Originally from Scottsdale, AZ, Pastor Steve earned a Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Arizona and a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ.  He served as Associate Pastor at Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church in Grosse Ile, MI, from 1988 to 1996.  He returned to Tucson in August 1996 to become Pastor of CPC.  Steve is an avid U. of A. Wildcats fan and has recently taken up the sport of racquetball. Steve’s wife, Debbie is a teacher with the Amphi School District and they have two children, son Scott and daughter Erin.

Steve hails from the small town of Yankton, South Dakota, and lived for a short time in Corvallis, Oregon, where he graduated from high school.  He joined the army and worked as a Surgical Specialist in army hospitals in such locations as Georgia, Germany, Texas, and Hawaii.  Steve retired from the army in 1996 after 21 years of service and arrived in Tucson with his wife, Ellen, in early 1997.  They became members of Christ Presbyterian Church soon after moving to Tucson where he has served as a deacon and as an elder, including Clerk of Session.  Steve completed his preparations as a Commissioned Lay Pastor in September, 2006, and was commissioned to serve as Interim Pastor for St. John on the Desert Presbyterian Church in October.  Upon completing that assignment, Steve joined the staff as Pastoral Assistant at Christ Presbyterian Church in March 2007.

Lesley Abrams grew up in New York City and attended the High School of Performing Arts (the Fame School).  Upon graduating from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Science in Speech, Lesley embarked on a professional career as an actor - appearing in regional theatres, TV and radio ads, and touring her own one-person plays.  IN 1990 she and her husband, Dean Steeves, began the Laughing Stock Comedy Company specializing in customized, improvised comedy for businesses.  In 2002 Lesley received a Master in Theatre Arts from the University of Arizona.  Throughout it all, Lesley has been teaching a wide range of subjects in a wide range of venues; from high school English to Montessori school dramatics to university Introduction to Theatre courses.  Lesley joyfully joined CPC in 2000.  She shares a home in Tucson with her husband, mother, 2 cats, 2 dogs and enjoys visits from daughter Alexis.

Chris is originally from New Jersey, and received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.  After school Chris lived in Seattle for several years, where he was an active church musician, music educator, and music director for musical theatre productions.  He is currently pursuing his Doctorate from the University of Arizona with his major focus in organ performance and his minor in choral conducting.  He is also the accompanist for the advanced chorus of the Tucson Girls Chorus organization.  Chris and his wife Jessica have two sons--Brady, born in 2006, and a shih-tzu named Moose.

I was born in Williamsport, PA and moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1983. In 1996 I was licensed to preach the gospel and in 1999 I became an Ordained minister and Pastor. I served as the Administrative Executive Secretary for Mountaintop Church for over 10 years and as its Associate Pastor for 8 years and Senior Pastor for 2. I became a part of the Christ Presbyterian family two years ago upon meeting Pastor Steve Melde and a part of the staff on June 18th, 2008. I am an advocate for healthy living and exercise frequently. I am an instructor at LA Fitness, where I teach Club Boxing and Kickboxing. I look forward to working at CPC and am excited about meeting each and every one of you.

Lon grew up in Tucson and attended Sahuaro High School.  He continued his education at the University of Arizona where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture.  He obtained a Masters of Management at the University of Phoenix.  Lon retired from a successful law enforcement career in Arizona where attained the rank of Captain.  Upon his retirement, he worked as a Project Manager within the construction industry until creating his own facilities management company.  Lon's love for adventure takes him traveling around the world to exotic locations on hunting trips. Closer to home he enjoys skiing, fly fishing, trips to Mexico and the movies.

Although he is not on staff of CPC, Jim Wade is a charter member of the church and has served in many lay positions within the church.  Currently, he is also working as an independently contracted accountant for the church.  He was born in Tarrytown, NY, but was baptized and grew up in Minneapolis, MN.  He arrived in Tucson in 1946, married Audrey in 1947, and joined CPC in 1956.  He earned a BS in Business Administration with a major in Accounting.  He and Audrey have six children and 14 grand-children.  Away from his duties at CPC, Jim enjoys reading, is active in the Kiwanis, and serves as Docent at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.