Staff
Rev. Stephanie Kendell, Senior Minister
Rev. Stephanie (She | Elle |Ella) is the first, permanent female Senior Minister in our nearly 100-year history. Prior to her call at National City, Pastor Stephanie was the Executive Minister and C.O.O. of the historic Park Avenue Christian Church in New York City. She is the Co-Host of the popular podcast the Two On One Project and is the current First-Vice Moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Pastor Stephanie was a film and television marketing Producer and Director of Operations for one of the industry’s largest global agencies before her call to ministry, working with every major studio. She is an accomplished pastor, activist, podcaster, marketing producer, voice actor, and author with gifts in innovative and engaged preaching, liberating biblical interpretation, inventive digital community building, and casting vision for financial sustainability.
Rev. Steven C. Baines, Executive Minister
Rev. Steven C. Baines is our Executive Minister. Since early childhood, he has always felt a strong sense of calling for Christian ministry, preaching his first sermon at the age of 18. Not only has Rev. Baines demonstrated his gifts for service leading local congregations, he has also established himself as a national spokesperson and strategist on issues of faith and politics; religious liberty and church-state separation; and a fearless advocate for civil rights and LGBTQ equality. He is a popular speaker and has offered commentary on CNN, CSPAN, The Advocate, New York Times, Washington Post, Washington Times, Atlanta Constitution, Religion News Service and numerous other local talk radio and news outlets.
Baines is a 25-year member of National City where he has served as Bible Study Instructor, Deacon, Vice Chair and Chair of the Board of Elders, and Vice Moderator and Moderator of the Congregation for six years. Additionally, he has served on numerous leadership and ministry Task Forces during his tenure with the church.
Before working at National City, Rev. Baines served as Director of Religious Outreach at Americans United for Separation of Church and State; Director of Interfaith Outreach at Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice; Director of Interfaith Outreach at People For the American Way; and Executive Director of both Equal Partners in Faith and AFFIRM Youth. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., he served local Baptist congregations in North and South Carolina.
A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Rev. Baines did his undergraduate studies at Furman University in Greenville, SC and his theological study at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He currently resides in Arlington, Virginia, with Rick Mohn, his husband of 16 years. Together they are the proud parents to adoptive cats – Smokey, Bandit and Chynna.
Dr. J. Michael McMahon, Artistic Director, Music at Midday
The Reverend Dr. J. Michael McMahon has served as Artistic Director of Music at Midday since November 2013, a role in which he also served during his tenure as Minister of Music. In September 2018, Mike became Executive Director of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, with offices located at NCCC.
An ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Mike is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, holds a Master of Divinity degree from the Washington Theological Union, a Master of Arts degree in liturgical studies from the University of Notre Dame, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Catholic University of America.
Before coming to National City, Mike had served as a professional director of music ministries for more than thirty years. From 2001 to 2013 he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM), an organization of seven thousand Roman Catholic musicians, clergy, and other pastoral leaders. He is the author of a book on Christian initiation and has contributed numerous articles on worship and church music to a variety of journals. Mike also has extensive experience as a speaker and clinician for regional church gatherings and national music organizations.
A native of Pittsburgh, Mike has long been a resident of the Washington area and currently lives in Silver Spring with his husband Ray Valido.
Kevin J. Biggins, Jr., Associate Music Director & Organist
Kevin is a familiar face to the Washington, D.C. area as an organist that started at a young age. Particularly here at NCCC, Kevin began attending at the age of 13 and quickly came under the radar of Lawrence “Lon” Schreiber during his leadership for 40 years as the Minister of Music at NCCC. Taking lessons from him and his successor, Dr. Edward A. Moore, Kevin went on to pursue studies at the Westminster Choir College of Princeton, NJ in 2006. After completing that program, Kevin took on work in transportation while playing in various churches in the NJ and PA area until returning to DC in 2016. Now taking lessons with former NCCC Assistant Minister of Music, Marvin Mills, Kevin continues on work to improve his skill and expand his skills and knowledge of choral and organ repertoire. Kevin has been a devout member of NCCC since 2001.
MJackson@nationalcitycc.org
Juan Vasquez, Assistant Building Superintendent
JVasquez@nationalcitycc.org
Kathleen Swihart, Associate in Membership
KSwihart@nationalcitycc.org
Betty Crudup, Church Concierge
Bcrudup@nationalcitycc.org
Anna Meyer, Virtual Pastor
Ameyer@nationalcitycc.org