Clergy Appointments

The Rev. Darren Cowdrey as Pastor to Westlake Village UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Darren Cowdrey to Westlake Village UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2024. Rev. Cowdrey is currently serving as pastor of San Luis Rey Valley UMC in the South District.

The Rev. Walter Dilg Jr. will enter the retired relationship as of July 1, 2024.

The Rev. Victor Cyrus-Franklin Jr. as Senior Pastor to Holman UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Victor Cyrus-Franklin Jr. as senior pastor to Holman UMC and to supervise the development project at Inglewood First UMC in the West District as of July 1, 2024. Currently Rev. Cyrus-Franklin Jr. is serving ½ time at Inglewood First UMC and ½ time as the West District Union Change Manager.

The Rev. Dr. Kenneth Walden is appointed to Hampton University as the Enrollment Manager and Director of Supervised Ministry as of March 24, 2024.

Paul Kaho as Lay Person Assigned to Orangethorpe UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to assign Mr. Paul Kaho at ½ time to Orangethorpe UMC in the West District as of July 1, 2024.

Pastor Reynaldo Guevara will be appointed to Sherman Oaks UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2024

The Rev. Matthew Hambrick as Pastor of Mesa Verde UMC in Costa Mesa and Costa Mesa First UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Matthew Hambrick at ½ time to Mesa Verde UMC in Costa Mesa and ½ time to Costa Mesa First UMC as of July 1, 2024. Rev. Hambrick is currently serving Costa Mesa First UMC.

Rev. Matthew Seargeant will enter the retired status as of July 1, 2024.

The Rev. Terry Fisher & Prof. Pamela Fisher as Pastoral Team to Sun City UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Terry Fisher at ¼ time as pastor and assign at ¾ time Prof. Pamela Fisher as lay person assigned to Sun City UMC in the South District as of July 1, 2024. Currently, Rev. Fisher and Prof. Fisher are serving at Lompoc UMC.

The Rev. David Jamir is being appointed to the Ventura/North Oxnard Cooperative Parish in the North District as of July 1, 2024.

The Rev. Lisa Petty as Pastor of First UMC of Escondido

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Lisa Petty to First UMC of Escondido in the South District as of July 1, 2024. Rev. Petty is a member of the Mountain Sky Conference and currently serving as Senior Pastor of Christ UMC in Salt Lake City.

Dawn Christiansen as Lay Person Assigned of Community UMC in Julian

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to assign Dawn Christiansen as lay person assigned to Community UMC in Julian in the South District as of July 1, 2024.

The Rev. Sylina Kidd will be appointed as pastor to North Coast UMC in the South District beginning July 1, 2024.

The Rev. Brian Long as Pastor of The Fount (Fountain Valley First UMC)

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Brian Long to The Fount (Fountain Valley First UMC) in the South District as of July 1, 2024. Rev. Long is currently serving as pastor of Yorba Linda UMC in the East District.

The Rev. Glen Haworth will enter the retired status as of July 1, 2024

The Rev. Broghan Hunt as Pastor to Vista UMC  

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Broghan Hunt as pastor to Vista UMC in the South District as of July 1, 2024. Currently, Rev. Hunt is serving as associate pastor to the 78 East Corridor Parish: First UMC of Escondido and San Marcos UMC.

The Rev. Dr. Leigh Ann Shaw will be appointed to Foothills UMC in the South District as of  July 1, 2024.

The Rev. Adrian Garcia as Pastor of First UMC of Pacoima

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Adrian Garcia as pastor to  Pacoima First UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2024.

Rev. Garcia is a member of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference and currently appointed as ¼ time as Coordinator of Hispanic Ministries and at Peoria First UMC ¾ time as associate pastor of Latino & Outreach Ministries.

Rev. Luis Garcia will be appointed as the South District Superintendent as of July 1, 2024.

Pastor Betty King as Pastor of Hemet UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Betty King as pastor at ½ time to Hemet UMC in the South District as of July 1, 2024. Currently Pastor King is serving at UMC of Cucamonga.

Rev. Valerie Weise will be on leave as of July 1, 2024.

Pastor Bridie Roberts as Associate Pastor of Hollywood UMC and Unite Here Local 11

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Bridie Roberts at ¼ time as Associate Pastor to Hollywood UMC in the West District and ¾ time to Unite Here Local 11 as Deputy Director of Community Organizing as of July 1, 2024.

Currently, Pastor Roberts is serving ¼ time as Associate Pastor at Hollywood UMC.

The Rev. Hannah Adair Bonner & The Rev. Kathy Cooper-Ledesma as co-pastors to Hollywood UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint the pastoral team of The Rev. Hannah Adair Bonner & The Rev. Kathy Cooper–Ledesma as co-pastors to Hollywood UMC in the West District as of July 1, 2024.

