Robert M. Bock
Senior Pastor
A native of Indiana, Pastor Bock came to California following his graduate seminary training to work with youth on the streets of Hollywood. After eight years of heading Operation Youth, a community-based recreational and counseling program, Pastor Bock became the Senior Pastor of the 600 member First Christian Church of North Hollywood, a position he has held for over thirty years. During his ministry in North Hollywood, many creative programs have been born, including the Interfaith Food Pantry, the Christmas Tree Lot and The Advent Theatre, all of which are housed at the church.
Pastor Bock holds three degrees and is credentialed to teach several subjects from Jr. High through college level. He was a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Education for sixteen years. During the same time he served as a consultant to school districts throughout the state.
His longtime interest in radio and television production led to a quiet acting career in 1975. Since then he has appeared regularly on three leading daytime dramas in the role of a clergyman. His character on "The Young and the Restless" even bears his real name, "Rev. Bock." He also serves regularly as a technical consultant to movie and television writers and directors regarding religious authenticity. He has appeared live on ABC's "Dream Wedding" on AM/LA in an interfaith wedding ceremony and most recently appeared on the "George and Alana Show" during their Valentine special.
Outside his professional endeavors, Pastor Bock has been working on his first book entitled "I Wasn't Born There." He enjoys traveling with his wife, Peggy, and an occasional round of golf. He is the father of two married sons and a proud grandfather.
Louise Sloan Goben
Associate Pastor
Rev. Louise Sloan Goben came to the staff of First Christian Church in 1993, having served two congregations prior to that. She is a graduate of Chapman University (B.A. 1978, M.A. 1980 in Clinical/Community Psychology.) and she received her M. Div., from the Claremont School of Theology in 1987. Louise is active in the Regional and National work of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) serving on the General Board of the denomination as a representative of the PSWR.
A firm believer in volunteerism, Louise has actively participated with her family on a food team of the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry since its inception in 1985.
Louise is also the Director of Spirit of the Foothills, a new ministry of Pacific Southwest Region, located in La Crescenta. Spirit of the Foothills is developing as a center for healing and meditation, with an emphasis on the arts. Spirit of the Foothills includes Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry of which Louise is an Advanced Practitioner, and in the process of becoming a Certified Instructor.
Louise is married to Rev. Galen Goben who works for Forest Lawn Memorial Parks, as the Grief Support Coordinator and Director of Clergy Relations. Together they have three sons whom they love very much - Christopher, Jeffrey and Neill.
Jefferson Beeker
Minister of Evangelism and Membership Development
Jefferson was born and raised in Washington, D.C. and grew up with a keen interest in theatre and government, as well as a passion for American History.
Jefferson studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York after attending Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland and Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. Previously he worked in the entertainment industry in New York, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles as a playwright, dancer, publicist and costume coordinator.
Jefferson joined the ministerial staff of the First Christian Church of North Hollywood, California in 2006. He is completing his Master's of Divinity degree through San Francisco Theological Seminary in Pasadena and plans full ordination in 2012.
He received a 2011 Granville and Erline Walker Ministerial Scholarship grant for students with an emphasis in preaching. The award is named after Granville Walker who served from 1943-1973 as senior minister of the University Christian Church in Ft. Worth, Texas.
Previously Jefferson directed the Youth Program at the Hollywood-Beverly Christian Church in Hollywood, California, which included a summer theatre program for youth. He also served in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Regional Office for the Pacific Southwest Region, assisting the Senior Associate Regional Minister. Jefferson served for three years on the board of the Eastmont Community Center in East Los Angeles and currently represents Disciples Seminary Foundation on the board for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Pacific Southwest Region.
His family has been a part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination for six generations.
Alfredo Gómez
Pastor, Spanish Speaking Congregation
Nacido en Colima México, vivió algunos años en Tijuana de ahí se vino a California específicamente a Van nuys, las intenciones no eran las de servir a Señor, menos las de ser un ministro pero las experiencias de la vida le llevaron a conocer a Jesús como su único Señor y Salvador.
