Presbyterians in the South Bay: San Pedro, Rancho Palos Verdes, Lomita, and the Harbor Area ... On-line

Staff

First Presbyterian Church of San Pedro: Christ for Life

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Pastoral Staff

Rev. Neal Neuenschwander

Pastor, Head of Staff

Neal came to First Pres in October 2004, and he blesses us with great preaching, challenging leadership, and sensitive caring.

Neal sees himself filling four primary roles in the church. As a leader, he works to build a common vision, strong teams, and specific measurable goals. As a preacher, "I love to mobilize God's people to reach great ends. I emphasize practical applications, but I also cherish deep analysis of the original biblical text, and I often translate key words from the Hebrew or Greek. I enjoy success stories, and my favorite illustrations describe people who overcame great obstacles in order to achieve." As a coach, he suggests ideas that have worked in other places, while respecting unique needs. To gain this wide perspective, he has interviewed leaders of outstanding churches, as well as attending major conferences on leadership and church systems. As a caregiver, he shares Christ's compassion through counseling, visitation, and correspondence. He writes, " I love learning people's stories and honoring their contributions to Christ's work within and beyond the church."

Above all, Neal seeks to show that "the love of Christ is real. When you're sick, it brings food to the door. When you're bruised, it brings tenderness. When you're confused, it brings truth. When you're stuck, it brings freedom. When you're discouraged, it brings hope."

Rupert Loyd

Lay Minister of Visitation

Rupert spent 30 years as an officer in the U.S. Navy, eventually reaching the rank of captain. He commanded two ships, a destroyer and a radar picket. During this period, he also developed a strong faith in Jesus Christ and a desire to share this faith with others. Following his service in the Navy, Rupert worked briefly in the private sector. Then, he served as our Business Manager for 10 years. During retirement, Rupert has devoted his efforts to pastoral care and spiritual development, visiting the sick, calling on visitors, teaching Bible Studies, and leading our Wednesday night prayer group.

Office Staff

Kristin Baldonaldo

Office Communications Coordinator

Kristin is our Office Communications Coordinator. If you call the church office, she is the friendly lady who will get you the information or help you need. She creates the weekly power point and bulletins for our Sunday Services. Her passion is photography and she has a book available called “God Must Be From Pedro, Because This Place Looks Like Heaven”, which is filled with San Pedro Photography and Inspirations from her own personal life journey. She also enjoys cooking and watching her two sons, Benjamin and Samuel, play baseball and guitar. Kristin is a lifelong resident of San Pedro and has been married to her husband, Jerry, for 20 years.

Martha Bodlovich

Financial Manager

Martha handles the cold hard cash: she records the church's income and pays the bills (on time!). She reports on the status of the church's finances, providing regular reports to the Session, as well as sending out giving summaries to indvidual members.

Music & Worship Staff

Allan Petker

Director of Music

Allan orchestrates all the music ministries. He directs the Chancel Choir (the adult choir), in diverse styles of music ranging from Renaissance to modern. He is also a nationally-known composer and publisher of choral music, travelling around the western U.S. as a guest conductor.

Insuk Park

Organist

Insuk Park has been accompanying churches since she was 15. Born in Korea, where she first began piano and organ lessons, she earned a Master’s degree in Organ at Kazan State Conservatory in Russia, and later played organ in Italy. She and her husband came to the US thirteen years ago and she has served as church organist most recently at First Presbyterian in Torrance. Insuk makes her home in Torrance with her husband, two daughters and a cat.

Rob Klopfenstein

Worship Service Pianist

Rob is our fantastic pianist for the praise band. He plays all over the South Bay, Fridays at the Whale & Ale in San Pedro, Saturdays at the Sixth Street Bistro in San Pedro, and Sunday brunch and Wednesday evenings at The Paradise Cafe in Long Beach. He has also released six CDs, and frequently plays for private parties. His musical background runs the gamut of all styles - classical, pop standards, latin, jazz, rock, and the blues.

Sue Speth

Contemporary Worship Music and Worship Coordinator

She Speth oversees the Praise Band, bulletin and PowerPoint development for our church. Sue minored in music at Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, and she has performed with musical theater and choral groups for over forty years. Before coming to San Pedro, She served as an Elder, Deacon, and Youth Choral Director at the First Presbyterian Church of Granada Hills in California and Millwood Presbyterian Church in Washington. Outside of church, Sue leads a national group purchasing organization for public health centers across the USA. She enjoys visiting her two grandchildren in Ohio and her cabin in the lower Sierra Mountains.

Jennifer Langdon

Sound System Manager

Jennifer coordinates use of the sound equipment, setting up and tearing down when needed, fixing things when they go wrong, and scheduling the sound board operators for each service. She has been part of First Pres San Pedro since junior high, involved in the youth activities and the sports teams. She is currently attending college.

Youth and Children's Music Staff

Emily Anderson

Director of Youth & Children's Choirs

Emily Anderson started the children's choirs at First Presbyterian Church two decades ago. She recently returned after a seven year absence and still has the knack for having fun with kids of all ages while teaching them about faith and music. She places the emphasis on musical fun, teaching; morals, biblical stories and scripture.

Student Ministries Staff

Randi Bender and Todd Walter

Youth Workers

Randi Bender is a life-long member of First Pres, where she was active in the children's choirs and the youth group of our church. After graduating from college at Fresno State, she took an accounting job in Central California, where she met her husband, Todd Walter. Todd is a native of Washington state. Eventually, Randi brought him to Southern California, where both continued in the accounting field. After reconnecting with our church through the Alpha program in 2006, they volunteered for several youth projects, eventually joining our staff.

Children's Education Staff

Children's Ministries Coordinator

(vacant)

Sharon McLachlan

Toddler Room Coordinator

Sharon McLachlan grew up her in San Pedro, where she attended Dana Middle School and San Pedro High. She joined our church in 2005 (after visiting for several years), and soon became involved in ministry to kids. Her smiling face is a welcome sight to many children in our church.

Kory Ederer

Nursery Room Coordinator

Kory grew up in First Pres San Pedro, singing in many of the choirs and playing for the volleyball teams. She loves working with kids, caring for them with great enthusiasm. She is currently attending college.

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Page Last Updated: Sun Mar 17, 2013