Rev. David Yonker - SEnior Pastor
Rev. David J. Yonker has been serving the First Christian Church in Burlington since October of 2012. He previously served as the pastor of the First Christian Church in Sterling, Illinois from 2004-2012. He was born and raised in Missouri and calls Columbia, Missouri his hometown. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science from Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri and a Masters of Divinity degree from Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky.
In addition to serving First Christian Church, he is serves on the Board of Directors for the Christian Church Foundation, the Board of Trustees for Culver-Stockton College, and is a coach for new church planters and congregations in transformation with Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation. He is an avid runner, golfer, St. Louis Cardinals fanatic, and newspaper junkie. He loves spending time with his wife Liz and their two children.
REv. Brooke Robbins - Associate Pastor
Pastor Brooke began serving at First Christian Church in June 2019. She comes to Burlington from Davie, Florida, where she served as the Associate Minister at Parkway Christian Church. She grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, where her journey with the Disciples of Christ began at the age of 10. She received her call to ministry while volunteering and serving with the youth ministry at Geist Christian Church in Indianapolis. She has also served churches in Indianapolis, Danville, Indiana, and at Disciples Home Missions in Indianapolis. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education, with a minor in Vocal Performance from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. She studied at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, earning a Masters of Divinity in 2010, and becoming ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indiana in 2010.
Brooke and her daughters, Maryn and Corinne, love to spend family time playing games, reading books, and doing arts and crafts. Brooke enjoys crafting and creating, and also loves music in any form.
Rev. Anika McVay - Youth & Family Pastor
Pastor Anika McVay began her ministry at First Christian Church in 2017, serving as an M&M volunteer and JUMP (Jesus, You, and Me Praying) teacher. She also regularly offered the Children’s Message during worship. Her lifelong passion for working with children naturally shaped her call to ministry. In December 2022, she responded to that call and stepped into the role of Youth & Families Pastor. After completing three years in the Commissioning Education Program, she was officially commissioned on March 1, 2026, becoming a Commissioned Minister in the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest.
A Burlington native, Pastor Anika graduated from Burlington Community High School in 2002. Her background includes serving as a YMCA Childcare Site Director and Camp Counselor, along with experience as a soccer coach, lifeguard, and babysitter. Before joining the FCC staff, she dedicated 15 years to serving Des Moines County.
Anika’s family includes her husband, Matt, and their sons, Hayden and Kinnick. They enjoy cheering on the Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball teams, both in person and on TV. Their family also includes Coach, a rescued Goldendoodle. Baseball is a shared love in their home—most are Cubs fans, and all proudly support the Burlington Grayhounds. Deeply committed to her community, Anika currently serves as a Director for the Burlington Community School District, is an active member of the Burlington Kiwanis Club, and has hosted a Burlington Bees baseball player each season since 2015.
In her free time, she’s happiest wherever her family and friends are gathered.
miranda clubb - office administrator & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Cindy Bachtell - Bookkeeper
Jerry Hayes II - Custodian
KAREN HASSEL - choir & handbell director
Diane dejaynes - worship band leader