About our pastor

A Message of Hope.

Out of personal experience, the Reverend Tamara John has developed a passion for sharing the hope that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Through many challenging times and trials in her own life, Pastor Tamara has learned the truth of God's blessings in His redeeming grace. She uses these learned truths to create meaningful relationships with those around her, and to spread the love and peace that surpasses all understanding - hope in Jesus... healing in Jesus...New Life in Jesus Christ.

Pastor Tamara received her Master of Divinity Degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. God led her to start an RV Ministry--that had not been done before--where she lived and served for eight years.

In 2019, God called Pastor Tamara from full-time missionary living to this church, a church that desires to learn to be more missional and reach people for Christ.

God has blessed Pastor Tamara with an opportunity to be further developed in leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary in a Doctor of Ministry program: “Leading for Healthy Growth” and is able to implement her learning towards the flourishing future of the church, on many levels! As she also enjoys serving on the Presbytery Governing Council and mentoring ordination candidates.

As Senior Pastor/Head of Staff, Tamara feels God has placed her where all of her life experiences are being utilized. She is passionate about helping others to discover who God is, why God created them and for what purpose. She then perpetuates this cycle by encouraging them to do the same for others. She is thrilled for the opportunity to convey this mission through preaching and teaching God's Word, As a Shepherd she prayerfully walks alongside encouraging each person to walk closer to the Great Shepherd, Jesus, who is the Source of all human need.

Sandra L. Erney, Administrative Assistant

I have been a member of Grace First Presbyterian Church in Long Beach for over 40 years, where I served as an ordained Deacon and Elder, serving as Clerk of Session. During the 1980’s I also worked there as Church Secretary and Business Manager. During the 1990’s I worked at the Los Ranchos Presbytery in Anaheim, CA, as the Administrative Assistant for Mission and Stewardship.

Also, during the 90’s, I became a member of APA (Administrative Personnel Association in the PCUSA). For over 5 years I served as the Regional and National Certification Chair. I have been certified in all three levels offered by the APA.

And now, it’s hard to believe that I have been the Secretary/Administrative Assistant at Christ Presbyterian Church in Lakewood, since 2007 – almost 12 ½ years. This may not be my home church, but I love everything about it – the warm and generous people, and their faith and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, I am looking forward to working with and for our new pastor the Rev. Tamara John, with her joy and enthusiasm for the Lord and his ministry through CPC; so excited to see where the Lord is leading me as well as Christ Presbyterian Church.

Forms

Meet Our elders

As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not because they “lord it over” the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with teaching elders, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships. When elected by the congregation, they shall serve faithfully as members of the session. When elected as commissioners to higher councils, ruling elders participate and vote with the same authority as teaching elders, and they are eligible for any office.

PC(USA) 2011-2013 book of order G-2.03

Elder Nancy McCambridge, Stated Clerk of Session

I was born in Los Angeles, California and moved with my mother and father into a brand new house in Lakewood in September 1950. I still live in that same house. Graduated from Bellflower High School in 1960, married, raised four children and today am proud to be grandmother (Gma) of 15 and great grandmother (Gigi) of 9. I worked in the trucking (moving and storage) industry for over 40 plus years ending as an Accounting Manager and Secretary of the Corporation in April of 2015. I was also a Notary Public for most of that time, mainly doing notarizations for the corporation. My hobbies include playing the piano, tole painting, sewing, embroidery, crocheting, reading, crossword puzzles, and painting with stickers. I also enjoy attending and watching two of my grandsons play baseball. One a pitcher and one a catcher. Unfortunately since they are attending college in two different states it seems that lots of travel will be involved (unless the games are shown on-line). I love singing in our choir, as well as, the fellowship of the choir members and getting to sing praises to our God with other church choir members. Being a member of the Women’s Association brings another way to be a blessing to others through outreach. My service at CPC has been 6 years as a Deacon and 11 years as an Elder. Completing the 12th year in December, 2020. I look forward to continuing service as a member of the team.

