing golf. He's a dedicated K-State Wildcat fan, and Kansas City Royals fan. He was once a recovering Chiefs fan, but he now prefers the Denver Broncos, or the Oakland Raiders. (Please forgive him, Mom!). He enjoys spending time with his family, music, and reading, but gets beat by his small children at Guitar Hero. If he could choose to be anywhere in the world, he would prefer to be in a tropical climate enjoying the warm weather and many amenities of a cruise ship. Dana Thurston, Music Minister Roy Livingston, Children's Minister Roy is our "volunteer, extraordinaire"! By day, he is a humble working man, gainfully employed at a local business, and faithfully married to the love of his life, Georgia. But on Sundays and Wednesdays, he transforms to lead the ministry to kids which we call Target 3:16.  He is a talented artist and musician, who loves to teach kids about Jesus and who has been doing just that for over a decade! Roy is a native of Kearney, NE, and still can talk Cornhusker with the best of them! He and Georgia have two raised two boys, one who serves in full-time ministry! They are a tremendous blessing to all of the church family at First Assembly.     If you would like to serve in one of these areas of ministry or have questions about other ministries, please talk to one of these leaders.