I was born in a small town called Carthage, New York. Within a year, my parents moved to Niagara Falls, New York, with my sister. Those years were very influential in forming my understanding of God. We lived close enough to the Falls and I could hear the roar of the water from my bedroom window at night. Having seen the swirling water cascading over the rocky cliffs, then crashing down to form whirlpools, I always had a fear of the Falls' power. Sometimes I had nightmares about being caught in the tide and almost drowning. At 5 years of age, while standing above the falls, a thought struck me so powerfully that it changed my life. 'God, you created this. If you made this tremendous power, then you are greater than it. If you are greater than it, and you love me as I have been told, then I have nothing to fear at all.' From that day onward, I have had the firm conviction that God's power is so great, that nothing can harm us apart from His will. Added to the messages I heard from my parents, friends, and church about God's love, I have found this combination (God's greatness and love) to be an enormous key to living a successful and meaningful life.
Our Staff
Alicia Emerson began attending LCPC when she was in junior high. She has worked for churches since 1999 as both worship leader and in administrative and director roles. She graduated with her M.Div in Worship, Theology and the Arts from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2010. She is happily married to Nick Taylor and they have two kids, Caden & Emma Rose.
Amanda joined the staff as an instructor and administrative assistant in 2016. She is married and has 3 children ranging in age from elementary to high school. Amanda has a background in psychology and a Masters from Fuller Seminary. With over a decade of experience working with women and families as a doula, parent educator and community coordinator, she brings her passion for community, connection and learning to her daily work and interactions with parents and children.
Amanda was born and raised in Southern California. She has a background in early childhood development and a B.A. in Human Development. Amanda has taught in Christian and private schools. She has always enjoyed working with the youngest members of the church, and has spent many summers volunteering at VBS. Amanda enjoys walking and listening to audiobooks. She also enjoys volunteering at her daughter's school. Amanda is married to Billy and they have 1 daughter, Hazel, who keeps them very busy.
Andrew was born in Bakersfield, California and moved to his father’s hometown of Roland, Oklahoma at age 11. There he studied and performed on the trumpet and baritone in the Roland High School music program. After high school, he studied audio engineering, music, voice and piano for one year at the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith and graduated from Azusa Pacific University in 2006.
Anna was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and grew up heavily involved at her home church, St. James Episcopal Church in South Pasadena. She graduated from La Canada High School in 2014, and achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University in 2018. She intends to go on to graduate school to receive a M.Div as well as a Psy.D. Anna knows and loves the La Canada community well--she came on as a small group leader in 2015 for two years for junior high girls, worked for six months as the youth ministry intern, and eventually accepted the position for High School Assistant Director. Anna is passionate about youth ministry and working to foster an environment where students can become who God intended them to be.
Anne Sorensen Bierling (MA, MFT) has been in the industry of helping families thrive for over 30 years! As a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) and former high school teacher and administrator, Bierling has had broad experience working closely with families. She is currently the Director of LA’s popular LCPC Parent Education which offers 22 classes for parents & grandparents of children birth through young adult: www.lacanadapc.org/parented. LCPC Education was featured in Outreach Magazine in January of 2017.
While working as a family therapist at the Shepherd’s House in the 90s, Bierling and her colleagues wrote The Life Model (1999) which has been translated into 11 languages and endorsed by the world-renowned author, Dr. Dallas Willard. A major component of the Life Model includes The Maturity Model which Anne speaks on frequently. Her conference on gaining maturity entitled “Living the Life Model” is blessing families around the world. Enjoy a FREE viewing at annesorensenbierling.squarespace.com .
Anne has 3 adult children and has been married over 30 years.
Ashley grew up in San Diego and went to NYU, where she graduated with a B.A. in English Lit. and briefly pursued a career in musical theatre. It was while in New York that she first felt called to ministry. Having grown up volunteering with the Children’s Ministries at her home church (even when she was a child herself), Ashley decided to seek out a position that allowed her to work with children. Thus, a career in Children’s Ministries began. Ashley is passionate about helping children get to know God so that they can better understand His love and love Him right back. She looks at sharing the gospel with kids as both a big responsibility and an even bigger privilege. Ashley lives in Temple City with her pastor husband, Darren, and their two wonderful children, Charlie and Carter.
Chuck Osburn is the Associate Pastor of Congregational Care. He oversees our Lay Counseling and Deacons Ministries. Married to Barbara, a CPA, they have a daughter, Kendra, and a son-in law, Colin. Raised in Pittsburgh, Chuck became a Christian in high school through Young Life. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati, he went to Fuller Seminary earning an M.Div and a D.Min in Marriage & Family Therapy. He came to LCPC as an intern in 1976 and was ordained here in 1980. Chuck likes golf … but just wishes it was mutual.
Cindy is excited to be serving again at LCPC, this time as the Outreach Pastor. She recently served as an Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she led various outreach ministries from New Member Classes to the “Peanut Butter House” nutrition project in Liberia. She loves to help people find ways to live out their lives as Christ’s disciples by serving in meaningful ways—either locally or globally. A lifelong learner herself, Cindy holds several degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary in Theology, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Ministry. Cindy’s diverse career path includes being a software engineer at Apple, a developer of standardized math tests and a pastoral intern in Zürich, Switzerland. She has many interests including swimming and other water sports, hiking, traveling, sewing and Stanford football.
