Lay Minister John Robinson -- Minister John co-directs our Youth Ministry and preaches. He is a scientist working in the
pharmaceutical field as well as an entrepreneur. He is married to Julia Ewart Robinson and they have two children, Jonathan
and Janelle.
Maureen Kamaishah is a lay preacher/teacher, along with prophetic gifting. Maureen came to the U.S. as a young adult
from Kenya and began attending FWC while living around the corner from the church. She is married to Moses Mirui
and has a daughter, Nelly.
Lay Minister Troy Gibson, Sr. -- Preaching, Worship Leader. Min. Troy began attending FWC as a young man. He is
married to Cynthia Green Gibson and they have four children, Troy, Jr., Kristina, Aaron, and Adam along with five
grandsons. He works at 21 Century Fox in NYC.
Interim Co-Pastor Rev. Phyllis Isaac came to FWC more than thirty years ago. She is a life-long Jersey City native. She has a
MSW degree and worked manyl years with the New Jersey Child Protective Services before retiring. She was ordained in
June, 2022. She has a son, Micah.
Lay Minister Rachel Guthman -- Worship Leader, along with prophetic gifting. Min. Rachel has been at FWC her entire life.
She is a music instructor in the Jersey City Public Schools.
Interim Co-Pastor Rev. Melissa Everett has been a part of FWC all her life. She sensed her calling to ministry after
graduation from Rutgers University and pursued ministerial studies at Wesley Seminary, graduating in 2015. She was
ordained in 2020. She teaches at the Michelle Obama School in Newark, NJ. She is married to Carl Everett and has two
children, Carl Jr. and Carissa.
copastorsofjcfwc@gmail.com
Lay Minister Gracie Cooper -- Lay Minister -- Sick, Shut-ins, Community Outreach, Evangelism, and Helps. She oversees our
Saturday food distribution and the soup kitchen as well as reaches out to the sick, shut-ins, seniors, and missing in action. She
is mother of two daughters, Tamika and Triese, and four grandchildren, Davon, Maurice, Nirea, and Jordan.
Marthalina Felix is the Church Office Overseer. She is a book keeper by profession and works several evenings at FWC
during the week. She is a native of St. Lucia, W.I. and has two adult daughters, Natalie and Michaela.
Reverend Donavon W. Shoemaker, Pastor Emeritus, served as senior pastor from June 1972 - June 2025. He is a graduate
of Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University) and Asbury Seminary. He is married (1969) to Viola Mayhle
Shoemaker whom he met in college as a freshman. She was from FWC here in Jersey City! They have three sons, eleven
grandchildren, and two great grands.
Interim Co-Pastor Rev. Phyllis Isaac came to FWC
more than thirty years ago. She is a life-long
Jersey City native. She has a MSW degree and
worked manyl years with the New Jersey Child
Protective Services before retiring. She was
ordained in June, 2022. She has a son, Micah.
Lay Minister John Robinson -- Minister John co-
directs our Youth Ministry and preaches. He is a
scientist working in the pharmaceutical field as
well as an entrepreneur. He is married to Julia
Ewart Robinson and they have two children,
Jonathan and Janelle.
Lay Minister Troy Gibson, Sr. -- Preaching,
Worship Leader. Min. Troy began attending FWC
as a young man. He is married to Cynthia Green
Gibson and they have four children, Troy, Jr.,
Kristina, Aaron, and Adam along with five
grandsons. He works at 21 Century Fox in NYC.
Maureen Kamaishah is a lay preacher/teacher,
along with prophetic gifting. Maureen came to
the U.S. as a young adult from Kenya and began
attending FWC while living around the corner
from the church. She is married to Moses Mirui
and has a daughter, Nelly.
Lay Minister Rachel Guthman -- Worship Leader,
along with prophetic gifting. Min. Rachel has
been at FWC her entire life. She is a music
instructor in the Jersey City Public Schools.
Interim Co-Pastor Rev. Melissa Everett has been
a part of FWC all her life. She sensed her calling
to ministry after graduation from Rutgers
University and pursued ministerial studies at
Wesley Seminary, graduating in 2015. She was
ordained in 2020. She teaches at the Michelle
Obama School in Newark, NJ. She is married to
Carl Everett and has two children, Carl Jr. and
Carissa.
copastorsofjcfwc@gmail.com
Lay Minister Gracie Cooper -- Lay Minister -- Sick,
Shut-ins, Community Outreach, Evangelism, and
Helps. She oversees our Saturday food
distribution and the soup kitchen as well as
reaches out to the sick, shut-ins, seniors, and
missing in action. She is mother of two
daughters, Tamika and Triese, and four
grandchildren, Davon, Maurice, Nirea, and
Jordan.
Marthalina Felix is the Church Office Overseer. She is
a book keeper by profession and works several
evenings at FWC during the week. She is a native of
St. Lucia, W.I. and has two adult daughters, Natalie
and Michaela.
Reverend Donavon W. Shoemaker, Pastor
Emeritus, served as senior pastor from June
1972 - June 2025. He is a graduate of Marion
College (now Indiana Wesleyan University)
and Asbury Seminary. He is married (1969) to
Viola Mayhle Shoemaker whom he met in
college as a freshman. She was from FWC here
in Jersey City! They have three sons, eleven
grandchildren, and two great grands.
