Our Staff
Caretakers of the Church and Flock
"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood."
Acts 20:28
| Our Staff by Last Name | Position |
| Sue Arnott | Church Administrative Assistant |
| Teres Byrne | Director of Music Ministries |
| Vacancy—Applications Being Accepted | Youth Ministries Administrative Assistant |
| Randy Hill | Church Bookkeeper |
| John Joseph | Director of Youth Ministries |
| Valerie Lewis | Graham Memorial Preschool Assistant Director |
| Sonja Lundgren | Organist and Pianist |
| The Reverend Dr. David H. McElrath | Pastor |
| Rebecca Smith | Director of Children's Ministries |
| Annetta Townsend | Financial Secretary |
| Dana Wilcox | Graham Memorial Preschool Director |
The Reverend Dr. David H. McElrath
Our Pastor Since 1993
Email»
Phone (619) 435-6860 x 30
Read» Pastor David's Blog
Pastor David, a fifth-generation Californian, was born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley community of Visalia. After high school graduation, David enlisted in the United States Navy to serve for six years as a submariner. During his duty, David promised the Lord that, if he returned home in one piece, he’d devote his life to Christ.
Upon honorable discharge, David set out to fulfill his oath and began his undergraduate education in the San Francisco Bay area. He completed a double major at Simpson University, married the former Jody Lee, and the newlyweds moved to Pasadena, California, where David earned his Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Both McElrath children, Andrew now 22 and Heidi now 20, were born during this time. Following seminary, David answered a call to Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church in Los Alamitos, California, where he served for three years as an associate pastor to children and families.
In 1993, David accepted service as the shepherd of Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church where David continues his devotion to advancing the Lord's Kingdom according to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20). Under Pastor David’s leadership, the church has become a leader in international mission work, currently investing fifteen percent of its annual budget to funding missions.
Although a biblical scholar from the beginning of his calling, Pastor David has honed his teaching style and delivery during his 16-year service at the pulpit. To enhance the congregation's learning experience, he set off to earn his Doctor in Ministry degree at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts. In September 2008, as part of his doctoral thesis, Pastor David began presenting a series of twelve first-person narrative sermons. In each very memorable sermon, Pastor David played the role of one biblical character and, from that character's perspective, told a story from Scripture. On Wednesday, February 3, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary approved Pastor David's thesis, and, based upon its merit, waived the traditional defense process. He will return to Boston in May in order to participate in graduation ceremonies and to accept his Doctor in Ministry certificate.
Pastor David is gregarious and fun-loving. His circle of friends within and beyond his own church is immense and always growing. David is a sports fan, golfer, guitarist, antique automobile restorer, avid reader, skillful communicator, and gifted humorist known for his seemingly limitless variety of anecdotes that he delivers with a twinkle in his eye. In thought, word, and deed, it is apparent that Pastor David loves his Coronado flock . . . and they adore him.
Sue Arnott
Our Church Administrative Assistant Since 2005
Email»
Phone (619) 435-6860 x 0
The church administrative assistant is a generalist whose skill range must be so broad and whose temperament and ability to display decorum under all situations, and with all people, must be so exemplary that few can qualify. Sue Arnott qualifies. If there is a task that Sue can’t handle, the church has not found it in all ten years of her employment. In fact, so countless are Sue’s contributions to productivity and economy, the entire congregation hosted an Appreciation Day to honor her work in 2009.
Sue first came to Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church as the youth ministries assistant to Pastor Lisa Johnson in 2000. When the church administrative assistant position opened in 2005, Sue stepped into the role prepared by a lifetime of perfect rehearsals.
Her ease at adapting to ever-changing and ever-challenging environments results, in part, from frequent relocation in earlier years. She has resided in numerous cities across the United States as well as Japan. As a well-traveled tourist, Sue can list past journeys to Australia, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Sue’s interests are vast, and her mastery of such diverse pastimes as scuba diving, sailing, dancing, and sewing are another indication of her ability not only to appreciate but to conquer new environments requiring both physical strength and attention to fine detail. Her love for God’s creatures is well-established: if she had the acreage, she’d operate a stray-animal shelter.
