Church Staff

Glenn Balzer, Pastor
For 23 years I served as the Executive Director of the DOOR. A faith-based network of cities that provided opportunities for service, learning, and leadership development within diverse neighborhoods. Today I am the Pastor at First Mennonite Church of Denver. I want FMC to be a place that figures out how to filter people in. It is our differences that make life and church interesting, full and fun. I married my college sweetheart in 1986. Together we have raised 2 boys. Our oldest lives in Chicago and our youngest has followed my journey in reverse and now lives in British Colombia, Canada.

Likes: Denver Broncos, Vancouver Canucks, riding motorcycle, exploring new places, anything that brings the family together
Enneagram: 8 with a 9 wing
Heritage: Canadian, Mennonite
Favorite Book of the Bible: Jonah
Favorite Adult Beverage: Beer – the IPA variety
Movies: Lord of the Rings (extended edition); Chef; Begin Again
Soundtrack: Jimmy Buffett, High Valley, Common, Bon Jovi, Sara Bareilles, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Dislikes: liver and onions, people who drive slow in the fast lane

Duncan Smith, Pastor
Starting February 1, 2018, Duncan will help the congregation make connections for urban ministry opportunities, working part-time.  Duncan served as Conference Minister for Pacific Northwest Mennonite Conference for 10 years.  He has extensive experience in pastoring and social work, mediation, and organizational development.  We are grateful for his time and gifts among us.  Duncan, and his wife, Charlene Epp, moved to Denver in 2014 from Oregon.

Linda Welty, Office Administrator
Linda joined the FMC staff in December 2009. Linda has experience in a variety of non-profit office settings, including 10 years as manager of an independent living retirement community.  Linda and her husband, Merritt, have two sons, one in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with his wife, and one in Boise, Idaho, with his wife and two children.

Alyssa Bennett Smith and Joshua Smith, Caretakers

Alyssa and Joshua joined the FMC staff in August 2015. Alyssa works at Art for Ashes and Joshua is a PhD student in Religious Studies at the University of Denver/Iliff School of Theology.