James Parks
Lead Pastor
James Parks was appointed to Christ Church in 2017 as our Lead Pastor. James is an ordained Elder in the Global Methodist church. James provides the spiritual direction of our church, leadership development and delivers a great message! He's married to his sweet wife, Helen.
Helen and James have two kind, servant-hearted children. James plays pickup basketball at the YMCA. He loves cheering on his favorite teams, the Iowa Hawkeyes and the world-champion Kansas City Chiefs. He also enjoys reading the latest books on leadership and productivity. He is always willing to chat and gets excited when he is asked a question. He will search with you for the answer.
Helen and James have two kind, servant-hearted children. James plays pickup basketball at the YMCA. He loves cheering on his favorite teams, the Iowa Hawkeyes and the world-champion Kansas City Chiefs. He also enjoys reading the latest books on leadership and productivity. He is always willing to chat and gets excited when he is asked a question. He will search with you for the answer.
Helen Parks
Community Connections Pastor
Helen Parks joined the Christ Church staff in 2017 and serves as our Community Connections Pastor. Helen is an ordained Deacon in the Global Methodist Church. She serves as the pastor overseeing our family ministries and community partnerships. Starting in 2023, Christ Church partnered with two elementary schools in our neighborhood, Truman and Adams, and Pastor Helen enjoys connecting Christ Church with the families in both those schools.
Most Sunday mornings, Pastor Helen can be found upstairs with our Kids @ Christ Church, but you will see her in worship every so often as emcee or preaching.
Helen and James’ son, Jamison, is a sophomore at Bradley University, where he is a Game Design/Interactive Media major. Even though he is away at college, Jamison is still connected to Christ Church by hosting the Modern Worship online each Sunday. Hayden, their daughter, is a senior at Davenport North High School who works part-time at the Hy-Vee next to the church and volunteers Sunday mornings in the Kids Wing.
Most Sunday mornings, Pastor Helen can be found upstairs with our Kids @ Christ Church, but you will see her in worship every so often as emcee or preaching.
Helen and James’ son, Jamison, is a sophomore at Bradley University, where he is a Game Design/Interactive Media major. Even though he is away at college, Jamison is still connected to Christ Church by hosting the Modern Worship online each Sunday. Hayden, their daughter, is a senior at Davenport North High School who works part-time at the Hy-Vee next to the church and volunteers Sunday mornings in the Kids Wing.
Ryan Sloan
Creative Director
Ryan Sloan joined our Christ Church staff in 2015 as our Creative Director. He oversees our band and tech teams, works with an amazing set of volunteers to do video and audio editing, and handles just about anything worship-tech related. Ryan is an incredibly gifted musician but one of his biggest gifts is how he helps other musicians in our church grow and develop.
You can usually find him noodling on his guitar, working with our creative team to come up with interesting sermon illustrations or planning meaningful worship. Ryan loves guitar shop t-shirts, peanut butter, and his amazing wife (Heidi) and two sons (Clark and Lincoln).
You can usually find him noodling on his guitar, working with our creative team to come up with interesting sermon illustrations or planning meaningful worship. Ryan loves guitar shop t-shirts, peanut butter, and his amazing wife (Heidi) and two sons (Clark and Lincoln).
Michael Jones
Youth Director
Michael Jones joined our Christ Church discipleship team in 2022 as our Youth Director. Michael is responsible for shepherding and ministering to our youth group (Connect | Teens) and their families.
Megan Jones
Hospitality & Connection Director
Megan Jones joined our Christ Church discipleship team in 2022 as our Hospitality and Connect Director. Megan is responsible for the first impression that Christ Church has on our guests, helping guests and attendees feel welcome and offering connections to Christ Church through welcome lunches, new member classes, and small groups. Megan is married to Michael, the youth director; they have seven children aged 4-23, six girls and one boy. She enjoys singing with the worship band and spending time with her family.
Matt Oberhaus
Communications Director
Matt Oberhaus joined our Christ Church team in 2023. Matt is responsible for the look and feel of all things digital and print. Matt also manages our online service streams and supports all other staff as necessary. Matt is a great person to contact if you are looking to get involved in the "non music" side of the arts at Christ Church.