Ministry Staff
Brad Anderson (Director of Youth Ministry) - Brad joined the staff in September of 2007, coming from Boyce Memorial ARP Church, where he was Director of Youth and Family Ministry for six years. He has a B.A. in Christian Education from Erskine College and a M.A. in Theological Studies from Erskine Seminary. He has been active in camps, conferences, and mission trips.
He and his wife Kelley have two sons and one daughter.
Dr. Dariusz Brycko (Assistant to the Ministers) – Dariusz joined the staff in January 2013. A native of Warsaw, Poland, he received his Ph.D. in Historical Theology at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is married to Brook, and they have two children – Levi and Eva. Among other things he will be working with ministry to college students.
Dr. Daniel Cole (Director of Music Ministry) -Daniel joined the staff in July of 2007 as the church's first full-time
music director. He holds a B.A. from Emory University and a Doctorate in Choral Conducting from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he also earned his M.M. degree. Prior to coming to Columbia, Daniel served on the faculty of the University of Delaware. He and his wife Holly had been actively involved in the music ministry of Church of the Good Shepherd in Bloomington, Ind., and Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.
The Coles have three sons.
LeGrand Cooper (Church Administrator) - LeGrand has been Church Administrator since 1987. In addition to many church responsibilities, he is actively involved in a local association of church administrators as well as on boards of other ministries.
He and his wife Beverly two grown children and one still at home.
Andrew Di Iulio (Assistant Director, Youth Ministry) - Andrew joined the staff in May 2012 and is focusing on
Middle School youth. Andrew grew up in a Christian military home with his father serving as a chaplain in the Army. During high school Andrew began working in ministry at his local church in the children/youth program and music. Immediately following graduation he began serving in ministry on a more full-time basis in the United States and abroad. He graduated from Thomas Edison State College in 2009 with a BS in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing. He is currently studying for a Master's of Divinity at Columbia International University.
Dr. Mark McDowell (Assistant to the Ministers) - Mark joined the staff in August 2012. A native of Belfast, Ireland, he received his Ph.D. in Systematic and Historical Theology at King's College, University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He is married to Monica, and they have three sons: Nicholas, Cameron, and Patrick.
Ron Miller (Organist) - As FPC organist for over 35 years, Ron Miller holds the distinction of having served
as the third organist in the history of the church, performing for many church services, weddings, funerals, choir
concerts, and organ recitals. A native of Blytheville, Arkansas, Ron attended the University of Memphis an
d graduated with a double major in English and Music. Ron came to Columbia in 1971 to serve as organist at First Presbyterian Church. He also taught English at Hillcrest High School in Sumter for two years and then at
Eau Claire High School until his retirement from teaching in 2001.
Ron is married to Retta, and they have one adult son.
Leona Query (Director of Women’s Ministry) -In her part-time position in Christian Education and Pastoral Care, Leona coordinates the women’s programs and has ministry in the lives of women. She has her Master’s degree in counseling and teaches Bible studies.
Married 36 years, she and her husband Gordon have a son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter.
Beth Ann Sample (Assistant Director, Youth Ministry) - Beth Ann came to First Presbyterian in May 2011. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. She loves middle school students and comes to FPC with experience in Young Life's Wyld Life ministry.
Eric Wenger (Director of Recreation Ministries) - Eric came to FPC as Director of Recreation Ministries in October 2006. He was born in Puebla, Mexico, to missionary parents, but when Eric was seven years old, his family moved to Columbia. He is a graduate of Columbia International University. Prior to coming to FPC, Eric was director of the sports ministry at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.
Eric is married to Jessica.
