Pastor

Rick Stoops 

     Bro. Rick Stoops and his wife, Shari, have served as pastors of the First United Pentecostal Church in Augusta, Maine, since 1982. Pastor Stoops has a passion for ministering to the lost through personal Bible studies and discipleship, and a vision of seeing a great revival in Central Maine (and beyond).

  Raised in Caseyville, Illinois, Pastor Stoops preached his first revival services at the age of 16, became a licensed minister at 17, attended Gateway College of Evangelism from 1973-1976, and started his first church at 21.

  Over the years, Pastor Stoops has also held several significant leadership positions within the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI):

• Maine District Youth President (1986–1993)
• Sectional Presbyter (1985–1996, 2023-2025)
• Maine District North American Mission Director (1994–1996)
• Maine District Superintendent (1996-2023)
• UPCI Executive Presbyter of the Northeast Region (2023-2025)

Pastor and Sis. Stoops raised 4 children and very much enjoy being Grampy and Ama to 10 grandchildren. In his spare time, Pastor Stoops loves to fly his Cessna 172 all over Maine. Sis. Stoops enjoys watching her grandkids play sports and spending time with her family.

   Bro. Rick Stoops and his wife, Shari, have served as pastors of the First United Pentecostal Church in Augusta, Maine, since 1982. Pastor Stoops has a passion for ministering to the lost through personal Bible studies and discipleship, and a vision of seeing a great revival in Central Maine (and beyond).

 Raised in Caseyville, Illinois, Pastor Stoops preached his first revival services at the age of 16, became a licensed minister at 17, attended Gateway College of Evangelism from 1973-1976, and started his first church at 21.

 Over the years, Pastor Stoops has also held several significant leadership positions within the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI):

• Maine District Youth President (1986–1993)
• Sectional Presbyter (1985–1996, 2023-2025)
• Maine District North American Mission Director (1994–1996)
• Maine District Superintendent (1996-2023)
• UPCI Executive Presbyter of the Northeast Region (1923-2025)

Pastor and Sis. Stoops raised 4 children and very much enjoy being Grampy and Ama to 10 grandchildren. In his spare time, Pastor Stoops loves to fly his Cessna 172 all over Maine. Sis. Stoops enjoys watching her grandkids play sports and spending time with her family.

     Bro. Shane Stoops was raised in Augusta, Maine, and has been a lifetime member of the First United Pentecostal Church of Augusta. He loves to fish with a rod and reel, but has a greater passion as a "fisher of men", teaching personal Bible studies and leading people to salvation. Although his primary area is Augusta, Bro. Shane also has a heart for missions, and has participated in and preached at several revivals and crusades in the Philippines, Bangladesh, El Salvador, and Brazil.

   Bro. Shane currently serves the Maine District as a Sectional Presbyter, supporting other pastors in their ministries. In the recent past he also served on the District Youth Committee and the North American Missions Committee.

   In 2007, Bro. Shane married the love of his life, Amy, of Vancouver, Washington, and together, they have raised 3 children. They enjoy the outdoors and traveling, and serving in ministry together.

Associate Pastor

Shane Stoops

     Bro. Kris McCray has served for many years in several ministerial and administrative roles at the First United Pentecostal Church of Augusta and other churches in Maine. While attending Northeast Christian College in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Bro. Kris served as Youth Pastor in Machias, Maine, as a summer internship. After graduating from NCC in 1997, he served for one year as Youth Pastor at a church in Winterport, Maine, before returning to his home church here in Augusta.

     From 2003-2008 he held the position of Youth Pastor, and since then has been serving as Assistant to the Pastor. His main focus is welcoming and connecting new members with resources and relationships within the church to encourage them in their spiritual growth. 

   Bro. Kris married his wife, Carrie, in 1998, and they have raised 2 sons. They love to travel together (especially cruising), fish the local lakes from their bass boat, and take motorcycle rides to try new food venues.

Assistant to the Pastor

Kris McCray

     Bro. Aaron O'Neil was raised in Augusta, Maine, and has been a member of the First United Pentecostal Church of Augusta since his family joined when he was a child. Bro. Aaron's energy and enthusiasm makes him perfect for the role of Youth Pastor, which he has served in since 2015.

