Pastors
Rev. Walter B. “Lucky” Arnold III, Senior Pastor
Rev. “Lucky” Arnold was born in Coral Gables, Florida. He had a life-changing conversion experience while attending Florida State University. At FSU he received a B.A. in Religion, and then received a Master of Divinity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1978 in Grafton Presbytery, a United Presbyterian Church USA member. He served for three years with the Coalition for Christian Outreach at Salem College, Salem, WV. In 1980, First Presbyterian Church called Lucky to serve as their associate pastor. Later, he was elected to serve as interim senior pastor, replacing Dr. Jim Stout, and shortly thereaafter was chosen to be the permanent senior pastor.
During his 35 years in ministry, Lucky has served as a commissioner to the Synod and the General Assembly, served on the Southeast Regional Board of Presbyterians for Renewal, chaired the Tropical Florida Executive Presbytery Search Committee, served several terms on the Committee on Ministry and the Palm Beach Atlantic University Board of Trustees.
Lucky lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with his wife and ministry partner, Penny. The Arnolds have two sons, Garrett and Colin.
Rev. Ronald R. Hilliard, Associate Pastor
Ron was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. He and Catherine (Sturrock) were married in 1979 and have three children – John, Chris, and Rebecca. Ron’s education includes graduating from Florida Atlantic University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He has two degrees from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia- a Master of Divinity degree in 1987 and a Doctor of Ministry degree, with an emphasis in Christian Spirituality in 2003.
Ron has been on staff at First Presbyterian Church since 1978. As Youth Director from 1978-1984, he led a church partnership with Young Life. After seminary, he returned in 1987 to serve as an Associate Pastor. His current areas of responsibility include Adult Education and Missions.
Rev. Timothy Gooley, Pastor Associate
Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Tim completed his undergraduate studies at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, where he received a B.S. in Public Administration. Prior to sustaining a knee injury, Tim learned the true value of teamwork during his one year stint playing college football. Upon graduation, Tim spent four challenging years in public service administrative rolls. He served in Washington, D.C. as Solar Energy Lobbyist and Consultant to Congress, and later as Contract Administrator and Business Manager for a research and development firm in Durham, N.C.
In the early 1980’s, while working in a management position with Young Life Properties at Pioneer Plunge and Windy Gap, Tim committed his life to Christ. He served for a period of 6 years in managerial and director level positions with Young Life in the Colorado and West Virginia areas. It was during those years that Tim heeded God’s call in his life to the gospel ministry and began attending Fuller Theological Seminary, working towards his Master’s in Divinity.
Tim was called in 1990 to serve as Youth Director for First Presbyterian Church. With Young Life still an important aspect of his ministry, he also served as their Area Director for Palm Beach. In 1998, Tim resigned his Youth Director position to pursue an opportunity in sales, but his heart led him back to First Presbyteian Church in 2002, where he now serves as Pastoral Associate. Dedicated to ministry, Tim is completing his Master’s in Divinity through continued studies at Reformed Theological Seminary, Boca Raton, Florida.
Tim met his wife, Joni, while both were serving in Wheeling, WV as Young Life leaders to impact kids’ lives and prepare them for the future. The Gooleys have four sons: Gabe, Jesse, Graham, and Taylor.
Rev. Elton Piersma, Parish Associate
Elton earned his undergraduate degree at Calvin College and Masters in Theology degree in pastoral care from Calvin Theological Seminary. He spent one year in graduate work at Westminster Seminary and attained an “Advance” rating in the Association for Clinical Pastor Education. Retired from a ministry that included serving two congregations and twenty plus years as a pastoral counselor for Christian counseling centers in Michigan, he now serves First Presbyterian Church in visitation, especially to our seniors and shut-ins. He also teaches in the adult program and is an assistant in worship and special ministries.
Elton is the father of eight, grandfather of nineteen, and great-grandfather of ten. His wife Aleda, known as “Lee”, shares with him in the ministry of visitation. She is the mother of two, grandmother of three, and great-grandmother of five. The Piersma’s both lost a spouse to cancer. God providentially brought this man from Michigan in touch with this woman from Florida and after a year of long distance courtship, they were married in 1993. They presently make their home in North Palm Beach.
