Rev. Dr. Marion Park
rev. dr. PASTOR marion park
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
Justin Weidner
Justin Weidner
Commissioned Ruling Elder (In Process)
Justin Weidner was born and raised in Long Beach, CA. He and his wife Debra, a retired public school teacher, have three grown children. He worked as a youth minister at a number of area churches, including at Grace First back in the 1980’s. He graduated from San Francisco Theological Seminary’s Southern California extension program in 1998. He worked for nearly 35 years as an administrator for a large labor union before retiring at the end of 2023. In addition to his preaching duties, Justin helps lead the Men’s Bible Study and is the volunteer Chair of the Facilities Team, helping to keep our campus in tip-top shape.
Jackie Beery
JACKIE BEERY
Interim Music Director
Jackie Beery has worked as a choir director, vocalist, pan player, and handbell ringer in churches and musical ensembles all around Southern California including Director of Music for Lakewood First UMC, Artistic Director of the Bellflower Civic Chorus, and various musical positions with Brea United Methodist Church, Long Beach Seventh Day Adventist Church, Mesa Verde UMC, Glendale First UMC, and the South Pasadena Friends Church. She has led music and worship for multiple United Methodist Women’s conventions and gatherings. She has organized many annual choir and steel drum festivals with various churches in Southern California. She is a past member of the Manhattan Beach Master Chorale, Long Beach’s South Coast Chorale, Pandemonium Steel Drum Band, and a current member of the LA Bronze Handbell Ensemble and the S’Cool Daze Blues Band. Jackie studied choral music and conducting and received her Bachelor of Music degree at California State University at Long Beach.
Jackie lives in Lakewood, California with her very musical family. Her daughters, Josie and Darcy sing and play trumpet, upright bass, percussion and marimba. Her husband, David, is a renowned steel drum and hand pan builder, tuner, composer, arranger and performer. He is owner of Dave’s Island Instruments in Lakewood, Ca. and currently performs with Hollywood Steel Band.
Amy Cast, Office Manager
Amy CAST
Office Manager
Amy Cast was born and raised in Long Beach, California. She seeks to make a positive impact in the lives of those around her. She believes this is the path God put her on and is happy to be of service here at Grace First. She’s a dog mom, enjoys creative hobbies, and spending time with her family and friends.
(562) 420-3393 ext. 11 / office.gracefirst@gmail.com
Nancy English-Fletcher, Director of Youth & Family Ministries
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
Carolyn Blocker, Director of Children’s Ministry
Carolyn Blocker
Director of Children’s Ministry
A dedicated member of Grace First since 1999, Carolyn Blocker has been teaching in the Long Beach Unified School District for over 30 years, teaching all grade levels and working with the district’s Family Literacy program. She is passionate about nurturing the spiritual development of children and has been deeply involved in the Children’s Ministry Program at Grace First for many years. She is a proud mother of three grown children, and she cherishes the years they spent growing in their faith within the Grace First community.
(562) 420-3393 ext. 17 / carolynhblocker@gmail.com
Nicole Islas, Preschool Director
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.
Daniel Manoiu, Organist
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.