Brent James - Minister for Community Life

Email:  Brent@lakegrovepres.org (503-636-5656 ext. 111)

Brent James has recently completed the M.Div. program at George Fox Seminary.  A 1996 graduate of Bethany University (affiliated with the Assemblies of God), Brent has served here for a little more than a year in the capacity of Pastoral Intern.  He came to us from Bel Air Presbyterian church (the largest church in the Presbytery of the Pacific and the one of the fastest growing in the PCUSA).  He also served as Worship Ministry producer at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and Co-Director of the Crossing, a ministry for young adults. 

Susie Graham - Director of Children's Ministries

Email: susieg@lakegrovepres.org (503-636-5656 ext: 121)

Susie Graham received her B.A. in Religious Studies from Westmont College and a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary.   Susie grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado and came to faith at First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs.  Prior to seminary Susie spent six years working with and directing a day program for Developmentally Disabled Adults. She also worked with youth and was on staff at First Presbyterian in Fresno, CA.  During seminary Susie had the opportunity to work with VITAS Hospice as an intern chaplain and at First Presbyterian Church in Burbank, CA as a pastoral intern and as the Director of Children’s Ministries. 

Diane Parker - Assistant Director of Children's Ministries

Email:  dianeparker@lakegrovepres.org

Longtime Church School teacher and childcare coordinator, Diane Parker, is our Assistant Director of Children's Ministries.  Diane is a native Oregonian who has spent most of her life on the west side of the Willamette River. She has four children, 11 grandchildren, and two beagles. Diane has a number of hobbies, but her grandchildren may be at the top of the list. Her love of children is obvious in her commitment to Children’s Ministries. Although she had her own office-support business for many years, she finds her new job very satisfying. “I had no idea that when I was asked to be interim this summer I would end up loving it so much.”  Pastor Graig and others involved in Christian Education are impressed with Diane’s organizational skills. Her knowledge of Lake Grove and the church school -- she has attended here for 10 years and taught for nine of those years – make her an ideal person to maintain a connection to the quality and values we have come to appreciate in our children’s program. “My goal is to continue making our nursery and classrooms a safe, loving environment – teaching all who enter the love of Jesus. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful opportunity to work for the Lord.” Until a new director is found, Diane will be the point-person for children’s ministries.

503-636-5656 x101.

Kathleen Fast - Director of Youth Ministries

Kathleen came to LGPC after 15 years of working with Campus Ambassadors, a student ministry at Oregon State University.  She received her B.A. in journalism from the University of Minnesota and an M.A. in specialized campus ministry from Denver Seminary. A self-proclaimed “demographics junkie,”  Kathleen studies teen culture statistics and sees this age as a crucial time for spiritual development and growth. “The challenge I take on is to create an appealing ministry that is both spiritually significant and socially relevant,” she says.  With her great passion for Christ, deep love for students, and contagious joy, we are very excited to have Kathleen as the director of the youth ministry staff!

503-636-5656 x117.

Ryan Caldwell - Assistant Director of Youth Ministries

Ryan Caldwell is the newest addition to the Lake Grove Presbyterian Staff and actually grew up in the church after his family moved to Lake Oswego in the early 1990's. He graduated from Lake Oswego High School and went on to graduate with a degree in economics from Portland State University. Ryan has been married to Tricia Caldwell since 2005, their son, Nicholas James, was born in May of 2007. Ryan has been involved in youth ministry for seven years and at different times has been a small group leader, a worship leader, and most recently, he was the Director of Youth Ministries at First Presbyterian in Joplin, Missouri. "My passion is to make Christ and His Church relevant to every student who walks through the doors of our church. I prefer Crocs to shoes, Apples to PC's, and Christ above all." Ryan is very excited to be a part of this staff team.