Staff
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
|
Martha Bodlovich Financial Manager
|
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
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.petker@firstpressanpedro.org
|
Insuk Park Organist
|
|
Rob Klopfenstein Worship Service Pianist
|
Sue Speth Contemporary Worship Music and Worship Coordinator
|
|
Jennifer Langdon Sound System Manager
|
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
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.
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 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
|
Kory Ederer Nursery 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 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.
Please send updates and you can help with the site
Page Last Updated: Sun Mar 17, 2013