2026-2027 Clergy Appointment Announcements

The following appointments and assignments are listed in reverse chronological order based upon their announcement to the conference. 

Appointments effective prior to July 1, 2026 can be found at this link.

Rev. Yeon Joon Moon as Associate Pastor to University UMC of Irvine

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Yeon Joon Moon as associate pastor at ¼ time to University UMC of Irvine in the South District as of July 1, 2026.

Pastor Sor Chuan Ong as Pastor to Evangelical UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Sor Chuan Ong as pastor to Evangelical UMC in the East District as of July 1, 2026.

Rev. Sung Ki Lee as Pastor to Los Feliz UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Sung Ki Lee as pastor to Los Feliz UMC in the West District as of July 1, 2026.

Rev. Greg Pittman as pastor to Palmdale First UMC and Lancaster UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Greg Pittman as pastor at ½ time to Palmdale First UMC and ½ time to Lancaster UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2026. The Rev. James White has been appointed to Market Street UMC in the Horizon Texas Conference as of July 1, 2026.

Mr. Christian Washington as Lay Person Assigned to Palmdale First UMC and Lancaster UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to assign Mr. Christian Washington as Lay Person Assigned in an associate role at ½ time to Palmdale First UMC and at ½ time to Lancaster UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2026.

Rev. Melissa Roux MacKinnon as pastor to St. Matthew’s UMC of Newbury Park

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Melissa Roux MacKinnon as pastor to St. Matthew’s UMC of Newbury Park in the North District as of July 1, 2026. The Rev. Jim Powell will enter the retirement relationship as of July 1, 2026.

Rev. Dr. Jonggoo Lee as Pastor to Wilshire UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Dr. Jonggoo Lee as pastor to Wilshire UMC in the West District as of July 1, 2026.

Pastor Laura Elena Perez as Pastor to Bardsdale UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Laura Elena Perez at ½ time as pastor to Bardsdale UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2026

Rev. Dr. Brian Suk-Boo Lee as Pastor to International Community UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Dr. Brian Suk-Boo Lee to International Community UMC (formerly First German UMC) in the North District as of July 1, 2026. The Rev.  Kurt Poland has been appointed to University Park UMC in the Mountain Sky Conference as of July 1, 2026.

Pastor Kumrila (Akum) Mongzar as Pastor to Corona UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Kumrila (Akum) Mongzar as pastor to Corona UMC in the East District as of July 1, 2026.

Rev. Dr. Seonbeen “Sean” Kim as Pastor to La Puente First UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Dr. Seonbeen “Sean” Kim as pastor at ¼ time to La Puente First UMC in the East District as of July 1, 2026.

Pastor Sela Taupaki as Pastor to La Palma UMC and Trinity UMC of Lakewood

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Sela Taupaki as pastor at ½ time to La Palma UMC and ½ time to Trinity UMC of Lakewood in the West District as of July 1, 2026. The Rev. Paul Y. Kim will enter the retirement relationship as of July 1, 2026.

Pastor Jaime Torres as Pastor to the Eastern Sierra Cooperative Parish

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Jaime Torres as pastor to the Eastern Sierra Cooperative Parish: Bishop First UMC, Big Pine Community UMC, and Pioneer Memorial UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2026.

Rev. Katherine Ann Hunter as Pastor to Redlands First UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Katherine Ann Hunter as pastor to Redlands First UMC in the East District as of July 1, 2026.

Rev. Dr. Darrell Wesley as Pastor to Scott UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Dr. Darrell Wesley as pastor to Scott UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2026.

Ms. Sharon Tan as Lay Person Assigned to Santa Maria First UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to assign Ms. Sharon Tan as Lay Person Assigned at ¾ time to Santa Maria First UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2026.

Rev. Karin Ellis as Director of Justice and Compassion for The California-Pacific Conference

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Karin Ellis as Director of Justice and Compassion for The California-Pacific Conference as of July 1, 2026. 

Rev. Dr. Antonio Neil Platon III as Pastor to La Canada UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Dr. Antonio Neil Platon III as pastor at ¾ time to La Canada UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2026

Dr. Candace Yvette Kelly as Lay Person Assigned to Compton First UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to assign Dr. Candace Yvette Kelly as Lay Person Assigned at ½ time to Compton First UMC in the West District as of July 1, 2026. The Rev. Dr. Arnetha E. Bell Inge will return to the retirement relationship as of July 1, 2026.

