Support Staff | Music Staff
Jim grew up in the Chicago area, is a graduate of University of Iowa, Bethel Theological Seminary and completed Doctoral studies, ABD, in Pastoral Care and Social Change at Luther Seminary St. Paul, MN. In his spare time, Jim likes hanging out with wife Debbie, reading biographies, playing blues and flamenco guitar, cooking, and physical training.
Beau is passionate about student ministry and seeing young people's lives changed for Christ. Beau and his wife, Kristin, and two children, Asher and Eden, see Front Porch and First Presbyterian as a "home away from home" for college students. They would love to have you join them at any one of their "happenings."
Paula is originally from Missouri, but spent her childhood and adolescence in Puerto Rico. She is a graduate of William Woods College and has her M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Before becoming a minister, she was a teacher and likes the description of a pastor as a “teaching elder.” Paula has served churches as associate pastor, co-pastor, and interim pastor, is a trained Stephen Ministry Leader, an ordained deacon, and has been teaching Sunday school since she was in the 8th grade. She is married with 2 children.
Dr. Springer served as Pastor and Head of Staff at First Pres from September 1975 to March, 1990. He and his wife Judy love living on the Central Coast, spending time on the golf course being involved in the life grandson, Jason.
While Eric was born in small-town Pennsylvania, he spent the majority of his youth in the Bay Area. Eventually Eric worked his way down to San Luis Obispo to study history at Cal Poly, during which time he began working in youth ministry in 2005. Following his time in San Luis Obispo, he spent a year working for Mount Hermon Christian Camps. Eric then went eastward to New Jersey where he received his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. Eric enjoys reading, writing, cooking, cycling, and tree climbing. Also, he is a firm believer that almost any situation can be improved with a nice cup of tea in hand.”
Jennifer has been a part of First Pres since she was 6 years old. Her passions are doing weddings and working with the children of our church. She is married and has one son, Ian. She is also our Wedding Coordinator.
Debbie just completed her Doctor of Ministry, graduating from San Francisco Theological Seminary. In the tradition of her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she too married a pastor and loves working alongside him. She also has 2 sons, Mark and Scott.
Amy is a recent graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She started her involvement in this church through Front Porch and is currently a Deacon and a Children’s Church teacher as well. In her free time, Amy enjoys crafting, traveling and photography.
Barbara has lived in San Luis Obispo since 1962. She worked as elementary school secretary in San Luis and Morro Bay, retiring in 1994. She is an avid quilter and loves spending time gardening and working in the office.
Chris is married to his lovely wife, Sarah. They both love spending time with their son, Clint who is 3 years old and their newest addition to the family, daughter Clara, born in October of 2010.
Jennifer has been a part of First Pres since she was 6 years old. Her passions are doing weddings and working with the children of our church. She is married and has one son, Ian.
Dale Wolff has been directing the Praise Singers on a volunteer basis since 1989. His other musical endeavors include singing with the Vocal Arts Ensemble and the "Bald Spots" doo-wop group, and occasionally writing songs. He is a retired Ph.D. psychologist and former Mental Health Director for the County. He and his wife Kathy have three grown sons and several grandkids. His other activities include Rotary, travel, writing, photography, and golf.
Greg received his Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting from UCLA. He is delighted to use his training and talents as a gift to God and to enhance worship. He enjoys spending time with his girlfriend and hanging out with his four kids.
Linda feels blessed to be able to worship God through playing the piano at First Pres. During the week, Linda works in student services as a counselor at Cuesta College. The remainder of her time is dedicated to her church, her family and friends, and her favorite hobbies, gardening and reading.
Ekaterina (Katya) Gotsdiner McMahan, born in Toula, Russia, holds a degree in music theory from the Moscow Music Tchaikovsky College, degrees in musicology and Organ, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance from the Moscow State Conservatory. Katya has won multiple awards and has performed throughout Russia, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States. In addition, she taught music theory at Moscow Conservatory College from 2001–08. Katya comes to the central coast with her husband, Andrew McMahan, Cal Poly’s new Director of Bands.
Pastoral & Program Staff | Support Staff
Meet our Team
Clergy Staff
Rev. James Blades (EXT. 202)
Senior PastorJim grew up in the Chicago area, is a graduate of University of Iowa, Bethel Theological Seminary and completed Doctoral studies, ABD, in Pastoral Care and Social Change at Luther Seminary St. Paul, MN. In his spare time, Jim likes hanging out with wife Debbie, reading biographies, playing blues and flamenco guitar, cooking, and physical training.
