2025 APPOINTMENTS
Rev. Dr. Sunny Ahn as Pastor to New Beginnings UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Dr. Sunny Ahn as pastor to New Beginnings UMC in the East District as of July 1, 2025. Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Boger has been appointed to Grace UMC of Los Angeles in the West District as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. Dr. Benjamin Camp as Pastor to First UMC of Orange
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Dr. Benjamin Camp as pastor to First UMC of Orange in the South District as of July 1, 2025. Rev. William Johnson will enter the retired relationship as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. Rachel deBos-Haigler as Pastor to Thousand Oaks UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Rachel deBos-Haigler as pastor to Thousand Oaks UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2025. Rev. Anna Mulford has been appointed to St. Paul’s UMC of Oxnard in the North District as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. Richard Garner as Pastor to Honoka’a UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Richard Garner as interim pastor serving in retirement at ½ time to Honoka’a UMC in the Hawaii District as of July 16, 2025. Rev. Joyce Latu has been appointed to Kona UMC in the Hawaii District as of July 1, 2025.
Pastor Hwal Paul Joo as Pastor to Bethany UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Hwal Paul Joo as pastor at ½ time to Bethany UMC in the Hawaii District as of July 1, 2025. Pastor Joo is a retired local pastor in the Mountain Sky Conference. Rev. Hongyun Brandon Won has been appointed to Los Angeles Gospel UM Mission in the West District as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. Chang Min Lee as Pastor to Zion Korean UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Chang Min Lee as pastor to Zion Korean UMC in the West District as of July 1, 2025. Rev. Kyung Hwan Oh will enter the retired relationship as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. Anna Mulford as Pastor of St. Paul’s UMC of Oxnard
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Anna Mulford as pastor to St. Paul’s UMC of Oxnard in the North District as of July 1, 2025. Rev. Rachel deBos-Haigler has been appointed as pastor to Thousand Oaks UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2025.
Pastor Jerome Roberts as Pastor at San Jacinto UMC and Hemet UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Jerome Roberts as pastor at ½ time to San Jacinto UMC and at ½ time to Hemet UMC in the South District as of July 1, 2025. Pastor Betty King will return to the retired relationship as of July 1, 2025.
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Hongyun Brandon Won as pastor to Los Angeles Gospel UM Mission in the West District as of July 1, 2025. Rev. Dr. Hoyong Kim will enter the retired relationship as of July 1, 2025.
Mr. Junbo Zhang as Pastor to Alhambra First UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Mr. Junbo Zhang as pastor to Alhambra First UMC in the East District as of July 1, 2025. Pastor Ching Hua Tseng will enter the retired relationship as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Boger as Pastor to Grace UMC of Los Angeles
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Boger as pastor to Grace UMC of Los Angeles in the West District as of July 1, 2025. Pastor Lesa Renae Smith will return to the retirement relationship as of July 1, 2025.
Mr. Ted Whitford as Lay Person Assigned to Community UMC of Wrightwood
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to assign Mr. Ted Whitford as lay person assigned at ¼ time to Community UMC of Wrightwood in the East District as of July 1, 2025. Rev. Son-Pom Ye returns to the retirement relationship as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. Seonbeen Kim as Associate Pastor to Christ UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Seonbeen Kim as associate pastor to Christ UMC in the Hawaii District as of July 1, 2025. Rev. Hee Kyun Noh has been appointed as pastor to Olive UMC in the Hawaii District as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. Khuong Duy Chau as Pastor to Good Shepherd UMC of Westminster
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Khuong Duy Chau as pastor to Good Shepherd UMC of Westminster in the South District as of July 1, 2025. Rev. Ase Nguyen plans to retire in his denomination as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. Baldwin Avendaño as Pastor to Jacumba UMC and Calexico UM Mission
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Baldwin Avendaño as pastor at ¼ time to Jacumba UMC and pastor at ½ time to Calexico UM Mission in the South District as of July 1, 2025. Rev. Dr. Michael Lodahl plans to retire as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. Blair Trygstad Stowe as Assistant Dean for Co-Curricular Development and Assistant Professor of the Practice of Ministry to Claremont School of Theology
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Blair Trygstad Stowe as Assistant Dean for Co-Curricular Development and Assistant Professor of the Practice of Ministry at ½ time to Claremont School of Theology in the West District and as student at ½ time to Boston University School of Theology as of May 19, 2025.
Pastor Joyce Latu as Pastor to Kona UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Joyce Latu as pastor to Kona UMC in the Hawaii District as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. John Yohan Yoon as Pastor to Sierra Madre UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. John Yohan Yoon as pastor to Sierra Madre UMC in the East District as of July 1, 2025. The Rev. Jae Duk Lew has been appointed as pastor to Ridgecrest UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. Melissa MacKinnon as Interim Director of Field Education to Claremont School of Theology
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Melissa MacKinnon as Interim Director of Field Education to Claremont School of Theology at ¼ time, Change Manager to the North District Union at ½ time, and Wildfire Recovery Support Coordinator to Altadena UMC at ¼ time as of July 1, 2025.
