Staff | Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd

Many have expressed interest in the detailed descriptions of the many positions within our church. Descriptions can be found on the Job Descriptions page.

Pastor Bob Rognlien

Lead Pastor pastorbob@lcgs.net x222 Find out about Pastor Bob's book at: www.experientialworship.com Bob was called to serve as Senior Pastor of Good Shepherd in the fall of 1998. Previously he served Lutheran congregations in Northern California, Jerusalem, and New Jersey. Bob and his wife Pam live here in West Torrance with their teenage sons, Bobby and Luke. Bob was born in Montana, lived overseas as a kid, but grew up mostly in a rural area east of Seattle. He received his Bachelor's degree from Pacific Lutheran University, his Master's degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, and has done postgraduate studies at the Ecole Biblique, Hebrew University, and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Bob loves spending time with his family, being with people, and enjoying the beauty of God's creation (especially on a surfboard or a sailboat!). Bob is an author and speaks regularly at ministry conferences all around the country. Bob has a passion for seeing people's lives changed by the power of God's grace and loves being part of such a loving and life-changing community as Good Shepherd.

Pastor Chris Saxton

Teaching Pastor

Ellen Paulson

Children's Ministries Director ellenp@lcgs.net x225 Ellen Paulson serves as our Director of Children's Ministries, responsible for the Christian education for our younger children, newborn through 5th grade. She came to Good Shepherd as a new member in 1993 and became our Director in 1998. "My passion is teaching children about the God who created them and loves them so very much!" Ellen enjoys her family life with her husband, a fireman, and two children. Ellen's interests include, music, drama, puppetry, scrapbooking, cross stitching, crocheting and writing. "I have never been happier than I am right now, using the gifts that God has given, for His glory in this ministry."

Florence Jarrett

Administrative Assistant

florencej@lcgs.net x231 Florence was born and raised in North Dakota and moved to California in 1951. She is married with 4 grown children, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Florence has been a member of Good Shepherd since 1964. She started working the church office in 1982 as Staff Support and the Pre School Secretary.

Gloria Sugden

Pastoral Care Administrator glorias@lcgs.net x227 Gloria and family came to Good Shepherd in 1964, looking for a church home and found an extended family. In 1968 she started working in the Good Shepherd Church Office as a part-time secretary but in a few years the job became full-time. Over these years she has become the resident historian! She and her husband, Don, have three children, and five grandchildren. During Gloria's years at Good Shepherd she has served on many committees and participated in most of the activities held. Gloria says, "It's been a very good life and God has blessed us beyond words. When I encounter people from the church's past, the most common expression is, 'You're still there!' and yes, I am and here I hope to stay, there is no place I'd rather be!"

Mark Emerson

Executive Director / Associate Music Director mark@lcgs.net x229

Lea Emerson

Music Ministries Director

lea@lcgs.net x224

Dave Peters

Missions Director davep@lcgs.net x232 Dave is a part-time lay pastor and seminary student. He has been a member of Good Shepherd since 1983. He joined the staff in 2004, after retiring from a career with U.S. Customs. He has a wife and two teenage daughters. Dave's involvement in our mission programs began in 2003 with a trip to Mexico, and continues to grow. He now oversees our annual house-building trip across the border, our ShareFest local mission projects, our mission in Uganda to build a new health care center, and many others. There is nothing he likes more than helping people discover their calling in the mission field, whether it is next door in Torrance or across the world in Africa. Dave also is passionate about his ministry of pastoral care to the sick, hospitalized, and home-bound of our congregation. In his "spare" time he studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, and is pursuing a Master of Divinity degree.

Lisa Strom

Worship Director lisastrom@lcgs.net x228

Kristen Anwandter

Communications Coordinator kristena@lcgs.net x221 Kristen Anwandter is the Office Assistant here at Good Shepherd. She has been on staff since May 2005. She became a member of Good Shepherd in January 2005 shortly after her marriage to Carlos. She enjoys going for long walks, playing tennis, and spending time with friends and family.

Lisa Such

Preschool Director lisas@lcgs.net x253 Our Director Lisa Such has been a part of this community for over 30 years! She began her early childhood experience right out of high school as a preschool teacher and then opened her own Family Childcare when her children were born. Mrs. Such is married to Sergeant Patrick Such of Torrance Police Dept. and has 3 children who are now all in College. She continued her Childcare Business for 14 years all the while continuing her education in Early Childhood. She then came to Good Shepherd Preschool as a teacher in preparation for the Directors Position. This is her 6th year here, 4th year as Director. The Such's have been coming to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd for 13 years.

Patrick Reimnitz

Student Ministries Coordinator patrick@lcgs.net x230

Patrick was born in Brazil and grew up in Thousand Oaks, CA. He is a Captain in the US Airforce, having earned his commission in 2001 after completing his bachelor's degree from USC. He currently teaches Aerospace Studies (ROTC) at Loyola Marymount University.
Patrick has been involved with Student Ministries at LCGS since 2005 and has been on staff since 2007. His passion is to help students build a strong faith foundation and to both know and share God's love. In his spare time, Patrick enjoys the outdoors, snowboarding, video games, his collection of reptiles and attending USC football games. He is also pursuing a Masters in Theology at LMU.

Rafael Gessey

Student Ministries Coordinator/ Finance Coordinator rafael@lcgs.net x242

Rafael loves God and working with students. She has been a volunteer in Student ministries for 5 years and on staff since July of '07. Rafael is a proud mother of an amazing 15 year old son. She has a heart for serving the community and speaking up for those who don't have a voice.