About Us: STAFF

		Don and Marquita have been married since 1973, and are blessed with two married children, and four grandchildren, with another on the way. They are both “preacher’s kids,” Don being second generation, and Marquita, third generation in Assemblies of God full-time ministry. Both are blessed with Pentecostal roots going back another generation respectively. They have been senior pastors since 1993, being co-pastor and youth pastor prior to that time, dating back to 1974.
Don & Marquita Blansit Senior Pastors Reach Pastor Don at dblansit@nixafirst.org or Marquita at mblansit@nixafirst.org

Pastor Wilbur and his wife Margie serve as Pastor Emeritus. After serving as Senior Pastor for more than 30 years (February 1963 – June 1993), Bro. Blansit continues to provide leadership and guidance to the staff and church. He is responsible for laying the foundation that we are building on today.
		Wilbur & Margie Blansit You can reach Pastor Wilbur at wblansit@nixafirst.org

		Pastor Brandon joins Nixa First Assembly as Associate Pastor: Student Ministries, after being a youth pastor for over 13 years in the western suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. Marci is a registered nurse; graduating from the Burge School of Nursing in Springfield, MO. They have been married over 16 years and have three children: Jonathan, Grace & Audrey. Pastor Brandon has a passion to see this generation of young people be transformed by God’s power and be who He has called them to be!
Brandon & Marci Hukill You can reach Pastor Brandon at bhukill@nixafirst.org

Pastor John & Jamie joined Nixa First Assembly in January 2005 as Associate Pastor: Children’s Ministries. John brings unparalleled experience in children’s ministry having operated daycares, pre-schools and day-camps. Applying that relational knowledge of children with a heart for discipleship, has lead the children's ministries to extraordinary success. The Werner’s have two daughters, Joy and Jayna and a son John Leslie.
		John & Jamie Werner You can reach Pastor John at jwerner@nixafirst.org

		Mel and Betty serve as Senior Adults Pastors. They pastored for 11 years in the New York District of the Assemblies of God (1966-1977) and then served for 30 years as AG World Missionaries (1977-2007). They retired at the end of March, 2007 and began to serve in this position as of June 10, 2007. They have been married 44 years and have two children, a son, Chris and a daughter, Rachel, and four grandchildren. They have attended Nixa First AG for 8 years.
Mel & Betty Todd You can reach Pastor Mel at mtodd@nixafirst.org or Betty at melbettyt@sbcglobal.net

Melissa and Rich Barnard have attended Nixa First Assembly since July 1995. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree and has taught music for over 15 years. She joined the staff at Nixa First Assembly in December of 2007 as Director of Music Ministries. Rich too is part of the music ministry at NFA as he can be seen every Sunday helping Melissa’s efforts sound wonderful, by running one of the sound boards. Rich and Melissa have been married for over 13 years and have two sons, Clay and Christian.
		Rich & Melissa Barnard You can reach Melissa at mbarnard@nixafirst.org

		Rod has attended Nixa First Assembly since April 1995 and joined the staff as Business Administrator in September 1998. His administrative responsibilities include church operations, finances and budgeting, church office and building staff. Rod and Niki, have two sons Parker and Payton.
Rod & Niki Link You can reach Rod at rlink@nixafirst.org