Nominees
The following are the candidates for each of the available positions within our conference boards and committees. It’s understandable that you may not know or recognize specific people and you may have questions about the qualifications of each candidate. If you would like more information about a candidate, please contact the Nominating Committee.
Alvarez, Joe
Elder
Church: Riverside, California Avenue Christian Fellowship
Nominations: Ministerial Education & Guidance Board
I have been in ministry since 2001 during my undergrad program in Kirkland, WA. I was ordained in the Free Methodist Church in 2012. My experience in ministry has been in youth, young adults, outreach, and in my current role as co-lead pastor. In the last 5 years, I have been involved with our church board and with the Justice Network board. I developed many leaders and walked with some through the ordination process.
Beasley, Terry
Elder
Church: Paramount, Chapel of Change Christian Fellowship
Nominations: Ministerial Education & Guidance Board
Terry is currently serving as campus pastor at Chapel of Change in Paramount. He is a preacher, a teacher, a pastor, a shepherd, and a servant of the Lord.
Terry currently serves as campus pastor at Chapel of Change in Paramount, CA. While at COC he has served in many areas such as heading up the men’s ministry and the marriage ministry. He truly has a servant’s heart to serve God’s people both inside outside the church walls. He has been in ministry for over 35 years serving in many different capacities. He has been very instrumental in assisting over four church plants under the leadership of Larry Walkermeyer including Light and Light West and a few outside of the Free Methodist denomination. Terry is a preacher, a teacher, a pastor, a shepherd a servant of the Lord.
Brasington, Steve
Elder
Church: Lake Elsinore, The Lamb's Fellowship
Nominations: Board of Administration
Steve Brasington has been a part of the Lamb’s Fellowship Lake Elsinore since its inception in 1997. Pastor Stevie loves to come alongside people in many capacities and wears many hats at Lamb’s. He has a B.A. in Physical Education from Chico State and an M.A. in Elementary Education/Multiple Subjects from Azusa Pacific University. Pastor Brasington’s relationship with Christ, loving others in Jesus, and waking up everyday to “do what he does” is basically Heaven on Earth!
Coleman, Janelle
Conference Ministerial Candidate
Church: Rancho Cucamonga, Cucamonga Christian Fellowship
Nominations: Board of Administration
Janelle Coleman was born and raised in the beautiful country of Australia, immigrating to America in 2008. She is passionate about seeing the church shine, as a place where people can encounter God’s love and a level of excellence unmatched by anything found in the world. Janelle’s favorite roles are wife to Jonathan and “mum” to Josiah & Noah. Since joining the staff at Cucamonga Christian Fellowship in 2010, Janelle has added several church roles to her list, growing in her gifts and calling to ministry along the way. She currently serves as a CMC within the FMCSC.
Fitch, Stephen
Elder
Church: Other
Nominations: Board of Administration
Dr. Stephen Fitch is the founder and CEO of Eden Reforestation Projects (Eden), a 501c3 non-profit organization that is a leader in global forest restoration. Steve began his career in the Free Methodist Church, where he served as an inner-city youth leader, Pastor, and Superintendent. During his years as a Superintendent, he Co-Founded Continental New Life International (CNLI), which addressed issues related to poverty in Ethiopia through the establishment of medical clinics, a hospital, an HIV orphan daycare center, and six elementary schools. Steve holds a BA in Business Administration from Azusa Pacific University, a Masters of Divinity equivalent from Fuller Seminary and Azusa Pacific Graduate School of Theology, and a Doctorate from Azusa Pacific University, where he was the Doctoral Student of the Year. Steve, and his wife Claudette, have three children and two grandchildren.
Goetz, Randy
Church: Santa Barbara, Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara
Nominations: Board of Administration
Randy Goetz and his wife Pam have been members of Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara since 2004. He serves as the Chairperson for the Kingdom Ministry Group in the Southern California Conference. Randy has assisted in strategic plan development for multiple churches in the conference and serves as the Strategic Plan coordinator for the Santa Barbara church as well as on the Local Board of Administration. Randy is also involved in the local community and is the Board Chair for the Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation. Randy works as a Senior Scientist for Toyon Research Corporation.
Greer, Adrian
Elder, Incoming
Church: Azusa, Foothill Community Church
Nominations: Board of Administration
After growing up as an urban, biracial, black and white, unchurched youth in the predominantly Latinx community of Azusa, Adrian had a radical encounter at 18 years old that led him to give his life to God. Since then, God has called him to be a bridge-builder to facilitate communication, reconciliation, and unity across diverse communities and individuals. Adrian is a husband to Bri, father to his daughter Anaiah, and currently serves as an Associate Pastor at Foothill Community Church, Azusa Unified School Board Member, community leader, peacemaker, and founder of a teen mentoring and discipleship nonprofit called MYTHIRDPLACE.