Elder Joyce Molinar

Elder Nancy McCambridge, Stated Clerk of Session

My name is Joyce Molinar and I was raised in Long Beach by 2 loving parents. I attended schools in Long Beach and in l972 I married Ed Molinar. We spent our first couple of years of marriage living in Germany. Ed was stationed there with the U.S. Army and when we returned to the states we came back to Long Beach and started our family. We have 3 children: Jason, Amy and Jonathan and now we have 2 Granddaughters: Madison and Hailey. When my youngest son was in Kindergarten I went back to school and received my A.S. degree and then became a Licensed Vocational Nurse. I worked for Harriman Jones/Health Care Partners in Pediatrics until I retired to take care of my Granddaughters. I enjoy sewing, crafts, water exercise, volunteering at Longfellow Elementary School and traveling. I was raised in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, but I didn’t feel at home and my Mother encouraged me to start looking for a new Church. One day I was driving down Candlewood and I noticed the Marquee. The next Sunday I attended and as soon as I walked through the gate I knew this was going to be my Church. I have been a member since 2006 and I have been involved in Woman’s Association, Bible studies, small groups and VBS. I was also the Elder of Children’s Ministry for 3 years. I am now going to serve as an Elder again and am eager to be able to serve all of you here at CPC.

Elder Charlene Van Nostran

I was born in Detroit, Michigan to wonderful, Christian parents, went to school there, worked several different jobs before beginning a 25 year career at Ford Motor Company in 1959. I transferred to Ford Pico Rivera, CA in 1961 as an Administrative Assistant and am now retired.

I have been Presbyterian most of my life and have been an active member of Grace First Presbyterian Church of Long Beach for 28 years and prior to that a member of Christ Presbyterian Church of Lakewood for 10 years and, more recently, 9 years here again at CPC. I have been blessed by service as Deacon, Deacon Moderator, Elder, Bible Study leader, and Vice President of Women’s Association.

I am a member of P.E.O. (a philanthropic education organization) which promotes scholarships and loans for women’s education. Positions I have held are Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Vice President and President.

My hobby is reading, especially mysteries, and bragging about my grandchildren and great grandchildren.

I love this church and my church family, and am grateful for the opportunities to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

Elder Janet Tabah

Elder Charlene Van Nostran

Hello! I’m Janet Tabah. I was born in Cameroon, a beautiful country located in the West-Central Africa. I lived in Vienna, Austria for several years, while my husband George worked for UNIDO( United Nations International Development Organization). Our four children were also born in Vienna.

I moved to the USA to complete my studies. I attended Santa Monica College and then transferred to UCLA School of Nursing, where I earned a Bachelors of Science degree in nursing. After getting my first job as a registered nurse at Bellwood General Hospital in Bellflower, I moved to Cerritos from Los Angeles.

I have been a member of Culver City Presbyterian Church and Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church in Los Alamitos. My family and I joined CPC in 2004. I fell in love with church. The intimate church size offered unique opportunities to connect to people and serve the Lord. I served as the president of the Women’s Association in 2008 and 2009. I was a deacon for 4 years and then served as the elder of discipleship for 6 years. My passion is singing, especially hymns! I am so blessed to sing in our church choir. My stay at CPC has been very fruitful and rewarding. I give thanks to the Lord for all that He has been doing in my life, and I’m excited and honored to be of service again as the elder for discipleship.

Elder Kelly Pittman

My name is Kelly Pittman. I grew up in Southern California and have worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.for 34 years. I have lived in Lakewood for 20 years, and have been attending CPC for about 16 years, and am currently the leader of the prayer team. In the past I have been a Deacon and an Elder in charge of Mission Outreach. I have been on many teams, including the Women's Association board, over the years. I enjoy gardening, puzzles and visiting my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter in Idaho.

