Pastor

Pastor John grew up in Burbank, California and graduated from UCLA and Fuller Seminary (twice). He has served churches in Edinburgh, London, and Glendale, California, and worked in fund development for Union Rescue Mission, Fuller Seminary, and the Presbyterian Foundation. Along the way he earned a Ph.D. in History at the University of Stirling in Scotland, and his dissertation was published by Oxford University Press in 2008 (A Place at the Table: George Eldon Ladd and the Rehabilitation of Evangelical Scholarship in America).

Enough with the boring stuff. John loves movies, music, and food (all kinds), and is a passionate fan of UCLA, the Dodgers, and Arsenal Football Club in London. John is an eager traveler, and set a Guinness World Record with his son and some friends for visiting the most national capitals in a 24-hour period (we made it to 8). Bringing people together to serve God is his passion, and he believes that healthy local churches just might be able to bring this crazy world together.

jdelia@fpcslo.org | 805 543 5451 ext. 103

Director of Christian Education Office Manager

Jen is committed to making First Pres SLO a safe, loving and nurturing space for children, youth and their families. She also strongly believes Education is important for all ages, Nursery through Older Adults. She has been a part of FPCSLO most of her life and is very loyal to the church and church family. She works hard along with the Christian Education Committee to offer the children, youth and adults activities that are current and will help guide them through their journey and faith development. Jen believes education is at the core of our Faith and is a life long adventure.

jen@fpcslo.org | 805 543 5451 ext. 105

Director of Music

Scott Glysson oversees music here at First Pres SLO and is Cal Poly’s Director of Choral Activities. He has been recognized for his achievements in conducting in both the choral and orchestral genres. As the conductor of university, high school and community ensembles, he performs both nationally and internationally. Recent engagements include the Mozart Requiem with the Pazardzhik Symphony Orchestra in Bulgaria, Dan Forrest Requiem with members of the Royal Academy of Music in Dublin, Ireland, and Vivaldi Gloria with the Bel Canto Chorus and Nairobi Conservatory Orchestra in Kenya.

Glysson holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. He also holds a Master of Music in choral conducting from the University of Arizona, and a Bachelor of Music in music education from George Mason University.

Besides music, Glysson enjoys the San Fransisco Giants, tennis, golf, Disneyland, and spending time with his wife Christie and their two kids, Hailey and Tyler.

sglysson@calpoly.edu

Administrative Assistant

KennethClinton (K.C.) is a San Luis Obispo County native. His family roots run deep in Arroyo Grande. He attended California Baptist University, majoring in Vocal Performance, concentrating in Church Music while minoring in Biblical Studies. When he is not at work, he is either reading, baking, or traveling.

churchoffice@fpcslo.org | 805 543 5451 ext. 107

Children’s Education Leader

Brooke loves working with children, youth and families which began while in high school at First Presbyterian Church of Burbank and never really stopped for very long. After graduating from Cal State Northridge her family moved to Reno, Nevada. That's where she began working in early childhood education. In the many positions she's held, the common theme was making things better for children in their homes and learning environments through the care and education of their families and caregivers. This also includes her own education. As a member of High Sierra Study Group she attended an advanced study tour in Reggio Emilia, Italy and earned her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Colorado, Denver in May 2022.

Currently, she works with Jen Gordon-Rabenaldt serving young children and their families at First Pres SLO. She is teaching and playing with the kids at Wednesdays at the Rock, Sunday School, VBS, and other events.

When not working, she loves the outdoors, viewing and making art, listening to music, and watching adventure and superhero movies, in particular anything Marvel, Star Trek, or Disney.

msbapd@fpcslo.org

Assistant Director of Music Accompanist

Gregory Riley joins the staff of First Pres. SLO as our Accompanist/Assistant Director of Music. Gregory earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Principia College, where he studied organ with Dr. John Near and piano/harpsichord with Dr. Marie Juriet. He then pursued a Masters in Music Performance (concentration: organ) from Eastern Michigan University, studying under the tutelage of Scott Elsholz and Timothy Tikker; D.M.A. Postgraduate studies were with Dr. Gregory Hand at the University of Iowa. He has served for congregations of various denominations in places such as Dearborn and Ypsilanti, Michigan; West Branch and Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Northridge and San Luis Obispo, California. Gregory is a native of Plymouth, Michigan.

griley@fpcslo.org