Greer, Briana
Conference Ministerial Candidate
Church: Azusa, Foothill Community Church
Nominations: Nominating Committee
After growing up in a non-Christian home, Bri gave her life to the Lord in middle school, and soon after began leading worship music at her church. In her early adulthood, she began learning about systemic injustices and became passionate about the intentional pursuit of equity and justice for all. For 8 years she has lived out her call to mentor Azusa youth and is currently pursuing ordination as a CMC at Foothill Community Church. She is passionate about sharing the gospel with the unchurched and de-churched, and discipling believers to live out the gospel through serving their communities.
Helmers, Cecilia
Church: Garden Grove, Living Spring Church
Nominations: Ministerial Education & Guidance Board
My father was an Assemblies of God minister for 65 years. He passed away 3 years ago but he was my mentor and guide in service and ministry… I have worked for 3 churches as an Administrator. My last church, before retirement, was working for John Rittenhouse for 15 years at Living Springs Church. I am still a member there and attend regularly. I have loved working for my Lord and am excited to see what the Lord has for me next.
Helmers, Gary
Church: Garden Grove, Living Spring Church
Nominations: Board of Administration
I have been a follower of Christ since early childhood and have served in all the churches that I have been part of. In 2000 my wife and I began attending Living Spring and we both found, like so many, that we WERE Free Methodists, we just hadn’t found the denomination till 2000. I began serving on the Board of Directors at Living Spring in 2001 and have continued on the Board through today. I served on the MEG Board for the last 6 years and have taken great pleasure in watching and participating in the development of our process for developing servants. I look forward to continuing in service to the Free Methodist denomination.
Hudson, Kanesha
Elder, Incoming
Church: Long Beach, Light & Life Christian Fellowship - West
Nominations: Ministerial Education & Guidance Board
Pastor Kanesha Hudson is the Family Ministries Pastor at Light & Life West in Long Beach, California. Growing up in an underdeveloped urban community presented several obstacles and challenges. She was determined to overcome the odds, and in 2012 she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Vanguard University. After graduating from Vanguard University, she pursued a career in executive administration and customer service. In 2016, Pastor Kanesha sensed a call to pursue full-time ministry. In 2017, she served as the Acting Area Director for a non-profit Christian organization working with at-risk foster youth. She began her journey as a Free Methodist Conference Minister Candidate and is now an ordained elder. She was an active member of Light & Life North for over 20 years where she served in children’s ministry, youth ministry, young adults ministry, women’s ministry, connections team, usher, greeter, choir, worship team, and leadership council. In 2021, she transitioned to Light & Life West and is the Pastor of Family Ministries. She does not want to be known by the things she has done, but by the impact she has made. She has a passion and desire to help God’s people grow in their gifts and graces and further enhance His kingdom.
Hurley-Bates, Colleen
Elder
Church: Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Free Methodist Church
Nominations: Board of Administration
Rev. Colleen Hurley-Bates has served as the Lead Pastor in Santa Barbara for the past five years. Previous to this role, she worked at FMCSB as both Pastor of Adult Ministries, and Children’s Ministries. She has served on staff for over 25 years and was ordained in 2000.
Colleen is currently a member of the BOA where she has previously served a few terms. She has also served on the MEG Board, as well as in other leadership capacities for the Southern California Conference, primarily in the area of caring for and resourcing Pastors and churches. She has been married to Mark Bates for 28 years and they have a daughter getting ready for college named Olivia.
James-Bergland, Ian
Elder
Church: Pasadena, Rose City Church
Nominations: Nominating Committee
Ian joined Rose City Church in Pasadena shortly before its official launch in 2011. He has been a volunteer associate pastor at Rose City since 2017. Ian is currently the Director of Finance at Eden Reforestation Projects. In addition to serving the local church and supporting Eden’s vital mission, Ian enjoys hiking the mountains of Southern California with his wife Kristina.
Jamieson, Marla
Church: Rancho Cucamonga, Cucamonga Christian Fellowship
Nominations: Ministerial Appointments Committee
My heart is for God, Family, Healthy Biblical Communities of Faith, Encouraging & Developing Leaders, Healthy Functional Church Structures, Serving The Church, and Growing The Kingdom. I have served throughout the Free Methodist Church, including my local Board of Administration and at the conference level as Board of Administration Chair and as a member of the Property and Finance Board, Ministerial Appointments Committee, Ministerial Education & Guidance Board, and the Center For Transformational Leadership. I’ve been married to Rob Jamieson for 37 years, with whom I have 2 children: Sarah Jamieson, 32, and Kevin Jamieson, 30.