Although Sue’s birth and childhood took place in the Pacific Northwest, her values have a Midwestern flavor: be a person of your word, seek the good in every situation, live within your means, save habitually, and respect your livelihood as long as it’s honest. Sue lives by her words.
Who could have foreseen that unlikely previous employment in wet-suit manufacturing would help Sue to develop materials estimating and negotiating skills that have become invaluable to the church Property Committee? Who knew that, as a construction flagger, Sue was practicing for responsibilities as chief traffic manager for the church? More recently, corporate savings and loan officers, company presidents, and a General Dynamics division head were testing and proving Sue’s complete trustworthiness in holding confidential knowledge.
It often appears that Sue has done it all, on time, and in perfect order, but she has no desire to rest on her laurels any time soon. Starting and caring for a family interrupted her post-secondary education just a few credits short of graduation. On her long to-do list is completing the final work required of her postponed baccalaureate degree. As if she really needs a diploma to impress to us!
Above all else, Sue is modest. She objected to publishing this praise for her ability, but we overruled it . . . Sue's first defeat to anyone's recollection.
Sue's Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 3:5
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Teres Byrne
Our Director of Music Ministries Since 2010
Email»
Phone (619) 435-6860 x 17
Teres began her classical music training on the piano at age six, and by age twelve, she earned her first performing position as organist of her church. Study of percussion from seventh to twelfth grade led Teres to choose percussion performance as her major at the University of Minnesota, a decision that culminated in a performance at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
While a college freshman, Teres accepted the Lord as her personal Savior and followed a call to embrace every aspect of music ministry from contemporary to traditional. During this time, Teres’ interest in music, evangelism, and travel met fulfillment when the Musicians for Missions in Amsterdam, Holland chose her to be a team member to accompany the “Seek Ye First” composer, Karen Lafferty. For the next several years, passion for music and the Lord rewarded her with opportunities to join gospel bands, worship leaders, and evangelistic teams, touring England, Scotland, and Wales in the British Isles, much of Western continental Europe, Eastern Europe before the fall of the wall, Australia, Mexico and the United States.
At the end of the tours, Teres answered a new call to pursue a ministry in acting, beginning with a role at Lamb’s Players Theatre then progressing to Los Angeles as an actress and voice-over artist in television, film, and commercials. There, she began re-cultivating her classical roots as organist at two churches in the San Fernando Valley. At last, settled in one place, Teres resumed and completed her coursework toward a Baccalaureate Degree in Theology with a concentration in music and worship from the King’s College and Seminary.
As a lifetime professional pianist, Teres has entertained thousands of guests attending weddings, special public events, and private parties. While Teres was the substitute organist for churches of numerous denominations, a San Diego liturgical church discovered and offered her a music directorship, a seemingly perfect position, placing her in proximity to the organ, allowing her freedom to match music to sermon message, and making use of her seasoned ability to nurture confidence in volunteer musicians.
In January 2010, Teres accepted our invitation to serve as Director of Music Ministries to share her spiritual gifts and lead our congregation in musical worship of the Lord.
Teres's Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 30:21b
" '. . . for who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?' declares the Lord."
Position Available August 20, 2010
Youth Ministries Administrative Assistant
Email»
Phone (619) 435-6860 x 24
About Our Youth Ministries Administrative Assistant
Lisa Creech, our Youth Ministries Administrative Assistant, left a vacancy in the department after five years' service on Friday, August 20, 2010.
For the convenience of job applicants, a complete description of the administrative assistant's responsibilities is published at Craigslist and also available for download here. Job Description PDF»
Randy Hill
Our Bookkeeper Since 2006
Email»
Phone (619) 435-6860 x 11
Randy joined the Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church staff in September 2006. He holds a baccalaureate degree in music and another in healthcare administration. Ten years spent in cash management service at a commercial bank and another seven years' experience in public accounting provided perfect preparation for his responsibilities as church bookkeeper.
