…Lisa Hansen is a native Southern Californian and a retired Air Force Chaplain who served as a Pastor in Grand Rapids, MI, and Pasadena, CA. As a leader in organizational change, she has advised religious organizations on transitions and coached Executive Officers on leadership. Lisa’s commitment to the calling of Christ to serve and to serve with people on the margins is unwavering. She is deeply committed to the work of the church and dedicated to the radical ideals of the Reformation.

A collector of degrees, she holds an EdD in Organizational Change from USC, a DMin in Pastoral Care from Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX, an MS in Strategy Development from the National War College, a ThM in Systematic Theology, and an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary. She earned her BA in Economics from UCLA.

Lisa was ordained by the PCUSA in 1989 and has served as a pastor and chaplain in both the PCUSA and the Reformed Church in America (RCA), where she has also served on governing boards. She started her work as the Executive Presbyter for the San Gabriel Presbytery in January 2026.

Lisa and her husband, Chris Harlan, have two adult children. They enjoy hiking, watching movies, and viewing the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

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.

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.

Stephanie is a Teaching Elder in the San Gabriel Presbytery and a new Presbyterian Chaplain at LA General Medical Center, serving since September 2025. Prior to this role, she served as a Chaplain at White Memorial Medical Center and PIH Health Hospital beginning in 2016. She earned her M.Div. and is currently in her third year of the D.Min. program at Fuller Theological Seminary. She is a Board-Certified Chaplain (BCC) through the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), certified in thanatology (CT) through the Association of Death Education and Counseling (ADEC), and also serves as a Spiritual Director. She is trained in Palliative Care and is especially interested in fostering connections between hospital chaplaincy and parish ministry. Stephanie has a heart for the “lost and broken.” Before her ordination, she worked as a teacher and furniture designer. Her fluency in Spanish and Korean has been a valuable asset in her ministry at LA General. She is available for pulpit supply and looks forward to visiting the Presbyteries that support this ministry.

As a Commissioned Pastor, I understand pastoral care as a shared calling of the whole church, extending beyond a single congregation into the life of the wider Presbytery. My ministry is rooted in nurturing communities where no one is forgotten, every season of life is honored, and Christ’s love is made visible through presence, prayer, worship, and compassionate service. I am grateful to walk alongside individuals, congregations, and ministry partners in times of illness, transition, grief, and hope, supporting pastoral visits, memorials, chaplaincy, and worship beyond church walls. It is a deep joy and privilege to serve in connection with the Presbytery, strengthening our shared witness so that people may know they belong—to God and to one another—across the whole body of Christ.

Bong Bringas
Commissioned Pastor for Pastoral Care
San Marino Community Church
and
Chaplain, Westminster Gardens

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.