Le Shana, Jason
Elder
Church: Azusa, Foothill Community Church
Nominations: Board of Administration
Jason has served for more than a decade as a Campus Pastor and ministry director at Azusa Pacific University. In his current role as Director of the Office of Corporate Worship & Campus Pastor, Jason leads collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to steward the curriculum, design, and accountability systems of APU’s chapel programming for undergraduate students. In the past year, he has also served as the part-time Interim Worship Pastor at Foothill Community Church in Azusa. He holds a B.A. in Theology & Philosophy, a Master of Divinity, and has completed 2.5 years of Ph.D. coursework in Organizational Leadership. Jason’s wife Stephanie serves on the pastoral staff at Foothill Community Church, and together they have three young sons.
Lopez, Sandra
Conference Ministerial Candidate, Incoming
Church: Paramount, Chapel of Change
Nominations: Ministerial Education & Guidance Board
Born in the beautiful country of El Salvador, Sandra Lopez is the mother of three beautiful children, a conference speaker, a Sunday school teacher, and Women’s Pastor. Sandra, along with her husband Benny Lopez, is the founder and counselor of the women’s ministry “Mujer Honorable”, (Honorable Woman) and is the co-founder of the children’s missionary ministry in El Salvador, “Gotas de Bendicion” (Drops of Blessing). Sandra also served as part of the team, Ministry of Pastor’s and Minister’s wives, Spanish Alliance of California, under the leadership of Director, Noemi Vera.
Sandra has been part of Chapel of Change since 2013. Additionally she has been part of the Pastoral Gabinete, served as Children’s Ministry Director, and currently serves as Chapel of Change Women’s Pastor.
Luna, Ruben
Elder
Church: Los Angeles, Marina Christian Fellowship
Nominations: Board of Administration
Ruben Luna is currently the executive pastor at Marina Christian Fellowship. He has been in full-time ministry for 20 years. He started as the Senior Pastor at the Santa Ana FM Church and served for 2 years before moving to MCF 18 years ago. Ruben graduated from Pacific Christian High School and Azusa Pacific University with a major in Christian Ministries. In his current role, Ruben manages the operational and administrative aspects of a church including the human resources and finance areas. Ruben and Esther have been married for 18 years and have 2 children, Alexis and Kai.
Marshall, Donna
Elder
Church: Los Angeles, Los Angeles Community Church
Nominations: Ministerial Education & Guidance Board
I have been in full time ministry for 28 years now. My husband, Robert Marshall, and I served at Spirit of Love Baptist Church as young teens and then we were called to The Salvation Army for more than thirteen years. After The Salvation Army we became elders at Highland Christian Center, where we served for four years. After that we were called to The Free Methodist Church, where we have been Elders/Pastors for the past eight years.
I believe my spiritual gifts are teaching and encouraging others. I love to see the best in people. I have many favorite Scripture verses but one of my favorites is Hebrews 13:6, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” I am thankful for how the Lord has blessed me throughout the years and how He continues to keep me.
Marshall, Jr., Robert
Elder
Church: Los Angeles, Los Angeles Community Church
Nominations: Board of Administration
Dr. Robert Marshall, Jr is the Sr. pastor at Los Angeles Community Church. Along with his wife Donna, the Marshalls have served at Los Angeles Community Church, since 2013. Additionally, Robert and Donna have been married for more than thirty-five years. Robert earned a Master of Theology degree from George Fox Theological Seminary, in Portland Oregon, in 2005 and he completed a Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston, in 2016.
Mendoza, Anabel
Church: National City, Emmanuel FMC
Nominations: Ministerial Education & Guidance Board
My name is Anabel Mendoza. I am a mother of 7 children and have 2 grandchildren. We have a ministry that does outreach and has been feeding families every week since the pandemic started. We are passionate about the things of the Lord and we love to serve. We have also been youth leaders. We are very blessed to have our children be a part of our ministry as well. Our ministry extends south of the border as well and we have events out there as well as try to bless with food orphanages, women’s centers, and men’s centers. We have preached at churches south of the border as well as local. I love to cook, eat, be with my family, serve and travel.