Se congrego en la Iglesia Cristiana del valle, donde rápidamente se desarrollo como uno de los líderes siendo parte de diferentes ministerios dentro de la congregación, ser parte de el liderazgo le insto a estudiar, primero en el Centro Hispano de Estudios Teológicos, después a tomar el curso de Certificación Ministerial, en D S F ( Disciples Seminary Foundation )
Dios le permitió ser parte del grupo de plantadores de Iglesias, la Iglesia Cristiana (Discípulos de Cristo) de Lancaster fue su primera participación en el inicio de una obra, de la misma manera tiempo después inició el servicio en español, en First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of North Hollywood, donde Dios le da la bendición hasta el día de hoy de ser parte del Staff Ministerial de esta congregación.
En sus planes esta continuar sus estudios y seguir sirviendo al Señor en compañía de su esposa Loydi, con quien le gusta compartir tiempo libre, caminar y conocer diferentes lugares.
Young Lan Kim
Ordained Minister
Rev. Young Lan Kim joined the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 2006 after she experienced Mix in ‘06. As she took her internship at First Christian Church of North Hollywood she found her “home” and became a member of the church in 2007. Prior to this, Young served as Associate Minister for children at Shepherd Hill United Methodist Church and Namgajoo Fellowship Church for 10 years.
Young graduated from Hanyang University and studied Film and Drama in Korea. She studied MA in theatre, focused on directing at Indiana State University and MFA in Acting at University of Hawaii. She obtained her Masters of Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and was ordained in January 2011 at First Christian Church of North Hollywood. She is married to Rev. Young Jun Yang who is serving the Korean American community as a pastoral counselor at Rothem Institute for Holistic Healing and Arts. Rothem Institute for Holistic Healing and Arts is a part of the Spirit of Foothills Ministry located in La Cresenta. Together they have three children: two girls, Ha-un Priscilla and Ha-nul Lydia, and one boy, Ha-min Joshua.
With an MA in Directing and MFA in Acting, Young has worked as a playwright, a director, an actress, and a teacher who has found exciting, creative ways to explore spirituality through drama. Since 2003, Young has produced many creative bilingual dramas (Korean & English) delivering the messages of God and healing people. She wrote the original script of “Can You Hear Me, Now?” for the Quadrennial 2010. She directed the play and performed during the Assembly. She serves as Vice President of Korean Disciples in the Pacific Southwest Region and as a Board member of Disciples Seminary Foundation. In her drama ministry, she is an executive and artistic director of Theatre T.A.L. (True Actor’s League) and is producing a radio drama at GBC (Gospel Broadcasting Company).
Young loves to cook Korean food and to play with children.
Joshua Elson
Director of Music
Joshua Elson has served as the music director at First Christian Church of North Hollywood since 2003. He also teaches Choir, Orchestra, and World Music at Palisades Charter High School. Before his work at FCCNH, Joshua served as the music and youth director at the First Christian Church of Concord in Northern California from 1997-2002. From 2002-2003 he worked in the public school system of New York City in a Non-profit organization that promoted leadership development for underprivileged students. It was there he met his wife Molly. They currently live in Sherman Oaks, CA with their two daughters, Magnolia and Vienna. He has been a music leader at regional and national events for the Disciples of Christ denomination at events all over the country since 1993. Joshua holds a Master's Degree in Music, Choral Conducting from California State University, Northridge, and a Bachelor's Degree in Music, Choral Conducting from Chapman University.
Christi Anderson
Director of Children's Ministries
Christi Anderson has served as the Director of Children’s Ministries since 2009. She found FCCNH in 1997. After driving by the corner of Colfax and Moorpark at least a hundred times, she finally stepped through the doors and knew she was “home”. She is honored to be a part of this amazing church family and looks forward to continuing to show the world God’s love through her love of children and families.
Christi has always loved children and is the proud mother of 3 amazing children. She attended Georgia State University where she majored in Child Psychology. After a particularly rough statistical psychology class, she realized that she was heading down the wrong path. She knew that she needed to do something more creative. So she switched majors to recording engineering, in hopes of producing children’s music.
