REV. JONAS HAYES

Senior Pastor
Rev. Jonas Hayes is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He is a graduate of McCormick Theological Seminary (D.Min. in Preaching) Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Tusculum College (B.A. English) and has been ordained for over seventeen years. Son of a Presbyterian minister and merchant, Jonas credits his parents, Clifford and Pamela Hayes, for surrounding him with people of various cultures and diverse viewpoints. Such exposure ignited his spiritual and academic interests in Reformed Theology, contemporary and classic literature, philosophy and psychology of religion. Jonas views the church as a place to practice our faith and unity in Jesus Christ – a place where all of God’s people are free to explore their faith.

(562) 420-3393 ext. 12 / jonas.gracefirst@gmail.com

rev. dr. marion park

Associate Pastor
Pastor Marion grew up as a PK (pastor’s kid) in Jersey City, New Jersey, after immigrating from Pusan, Korea at the age of 9. After graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary, she moved westward to serve as a Director of Christian Education in Torrance, CA and then moved to the northwest to serve at Korean-American church there. In Seattle, she also served as a co-organizing pastor of a new church plant of a multi-cultural congregation before moving back down to Southern California. Since 2002, she has been serving as an Associate Pastor of Grace First. She is a mother of 3 PKs and wife of Daniel, a Korean-American courtroom interpreter.

(562) 420-3393 ext. 13 / marion.gracefirst@gmail.com

STAN DEWITT

Minister of Music
Stan DeWitt is an acclaimed conductor, songwriter, singer, guitarist and composer. Before coming to Grace First in 2003, he was the Assistant Director and Youth Music Director at First Congregational Church, Long Beach. He also taught at Coastline Community College, and has served on the faculties of CSULB, Long Beach City College and Cypress College. He was the Artistic Director for Zephyr: Voices Unbound, has sung with numerous small choral ensembles, including DeAngelis Vocal Ensemble and L.A. Schola, and sung throughout the United States, Italy, Ireland and Australia. His compositions cross into all realms of music, including film scores and published works for choir and handbells. He is also currently a producer with the Sound Ministry Gurus production team, and lives in Long Beach with his wife, Lynda.

(562) 420-3393 ext. 18 / stan.gracefirst@gmail.com

NANCY ENGLISH-FLETCHER

Director of Youth & Family Ministries
Nancy is a life-long member of Grace First who has a passion for the youth, teaching and Jesus! She was born and raised in Lakewood. She attended CSULB where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Education. In her youth she attended Sunday School and Youth Group at Lakewood First Presbyterian. As the Director of Youth and Family Ministry, she leads Sunday School and Youth Group. She is the proud mother of Alexander, Michael and Sarah, and the ecstatic grandmother of James and Lily.

(562) 420-3393 ext. 27 / nancy.gracefirst@gmail.com

CHRIS CHANDLER

Office Manager
Since graduating from Woodbury University in Los Angeles with a degree in Fashion Design & Business, Chris has enjoyed various careers. She has been a stay at home mom to her three sons, a special event coordinator, an interior design consultant, an office manager, and a clothing designer.

Chris and her husband John live in Los Alamitos. They enjoy spending time with their eight kids, and extended family and friends. They also like to travel and explore new places, walk the dog, hike, ride bikes and garden. One of Chris’ greatest joys is food. She loves to cook and bake, and is happiest when she’s reading about food, preparing food, talking about food and eating food!

(562) 420-3393 ext. 11 / office.gracefirst@gmail.com

nicole islas

Preschool Director

I grew up in California and attended Mount San Antonio college while being a full-time mother. Thinking nursing was going to be my passion, I took a child development course, and that’s when things changed for me. I felt called to continue in the childcare field and started working as a teacher's aide. After completing the required licensing courses, I began teaching in my own classroom and I loved every aspect of my new field. Being able to help every child in different ways, as every child is unique, is such a joy to me. I’ve been in the child development field now for over 10 years. I am the mother of three children Hailey, Logan, and Selina. We enjoy hiking trips to be outdoors, and family movie nights all together.

(562) 420-3393 ext. 20 / preschool.gracefirst@gmail.com

ANNA FORD

Pianist

Anna graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a BA in Music. She began attending Grace Presbyterian Church as a young girl, and became staff accompanist in 1988. In addition to being a pianist, she is a professional violinist and freelances throughout Southern California. She teaches privately and lives in Long Beach. She has five wonderful children.

DANIEL MANOIU

Organist

Daniel Manoiu is an award winning pianist, composer and organist based in Southern California. Originally from Romania, Daniel has won numerous awards, including first prize at the Rovere D'oro Piano Competition in San Bartolomeo, Italy and third prize at the AMSA World Piano Competition in Cincinnati, OH. He has performed at world class venues, including Carnegie Hall, the United Nations and the Kennedy Center. Daniel has written original music for films and shows featured on Amazon Prime, and STARZ, and is an active composer and music editor for film and TV. Daniel earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the University of Miami, and now holds the position of Principal Musician for the dance department at University of California, Irvine. Prior to coming to Grace First, Daniel served as a pianist and organist for Poniciana United Methodist Church in Miami Springs, FL, and for Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Staff