Mendoza, Joe
Church: National City, Emmanuel
Nominations: Board of Administration, Ministerial Education & Guidance Board
I have been a member at Emmanuel church for over 6 years and during that time I have served in the choir, drama, ushering, and youth director. Since then, I have been CEO of the ministry of Jerusalem Inc. working hand in hand on serving the community in Jesus’ name. I am a firm believer that transformation is only in Jesus and I am one to encourage others to follow Jesus to the fullest. I am also a husband and a father of 7 children that enjoys family quality time and not to mention fishing. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the Free Methodist Church and I will do my best to my knowledge to fulfill the duties required. God bless you and may the Lord provide us with wisdom, love, and understanding.
Moon, Emmanuel
Elder
Church: Escondido, The Foundry
Nominations: Nominating Committee
Emmanuel is currently senior pastor at the Foundry Community Church in Escondido CA since October 2015. Has previously served in the MEG board and the nominating committee as well. Has also co-taught Wesleyan Theology and History & Polity classes in Spanish for the Southern California Conference. The opportunity to serve is always a blessing that goes both ways and I am happy to do it with the FMC family.
Oriero, Serena
Church: Riverside, California Avenue Christian Fellowship
Nominations: Ministerial Education & Guidance Board
My name is Serena Oriero and I am a lay leader at California Avenue Christian Fellowship in Riverside serving under Pastor Soo Ji and Joe Alvarez. My grandfather, Raymond Flory, was a Free Methodist pastor and spent the majority of his ministry time in the FMCSC so I was born and raised Free Methodist. My husband and I have attended and been in leadership at The Avenue for the past 3 years. I serve on the worship team, nominating committee and I am the recording secretary for the LBOA. For the past year, I have also served on the MAC board for the conference. My husband and I have been blessed to be able to foster and adopt our two youngest children. After their adoptions were final I had the opportunity to work for the non-profit foster and adoption care agency for the next 10 years. During this time I helped recruit, interview, train, and mentor foster and adoptive families. I now sit on multiple advisory councils at Loma Linda University Medical Center where I give patient/parent perspective to hospital staff, doctors, and residents as well as work to implement new programs that help with patient experience.
Ortiz, Gerardo
Elder
Church: National City, Emmanuel
Nominations: Board of Administration, Finance Committee
Gerardo Ortiz has served in ministry for 35 years, 16 in the Free Methodist Church, Mexican Conference. Ordained as an Elder in May 1993, I have served as pastor, teacher, academic and administrative director of the Light and Life Biblical Institute. From June 1998 to May 2002, I was a Church planter of the 5th Free Methodist Church “Word of Life” in Hermosillo, Sonora. Mexico. I have participated in the MEG/MAC Board, BOA, and Secretary of Mexican Conference.
I was transferred to the Southern California Conference in August 2002, serving as a pastor for the last 19 years. I have participated as part of the MEG/MAC Board (Hispanic), and BOA of the FMCSC.
Ramage, Nikki
Elder
Church: Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Free Methodist Church
Nominations: Ministerial Education & Guidance Board
Nikki has been leading and building strong ties in this conference since 2012 through various internships, as a bi-vocational elder, and currently in her role as Adult Ministries Pastor at FMCSB. Nikki is passionate about theological education for everyone, communicating God’s Good News with those on the margins, as well as inviting the next generation into the adventure and wonder of God’s church. Nikki would love to be on the team to help raise up and equip pastors for service in God’s kingdom, as she herself has been raised up by this denomination for the last 10 years.
Roth, Kelly
Elder
Church: Azusa, Foothill Community Church
Nominations: Ministerial Education & Guidance Board
Kelly Roth has been active in ministry since 1994. She is an ordained Elder and has served on the conference BOA for the past several years. Kelly currently serves as the Director of Campus Ministry at Azusa Pacific University where she and her team provide discipleship small groups, spiritual mentoring, and pastoral care and counseling to undergraduate students. She is also a SoulQuest chaplain to graduate students in APU’s College of the Arts. With her love for music and leadership, Kelly has developed a passion for helping people connect to God and one another.
Rothenburger, Kathy
Church: Garden Grove, Living Spring Church
Nominations: Finance Committee
Kathy Rothenburger has been a member of Living Spring Church in Garden Grove, CA since 2001. She has been a volunteer in the Children’s Ministry since 2003 & Local Board Member/Secretary since 2016. She has been on the Property & Finance Committee for FMCSC 2017 – 2018 & the Finance Committee for FMCSC for 2019 – 2021. Professionally, she has 20+ years in the Construction Industry throughout various Oil & Gas refineries & major demolition projects. Currently, she is a Billing Specialist & Cost Controller for a construction company that serves local utilities in the Southern California area.
