About Us

Our Team (a list only, not links to emails)

Amy Bennett, CPA, JD, Finance Director
Rev. Paul Knopf, Stated Clerk (Starting November 16, 2026)
Rev. Wendy Tajima, Co-Transitional General Presbyter
Shirley Velasco, Executive Administrator
Rev. Heidi Worthen-Gamble, Mission Catalyst
Rev. Dr. Steve Yamaguchi, Co-Transitional General Presbyter

Who We Are

We are a community of connectional churches that strive to serve God through our ministries, relying on the strength of the Holy Spirit.

We are committed to diversity in our membership and the love and justice of God.

Our Mission

The Mission of the Pacific Presbytery is to assist congregations:
be effective in meeting real needs of those in and around their community,
make great impact in transforming lives,
and grow in capacity to provide ministries that are meaningful to those serving and served.

The Presbytery of the Pacific accomplished this by:
investing in the people of God and congregations
leveraging resources: gifts, talents, human and financial,
and advancing the Kingdom of God.

Our Presbytery

We are the regional governing body (Mid Council) and one of the 164 presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We are also one of the seven presbyteries in the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii. We have 52 churches located in the Los Angeles Area and on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, plus 2 worshipping communities. We have about 160 minister members along with numerous ruling elders who serve Christ in various ways. 

What is a presbytery? 

The Presbyterian Church (USA) is divided into geographic regions called presbyteries. The region of the Presbytery of the Pacific (PoP) is from Mulholland Drive south through San Pedro, and from the eastern border of downtown Los Angeles west to include Hawaii.

Who belongs to the presbytery?

Churches organized in our region in the PCUSA belong to our presbytery.  Teaching Elders who serve as pastors of our congregations, as hospital or military chaplains,  or in other specialized ministries validated by the presbytery are also members of the presbytery where they work or reside.

What does a presbytery do? 

A presbytery serves its member churches in many ways: mission interpretation and collaboration; care and support for pastors and congregations; education; resources for churches making tough decisions; resources for churches in transition or transformation; preparation for ministry; conduct votes on amendments or changes to the Constitution as instructed by the General Assembly; approves and performs services of ordination and installation of Teaching Elders.  

As Presbyterians, we believe that pastors and churches are strengthened by working together with others. 

Why is our pastor called Teaching Elder?  

The word “elder” comes from the Greek word “presbyter.”  Our denomination is governed at all levels by men and women who are elected and ordained to the office of an Elder. There is a further distinction of that office.  Men and women who feel called to lead a church as pastor attend seminary, pass exams, and upon receipt of a first call, are ordained to the office of Teaching Elder.  Their main responsibility is to preach and teach the Word of God, administer the Sacraments, and, with the

Session, participate in the oversight of the church. Teaching Elders (whom you call pastors) are under the oversight of the presbytery and so they are examined, ordained, and installed into office by the presbytery.  

The other office of an  Elder is “Ruling Elder.”  These are men and women in your congregation who are elected by your congregation, then trained, examined, ordained, and installed by your Session to oversee the health of the ministries and growth of your church. BOTH Teaching and Ruling Elders have equivalent authority and responsibility to participate in the decision-making, oversight, health, and growth of the church at all levels of governance: Session, Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly. Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders have equal voices and vote!

Your pastor, as a Teaching Elder and member of the presbytery, is required to attend and participate in presbytery meetings. Ruling Elders in your church have the responsibility to serve as elected commissioners and attend Presbytery meetings as voting members, to guide the Presbytery.

The Presbytery is organized into the following committees and commissions: