Identity shaped by worship, care, and service.
The church's life in Rockport stretches back generations, but its calling remains steady: gather for worship, care for one another, and serve neighbors with grace.
About
A church rooted in worship, welcome, and shared life.
First Presbyterian Church of Rockport is a deeply rooted congregation shaped by worship, hospitality, and practical care. Meet the people who serve faithfully each week, and the faith that guides our life together.
"The mission of the First Presbyterian Church family is to serve with vision and conviction, nurtured by the love and grace of God."
Staff
The people supporting weekly worship and everyday church life.
Meet the team helping sustain worship, hospitality, and daily church life in Rockport.
Kurt Simon
Head Pastor
Yvonne Jaggard
Music Director
Marcia Peterson
Assistant Music Director
Gloria Wright
Office Administrator
Carolina Hernandez
Sexton
John W. Luttman, Jr.
A/V Tech
Floyd Mora
Maintenance TechKurt was born and raised in the Chicago, Illinois area, where he became, at the insistence of his father, a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, much to the chagrin of the churches he served in the St. Louis area. He graduated from Northern Illinois University with degrees in Psychology and Biology. As the son of a Presbyterian minister, he had sworn that the one profession he would never choose was ordained ministry. God had other plans.
He attended the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary and Union Theological Seminary in St. Louis, where he focused on comparative religions. For about 20 years, he served churches in the St. Louis area as a bivocational pastor. He was also the clinical director of a large behavioral health center focusing on both mental health and addiction disorders, and he holds, or used to hold, several certifications and licenses in both disciplines.
When he realized it was time to seek another call after 20 years of serving a wonderful church in Illinois, he discovered Rockport, Texas was calling a new pastor. After much prayer and discussion, he and his wife Tanya felt God was calling them to the Gulf Coast. God always knows what God is doing.
Kurt is married to his beautiful wife Tanya, a Registered Nurse employed by the Doctor’s Regional Emergency Room in Rockport. They have four children: Sadie (Chase) Blackerby, Gretta, Braiden, and Claire. All four children accuse Kurt of loving his Jeeps more than them, a claim he does not always deny. He enjoys rock climbing treks with his Jeep, cooking, traveling, and low-stakes poker. He has five siblings, whom he considers some of his best friends. He loves his role as pastor, teacher, and minister and does not see himself retiring any time soon.
Yvonne Jaggard retired after five years as choir director at Calallen ISD, seven years with her own piano studio, and 30 years as choir director at Rockport-Fulton Middle School and High School. She now enjoys judging and accompanying for area schools in Region XIV.
She attended Del Mar College, received her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, and earned her master’s degree from Texas A&M-Kingsville. She has been a church music director for 53 years and is currently in her 32nd year as Music Director at First Presbyterian Church of Rockport.
She and her husband have three wonderful sons and four amazing grandchildren. In her spare time, she loves to watch baseball, read, sit at the beach with her husband, and enjoy her grandchildren.
Gloria has served at FPC since 2023, where she supports the daily operations of the church office and helps ensure that communication, organization, and administrative tasks run smoothly.
Before joining FPC, she spent many years working with Probation. That experience helped her develop strong skills in organization, communication, and working effectively with the public.
Carolina has served at FPC since 2000. Through her long tenure, she has gained extensive knowledge of the organization’s processes and has witnessed many of the updates and changes that have shaped the church into what it is today.
She has also become a familiar presence within the church community, having interacted with many members and supported various aspects of church life behind the scenes.
Floyd has served at FPC since 2021. Before joining FPC, he had a long career with Pepsi Cola, where he retired after many years of service.
His background in maintenance and operations brings valuable hands-on experience to his role.
Church Leadership
Leaders helping guide care, worship, and shared ministry.
The Session and Deacons help support the congregation's life together through guidance, care, and service.
Guiding the church's life and ministry.
Extending care and hospitality throughout the congregation.
Worship & Beliefs
The church's life is shaped by gathered worship and everyday faith.
Reverent in worship, rooted in grace, and committed to caring for neighbors.
Worship is reverent, welcoming, and centered on God's presence.
Sunday mornings gather the church around Scripture, prayer, song, and fellowship.
- Scripture and prayer Worship returns the congregation each week to God's Word and the life of prayer.
- Welcome and fellowship Music and shared hospitality help visitors feel included.
Faith is centered on Jesus Christ, grace, and shared discipleship.
The church seeks to grow in love of God and neighbor through worship, learning, and service.
- Grace The church's life is sustained by the love and grace of God.
- Service Belief is meant to be lived through care, generosity, and practical love for neighbors.