The Rev. Bonner is a member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Campus Christian Center and The Wesley Foundation of Tucson, Arizona. The Rev. Cooper–Ledesma is currently serving Hollywood UMC as the Senior Pastor. 

Pastor Reynaldo Guevara as Pastor of Sherman Oaks UMC 

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Reynaldo Guevara as pastor to Sherman Oaks UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2024.

Currently Pastor Guevara is serving ½ time at Orangethorpe UMC. The Rev. Garth Gilliam will be appointed as the North District Superintendent as of July 1, 2024.

The Rev. Alexander Powell as Pastor to Burbank First UMC 

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Alexander Powell as pastor to Burbank First UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2024.

Currently Rev. Powell is serving New Beginnings UMC. The Rev. Stanley Ferguson will return to retirement status as of July 1, 2024.

The Rev. Samuel Domingo and The Rev. Piula Ala’ilima as Pastors to Wahiawa UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint the pastoral team of Rev. Samuel Domingo and The Rev. Piula Alaʻilima as interim pastors serving in retirement to Wahiawa UMC in the Hawaii District as of July 1, 2024.

Rev. Domingo is retired and Rev. Alaʻilima is currently serving Wesley UMC of Hawaii. He will be entering retirement status as of July 1, 2024. The Rev. Jessica Kawamura is on personal leave.

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Hee Jung Yu as pastor to Glendora UMC in the East District as of July 1, 2024.

Currently Rev. Yu is serving at Brea UMC in the East District. Rev. Hillary Chrisley will be appointed to Mission Community UMC.

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Hillary Chrisley as pastor to Mission Community UMC in the East District as of July 1, 2024.

Currently Rev. Chrisley is serving at Glendora UMC in the East District. Rev. Debora Oh will be appointed to Brea UMC.

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Deborah Oh as pastor to Brea UMC in the East District as of July 1, 2024.

Currently Rev. Oh is serving at Mission Community UMC in the East District. Rev. Hee Jung Yu will be appointed to Glendora UMC.

The Rev. Dr. Leigh Ann Shaw as Pastor to Foothills UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Dr. Leigh Ann Shaw as pastor to Foothills United Methodist Church in the South District as of July 1, 2024.

Currently Rev. Dr. Shaw is serving at Vista UMC. Rev. Greg Batson will be appointed to Santa Monica First United Methodist Church in the West District as of July 1, 2024.

The Rev. Sylina Ann Kidd as Pastor to North Coast UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Sylina Ann Kidd as pastor to North Coast United Methodist Church in the South District as of July 1, 2024.

Currently Rev. Kidd is serving at Community UMC of Julian in the South District. The Rev. Michael Andrew (Drew) Davis will be appointed as pastor to Temecula UMC as of July 1, 2024.

The Rev. Courtney Mackey as Pastor to Laguna Beach UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Courtney Mackey as pastor to Laguna Beach United Methodist Church in the South District as of July 1, 2024.

Rev. Mackey is Ordained in the AME Church currently serving in Atlanta, Georgia. Rev. Mary Scifres will return ½ time to UM Publishing House and ½ to Mary Scifres Ministries as of July 1, 2024.

The Rev. Samuel Nam as Pastor to Kardia UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Samuel Nam as pastor to Kardia United Methodist Church in the West District as of July 1, 2024.

Currently Rev. Nam is serving at Aiea UMC in the Hawaii District. Rev. Stephen B. Kim will go on Personal Leave as of July 1, 2024.

The Rev. Suzana Kim as Pastor to Aiea UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Suzana Kim as pastor to Aiea UMC in the Hawaii District as of July 1, 2024.

Currently Rev. Kim is serving as the Associate Pastor at Wilshire UMC in the West District. Rev. Samuel Nam will be appointed to Kardia UMC.

The Rev. Dr. David Jamir as Co-Pastor to Ventura/North Oxnard Cooperative Parish

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Dr. David Jamir as co-pastor to The Ventura/North Oxnard Cooperative Parish in the North District as of July 1, 2024.

Currently Rev. Jamir is serving at Sun City UMC in the South District. Rev. Diane Rehfield will return to the retired status.

The Rev. Kathleen McShane as Pastor to First UMC of Paso Robles

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Kathleen McShane as pastor ½ time to First United Methodist Church of Paso Robles in the North District as of July 1, 2024.

Currently Rev. McShane is a retired clergy from the California Nevada Conference and serving ½ time as Director of Learning & Innovation for the Texas Methodist Foundation and Wesleyan Impact Partners. Rev. Joshua Zulueta will be appointed as co-pastor to Hope UMC of San Diego.

The Rev. Amy Wake as Pastor to Wesley UMC of Hawaii

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Amy Wake as pastor to Wesley United Methodist Church of Hawaii as of July 1, 2024.

Currently Rev. Wake is serving at Trinity UMC of Pearl City. Rev. Piula Ala’ilima will enter the retired status as of July 1, 2024.

