Scott Ganas
Pastor
Pastor Scott Ganas has been in the ministry for a long time. He loves listening, teaching, preaching, counseling, and encouraging people. The Pastor's "Dad jokes" are actually funny … sometimes. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and was baptized when he was a student at California State University at Sacramento, hearing the Gospel for the first time at age twenty-three. His wife Monica is a Professor at Azusa Pacific University. They have two grown children and a grand-daughter. If you would like to talk to Pastor Scott, please contact him at his cell phone: (951) 795-8162.
Judy Gunther
Church Chairperson
Judy has been a member of First Lutheran Church for over 40 years. She was raised in El Monte and when she moved to Temple City, Judy knew that she wanted her children (4 of them) to attend church and school at First Lutheran. Judy has worked as a Registered Nurse for 33 years at LAC+USC hospital. She has a Master’s degree in Mental Health and has taught classes at Cal State Los Angeles part time for the last 10 years, along with her fulltime job. Now, Judy has retired but keeping busy. She is a member of the committee of aging with the Temple City, a member of the leadership committee, and a community member on the Ethics committee at LAC+USC hospital. Judy likes Luke 1:37 – "Faith does not make things easy it makes them possible."
Elvia Ibanez
Preschool Director
California native Elvia lives in South Pasadena with her husband and toddler son. She was raised by her mother and grandmother who were both the definition of nurturers: they had the ability to wrap her with their dedication to create an environment where she could blossom. Elvia believes this is God’s purest gift.
It was only fitting that she too wanted to serve children with this same gift. She received a certificate from UCLA in early education and brings her decade of experience and educational training to SONshine House. Her goal is to create an environment where children can grow and thrive educationally, socially and faithfully. She wants them to continue to be the light our world needs when they leave our school.
It was only fitting that she too wanted to serve children with this same gift. She received a certificate from UCLA in early education and brings her decade of experience and educational training to SONshine House. Her goal is to create an environment where children can grow and thrive educationally, socially and faithfully. She wants them to continue to be the light our world needs when they leave our school.
Kathy Janetzke
Church Treasurer
A native Californian, Kathy has been a member of First Lutheran Church in Temple City since 1976. Currently, she calls Pasadena her home. Kathy's three sons went to First Lutheran School in Temple City and graduated from there. In addition, Kathy's 3 granddaughters went to school at First Lutheran in Temple City, as well. Kathy worked as the school's Librarian from 1977 to 2015 until the school closed down in 2015. Nowadays, Kathy finds her joy serving as the Treasurer at First Lutheran Church in Temple City.
Ambrose Chan
Church Accountant / Bookkeeper
Ambrose was, originally, from Hong Kong and has lived in the United States since the early 80s. He graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor degree in Business Administration. Ambrose has worked in various industries and retired from his banking professional job. Ambrose has been with the First Lutheran Church of Temple City since 2014. He and his family, currently, attends a non denominational church in Monrovia. The family of four enjoys travelling around the world, from many Northern America national parks & cities to Asia and European countries.
Elizabeth Yu
Church Administrator
Elizabeth was born in Chicago, but was raised in Hong Kong. Elizabeth returned to Los Angeles in 1979. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at California State University, Dominguez Hills in 1986. Her husband loves to travel and has taken her to several countries in Asia and Europe. Elizabeth is a third-generation Christian. She has been a churchgoer for more than 50 years, but only becoming a Lutheran more than 20 years ago, and still learning about how to be a better Lutheran. She praises the Lord for a Christian husband of 30 years and two adult children. Elizabeth's "go to" Bible verse is (New Living Translation - NLT) Psalm 94:19: “When doubts fill my mind, your comfort gives me renewed hope and cheer."