Pastor Lavaka Malakai as Pastor to Waianae UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Lavaka Malakai as pastor at ½ time to Waianae UMC as of July 1, 2025. Pastor Olivia Latu will enter the retired relationship as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. Hyun Seob (Ralph) Kwon as Pastor to Woodland Hills UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Hyun Seob (Ralph) Kwon as pastor to Woodland Hills UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2025. The Rev. Seung-il Whang will enter the retired relationship as of July 1, 2025.
Ms. Maria Perez Longley as Associate Pastor to Aldersgate UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Ms. Maria Perez Longley as associate pastor at ¾ time to Aldersgate UMC of Tustin. Ms. Longley will be consecrated as Provisional Deacon at this year’s Annual Conference.
Rev. Dr. Eugenio Raphael as Pastor to St. Paul’s UMC of San Diego
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Dr. Eugenio Raphael as pastor to St. Paul’s UMC of San Diego in the South District as of July 1, 2025. Rev. Raphael has been serving as interim pastor in retirement as of October 2024.
Pastor Glenn Hoskins as Pastor to Arlington United Church in the Pacific Northwest Conference
Bishop Escobedo-Frank has approved the loan of Pastor Glenn Hoskins under 2020/24 BOD P318.4. Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth intends to appoint Pastor Hoskins as pastor to Arlington United Church in the Puget Sound Missional District of the Pacific Northwest Conference as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. Jae Duk Lew as Pastor to Ridgecrest UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Jae Duk Lew as pastor to Ridgecrest UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2025. The Rev. Wesley B. Elmore will enter the retired relationship as of July 1, 2025.
Pastor Hee Kyun (Steve) Noh as Pastor to Olive UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Hee Kyun (Steve) Noh as pastor to Olive UMC in the Hawaii District as of July 1, 2025. The Rev. Dr. Jinho Han will be on medical leave as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. Dr. Soomee Kim as Pastor to La Habra UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Dr. Soomee Kim at ½ time to La Habra UMC in the East District as of July 1, 2025. The Rev. Karen Tannheimer will return to the retired relationship to the annual conference as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. Diane Davis as Director of Children’s Ministries to Hope UMC of San Diego
Bishop Escobedo-Frank has appointed The Rev. Diane Davis as Director of Children’s Ministries to Hope UMC of San Diego in the South District as of March 1, 2025.
Rev. Cate Luehr as Pastor to La Mirada UMC
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Cate Luehr as pastor to La Mirada UMC at ½ time in the East District as of July 1, 2025. The Rev. Luehr is a member of the ELCA denomination and will continue in her position in the ELCA’s Pacific Synod.
Pastor Mosese Taufalele Jr. as Pastor to Wahiawa UMC
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Mosese Taufalele Jr. as pastor to Wahiawa UMC in the Hawaii District as of July 1, 2025.
Ms. Lavinia Taukolo as Lay Person Assigned to Kahalu`u UMC
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to assign Ms. Lavinia Taukolo as lay person assigned to Kahalu’u UMC in the Hawaii District as of July 1, 2025. Pastor Mosese Taufalele Jr. has been appointed to Wahiawa UMC in the Hawaii District as of July 1, 2025.
Rev. Luan-Vu Tran as Pastor to Garden Grove UMC and Assistant District Director to the South District
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Luan-Vu Tran as pastor to Garden Grove UMC at ¾ time and as Assistant District Director for the South District at ¼ time as of April 1, 2025. He currently serves as pastor to Garden Grove UMC at full time.
Rev. Lea M. Booth as Pastor to Harris UMC
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Lea M. Booth as pastor to Harris UMC in the Hawaii District as of July 1, 2025. Rev. Dr. Frances Wiebenga will return to the retired relationship to the annual conference on July 1, 2025.
Rev. Nelson Castorillo as Pastor to Temple City First UMC and Montebello UMC
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank has appointed The Rev. Nelson Castorillo as pastor to Temple City First UMC at ½ time and interim pastor to Montebello UMC at ½ time in the East District as of March 1, 2025.
Pastor Jennifer Scott as Pastor to Trinity UMC of San Diego
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Jennifer Scott as pastor to Trinity UMC of San Diego in the South District as of July 1, 2025. Rev. Lea M. Booth has been appointed to Harris UMC in the Hawaii District as of July 1, 2025.
Pastor Lesa Smith as Pastor to Grace UMC of Los Angeles
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank has appointed Pastor Lesa Renae Smith as interim pastor to Grace UMC of Los Angeles in the West District as of March 1, 2025. Rev. Dr. Lydia Waters was serving in retirement as pastor to Grace UMC until her passing on February 20, 2025.
Rev. Kevin Kim Wright as Interim Associate Pastor to Hollywood UMC
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank has appointed The Rev. Kevin Kim Wright as interim associate pastor to Hollywood UMC at ¼ time in the West District and as Chief of Staff to the Point Foundation at ¾ time as of March 16, 2025.
Rev. Dr. Krista Givens as Pastor to First UMC of North Hollywood
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank has appointed The Rev. Dr. Krista Givens as pastor to First UMC of North Hollywood in the North District as of January 1, 2025. Prior to this appointment, Rev. Givens was serving at GBGM as Pastor for International Ministry at La Siesta Evangelical Church in Spain.
Arthur Richardson as Lay Person Assigned to UMC of Twentynine Palms
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank has assigned Mr. Arthur Richardson as LPA at ½ time to UMC of Twentynine Palms in the East District as of January 1, 2025.
