Leadership
Ryan Ahlgrim - Lead Pastor
Ryan Ahlgrim believes in the church. For all its flaws and foibles, the church is what provides us with a community of love, support, mutual discernment, and faith. Being a Christian is not something we do alone; it is what we do together: fostering healing for the world. For Ryan, no calling could be more meaningful or important than facilitating the wellbeing and mission of the church.
Ryan became the pastor of First Mennonite Church of Richmond on August 1, 2014.
He began his ministry straight out of college as a youth minister in his home congregation, Lombard Mennonite Church, near Chicago. While attending seminary in Elkhart, Indiana, he worked for two years as an assistant minister at Dunlap United Methodist Church. After graduating, he helped plant Peoria-North Mennonite Church in Illinois. Eleven years later, he became lead pastor of First Mennonite Church in Indianapolis, where he served for nineteen years and taught communication courses at Ivy Tech Community College before moving to Richmond, Virginia. In 2023 he became the Eastern District Minister of the Virginia Mennonite Conference, overseeing four other congregations.
Ryan holds a B.A. degree in English from Goshen College, an M.Div. degree from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (including a semester at Princeton Theological Seminary), and a D.Min. degree from McCormick Theological Seminary through the Association of Chicago Theological Schools Doctor of Ministry in Preaching Program.
Ryan has authored three books: Not as the Scribes: Jesus as a Model for Prophetic Preaching (Herald Press, 2002); Sick Religion or Healthy Faith? Beliefs and Practices for Healing Christian Communities (Wipf & Stock, 2016); and Spying on Jesus: A Novella (Resource Publications, 2025). He maintains a website of essays, stories, articles, videos, dramas and more at www.ryanahlgrim.com.
Ryan is married to Laurie (Silver) Ahlgrim, a retired school nurse. They have two grown children: Garrett and Savannah.
Pastor Ryan can be reached by email at:
pastor@firstmennonitechurch.org
Emily Nyce - Associate Pastor
Emily Nyce (she/her) is the Associate Pastor of First Mennonite Church of Richmond (June 2023-). Emily was born and raised in Richmond, VA, though she was unfamiliar with the Mennonite denomination until attending Eastern Mennonite University for her undergraduate degree. While there, she quickly found that the Anabaptist tradition was her true theological home. Emily (and her husband, Travis) have been actively involved at FMC since August 2017. She is deeply grateful to expand upon her dedication to FMC’s vision now through her half-time Associate Pastor role.
Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious and Intercultural Studies from Eastern Mennonite University (2014), which included a full semester in the Middle East. Additionally, Emily worked professionally in Mennonite churches while in college and for several years after before moving back to Richmond for seminary. She holds a Master of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary (2020), and has also completed a Certificate in Community Storytelling through The Hearth in Ashland, OR. Emily has a decade and a half of professional experience working in a broad range of churches, non-profits, and volunteering to support local peace efforts, including as the founder of Yaupon Place at Union Presbyterian Seminary.
Emily and Travis are parents to one young child, Myrina. So when time (and sleep) allows, Emily enjoys nature walks, writing and poetry, spirituality, cooking, social time with friends and family, food festivals, and any chance to get to the beach.
Emily can be reached by email at:
emily.nyce@firstmennonitechurch.org
Staff
Carrie Smucker
Office Manager
secretary@firstmennonitechurch.org
Sue Webster
Tyree Webster
Administrative Board
Val Reinford
Chair
Craig Wilson
Chair-Elect
Laura Beckler
Treasurer
treasurer@firstmennonitechurch.org
Sandra Joireman
Ministerial Leadership Team
Sandra Joireman
Chair
Matthias Joireman
Young Adult Rep.
Christine Suders
Chris Yoder
Commission Chairs
Pat Rohrer
Fellowship Commission
Cheryl Boggs
Christian Formation Commission
Don Oswald
Worship Commission
Grant Rissler
Outreach Commission
