Meet the Church staff

Senior Pastor 

Travis Hewuse

Pastor Travis, along with his wife Heidi, and their 3 children Josiah, Judah and Ava Grace moved to Kentucky in 2010. They served First Assembly as the Youth Pastor and Music Pastor for 7 years before becoming the Senior Pastor in 2017.  Pastor Travis is a graduate of North Central University in Minneapolis and is currently working on his Masters Degree in Theology from Global University. He is an Ordained Minister with the Assemblies of God.

Business Manager

Dee Hiett

worship Pastor

Heidi Hewuse

Receptionist

Emily Santos

Dee Hiett serves First Assembly as the Business Manager.  She has worked at First Assembly for only a year but has over 47 years of experience working with finances. She has her Associates degree in accounting and lives here in Lexington with her husband, James. They have raised 8 children.

Pastor Heidi Hewuse graduated from North Central University with a Church Music Degree in 2000.  She serves First Assembly as the part time Music Pastor and leads worship in the main service on Sunday. During the week she teaches private music lessons and helps train young musicians in the church and school in various worship teams. Heidi is a Licensed Minister and is currently working towards her Ordination with the Assemblies of God.

Emily Santos serves First Assembly as the part-time receptionist.  She is a graduate of Asbury University as a Worship Arts Major and grew up in Versailles, KY.  When she is not helping in the office, Emily also sings on the Sunday morning worship team and helps with the youth worship team on Wednesday nights.

Youth
Ministry Director

Karen White

Children's

Ministry Director Kara Tolley

Preschool/Nursery Ministry Director Tammy Carter

Karen White is First Assembly's Youth Ministries Director.  She has a huge heart for the next generation and has been working with youth for over 30 years.  She along with her husband, Dave, served in the Foster care program and adopted 3 boys as well as raising 2 biological children. She homeschooled 3 of her children and has also worked in a Runaway Shelter and a Home for troubled teens.   Karen currently works with the Asbury Tumbling Team, co-leads the Young at Heart ministry at First Assembly and occasionally 

substitute teaches at Summit Christian Academy.

Kara Tolley is just joining our staff this year. She grew up at First Assembly and has served in our kids ministries since she was 13 years old.  She has over 20 years experience with Children's Ministry but has just recently agreed to take on the role of Children's Ministry  Director. Before this she has helped with the Royal Ranger program, Bible Musicals, and VBS. She has also occasionally 

substitute taught for Summit 

Christian Academy. She and her husband, Justin, have two preschool aged boys. Justin works in the Christian Film industry.

Tammy Carter has worked with First Assembly's Preschool and Children's Ministry for over 20 years.  She agreed to become the Preschool/Nursery Director one year ago and is doing a fantastic job with our little ones. In the past Tammy has worked as a Preschool Teacher. She has also worked in the Fayette County Public School after care program, and the Newspapers and Education program with the Herald Leader. She and her husband, Dave, have three sons.  Dave works as an artist and has made many beautiful murals and sets for our church.