Our Stories
Get to know us better
A church isn’t its building, a church is its people.
If you want to know JupiterFIRST Church better, then the best way is to get to know our people!
Michelle’s Story
Hi, I’m Michelle Premuto. I am the new Director of Operations here at Jupiter First Church. I recently moved to West Palm Beach from Holiday, Florida where I spent the last 36 years of my life. I presently live on a horse ranch in the Acreages with my dastardly dachshund, God’s Little Hallelujah “Halle”. Halle was the 2019 Super Senior champion of the Florida Wiener Dog Derby.
I am a Florida native, born in St. Petersburg, Florida and am the last daughter of four girls with my baby brother following me by 18 months! We moved to a tiny town called Warm Mineral Springs (Sarasota County) as a child. I graduated as Salutatorian of the Class of 1980 from Venice High School and then went on to Stetson University in DeLand, Florida.
Jack’s Story
Hi, I’m Jack Pardue. My family and I began attending JupiterFIRST Church in 2000 through an invitation from Francie Cowen, who lived in our neighborhood at the time. My children spent many years in the youth program at JFC. As my kids grew older, our attendance grew a bit irregular, but I knew it was a place I wanted to get back to. In 2010, I returned to JFC, where I then met my wife, Lori, and began a new journey growing my involvement in the ministries at the church.
Erica’s Story
Hi, I’m Erica Barnes. I began attending Jupiter First Church in 2002 at the invitation of Randy Sonntag, whom I worked with at Independence Middle School. Since then, I have been immersed in the music ministry and have directed various children’s choirs, Christmas performances and summer music camp here at the Church. More recently, I served on Church Council from 2019-2020.
Brenda’s Story
I’m Brenda Markert. I moved to the Jupiter area nine years ago to be near my daughter and her family (Cathy and her husband, Seth, plus Thomas (7th grade) and Julia (3rd grade). It’s been a great nine years here. My other daughter, Carolyn and her husband, Kevin, live in San Francisco with their dog and two cats…
Kirsten’s Story
Hi, I’m Kirsten Endrud. My husband, three kids, and I landed here in Jupiter this summer from Minneapolis, and it has been a big transition. I can say I stopped sweating profusely probably about two weeks ago, so kudos to those of you who are snowbirds. I get it now. You just come for the good parts! I’ve moved enough to know that I have about two months to build community before I shrivel up. First and foremost,…
Mani’s Story
JupiterFIRST Church has provided my family with a wonderful community of kind and generous people that have brought so much love and encouragement. The church has become an extended family, and we are so fortunate to have finally found a church home right here in Jupiter…