About Us - First Christian Church

Our Leadership and History

Todd keough
Minister of Youth and Evangelism

Darren Paulson
Guest Preacher

Barry Swan
FCC Elder

Barry Swan has been an elder at First Christian Church of Pleasant Hill since 1998, and a church member since 1986. He met his wife at FCC, and they were married at the church in 1993; they have two children Anna and Joe who are now adults. Barry was born here in the Bay Area but grew up and went to college in Oregon. He returned to the Bay Area in 1985 working as a Chemical Engineer for Dow Chemical in Pittsburg; he still works at the same location doing engineering consulting work, but with a new company Corteva Agriscience.

In addition to his role as church elder Barry actively uses his spiritual gifts of administration and teaching in church ministry. Currently he leads the Trail Life scouting ministry, does Bible teaching with adults and children, serves as a board member and children’s camp director at Heavenly Hills Christian Camp, and works with FCC staff to improve FCC facility & grounds. In his spare time Barry is an avid hiker and backpacker, enjoys gardening and landscaping work with Cathy, and enjoys lots of camping and outdoor events with the Trail Life Scouts.
John Leary
FCC Elder

John McKillen
FCC Elder
A Restoration Movement Church
How we started in Pleasant Hill, CA
Founded in 1957
Sharing the Faith
First Chrisitan Church in Pleasant Hill has been serving God and the community for over 70 years!
The Restoration Movement
The Restoration Movement began as a group of believers who shared the belief in the simple Gospel. The movement has spread and grown in different ways but the importance of the Bible, communion, and fellowship remain strong.
Starting in the United States during the Second Great Awakening from 1790–1840. The leaders of the movement worked at restoring worship back to the simplicity of the early church. They believed that the many Christian denominations resulted in a drift away from the unity that all believers should have.
Shared Beliefs
Biblical Authority: The movement emphasizes the authority of the New Testament as the sole guide for Christian faith and practice. Followers reject creeds and denominational labels, identifying simply as "Christians" or "Disciples".
Unity of Believers: A central goal of the Restoration Movement is to achieve unity among all Christians. The founders believed that by focusing on common beliefs and practices, divisions could be minimized.
Baptism and Communion: The movement encourages baptism of adult believers by immersion and the weekly observance of the Lord's Supper which are important to the Christian faith.
Rejection of Divisive Practices: The Restoration Movement opposes practices and beliefs that are not explicitly found in the New Testament, arguing that such elements create unnecessary divisions among Christians.