About our Pastors

“The community of Westfield is one that is near and dear to my heart. My first childhood home was in Westfield, my parents both grew up in Westfield, and my earliest preschool experience took place at First Congregational Church! Coming to FCC feels like coming home.”

Jennifer holds a Doctor of Ministry from Emory University – Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, GA, with an emphasis in Church Leadership and Community Witness, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The College of New Jersey. Jennifer holds dual standing with the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church (USA). She is also trained as a Prepare/Enrich Facilitator, a premarital and marriage enrichment program.

Prior to her ordination in 2005, Jennifer was a Seminary Intern for Worship, Education & Youth at Watchung Avenue Presbyterian Church in North Plainfield, NJ. Prior to that, she was Youth Director at Osceola Presbyterian Church in Clark, NJ. She began her career at The Presbyterian Church in Westfield as part of the Leadership Team of the Agape Soup Kitchen, and the Christian Education and Youth Intern.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be part of a church in a community that has been in my family for four generations. With all my being, I believe that God has envisioned a future filled with the hope that only God can offer, and I pray for the joyful discernment of what that future might hold for me and for the First Congregational Church of Westfield, and the impact that we can have together in the community.”

Jennifer and her husband, John, live in Springfield, and enjoy traveling, trying new restaurants, and spoiling their nieces and nephews. She is also an amateur photographer and cake decorator.

Jennifer can be reached at Jennifer@fccofwestfield.org or by calling the Church Office at (908) 233-2494.

Rev. Kyle Reaka (pronounced Ree-kuh) joined First Congregational Church of Westfield as Assistant Pastor on February 1st, 2023.

Kyle comes from the Saint Louis, Missouri area, where he grew up, graduating from Freeburg High School in Freeburg, IL in 2012.  He went on to attend Murray State University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Spanish Minor in 2016.  Kyle also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, having finished in 2019.  While at LPTS, Kyle also completed a graduate certificate in Black Church Studies.  Kyle was officially ordained to ministry in the United Church of Christ on July 16, 2023.

While in seminary, Kyle served as Student Pastor of Saint Andrew United Church of Christ in Louisville, KY during 2018 and 2019.  He completed Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Baptist Hospital East in Louisville, KY in the summer of 2019.  After taking some time off during the craziness of the early pandemic, Kyle served two seasons with A Christian Ministry in the National Parks (ACMNP), both in the Grand Tetons (Winter of ‘20/Spring of ‘21) and Yellowstone (Summer & Fall of ‘21.)  After returning home, Kyle served at Samuel United Church of Christ in Clayton, MO as the Minister of Children, Youth, & Missions while substitute teaching high school Spanish on the side.

Kyle is passionate about preaching, teaching, and discussing theology.  He loves that ministry gives him the ability to be with people at some of the most momentous times of their lives, and that he has the opportunity to help nurture the blossoming faith of young folks.  He is thrilled to be at FCC, and in awe of the wonderful welcome that he has received.  Upon his first arrival at FCC while candidating for his position, Kyle said, “It just felt right, right from the start!”  He is very excited about the journey that he has embarked upon with this congregation, and looks forward to working together to share Christ’s love and do good works.

In his free time, Kyle enjoys video games, going on walks to new places, spending time with his friends and family (in person or on video chat), and doting on his niece and nephew.  He also loves to binge-watch shows, read, and is a lifelong fan of the “Pokémon” franchise.  

Kyle can be reached at Kyle@fccofwestfield.org or by calling the Church Office at (908) 233-2494.