Kathy has been married to her husband, Pat, since 2007. Kathy is a Southern California native, where she grew up in the Harbor Area of Los Angeles. She spends her free time with family & friends. Her goal in this life is to always be learning, to have her heart broken for what breaks His, and to be a reflection of who God is in her life to those around her. But most of all, to serve & love, just as Jesus does.
Seyfert, Wendy
Church: Azusa, Foothill Community Church
Nominations: Board of Administration
Wendy Seyfert is a grateful-to-be-retired former executive at ADP where her team managed government relations across the country for over 600,000 clients. Now she volunteers her time at church through the Local Board of Administration (LBOA), as a conference delegate, and wherever she can be used. She also is a mentor and volunteer staff with MYTHIRDPLACE, an urban youth program, and a volunteer in the immigration office of the West Coast Mennonite Central Committee. Additionally, she loves to hike, travel, and watch anything Marvel Comics-related.
Sinnott, Lindsey
Elder
Church: Azusa, Foothill Community Church
Nominations: Ministerial Education & Guidance Board, Nominating Committee
I have been a part of the FMC for the past 15 years, attending Foothill Community Church. My primary ministry is my work at Azusa Pacific University, where I teach students how to do biblical and theological research. Over the years, I have also served in many capacities at FCC where I have been a member of the BOA, chaired our local nominating committee, organized our annual society meetings, preached, taught in our Adult Ed classes, helped oversee our LMCs…along with being part of various other ministries of our church.
Tuiasosopo, Eleitino
Conference Ministerial Candidate, Incoming
Church: Paramount, Chapel of Change Christian Fellowship
Nominations: Ministerial Appointments Committee
It has been my humble honor to serve on the Leadership Council of Chapel of Change for 3 years as a layperson. Before this, I also served on administrative and advisory boards, standing committees, and specific task forces of various non-profit organizations, including local churches. The various roles, functions, and responsibilities provided me with managerial and leadership experience in decision-making and strategic planning. I have a wide range of experience in organizing and planning events and ministries, providing oversight of fiscal management of the local church, ministries, and projects, making policy decisions for the local congregation, and stewarding the acquisition of property, personnel, land, and equipment. I am familiar with reading and understanding financial statements. I am teachable, adaptable, and have a willingness to learn from others.
Wallace Nunneley, Leif
Elder, Incoming
Church: Rancho Cucamonga, Cucamonga Christian Fellowship
Nominations: Board of Administration
I currently serve as the assistant pastor of youth and discipleship at Cucamonga Christian Fellowship. Previously, I served for 3 years as an associate pastor at Wellspring FMC, a church plant in Bakersfield, CA, while working bi-vocationally as a mortgage loan officer.
Warth, Brian
Elder
Church: Paramount, Chapel of Change Christian Fellowship
Nominations: Ministerial Education & Guidance Board
I have been a Free Methodist Elder for a few years now. In 2012 my wife and I launched Chapel of Change Christian Fellowship, a multiethnic, multi-campus church with the mission to give fresh hope to this generation. Chapel of Change is one of the fastest-growing Free Methodist churches in the nation. We have also planted a couple of churches.
Wayman, Cheryl
Church: Santa Barbara, Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara
Nominations: Ministerial Appointments Committee
Cheryl Wayman has been a member of the Free Methodist Church in Santa Barbara since 1976 when her husband Denny was appointed pastor and where she served on the local board of administration, chaired the nominating committee, directed women’s ministries, led the parish health team, and taught Bible studies over these 45 years. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and was the founding director of Cliff Drive Christian Counseling Center on the church campus from 1995-2016. She transitioned that ministry into an online Christian Counseling Referral Network and continues to provide counseling referrals, consultations, and teach classes. Cheryl and Denny are blessed with 2 married sons and 5 grandchildren.
Weld, Mark
Church: Garden Grove, Living Spring Church
Nominations: Finance Committee
I have been married for 39 years and we have a 26-year-old daughter. I attend Living Spring church in Garden Grove and am a member of the board of directors.
My work experience is as follows:
Senior and executive officer in banking 30 years
Certified Public Accountant (inactive) worked at a major accounting firm as an audit manager
Chief Financial Officer of a small manufacturing company 4 years
Whyte, Bruce
Elder
Church: Rancho Cucamonga, Cucamonga Christian Fellowship
Nominations: Ministerial Education & Guidance Board
I was ordained in 2018 and have been in hospital Chaplaincy since 2014. I have a passion for serving the imago Dei and serving a diverse community at my hospital. I would be a good fit because I am to provide an outside perspective to ministry outside of normal congregational ministry. I live in Upland with my wife and 8-month-year-old daughter.