Leadership & Staff
Get to know our leaders & staff.
We choose servant leadership.
At FCC Somerset, we choose servant leadership. We chose to love others through leadership styles that demonstrate sacrificial love while ensuring biblical foundations and principles are adhered to. Jesus Christ came to serve, not to be served. Like Jesus, we desire to love and serve others wholeheartedly while leading them to a deeper relationship with Him.
Braxton King
Senior Pastor
Pastor Braxton King was raised in a pastor’s home and saved at the age of seven. He experienced a baptism of the Holy Spirit at the age of 18 and began preaching shortly after that. Holding revivals in many states, he has pastored for over 38 years and traveled to India, Pakistan, Brussels, Honduras, and the Bahamas, teaching in Bible schools and evangelizing in mass crusades. He founded the Lord’s Gym, McCreary County, and has been it’s director for 21 years. He continues to pastor Cowboy Church, which meets Sunday evenings at Suits-Us Farm. He has been a vital part of this ministry for the past ten years. Additionally, he has led in worship and preached in Youth Revivals throughout the region with Uncaged Lion.
He has been married to Monica for 32 years, and they have two children, Brandon and Brittany, and one grandson Maverick.
Brandon Patterson
Director of Youth
and Family Ministry
Brandon Patterson is a life-long resident of Pulaski County and a graduate of Somerset High School. He attended Asbury University, where he was a member of the Men’s Soccer team while studying Christian Ministry & Social Work. While at Asbury, Brandon met his lovely wife Laura, and upon graduating in 2018 moved back home to work in his family’s business. Brandon has served in ministry since 2015, and has been at First Christian Church since fall of 2020. Brandon and Laura enjoy exercising, spending time with family & friends, and watching the Kentucky Wildcats! They live in Science Hill with their two furry kids, Rupp and Bella.
Dave Shelton
Music Director
Dave Shelton is a conductor, educator, and multi-instrumentalist who combines a passion for music with a diverse background as a jazz pianist, orchestral hornist, and composer/arranger. Dave’s education includes a Bachelor of Music in Music Education (summa cum laude) from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Music (summa cum laude) from the University of North Texas. He has extensive church experience dating back to 1986 and more recently served in Frankfort, KY as the Minister of Music for Calvary Baptist Church and as Worship Leader at First Methodist Church.
Kristen Scalf
Nursery Director
Hello! My name is Kristen, and I am thrilled to begin this new journey! I recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I am privileged to serve as a preschool teacher at Walker Elementary School.
A few of my favorite things…
Favorite Food: Crab legs or pasta
Favorite Color: Yellow
Things to do: Travel/Go to the lake
Jessica Rushin
Administrative Assistant
Jessica was born and raised in Southeast Missouri. She graduated in 2008 in her hometown before moving to Kentucky in 2011. She attended Somerset Community College where she pursued a degree in Secondary Education, specializing in English. She was baptized in 2018 at The Creek Church alongside her fiancé, Nate, and her children. In her off time, Jessica enjoys singing locally and learning to play the guitar and piano, fitness, and hiking with her family and dogs, Remington & Rogan. When asked how she connects with those in the community, her answer will always be the same, “Show them how they can elevate the vision they have of themselves into a higher version by elevating yourself first as an example. People love a good inspiration. Give them that. Be that person, and you’ll see others start to raise the bar for themselves naturally. It will be a benefit for yourself and many others along the way.”
Ralph Arms
Custodian
Ralph moved to Pulaski County from Louisa, Ky in 1986. He has been employed with First Christian Church since 1998 and became a Church member in 2000. He married his wife, Germie, in 2018 in the Philippines and they share their lives together now in the United States. Ralph enjoys rock concerts and may be the biggest KISS fan you’ll ever meet!
We choose servant leadership.
At FCC Somerset, we choose servant leadership. We chose to love others through leadership styles that demonstrate sacrificial love while ensuring biblical foundations and principles are adhered to. Jesus Christ came to serve, not to be served. Like Jesus, we desire to love and serve others wholeheartedly while leading them to a deeper relationship with Him.
Braxton King
Senior Pastor
Pastor Braxton King was raised in a pastor’s home and saved at the age of seven. He experienced a baptism of the Holy Spirit at the age of 18 and began preaching shortly after that. Holding revivals in many states, he has pastored for over 38 years and traveled to India, Pakistan, Brussels, Honduras, and the Bahamas, teaching in Bible schools and evangelizing in mass crusades. He founded the Lord’s Gym, McCreary County, and has been it’s director for 21 years. He continues to pastor Cowboy Church, which meets Sunday evenings at Suits-Us Farm. He has been a vital part of this ministry for the past ten years. Additionally, he has led in worship and preached in Youth Revivals throughout the region with Uncaged Lion.
He has been married to Monica for 32 years, and they have two children, Brandon and Brittany, and one grandson Maverick.
Brandon Patterson
Director of Youth and Family Ministry
Brandon Patterson is a life-long resident of Pulaski County and a graduate of Somerset High School. He attended Asbury University, where he was a member of the Men’s Soccer team while studying Christian Ministry & Social Work. While at Asbury, Brandon met his lovely wife Laura, and upon graduating in 2018 moved back home to work in his family’s business. Brandon has served in ministry since 2015, and has been at First Christian Church since fall of 2020. Brandon and Laura enjoy exercising, spending time with family & friends, and watching the Kentucky Wildcats! They live in Science Hill with their two furry kids, Rupp and Bella.
Dave Shelton
Music Director
Dave Shelton is a conductor, educator, and multi-instrumentalist who combines a passion for music with a diverse background as a jazz pianist, orchestral hornist, and composer/arranger. Dave’s education includes a Bachelor of Music in Music Education (summa cum laude) from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Music (summa cum laude) from the University of North Texas. He has extensive church experience dating back to 1986 and more recently served in Frankfort, KY as the Minister of Music for Calvary Baptist Church and as Worship Leader at First Methodist Church.
Kristen Scalf
Nursery Director
Hello! My name is Kristen, and I am thrilled to begin this new journey! I recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I am privileged to serve as a preschool teacher at Walker Elementary School.
A few of my favorite things…
Favorite Food: Crab legs or pasta
Favorite Color: Yellow
Things to do: Travel/Go to the lake
Jessica Rushin
Administrative Assistant
Jessica was born and raised in Southeast Missouri. She graduated in 2008 in her hometown before moving to Kentucky in 2011. She attended Somerset Community College where she pursued a degree in Secondary Education, specializing in English. She was baptized in 2018 at The Creek Church alongside her fiancé, Nate, and her children. In her off time, Jessica enjoys singing locally and learning to play the guitar and piano, fitness, and hiking with her family and dogs, Remington & Rogan. When asked how she connects with those in the community, her answer will always be the same, “Show them how they can elevate the vision they have of themselves into a higher version by elevating yourself first as an example. People love a good inspiration. Give them that. Be that person, and you’ll see others start to raise the bar for themselves naturally. It will be a benefit for yourself and many others along the way.”
Ralph Arms
Custodian
Ralph moved to Pulaski County from Louisa, Ky in 1986. He has been employed with First Christian Church since 1998 and became a Church member in 2000. He married his wife, Germie, in 2018 in the Philippines and they share their lives together now in the United States. Ralph enjoys rock concerts and may be the biggest KISS fan you’ll ever meet!