At the age of 9, she found her first true love, figure skating. She went on to compete at the Senior level and has performed in numerous tours and shows across the country. Through skating, she became involved with the Special Olympics. At the age of 14, she inherited the skater no one else wanted and they formed an immediate bond and worked together for several years. They were pen pals until a few years ago.
Christi thanks God every day for showing her the wonder of his ways through the eyes of her children and all of the children she is privileged to know.
Sheri Izzard
Director of Children's Music
Sheri is a professional singer and director of children’s music at First Christian Church of North Hollywood. Music teaching activities include directing a yearly “Share the Spirit” Summer Music Camp, year-long children’s and youth choirs, after school Logos music, and their performances.
Professional singing credits include background vocals and screen appearances for movies which include: Sucker Punch, Your Highness, SALT, Watchmen, Indiana Jones, Spider Man, The Simpsons Movie, X-Men films, Matrix films, Bruce and Evan Almighty, Ice Age, King Kong, Spiderman, Van Helsing, Mission Impossible, War of the Worlds, Sister Act, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, South Park (the movie) Galaxy Quest, A Bug’s Life, Anastasia, Armageddon, Mission Impossible, Catwoman, Constantine, Jurassic Park IIII, Batman Returns, Men in Black 2, Peter Pan, Backdraft, What’s Love Got to Do With It?
TV credits include: The Family Guy, The Middle, King of Queens, The Simpsons, Drew Carey Show, Days of Our Lives, and Good Morning America. She has sung background vocals on Christmas albums for: Michael Buble, Amy Grant, Peter Marshall and Harry Connick. She sings live in the a cappella Jazz vocal group, Inner Voices as a tenor in performances at Vitello’s in North Hollywood, Jazz Bakery and Catalina’s in L.A. and in their CD, Valentine, and latest Christmas Album, Greetings of the Season.
Her experience in both areas comes from 40 years of singing and teaching music for a living. She volunteers actively at FCCNH as prayer group leader, is a member of Christian Women’s Fellowship, and participates in many children’s youth activities and church functions.
David Haworth
Music Director, Prayer and Anointing Service
David Haworth has served as the music director of the Prayer and Anointing Service (Sunday, 7:00 p.m.) since 2008. He also directs musicals and teaches music at Laurel Hall School (Lutheran, grades K – 8) in North Hollywood, and is a worship leader and choir accompanist at Village Church in Burbank, where he served as Minister of Music from 1996 – 2006. He also teaches piano and voice. A native of North Carolina, David was raised in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, Piano Performance, from Guilford College, in Greensboro, and a Master’s Degree in Music, Piano Performance, from Indiana University. His wife, Kathleen, is a Lutheran school principal, and they have worked together for over 17 years, at three different schools. They reside in the NoHo Arts District, and have two daughters, Rose, 17 and Holly-Noelle, 15. He also served as Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Glendale, North Hollywood and Woodland Hills.
David Joyce
Music Director, Casual/Live Band Service
David Joyce is a singer/keyboard player/songwriter/educator who grew up in Los Angeles. He attended California State University Northridge graduating Summa Cum Laude, as a Music Composition major. Many years later, he received his Master’s in Music from USC in the area of Jazz Voice.
He toured the world with a number of well known artists, including Natalie Cole, Burt Bacharach, David Byrne (Talking Heads), and has made his living singing, playing keyboards, writing/producing music, and teaching music. Music is a passion for David, as is education, and making the world a better place.
David has worked with the likes of: Chris Isaak, Burt Bacharach, U2, Neil Young, Natalie Cole, Elvis Costello, Dionne Warwick, Sheryl Crow, Ray Charles, Babyface, Michael Jackson, David Byrne, Richard Marx, Tim McGraw, Wynonna Judd, Frank Sinatra, Vince Gill, Barry Manilow. He has sung for many television shows and films. David has written songs for and produced a number of young artists in the Los Angeles area, and has scored several PBS documentaries, and a number of AFI films.
He leads our 5:30pm Praise Team, often with original music written especially for this service.
