First-Time Visitors - Meet Our Pastors

Pastor Jim

First Pres. is a wonderful church family. I am continually impressed by its love of God, its love of one another, and its love of doing the Lord’s work. I am also impressed by its strong commitment to meet the challenge of looking forward to what it means to be the church today and what it will mean to be the church in the years to come. The Gospel remains the same, by how we celebrate the Good News of Jesus Christ is a dynamic, ever changing life experience. First Pres. reflects this dynamism.

One of my tasks as pastor is to help provide vision and leadership for today as well as for tomorrow. For me this means preaching and teaching with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other hand. The great challenge of discipleship is to discover and celebrate what it means to be Christian today, where I live and work and play.

As pastor, I also have the privilege of loving and caring for people as well as helping people discover their own ministries. This is how the Body of Christ grows and makes a difference! One of the exciting things about First Pres. is that each week we have more and more first time guests, and their overwhelming response is "I’ll be back." It is humbling as well as fun to see and experience what the Lord is doing among us.

I hope you will be our guest some Sunday soon and check us out. And when you come, please introduce yourself to me. I’d like to meet you!

Pastor Bill

I recently heard someone at First Pres. describe this church as a cutting-edge, suburban church with a cozy, small-town feel. I think that's right on. There's a nice sense of balance here, between progress and preservation, individual and community, human and holy. First and foremost, this is a church that recognizes the divine authority of the Holy Trinity and the Holy Bible. We strive to hold both God and God's word in highest esteem in our worship services and our daily activity, and I think people sense that when they come here.

As the Associate Pastor working with young adults and contemporary worship, I have opportunities every week to experience the energy, enthusiasm, and growth generated by this community of people. Throughout the year, the faith of this congregation comes alive through:

• local and global service and giving
• relationship-building seminars, camps, and retreats
• Bible study programs and small group gatherings
• weekly praise, prayer, and worship experiences
• frequent social and recreational gatherings

If you are looking for a genuine and welcoming church community that seeks to honor God and extend the Lord's grace and love, I hope you'll join us here at First Pres. and see for yourself why so many people in Southern California consider this home. God's blessings to you and your family.

Pastor Karen

One of the great characteristics that drew me to First Pres. is the warmth and friendliness of the church family. First Pres. is a place where people care for one another, and put their faith into action through worship, study, and service to God. At First Pres., there is a wide cross-section of people who come and are involved in our programs. From children to youth, college students to older adults, there is a place for a person of any age to get involved.

First Pres. has a rich history dating back to 1947, and has shown over the years a legacy of being forward-thinking and tenaciously holding true to the authority of the Holy Scriptures. This church is open and willing to try new things, recognizing the need to build into the future of our church, and also preserve various traditions that give character to our church.

As Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Congregational Care Ministries, I have the opportunity to help provide ways for people to grow deeper in their faith and understanding of Jesus Christ, and to work alongside our deacons to provide care for the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of our church community. Time and time again, I witness how this congregation shows Christ’s love to one another, and to whoever walks through the church’s doors.

It is my hope that you come by to visit First Pres. to worship with us and to consider being a part of our church family. We’d love to have you!