     Through his ministry, Anchored Youth has seen great growth in attendance and participation, as well as great spiritual growth. Despite working a demanding full-time job, Bro. Aaron always finds time to mentor and guide the students he serves. He also gives of his time and efforts in many other ministries around the church, including the music team, social media team, and special events committees.

   Bro. Aaron married his wife, Lelisha, in 2008, and they are raising a son and a daughter. They enjoy camping with their extended family and friends, and Bro. Aaron also enjoys playing disc golf.

Youth Pastor

Aaron O'Neil

Pastor - Rick Stoops

     Bro. Rick Stoops and his wife, Shari, have served as pastors of the First United Pentecostal Church in Augusta, Maine, since 1982. Pastor Stoops has a passion for ministering to the lost through personal Bible studies and discipleship, and a vision of seeing a great revival in Central Maine (and beyond).

   Raised in Caseyville, Illinois, he preached his first revival services at the age of 16, became a licensed minister at 17, attended Gateway College of Evangelism from 1973-1976, and started his first church at 21.

   Over the years, Pastor Stoops has also held several significant leadership positions within the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI):

• Maine District Youth President (1986–1993)
• Sectional Presbyter (1985–1996, 2023-2025)
• Maine District North American Mission Director (1994–1996)
• Maine District Superintendent (1996-2023)
• UPCI Executive Presbyter of the Northeast Region (2023-2025)

Pastor and Sis. Stoops raised 4 children and very much enjoy being Grampy and Ama to 10 grandchildren. In his spare time, Pastor Stoops loves to fly his Cessna 172 all over Maine. Sis. Stoops enjoys watching her grandkids play sports and spending time with her family.

Associate Pastor - Shane Stoops

     Bro. Shane Stoops was raised in Augusta, Maine, and has been a lifetime member of the First United Pentecostal Church of Augusta. He loves to fish with a rod and reel, but has a greater passion as a "fisher of men", teaching personal Bible studies and leading people to salvation. Although his primary area is Augusta, Bro. Shane also has a heart for missions, and has participated in and preached at several revivals and crusades in the Philippines, Bangladesh, El Salvador, and Brazil.

     Bro. Shane currently serves the Maine District as a Sectional Presbyter, supporting other pastors in their ministries. In the recent past he also served on the District Youth Committee and the North American Missions Committee.

     In 2007, Bro. Shane married the love of his life, Amy, of Vancouver, Washington, and together, they have raised 3 children. They enjoy the outdoors and traveling, and serving in ministry together.

Assistant to the Pastor - Kris McCray

     Bro. Kris McCray has served for many years in several ministerial and administrative roles at the First United Pentecostal Church of Augusta and other churches in Maine. While attending Northeast Christian College in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Bro. Kris served as Youth Pastor in Machias, Maine, as a summer internship. After graduating from NCC in 1997, he served for one year as Youth Pastor at a church in Winterport, Maine, before returning to his home church here in Augusta. From 2003-2008 he held the position of Youth Pastor, and since then has been serving as Assistant to the Pastor. His main focus is welcoming and connecting new members with resources and relationships within the church to encourage them in their spiritual growth.   

     Bro. Kris married his wife, Carrie, in 1998, and they have raised 2 sons. They love to travel together (especially cruising), fish the local lakes from their bass boat, and take motorcycle rides to try new food venues.

Youth Pastor - Aaron O'Neil

     Bro. Aaron O'Neil was raised in Augusta, Maine, and has been a member of the First United Pentecostal Church of Augusta since his family joined when he was a child. Bro. Aaron's energy and enthusiasm makes him perfect for the role of Youth Pastor, which he has served in since 2015. Through his ministry, Anchored Youth has seen great growth in attendance and participation, as well as great spiritual growth. Despite working a demanding full-time job, Bro. Aaron always finds time to mentor and guide the students he serves. He also gives of his time and efforts in many other ministries around the church, including the music team, social media team, and special events committees.

     Bro. Aaron married his wife, Lelisha, in 2008, and they are raising a son and a daughter. They enjoy camping with their extended family and friends, and Bro. Aaron also enjoys playing disc golf.