Staff | Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd

Pastor Bob Rognlien

Senior 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 Greg Wallace

Teaching Pastor pastorgreg@lcgs.net x223 Greg, our Teaching Pastor, is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He and his wife Cindi have a little girl named Lydia. Greg attended California Lutheran University and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has a passion for seeing Christians grow in faith and discipleship. Greg loves to teach and is excited by the prospect of re-developing our Growth Group Ministries, Alpha Program, and Sunday morning Adult Education Programs.

Ellen Paulson

Director of Children's Ministries 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

Preschool Secretary/Office Support 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

Parish 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!"

Cindi Wallace

Director of Student Ministries cindi@lcgs.net x240

Cindi Wallace has served on staff at Good Shepherd in Student Ministries since June of 2003. She brings a wealth of experience and a deep love for students. She has been working in youth and children's ministry for fifteen years and looks forward to many more. Cindi is a proud mom of a very busy 14 month old son as well as a wonderful 5 year old daughter. She holds a degree in Childhood Development as well as her teaching credential. Cindi is truly thankful for the amazing team of committed leaders in both our Middle and High School Ministry programs here at Good Shepherd. She is excited about the prospect of helping parents pass on the faith to their children through periodic parent discussion groups. She loves involving youth in meaningful opportunities of service, spending time in worship with students, and thoroughly enjoys training, leading, and hanging out with our student leadership team.

Mark & Lea EmersonDirectors of Music

markandlea@lcgs.net x224

Dave Peters

Equipping Minister 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

Interim Programming Director

Carla Conte

Office Manager office@lcgs.net x229 Our Office Manager, Carla Conte, began working here in August, 2003.¬† After working in accounting and marketing, Carla is happy to be "fulfilling God's plan for my life and working with the great people here at LCGS."¬† Carla joined Good Shepherd in 1999 and lives in West Torrance with her husband and their two teenagers.¬† Carla brings a wealth of office experience, spiritual maturity, and a desire to be a part of furthering God's plan for our Mission at Good Shepherd.

Kristen Anwandter

Office Assistant 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.

Amber Marten

Intern Pastor x226 amber@lcgs.net Amber is in her third year at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, and is doing a ten month internship at Good Shepherd. She grew up in Southwest Minnesota and always wanted to live in California. Amber holds a degree in vocal music and speech communication from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She took a year off following undergrad to work as a photographer, and now owns her own photography business. Her camera is definitely her favorite accessory! Besides taking pictures, Amber really enjoys learning to surf, making jewelry, slack-lining, swimming, thrift shopping, singing, guitar, and ice cream! Amber is excited to discover her gifts in pastoral ministry during these ten months and excited to use her gifts to build up the young adult ministry at Good Shepherd.

Patrick Reimnitz

Student Ministries Coordinator

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

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.