Pastor Viliami Ongo Koli as Pastor to Trinity UMC of Pearl City

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Viliami Ongo Koli as pastor to Trinity United Methodist Church of Pearl City in the Hawaii District as of July 1, 2024.

Currently Pastor Koli is serving at 50% time as Associate Pastor at Trinity UMC of Pearl City. Rev. Amy Wake will be appointed to Wesley UMC of Hawaii as of July 1, 2024

The Rev. Gregory Batson as Pastor to Santa Monica First UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Gregory Batson as pastor to Santa Monica First United Methodist Church in the West District as of July 1, 2024.

Currently Rev. Batson is serving at Foothills UMC in La Mesa. Rev. Patricia Farris will enter the retired status as of July 1, 2024.

The Rev. Martin Finau as Pastor to University UMC of Isla Vista

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Martin Finau as pastor to University United Methodist Church of Isla Vista as of July 1, 2024.

Currently, Rev. Finau is serving at Temple City First UMC. Rev. Frank Schaefer will enter the retired status as of July 1, 2024.

Yoshiya “Joshua” Kuramoto as Lay Person Assigned to San Pedro UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to assign Mr. Kuramoto as Lay Person Assigned to San Pedro United Methodist Church as of February 5, 2024.

Prior to coming to The California-Pacific Conference, Mr. Kuramoto served as General Board of Global Ministry Missionary in Japan. Pastor Lisa Williams entered the retired status as of December 31, 2023.

Rev. Michael Andrew (Drew) Davis as Pastor to Temecula UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Michael Andrew (Drew) Davis as pastor to Temecula United Methodist Church in the South District as of July 1, 2024.

Rev. Davis is currently appointed as pastor at North Coast UMC. The Rev. Richard (Rick) Malec will enter the retired status as of July 1, 2024.

Rev. Joshua Zulueta as Co-Pastor to Hope UMC of San Diego

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Joshua Zulueta as co-pastor to Hope United Methodist Church of San Diego in the South District as of July 1, 2024.

Rev. Zulueta is currently appointed at First UMC of Paso Robles. Rev. Kihyun Cho, will remain pastor of Hope UMC Korean congregation. The Rev. Brian Kent will enter the retired status as of July 1, 2024.

Rev. Jonathan Gentry as Pastor to Magnolia Park UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Jonathan Gentry as pastor to Magnolia Park United Methodist Church in the North District as of July 1, 2024.

Rev. Gentry is currently appointed as Associate Pastor to Palmdale First UMC. Rev. Richard Garner serving as interim pastor will return to the retired status as of July 1, 2024.

Pastor Jaime Torres as Lay Person Assigned to Bardsdale UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank assigns Pastor Jaime Torres as lay person assigned to Bardsdale United Methodist Church in the North District as of January 14, 2024.

Rev. Garth Gilliam as the North District Superintendent

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Garth Gilliam as the North District Superintendent beginning July 1, 2024.

Rev. Gilliam is currently serving Sherman Oaks UMC.

Rev. Melissa Roux MacKinnon as the North District Change Manager

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Melissa Roux MacKinnon as the North District Change Manager beginning July 1, 2024.

Rev. Roux MacKinnon is currently serving as the North District Superintendent. Rev. Dr. Mary Dennis will retire as of July 1, 2024.

Rev. Luis Garcia as the South District Superintendent

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Luis Garcia as District Superintendent of the South District beginning July 1, 2024.

Rev. Garcia is currently serving at Pacoima First UMC in the North District.

Pastor Riju Jayan as Pastor of West Covina UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Riju Jayan as pastor of West Covina United Methodist Church in the East District as of January 1, 2024.

Sor Chuan Ong as Lay Person Assigned to Pomona Valley Chinese UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to assign Sor Chuan Ong as lay person assigned at 50% as pastor at Pomona Valley Chinese United Methodist Church in the East District beginning January 1, 2024.

Pastor Ong follows Pastor Yiting Wang who will be appointed as pastor at Church of the Foothills in Duarte.

Kumrila (Akum) Mongzar as Lay Person Assigned to La Puente First UMC

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to assign Kumrila “Akum” Mongzar as lay person assigned at 50% as pastor at La Puente First United Methodist Church in the East District beginning January 1, 2024.

Pastor Mongzar is a Ph.D. student at Claremont School of Theology.

Rev. Sandra K. Olewine as Assistant to the Bishop

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Sandra K. Olewine as Assistant to the Bishop at California-Pacific Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church beginning July 1, 2024.

Rev. Olewine is currently appointed as South District Superintendent of The California-Pacific Annual Conference. Rev. John Farley will retire as of July 1, 2024.

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Yiting Wang as Pastor of Church of the Foothills in the East District beginning January 1, 2024.

Pastor Wang is currently assigned to Pomona Valley Chinese UMC in the East District.