GMPC Staff
“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
Program Staff
Interim Pastor & Head of Staff
Reverend Dr. Mike Wallman
Mike was raised the oldest of 5 adopted children in Malibu, California. In 1968 while attending a high school retreat on Catalina Island, Mike received Christ as his Lord and Savior.
Mike is a graduate of Santa Monica High School (1970), California State University Northridge (1975), Fuller Theological Seminary M-Div. (1979), and Dubuque Theological Seminary D-Min. (1990).
Mike was ordained in 1979 as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament having received a call as High School Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Boulder, Colorado.
In 1981 Mike received a new call as assistant pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Downey, Ca. In 1985 he became the solo pastor of Dunlap Presbyterian Church of Shreveport, LA. In 1991 Mike received a call to First Presbyterian Church of Santa Maria, California. He served that church for 14 years. Following Santa Maria Mike has served as Interim Pastor at the following congregations:
Carpinteria Community Church in Carpinteria, Ca. 2005-2008
Journey Evangelical Church in Westminster, Ca. 2008-2011
Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Hills, Ca. 2011-2014
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Indio, Ca. 2015-2016
First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside, Ca. 2016-2017
Grace Presbyterian Church since September 2017-2022
Mike is married to Joni who has served on church staffs in North San Diego County for many years including North Coast Presbyterian Church and North Coast Calvary Chapel. Between them they have four adult children and nine grandchildren.
Mike enjoys surfing, skiing, cycling, and playing his guitar.
Spanish Service Pastor
Raul Palomino
Raul Palomino is a seasoned non-profit leader with over a decade of experience. As Executive Director and pastor at New Day Urban Ministries a ministry of the Presbytery of San Diego, he excels in program development, budgeting, grant writing, and fostering community relationships. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Raul is a dedicated Christian professional with theological studies from Westminster Theological Seminary and an MBA from the University of Redlands. He is currently pursuing an MDiv at San Francisco Theological Seminary. Married to Sandra P. Damian-Palomino and the father of Priscilla and Jeremiah Palomino.
Director of Music Ministries
Renee Calvo
Renee is a native San Diegan and started her journey in music at the age of six when she began to study the piano. Her passion for music led her to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano/Voice from Point Loma Nazarene University as well as a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from San Diego State University. Her professional career has included singing with the San Diego Opera and San Diego Master Chorale. A long-time voice and piano teacher, Renee taught voice classes and private lessons at the University of San Diego serving as an adjunct music professor. Currently, Renee teaches 7th grade Music, Upper School Choir and is the Drama Director at The Cambridge School, a Christian classical school in Rancho Penasquitos, CA. She loves all styles of music and is passionate about striving to bring her best to God through her ministry with the Graham Memorial Presbyterian church community.
Director of Family & Children’s Ministries
Rebecca Smith
Rebecca has a BS in Elementary Education with an emphasis in cross-cultural communication from St. Paul Bible College and an M.A. in Theology with an emphasis in cultural anthropology from Bethel Theological Seminary. Her experience includes public and Christian schools and teaching and preaching in church ministries from preschoolers to adults. She served as a licensed missionary in México, Colombia, Honduras and taught high school at Faith Academy in the Philippines. Rebecca held the position of Director of Children’s Ministries for GMPC from 2005-2022 and started the Awana Ministry in Coronado in 2007. After serving in another local church from 2022-2023, she is grateful to the Lord for the opportunity to be the Director of Family Ministries here at GMPC. Rebecca and her husband, Bill, are the joyful parents of three adult sons and a daughter-in-law. Her favorite Bible verse is “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13). Rebecca enjoys family time, swimming in oceans and pools, outdoor activities, reading and baking.
Preschool Directors
Jennifer Nesbitt & Jessica DiGrazia
Jenni Nesbitt began working at Graham as an Assistant Teacher in 2016 when her family moved from the D.C. area. Jenni has worked with children her entire career holding positions such as Christian Formation Director, Preschool Teacher, Youth Recreation Lead, Police Officer, AmeriCorp volunteer and most recently Assistant Director at Graham Memorial Preschool.
Jessica DiGrazia began her journey at Graham Memorial Preschool as a three-year-old in Room 3. Since then, she has advanced from Substitute Teacher, to Assistant Teacher, to Lead Teacher, and to Assistant Director, as well as watched her three children learn, grow, and play at Graham.