…31 years as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Altadena. Wendy has always believed that growing up in Pasadena’s strong and diverse community has been a great blessing in her life. After graduating from Stanford University, Wendy worked in a social service agency working with battered women and their children. She earned an MBA from UCLA (Anderson) Graduate School of Management, and worked for Apple Computer in multiple management positions for 8 years.

Wendy was a manager in the Evangelism Department at Apple Computer when she started seminary, first at Fuller Seminary’s Bay Area extension campus, then San Francisco Theological Seminary (SFTS). She was ordained in 1997 and served ecumenically in Hawai‘i for 10 years. She came back to California and served as Associate Dean of Enrollment at SFTS, then as Stated Clerk and Associate General Presbyter for Presbytery of the Pacific. She has been Executive Presbyter for San Gabriel Presbytery since April 2014, offering support to 39 Presbyterian churches from Eagle Rock to Claremont and Pomona.

Peter is the pastor of Praise Community Church in Covina. Prior to his call to pastoral ministry, he pursued a career in business. His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Business and Accounting from the University of the Philippines and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management in Evanston, Illinois. He worked for 15 years in various accounting and financial analyst roles for several companies, including IBM Philippines, Ecolab Inc. of St. Paul, Minnesota, Universal Pictures in Burbank, and Waste Management in Sun Valley, California.

When God became real in his life, Peter followed God’s call to ministry. After earning his Master of Divinity degree at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, he began his ordained ministry in 2008 as a hospice chaplain for Mission Hospice in South Pasadena and later served as a hospital chaplain for St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Most recently, he earned his Ph.D. in Biblical Studies (New Testament) from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky (2019). He published a book in 2022, based on his dissertation, titled The Tax Collector and the Pharisee: Exploring the Plausible Origins of the Parable’s Justification Theme.

Peter is grateful to God and the PCUSA denomination for the opportunity to serve not only the church but also the Presbytery of San Gabriel as Moderator (2024) and as Associate Executive Presbyter. He is blessed with three young children who keep him and his wife, Jill, on their toes at all times.

Diane was ordained as a Ruling Elder and became a Clerk of Session within the PCUSA. She participated in music and educational ministries and leadership training at her congregation. She was employed at two different Presbyterian congregations for a total of six years as an Administrative Assistant. She acquired her Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degrees, as well as began her Master of Divinity during those years, while raising three daughters as a single parent. She participated in presbytery life in Riverside Presbytery as a member, and chair, of the Mission & Stewardship Committee for six year as well as a member of the Education, Leadership Development Team for three years, and the Committee on Preparation for Ministry for two years. She was ordained as a Teaching Elder in 2009 and moved into Transitional Ministry between 2009 and 2013. She became Part-Time Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Riverside in spring of 2013. She continued that work while battling cancer. After a successful battle with cancer, she was called as Part-Time Stated Clerk for the Presbytery of San Gabriel in spring of 2015. The Stated Clerk call to Riverside Presbytery was completed on August 31, 2017 as that presbytery transitioned to an Executive/Stated Clerk model. She is delighted to continue her call as Stated Clerk to San Gabriel Presbytery at this time.

Diane is single again and has three adult children and four grandchildren, all of whom she loves deeply. Being a “Ga-Ga” means a great deal to her at this point in her life and she revels in it.

 

Wendy has served as the Mission Advocate for Hunger, Poverty, and Peacemaking Issues for the Presbytery since December 2005.  This is a part-time role that she has happily taken on for our Presbytery and the Presbytery of San Fernando. She’s happy to participate in worship, lead adult education classes, speak with committees, or attend other church and Presbytery events.

Prior to this, Wendy and her husband David served as PC(USA) mission workers in Nicaragua from 1994-2000.  Wendy and David are the proud parents of Nicolás (Nico) and Tasha, both of whom were born in Nicaragua while they served there.  Between parenting; working for justice and peace in her home, community, nation, and world; and church responsibilities her days are pretty full.

Carrie Kohler, MPhil, MaBE, BCC moved from the east coast to Los Angeles in 2017 to become a full-time Chaplain at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biblical and theological studies from Gordon College in Massachusetts. She received her master of philosophy degree in intercultural theology and interreligious studies from the Irish School of Ecumenics at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. Her master’s dissertation earned her the James Haire Memorial Prize for highest mark on a dissertation. She has a background in ecumenical journalism, writing and reporting on religion news around the world.

Carrie grew up in the PCUSA denomination and believes in the work of the Church. Carrie has served in churches in the U.S. and internationally, working with children, teenagers and adults. Carrie began serving as Stated Clerk for Administration for the Presbytery of San Gabriel in 2024. Carrie lives in Pasadena and loves living so close to the Angeles National Forest where she enjoys spending time in the woods and hiking.

Melinda K. Forbes is an experienced professional with a diverse career spanning over five decades in education, sales, and property management. Currently, she serves as a Part-time Property Manager for the San Gabriel Presbytery in Temple City, California, where she oversees property operations with efficiency and dedication.

Prior to her current role, Melinda spent 42 years as a Senior Account Manager, specializing in the sales of raw materials for the coatings and construction markets. Her extensive knowledge of the industry, combined with her strong client relationship skills, contributed to her long-standing success in sales and account management. Before transitioning into the business sector, Melinda dedicated nine years to teaching elementary school, demonstrating her passion for education and mentorship.

A native of Southern California, Melinda is a proud graduate of San Diego State University. She
resides in Covina, California, with her wife, Sonnie Swenston. Together for 32 years, they legally
married in the State of California on August 2, 2008, at their church in Baldwin Park.

Beyond her professional life, Melinda is an avid sports enthusiast and enjoys spending time outdoors, particularly working in her yard. She and Sonnie cherish their close relationship with their godson, Scott, who resides in Bristol, England, with his wife, Sarah, and their two beautiful children.

Melinda remains engaged in her professional network and is always open to new opportunities for collaboration.

My passion is serving others. I thrive behind the scenes, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Having a servant’s heart helps keep me connected to Jesus, who served passionately—even to the point of laying down His life for all of mankind. Knowing that I am called to be an Administrator, I currently serve as the part-time Administrator of San Gabriel Presbytery (SGP).

In a previous chapter of my life, I was a Cosmetologist and the owner of Nubian Creations Hair Salon in Pasadena, CA, for over 20 years. I have also held a corporate role as an Assistant Vice President at a prominent national bank. After starting a family, I put my education on hold to raise our boys. However, in 2019, I humbly graduated Summa Cum Laude from Azusa Pacific University with a degree in Organizational Leadership.

Affectionately known as “Momma E” by many of my extended children, I consider it an honor to be a
guiding influence in the lives of young people. My personal joy comes from our three amazing
sons—David, Jonathan, and Erick—who are excelling academically and professionally. Our family
boasts college graduates from UC Berkeley, San Francisco State, and soon, UCLA. Each of them
carries impressive majors and minors, and as a Godly proud mom, I celebrate their accomplishments wholeheartedly.

Beyond my professional and family life, I keep busy with my three part-time Administrator roles (Harambee Ministries, Interwoven Church, & SGP) and two businesses (Lady’s Delicious Delights & Chevy’s Cleaning Service). In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, watching sports with my husband, going to comedy shows, traveling, and embracing the beautiful chaos of my purpose-driven life.