Rev. Kyun Hwan Oh as pastor to La Palma Korean UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Kyun Hwan Oh as pastor at ½ time to La Palma Korean UMC in the West District as of July 1, 2026.

Rev. Christian Choon Uk Jung as Pastor to Holliston UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Christian Choon Uk Jung as pastor to Holliston UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2026.

Rev. Dr. Joseph Choi as Pastor to Crescenta Valley UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Dr. Joseph Choi as pastor to Crescenta Valley UMC in the North District as of July 1, 2026.

Rev. Sunyoung Park as Associate Pastor to Rolling Hills UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Sunyoung Park as associate pastor to Rolling Hills UMC in the West District as of July 1, 2026. The Rev. Dr. April Herron will enter the retirement relationship on July 1, 2026.

Rev. Jennifer Burns as Pastor to Hope UMC of Torrance

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Jennifer Burns as pastor to Hope UMC of Torrance in the West District as of July 1, 2026.

Rev. Baldwin Avendano as Pastor to First UMC of San Fernando and North Hills Hispanic Mission

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Baldwin Avendano as pastor at ½ time to First UMC of San Fernando and ½ time to North Hills Hispanic Mission in the North District as of July 1, 2026.

Rev. Kitione Tu’itupou as Senior Pastor to Santa Ana UMC
 
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Kitione Tu’itupou as senior pastor to Santa Ana UMC in the South District as of July 1, 2026. The Rev. N. Adiel DePano will enter the retirement relationship as of July 1, 2026.
Rev. Adelante Torino as Associate Pastor to Santa Ana UMC
 
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Adelante Torino as associate pastor at ¼ time to Santa Ana UMC in the South District as of July 1, 2026.
Rev. Dr. Brian J. Tipton as Pastor to Laguna Country UMC
 
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Dr. Brian Tipton as pastor to Laguna Country UMC in the South District as of July 1, 2026. The Rev. David Atkins will return to the retirement relationship as of July 1, 2026.
Rev. Mary Scifres as Interim Pastor to Hollywood UMC
 
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Mary Scifres as interim pastor to Hollywood UMC in the West District. The Rev. Hannah Adair Bonner will be appointed to the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, her home conference.
Dr. Joshua Sung-Chang Ryoo as Pastor to Bell Memorial UMC
 
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Dr. Joshua Sung-Chang Ryoo as pastor at ½ time to Bell Memorial UMC in the East District as of July 1, 2026.
Pastor Khemaron Lay as Associate Pastor to Santa Ana UMC
 
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Khemaron Lay as associate pastor, Cambodian Ministry, at ¼ time to Santa Ana UMC in the South District as of July 1, 2026.
Pastor Hwal (Paul) Joo as Pastor to Kam-Nam UMC
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Hwal (Paul) Joo as pastor to Kam-Nam UMC in the Hawaii District as of July 1, 2026. Pastor Joo is a retired local pastor from the Mountain Sky Conference. The Rev. Dohmin Kim will enter the retirement relationship as of July 1, 2026.
Rev. Chi Young Jeong as Pastor to Laguna Hills Korean UMC
 
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Chi Young Jeong as pastor to Laguna Hills Korean UMC in the South District as of July 1, 2026. Pastor Yong Sam Park will return to the retirement relationship as of July 1, 2026.
Pastor Jean Elise Durandisse as Senior Pastor to Exodus UMC
 
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Jean Elise Durandisse as senior pastor to Exodus UMC at ½ time in the South District as of July 1, 2026. Rev. Donald Owens will enter the retirement relationship and return to his denomination as of July 1, 2026. Pastor Durandisse continues in his appointment at ½ time to Chollas View UMC.
Rev. Dr. Hillary Chrisley as Pastor to Yorba Linda UMC
 
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Dr. Hillary Chrisley as pastor to Yorba Linda UMC in the East District as of July 1, 2026. The Rev. William deBos will enter the retirement relationship on July 1, 2026. 

Rev. Bonnie Hawk as Senior Pastor to Rolling Hills UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Bonnie Hawk as senior pastor to Rolling Hills UMC in the West District as of July 1, 2026. Rev. Jonathan Chute will enter the retirement relationship on July 1, 2026.