Pastor Alex is the Associate Pastor at FUPC. She grew up in Peoria, IL, and went to Coe College (Cedar Rapids, IA) for her undergraduate studies, earning her Bachelor of Arts. While in Cedar Rapids she was involved in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Her call to ministry led her to complete her Master of Divinity at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI and her Master of Social Work from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During graduate school, she was able to engage in ministry in a number of settings including college campus ministry, chaplaincy with the retired community, and as a social worker at a skilled nursing facility. Alex served as a hospital chaplain and a licensed social worker at a dialysis clinic prior to joining the team at FUPC in October of 2018. She remains a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the state of Illinois. Alex is passionate about meeting people where they are at and caring for all of God's people.  Alex's husband, Rev. Zach Lysdahl, is also a pastor serving a local church. They have two dogs (Nala and Phil). Alex enjoys spending time in God's creation, baking, gardening, and trying new things.

Rhonda is the Director of Christian Discipleship at FUPC.  Rhonda was raised in Beach Park, IL. Rhonda moved to the St. Louis area after earning a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Education from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri.  After teaching in St. Louis County and volunteering as a youth director, she felt the call to full-time ministry. In 2010, Rhonda earned a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia.  After working in an urban ministry in Virginia for several years, she moved back to the St. Louis area.  Rhonda has had numerous paid and volunteer positions working with children, youth, and adult ministries.  Rhonda is passionate about helping others explore their faith in meaningful ways.  Rhonda and her husband, Craig, have 2 children (Olivia and Charlotte).  Rhonda enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, knitting, reading, and baking.  

Jami is the church’s part-time Administrative Assistant.  She was born and raised in Belleville, graduating from Belleville West, Belleville Area College (SWIC), and Illinois State University.  She has lived in Swansea since 1990. Jami retired from full-time employment in the summer of 2021.  To remain active she decided to return to work part-time with a nonprofit organization and joined FUPC's staff in September 2022. Her son and daughter-in-law blessed her with a beautiful granddaughter on her birthday in 2022!  They reside in Belleville.  Jami enjoys spending time with family and friends, yoga, reading, and spending as much time as possible outside walking, hiking, and gardening.  

Andy Jensen joined our First United staff on August 1, 2012. As Director of Music Ministries his work includes directing the Chancel Choir and United Bells, and providing general oversight of our church music program. A native of central Illinois, Andy came to Belleville with a new appointment as Director of Choral Activities at Southwestern Illinois College in 2011. He served in a similar capacity from 2008-2011 at Arkansas Northeastern College. Andy held full graduate assistantships in choral music while pursuing the Master of Music at Illinois State University and Doctor of Musical Arts at The University of Southern Mississippi where he studied both conducting and educational pedagogy under Gregory Fuller, John Flannery, Karyl Carlson, James Major, and Timothy Fredstrom. He is married to Cathy, and they have two children, James and Eli. 

Diana Umali has assisted with the music ministry at the church since Nov. 2017, providing music for Sunday services and accompanying the Chancel Choir. Currently, she is a music professor at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, IL and enjoys performing chamber music with various groups in the St. Louis area.