Jim Pollard, Senior Pastor
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Reverend Jim Pollard is a native Michigander. Raised in Livonia, Michigan, Jim is a graduate of Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Jim accepted his first call to a church in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin where he served for 11 years.

Jim loves all kinds of music. Before seminary, he directed men's and women's choruses and sang in a comedy quartet called: The Ivy League, with which he traveled the United States and Canada. While in Lake Geneva, he commuted to Northbrook, Illinois to sing with the New Tradition Chorus where he earned two silver medals. Although he doesn't sing much anymore, his radio is always on listening to all kinds of music, (with the exception of rap). In the summer, he loves kayaking and riding his motorcycle around town and into the countryside.

Deb, Jim's beloved wife of 32 years and his high school sweetheart, passed away from cancer in March of 2012. They have three children. Lauren is married to Matt and they live in Madison, WI, and have a two year old named Elijah; Jon lives in Traverse City; and Jeremy recently graduated from Michigan State University and is applying to medical schools. He has 2 dogs, Kevlar and Hunter ... and a horse named Maverick.

Mike Ossewaarde, Youth Director
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Mike Ossewaarde was born and raised in Kalamazoo. He graduated from Hope College with a degree in Religion. He also met his wife, Annie, at Hope. After graduating college and getting married, Mike and Annie spent a year in Colorado Springs, Colorado working at an emancipation program for adjudicated youth called the Dale House Project.

Mike has been involved with Young Life since his sophomore year of college. He has traveled, with Young Life groups, to camps in Virginia, Minnesota, Colorado, Michigan, and the Dominican Republic.

In his free time Mike likes fishing, eating, exercising, chatting with a friend at a coffee shop, road tripping with Annie, gardening, and relaxing. Mike is also a devout Lions fan. Needless to say, he needs a constant reminder that in the Kingdom of Heaven the last shall be first and the first shall be last.

Liz Beasley, Director of Children's Christian Education

Liz has been wholeheartedly passionate about the importance of learning for children for as long as she can recall, and believes it is essential to be able to love every child in her care.

Liz began working as a classroom teacher with 4–11 year olds after completing her first degree in Education in Leeds, England.  After 7 years of teaching, she was appointed as a full-time university professor, training teachers at Leeds Metropolitan University.  During her 16 years at the university she was able to teach, travel and complete a Masters degree in Education and was appointed as the Faculty Director of Teaching and Learning.  She moved to Harbor Springs in 2008.

Liz continues to work with adult teacher education as an adjunct professor at North Central Michigan College one evening a week; volunteers as a Middle School Classroom Aide; and is the former Director of North Country Kids; a position she held for 4 years.  

Her husband Joe is an Educational Consultant, and she has one son, Jacob.  She loves walking her Labrador, boating, canoeing, reading, crafts and cooking.

Liz is responsible for the children’s Christian Education programs and looks forward to working with all the current dedicated volunteers as the year progresses.  Give her a call at 231-526-7332, or stop by her office to learn more about how to become involved. 

Peter Sims, Director of Music
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Peter Sims has been an active church musician since his teenage years. A graduate of Butler University in Indianapolis, Peter taught high school vocal music for 23 years. During that time, he was also a part-time music director for several churches and is delighted to have recently celebrated his 10^th anniversary serving our church in a full-time capacity. Peter is also director and pianist for the Northern Michigan Chorale and the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra Chorus. A musical highlight has been the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall five times, twice under the direction of the legendary Robert Shaw.

During the workweek, you’ll find his cocker spaniels Pasha and Tanner (the un-official mascots of FPCHS) sharing the music room with Peter and all the volunteer church musicians. His three Siamese cats stay home. Outside activities include caring for a fleet of vehicles or boating on Crooked Lake during the summer months.

Cynthia Donahey, Administrative Manager
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Cynthia moved to Harbor Springs with her husband, Art Schoolmaster, in 1986 from their hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan. There she was a Research Associate with the UM School of Epidemiology and the Highway Safety Research Institute. That career ended with the move north and eventually she found her place at First Presbyterian Church of Harbor in 1990.

She has many interests including, but not limited to: kayaking, bicycling, Renaissance music (recorders), weaving, knitting, contra dancing, old time music (penny whistle and bodhran), and birding. She enjoys the varied nature of her job here, which encompasses desktop publishing, database management, building management, and accounting, along with the day-to-day support work for staff and church members