Our Staff
Phil Olson
Interim Pastor
Our Pastor is the Rev. Dr. Philip Olson. Rev. Olson has served congregations in New Jersey, Ohio and
Michigan. From 1998 until he retired in 2010, he served as an Interim Pastor in five congregations,
primarily in Detroit Presbytery. He and his wife, Deborah, live in Columbia where she is a member of
First Presbyterian and serves on the Board of Deacons. They moved to Missouri in 2012 to be with their
family. In Missouri, he has served congregations in Fulton, Boonville and Bunceton, and was Stated Clerk
of the Presbytery. He has been with Covenant Presbyterian since 2019, and Longwood Presbyterian
since 2021
Derek Wittman
Adm. Asst./Music Director
Derek Wittman has been part of the Covenant family since 2012 when he began working as church
organist. He added the position of administrative assistant a year later and eventually began directing the
church's musical ensembles. Derek was raised in Marshall and is a graduate of Marshall High School. He
holds degrees in religion from Oklahoma Baptist University (B.A.), Wake Forest University (M.A.), and
Baylor University (Ph.D.). He has sung in OBU's Bison Glee Club, the Marshall Community Chorus, and
several church choirs. Prior to returning to Marshall, he served for two years in the AmeriCorps VISTA
program working in faith community outreach for Flatirons Habitat for Humanity in Boulder, CO. He was a
contributor to the New Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible and frequently teaches adult Bible study
classes at the church. In addition to his duties at Covenant, Derek has served as a pianist for the music
programs at Marshall High School and Missouri Valley College, accompanied the Marshall Community
Chorus, and played piano and organ for a variety of community events. He has served on the boards of
Saline County United Way and the Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra and on the Missouri Union
Presbytery's worship committee. In his free time, Derek enjoys reading, attending concerts and sporting
events, and solo travel.
Session Members
Roger Brayman
Barbara Burns
Judy Duffer
Brad Guthrey
Jackie Guthrey
Linda Hendrick
Dale Kleinschmidt
Vicki Mitchell
