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 Senior Pastor & Head of Staff
The Reverend David Rodriguez
Reverend David Rodriguez was ordained as a PCUSA minister in 1984. Since then, he has served as a solo pastor and as a senior pastor for churches in Fontana, Hollister, Pacific Grove, and Ukiah CA. He has also served as a US Navy chaplain in the Reserve Component since 1992. He holds the rank of Captain and he has been mobilized and deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, and Djibouti. He graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A in Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary with a M.Div., and Princeton Theological Seminary with a Th.M.
He and his wife Cathy were married in 1981. They have two sons, Andrew and Daniel. Andrew is married to Julia and they have a son named Wendell. David’s hobbies are sailing, back packing, scuba diving, and hiking. David plays the guitar and the bass. He enjoys being in church praise bands and he has played professionally in classic rock bands and even a Johnny Cash cover band.
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 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 soon-to-be 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.
Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries
Megan Smith
Megan Smith was previously on staff at GMPC in 2022 as the Interim Director of Children’s Ministries. Most recently, she served as the Interim Director of the Greenhouse Learning Center in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Megan earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Children’s Ministry from Fresno Pacific University. She earned her Master of Science Degree from Biola University. Megan also has a California State Teaching Credential, Multiple Subject, along with four years of teaching experience in public schools.
Children’s Ministries Program Manager
Sarah Murphy
Sarah Murphy most recently served as the Director of Religious Education at the Chapel of Hope in Yokosuka, Japan for the US Navy Region Japan. Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications and Biblical Studies from Gordon College. She also earned her Associate of Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts.
Preschool Co-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.
Support Staff
Business Administrator
Rachael Tisdale
Twice as nice! The Tisdale Family is back for a second Navy sponsored tour of Coronado and can't wait to experience island life again! Rachael and her family joined GMPC in 2012, but were abruptly called away in 2014. Since then they have lived in Florida, Maryland, and Virginia. Rachael is thrilled to be back and to start her job as Business Administrator at GMPC. She may have a caffeine problem, and is especially looking forward to helping with all things coffee.
Director of Communication
Michelle Melton
Michelle is an answer to our prayers. Likewise, Michelle would say the same about Graham. God is truly at work at Graham—not only in family ministries, but in the entire life of the church. We are so blessed to have Michelle on staff with us. She brings many years of experience in the field of Children and Youth Ministries, Business Administration, as well as Creative and Graphic Design. Michelle has been a Coronado resident for five years and is excited to see what the Lord has instore with this season in her life. She enjoys spending time with her four grandchildren, being outdoors, and owns a small business here on the island designing and handcrafting custom leather goods.
Bookkeeper
Erica Gapp
Erica is a Coronado native with a long obsession with Excel spreadsheets. She is married to a visionary man, homeschools her daughters, and teaches other homeschool students on their class days together, all of which constantly exercises her organizational skills. Her prior bookkeeping employment included a grant-funded biotech company and three family businesses. After graduation from Mills College with degrees in Economics and German Studies, she worked in finance with two wonderful Christian men who shared the Gospel with her. She has loved Christ and studied His Word ever since. She has attended Graham since 2006 and has served in Awana and in childcare most of that time. In this position as bookkeeper, she is excited to use her gifts of administration to serve the part of the body of Christ that worships at GMPC.
Accountant
Annetta Townsend
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.
Receptionist
Sindy Schiller
Sindy started at GMPC on November 1, 2023. This new position was created to handle administrative support and information coordination duties of the church office during normal office operating hours of 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Monday through Thursday.