Diana was raised in Glendale and has been working with children for almost 30 years. Diana had been a part of the staff at the LCPC Infant Care Center for 10 years before taking on the director role in 2010. Diana is married to Daniel and they have one daughter, Alyssa.
Gloria grew up in Oro Grande, California, on Route 66. She became a member of LCPC in 1989 and joined the staff as the Children’s Ministry secretary in 1992. In 1995, she became Administrative Assistant to the Director of Music, as well as newsletter and bulletin editor. In 2000, she took on the role of Senior Administrative Assistant to the Pastor and continues in that capacity as well as LCPC Website Admin/Editor and Constant Contact communications and Zoom coordinator. Gloria enjoys time with her two granddaughters, going to Disneyland multiple times per year, rooting for the Dodgers, traveling, watching way too much television and reading, reading and more reading. Gloria is bilingual with Spanish as her first language.
Heather grew up in Petaluma, just north of San Francisco, and started her Southern California life with a Bachelor’s from UC Santa Barbara. After working with Campus Crusade for Christ and then as the Executive Administrator of a church in Northern California, Heather found her true passion in helping children experience the love of God and his Word. Now as a mom herself, she has experienced how crucial it is to partner with parents in that endeavor. Heather joined the LCPC staff in 2008. She and her husband, Brandon, keep busy with their 3 kids: Abby, Caleb and Elijah.
Jack holds degrees from Yale University and Harvard University. He has conducted, written for, and performed in choral and instrumental organizations, and directed theatre throughout the U.S. and Asia. The Jack Lantz Big Band plays for events throughout Southern California. Jack also enjoys model trains and Japanese woodblock prints. He is a retired CEO from a multinational high-tech manufacturing company and is married to Paulette, a retired first grade teacher.
Julia brings an extensive background in directing children and youth in both choral and instrumental ensembles in church and in Christian schools in South Orange County, as well as in musical productions and drama. Julia has recently accepted the position as the Vocal and Instrumental Instructor at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy. In her role at LCPC she will direct the two children’s choirs, LightShine (1st- 3rd grades) and NewSong (4th – 6th grades), bring music into the children’s Sunday programs, and lead music at annual Vacation Bible School. Julia is a committed believer and follower of Jesus Christ. She has two children, a daughter age 7 (Rhodes) and a son age 13 (Noah) who will be attending LCUSD schools. “I am drawn to surrounding my family in community with God as the center. I believe it is an important service not only to teach kids about God’s love and the freedom in Jesus, but that even those kids can make a lasting impact on their parents and friends.” - Julia Wood
Katie was born and raised in Michigan where she attended Michigan State University (Go Green!) and worked in both Children and Family Ministries as well as the non-profit sector. She and her husband, Jeff, moved to Southern California in 2011 so she could attend Fuller Theological Seminary, where she recently graduated with an M.Div and MS in Marriage and Family Therapy. Katie is passionate about helping families find healing and restoration which allows them to thrive in God’s call. You'll also find her spending time around our Lay Counseling Ministry, as well. In her free time, Katie likes trying new recipes, doing yoga outside and finding creative ways to entertain her Border Collie mix, Polly.
Kemp earned his music degree from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, and a Clinical Psychology degree at Azusa Pacific University. He is a freelance performance and recording artist throughout Southern California, on the east and west coasts of the United States, and in Europe. Kemp is a licensed psychotherapist with a private counseling practice.
Involved in Christian small groups for over twenty years, Marian is deeply invested in helping people connect with God and one another through Life Groups. Before joining the staff, Marian volunteered at LCPC in a number of ministries: Life Groups, Dinner for Eight, Welcome Team, Children’s Ministry, and the Drama Ministry. With a background in writing and performing, she is passionate about sharing God’s love through the arts. She feels honored that LCPC has presented a number of her written works. She earned her BS in Speech from Northwestern University and her MFA in Acting from California Institute of the Arts. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and making up silly songs with her husband, David, and their two children.
Mary Emily is a native of California, but has also lived in Nebraska and Montana. She received her undergraduate degree in nursing from Point Loma Nazarene University and a Masters in Nursing from UCLA. She retired from nursing to raise her 3 sons. She feels nursing helped her be a better-equipped Mom and problem solver in another one of her roles - a wedding coordinator. She considers helping a bride and groom have a successful wedding is both a blessing and privilege. She is also a photographer with the local Outlook Newspaper. Mary Emily is married to Richard Myers and they have 3 grown sons, 2 daughters-in-law and 2 grandchildren.
Michael is married to Debbie and they have 3 grown children, 2 not-so-grown children and 2 grandchildren. He gave his life to Christ at the age of 6. Michael grew up in Pensacola, Florida and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Tuskegee Institute.
Peter was born in Greece and then came to study in the United States. After finishing Barrington College with a major in Philosophy - Cumma Sum Laude, he attended Fuller Theological Seminary where he earned his Doctorate in Pastoral Theology. He has served as senior pastor in a number of Presbyterian churches including Silver Lake and Fallbrook. He serves as an adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary, The New Seminary of the West and is a visiting professor at the International Seminary in El Monte. He is married to Elaine, and they have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. He works alongside Associate Pastor, Chuck Osburn, in the area of visitation.