John Joseph
Our Director of Youth Ministries Since 2009
Phone (619) 435-6860 x 13
Read» John's Blog
Although raised in Southern California, John Joseph was born in Cairo, Egypt and now enjoys the ability to speak Arabic fluently. John majored in philosophy and theology at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and earned his baccalaureate degree in 2002. He served as the Interim Director of Youth Ministries at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church in 2003 until he began studies toward his Master of Divinity degree from Bethel Theological Seminary. In 2006, our Pastor David united John and his wife, Kimberlee, in marriage on the church campus. And in January 2009, John returned to the campus, this time to fill a permanent position as Director of Youth Ministries.
John's Favorite Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4–9
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
Valerie Lewis
Our Preschool Assistant Director Since 2009
Email»
Phone (619) 435-2182
Valerie began substitute teaching at Graham Memorial Preschool when her own daughters were preschoolers on campus. Val progressed to and maintained a position as a lead teacher at the preschool throughout the ten years prior to her accepting the current role as assistant director in 2009.
Valerie holds a baccalaureate degree in business administration from California State University, Chico. Completion of additional college-level early-childhood development and preschool administration classes have provided excellent preparation for her position.
Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church has been an important part of Lewis family life in Coronado. Valerie and Jim, her husband of 21 years, attend weekly worship services. And both daughters, now teenagers, are preschool former graduates.
Valerie's Favorite Scripture: Psalm 119:105
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."
Sonja Lundgren
Our Organist and Pianist Since 2005
Email»
Phone (619) 435-6860 x 0
Sonja has been sharing her music with Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church since 2005. She finds the time spent with the Chancel Choir both fun and a challenge to better the music and create more meaningful worship for the congregation.
Sonja's childhood offered numerous opportunities to learn and perform music in the school. Her musical interests led her to major in organ performance, with a vocal music emphasis at the University of Northern Iowa, where she received her baccalaureate degree.
Sonja holds a professional clear credential in music from California. After relocating to Coronado from the Midwest, Sonja taught strings, band, and vocal music to students in several San Diego County schools. Currently, she maintains a heavy practice schedule and teaches some private students in the area.
Sonja's Favorite Scripture: John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Rebecca Smith
Our Director of Children's Ministries Since 2005
Email»
Phone (619) 435-6860 x 22
Read» Rebecca's Blog
Rebecca Smith earned her BA in elementary education with an emphasis in cross-cultural communication from Crown College and a Master of Theology with an emphasis in cultural anthropology from Bethel Theological Seminary. Her teaching experience includes both public and church institutions, grades preschool through college. She is equally well qualified as a wife and as a mother of three young sons. Rebecca accepted her position as director of children’s ministries in 2005. And in 2007, Rebecca introduced Awana to the children's ministries. Awana Club was an instant hit with parents and kids alike and consistently reaches maximum enrollment each fall.
Rebecca's Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ who gives gives me strength."
Annetta Townsend
Our Financial Secretary Since 1990
Email»
Phone (619) 435-6860 x 0
Annetta became a member of Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church in 1981. She accepted her position as financial secretary in 1990. Her responsibilities include providing accurate and reliable financial data to staff, lay leadership, and church members in order to enable realistic planning and implementation of church goals and projects.
Annetta earned her baccalaureate degree at the University of Redlands and has completed some post-graduate studies. Prior to her church employment, Annetta was the playground director Los Angeles city schools, a secondary school teacher, an administrative assistant, and an office manager.
Annetta's Favorite Scripture: John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Dana Wilcox
Our Preschool Director Since 1990
Email»
Phone (619) 435-2182
Dana Wilcox holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois. Dana became a member of Graham Memorial Presbyterian church in 1980 and began directing the Graham Memorial Preschool in 1990.
Dana's Favorite Scripture: Psalm 107:1
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."