Staff

Rev. Owen J. Gray began his ministry at First in July of 2023. He and his wife, Grace, grew up in Kansas City, and after living in Virginia, Indiana, and Texas, are excited to be in Lee's Summit. Owen attended the University of Nebraska- Lincoln and Union Presbyterian Seminary, and most recently served as Associate Pastor at St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church in Richardson, TX, a suburb of Dallas. Besides spending time with daughters Ruth and Rory, Owen enjoys reading, watching sports and good movies, time outdoors, podcasts, good coffee, good food, and good friends.

Jacob Lowry received his Bachelor of Music Education and Masters of Music in Choral Conducting at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX under the tutelage of Dr. Allen Hightower and Dr. James Franklin. Jacob and his wife, Dr. Laura Lowry, live in Lee’s Summit and share a love for music and teaching. They spend a lot of time chasing their son Caleb.

Sharon Pyburn has been a member or First Presbyterian Church since 1997. She joined the staff in March of 1998 as Assistant Director of Music. Sharon currently directs the Spirit and Vesper Bells hand bell groups, and the bell quartet. She also assists in many other ways as needed through out the church. A graduate of Tarkio College in 1984, Sharon has been involved in music all of her life as a piano accompanist, playing trumpet, solos and small groups, interim choir directing and more.

Sharon and her husband Jerry have 3 terrific young adults and live in Lee’s Summit.

Joey Mayo is First Presbyterian Church of Lee's Summit's Contemporary Worship Leader. Joey is a native to Lee's Summit, graduated with a bachelor's degree in music and music ministry from Central Methodist University. Joey has a lovely wife, Anna; and a furbaby named Hagrid. Joey has been a worship leader at 3 different churches over the past 6 years and and is excited to lead us in WORSHIP!

Curt Likins has been active with Christian Education for many years and has served as an assistant to the Youth Director as recent as 2017. He has traveled with and chaperoned on four different Mission Trips including the Red Bud Reservation, Estes Park, Heifer Ranch and Memphis Youth Ministry. He has taught various Sunday School classes for more than fifteen years and has served on the Christian Education Action Team for the past twelve. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in English from Southwest Missouri State University (Now Missouri State) and is certified in the state of Missouri for Secondary Education.

Diane McKee joined First Presbyterian in 2015, coming to us with many years of specific experience in church office administration. Although her church background was mainly with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), she has adapted to the Presbyterian way of doing things and enjoys working in a busy office, and with the friendly people at First Pres.

She and her husband, Mark, have lived in Lee’s Summit for 26 years where they raised two (now adult) daughters, Caroline and Julianna. She graduated a while back from UMKC with a B.A. in Business Administration. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, shopping, reading and makes a great sous-chef for her husband!

David Anschutz has an A.B. in Physical Sciences from Harvard College (1971) and Graduate study in education at UMKC (1971-1972). He is currently Accompanist at Lee’s Summit North High School in the Vocal Music Department.

David is a member of Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and Kansas City Federated Teachers of Music and Fine Arts. He is also an Associate Member of Mid-America Music Association. He has held Church Organist Positions in many Kansas City Area churches. Professional tutor for middle/high school and college students in math, science, social studies and language arts along with Private Keyboard Teaching Positions.

Cassandra Pyburn has grown up at First Presbyterian since moving to lees summit in 1997. As a youth Cassandra participated in Logos, camp at Estes Park, Triennnium 2007, hand bells, and more! She began working in the nursery in February of 2004 and became Nursery Director in June 2011. 

Cassandra’s passion for youth led to a Bachelors of Science in Sociology and a minor in Childhood Studies from MWSU in 2012. She is a Site Supervisor for Before and After School Services here in Lees Summit.