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Elder Kelly Pittman

Meet Our Deacons

The office of deacon is one of sympathy, witness and service after the example of Jesus Christ. It is a ministry of caring; a ministry of love; a ministry of compassion; and a ministry of prayer and community service. Deacons take the initiative to reach out to those who have suffered loss, are in the hospital, lost their jobs, need a word of welcome, are shut-in and minister to any people who need to experience the love of Christ in concrete ways (transportation, food, shelter, clothing and a listening ear). All Christians are to provide these ministries of sympathy and caring. But the Deacons provide an organized way of bringing the love of Jesus Christ to the church and the community in ways for the whole world to see through service to God. We look forward to serving you and our church. This is a ministry of caring, a ministry of love, a ministry of compassion, a ministry prayer and a ministry of community service.

Nancy Kirstenpfad, Deacon Moderator

My name is Nancy Kirstenpfad. I was born in Howell, MI in 1939. I lived in Brighton, MI where I went to the same school from Kindergarten through graduation in 1957. My plan was to go to nursing school, but Gunter moved to my town in April, just before I finished high school and we married in September. We moved to California in March of 1958. We moved into our home in Lakewood in 1964. We began attending Christ Presbyterian Church. Our son, John was born in 1969. He has a wife and two daughters.

I worked at Farmers and Merchants Bank and their trust company for 8 years. I worked at Pacific Savings and Loan for 2 years. I worked for Hexcel Corporation for 11 years.

Over the years I have been a deacon, an elder, sung in the choir and led the Lydia Circle Women’s Bible Study.

I was blessed to have my husband for nearly 63 years. So very thankful he was able to live in our home until he went home to be with the Lord.

I love being a Deacon!

Kathleen Andrews

Nancy Kirstenpfad, Deacon Moderator

I grew up in Central California and migrated to Southern California in 1981. While working in Customer Service for Southern California Edison I met Dorothy Page, a member of the choir at Christ Presbyterian Church of Lakewood. In 1998 I started attending with Dorothy and eventually joined the choir and became a member of the church in 2002 and was baptized when Rev. Dana Allin was presiding.

I rejoined the choir recently after taking a break and am currently the secretary of the Women’s Association where the women of our church meet once a month in fellowship. I am glad to call Christ Presbyterian Church of Lakewood my church home for 20 years.

Norma Brown

Emmy Edwards

I am grateful to be serving as a Deacon and leader of our women's Bible study group at CPC. Recently, my son gave me the gift of "Grandmotherhood" to beautiful grandson who keeps me busy and delighted at his every move. I was born and raised in So. California; graduated Hawthorne High School. Having worked several jobs throughout the years; now in my retirement, I volunteer at Lakewood Regional Hospital.

Emmy Edwards

Many of you know me from being one of the few kids that literally grew up in this church, and some of you may know me as one of the instrumentalists. As Youth Ministry Director, I enjoy showing the love of Christ by using fun projects, readings, games, and music. I hope this brings more opportunities for them to know that church can be a fun place to learn about God and the Bible.

To share a little bit about myself: I am in college and I’m continuing school this coming fall semester to graduate and transfer with an AA under Music Education. I love music, I enjoy playing instruments and I am very good with teaching a variety of subjects. I worked for Jordan High School for 4 years right after high school, and really enjoyed being a part of a spirit team/marching band coaching position. Over the last few years I’ve had multiple different types of jobs and gained experience from them all.

Debbie Derks

I was born in Lynwood, California to wonderful Christian parents. I attended St. John’s Presbyterian Church of Compton where I became a member of the church, sang in the children’s choir and attended Sunday school as a child. I attended Lynwood High School and after graduating my family and I moved to Lakewood. I started attending Christ Presbyterian Church in 1976; several years later became a member of CPC. I have been both Secretary and am currently Missions person for the Women’s Association, also ushered for many years for church services. I have worked for PEVCO as an Administrative Assistant for 20 years, than after the company moved out of state, I went to work for Lew and Associates, Inc. in 1998 as an Administrative Assistant, and where I am currently still employed. Many of those years I also spent taking care of my elderly parents. Some of my hobbies are cooking, baking, for family, friends and my neighbors and church events. I enjoy reading a variety of books: mysteries, westerns, and suspense. I also enjoy embroidery, and gardening, writing letters and cards by hand to family, friends, and pen pals, camping and, hiking. I am thankful for the many blessings Jesus Christ has given to me and my family over the years.