Rev. Beau Tanner Smith
Front Porch (college) Campus PastorBeau is passionate about student ministry and seeing young people's lives changed for Christ. Beau and his wife, Kristin, and two children, Asher and Eden, see Front Porch and First Presbyterian as a "home away from home" for college students. They would love to have you join them at any one of their "happenings."
Rev. Paula Kelso
Director of Congregational Care and DevelopmentPaula is originally from Missouri, but spent her childhood and adolescence in Puerto Rico. She is a graduate of William Woods College and has her M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Before becoming a minister, she was a teacher and likes the description of a pastor as a “teaching elder.” Paula has served churches as associate pastor, co-pastor, and interim pastor, is a trained Stephen Ministry Leader, an ordained deacon, and has been teaching Sunday school since she was in the 8th grade. She is married with 2 children.
Dr. Jack Springer
Pastor EmeritusDr. Springer served as Pastor and Head of Staff at First Pres from September 1975 to March, 1990. He and his wife Judy love living on the Central Coast, spending time on the golf course being involved in the life grandson, Jason.
Program Staff
Eric Garner (EXT. 211)
Youth DirectorWhile Eric was born in small-town Pennsylvania, he spent the majority of his youth in the Bay Area. Eventually Eric worked his way down to San Luis Obispo to study history at Cal Poly, during which time he began working in youth ministry in 2005. Following his time in San Luis Obispo, he spent a year working for Mount Hermon Christian Camps. Eric then went eastward to New Jersey where he received his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. Eric enjoys reading, writing, cooking, cycling, and tree climbing. Also, he is a firm believer that almost any situation can be improved with a nice cup of tea in hand.”
Jenifer Gordon-Rabendalt(EXT. 200)
Interim Children’s Education DirectorJennifer has been a part of First Pres since she was 6 years old. Her passions are doing weddings and working with the children of our church. She is married and has one son, Ian. She is also our Wedding Coordinator.
Administrative Staff
Dr. Debbie Blades (EXT. 207)
Church AdministratorDebbie just completed her Doctor of Ministry, graduating from San Francisco Theological Seminary. In the tradition of her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she too married a pastor and loves working alongside him. She also has 2 sons, Mark and Scott.
Amy Narevsky (EXT. 200)
Administrative AssistantAmy is a recent graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She started her involvement in this church through Front Porch and is currently a Deacon and a Children’s Church teacher as well. In her free time, Amy enjoys crafting, traveling and photography.
Barbara Wines (EXT. 213)
Church ReceptionistBarbara has lived in San Luis Obispo since 1962. She worked as elementary school secretary in San Luis and Morro Bay, retiring in 1994. She is an avid quilter and loves spending time gardening and working in the office.
Chris Bartlett
Facilities & Maintenance EngineerChris is married to his lovely wife, Sarah. They both love spending time with their son, Clint who is 3 years old and their newest addition to the family, daughter Clara, born in October of 2010.
Jenifer Gordon-Rabendalt
Wedding PlannerJennifer has been a part of First Pres since she was 6 years old. Her passions are doing weddings and working with the children of our church. She is married and has one son, Ian.
Music Staff
Dale Wolff
Praise Choir DirectorDale Wolff has been directing the Praise Singers on a volunteer basis since 1989. His other musical endeavors include singing with the Vocal Arts Ensemble and the "Bald Spots" doo-wop group, and occasionally writing songs. He is a retired Ph.D. psychologist and former Mental Health Director for the County. He and his wife Kathy have three grown sons and several grandkids. His other activities include Rotary, travel, writing, photography, and golf.
Dr. Greg Magie
Chancel Choir DirectorGreg received his Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting from UCLA. He is delighted to use his training and talents as a gift to God and to enhance worship. He enjoys spending time with his girlfriend and hanging out with his four kids.
Linda Brady
PianistLinda feels blessed to be able to worship God through playing the piano at First Pres. During the week, Linda works in student services as a counselor at Cuesta College. The remainder of her time is dedicated to her church, her family and friends, and her favorite hobbies, gardening and reading.
Dr. Katya Gotsdiner McMahan
OrganistEkaterina (Katya) Gotsdiner McMahan, born in Toula, Russia, holds a degree in music theory from the Moscow Music Tchaikovsky College, degrees in musicology and Organ, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance from the Moscow State Conservatory. Katya has won multiple awards and has performed throughout Russia, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States. In addition, she taught music theory at Moscow Conservatory College from 2001–08. Katya comes to the central coast with her husband, Andrew McMahan, Cal Poly’s new Director of Bands.
Pastoral & Program Staff | Support Staff
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