Rev. Chris Harrison
On August 1, 2010 Glendale Presbyterian Church will welcome our new pastor, Chris Harrison. After several years of searching our Pastor Nominating Committee selected Chris. Here is a little more information about Chris and his family.
Family Background
Chris Harrison was born in Houston, Texas on August 10, 1971. As a young man he played football and loved music and drama. After college, he came out to California to chase his acting dream. While in California he discovered a neighbor that challenged his views on Jesus. Through the ministry of Hollywood Presbyterian Church, Chris came to faith in Jesus Christ.
This picture was taken on Sunday, May 16th. The day that our congregation overwhelmingly voted to call Chris Harrison as our Pastor. The picture on the left includes the Harrison family, Chris, Rebecca, Caeden and Dylan. Rebecca's dad is on the right side of the picture.
Educational Background
Chris studied Musical Theater at the University of Miami, Florida. Years later in preparation for Ordained Pastoral Ministry, he received his Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, Southwest, while under the care of the Presbytery of The Grand Canyon.Ministry Background
First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood hired Chris as their Junior High Director in 1998. Following that ministry he spent five years as Director of Youth and Contemporary Worship with Desert Hills Presbyterian Church in Carefree, Arizona. After that, Copper Hills Community Church in Glendale, Arizona, called him to be Pastor of Worship where he served for one year. Chris has served Church of the Master Presbyterian Church in Mesa, Arizona since 2007 as Youth Director and Director of Contemporary Worship.
Chris brings fifteen years of hands on experience in the PCUSA. While the majority of his time in ministry has been spent serving young people and leading worship, he has acquired a diverse pastoral skill set. He has ministered to families in many stages of life; celebrating beginnings, presiding over funerals and counseling through life's many challenges and sorrows.
Family
Chris believes that his leadership begins as he lives out his faith with his family. He is married to Rebecca. They have two children, daughter Dylan and son Caeden. They have recently been to Ethiopia to pick up their new adopted son, Desmond. The rest of his family is made up of two dogs and a goldfish!
Chris will begin his ministry with GPC on Sunday, August 1. We look forward to the next years of growing together and being led by God under the leadership of Pastor Chris.
Ken has been on the GPC staff since 2001. Prior to his position at GPC, he pastored churches in New Mexico, Texas and two others churches in Los Angeles. His area of ministry include visitation, communication and pastoral support. Ken is married to Ellen, who is on staff at Bel Air Presbyterian Church. They have two grown children and one granddaughter. 
Lisa Patriquin became the Director of Children's and Family Ministries in July 2008. Since February 2008, she has also served as the staff resource for Women's Ministry. Lisa has a PhD in Education Policy and Administration from the University of Southern California. After a long career in university and workplace English as a Second Language, God whispered in her ear that she could have an amazing new life working for Him as a Christian educator! She is especially enthusiastic about making connections between discipleship and mission. She LOVES the way the kids come running to GPC to meet each other and God! 
Jeff joined the staff of GPC in January 2007 as a youth intern in student ministry. In September of 2009, Jeff became the Director of Worship Arts for GPC. Jeff graduated from Fuller Seminary in 2009 with a master's degree in Worship, Theology and the Arts. He received his undergraduate degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN in music with a minor in religion. Jeff previously served as full-time Associate Director of Music/Worship in Fargo, ND, and Golden Valley, MN. He plays piano, percussion, guitar and loves to sing. He enjoys listening to music, watching films, playing Ultimate Frisbee, reading, skiing/snowboarding, enjoying the view up in the Mt. Washington area, hearing people's stories, talk radio and Apple products! 
Joseph joined the GPC staff as Facilities Manager on May 1, 2010. He was born and raised in Burbank, CA. He is married to Jamie and has two children, Joseph and Desiree. He is a proud deacon and very active in several youth and adult learning programs at First Presbyterian Church of Burbank. He loves playing and coaching softball, drawing and writing poetry.
Jannette grew up at GPC and was mentored here in the choral arts by Claire Collins and Dr. Thomas Somerville. She received her undergraduate degree from Occidental College, working with Dr. Somerville, and her Masters of Music from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. She was on the GPC staff from 1994-2003 as Minister of Music and is delighted to be serving the church currently as the Choir Director. She is married to Cameron, who is a tenor in the Cathedral Choir, and they have two children, Carolyn and Catherine. 
Peggy has been on staff at GPC since 1995. She has been working with children's choirs for the last 40 years. Peggy has been the Director of a county-wide children's choir known as the Los Angeles Citywide Children's Christian Choir (LA4C). As Peggy got older, she felt the call from the Lord to return to working with children in music.She is a published songwriter and has written songs for the LA4C Choir and the Louis Palao Crusades children's program. Peggy teaches private piano and voice lessons. She is also a licensed Kindermusik educator. She loves to camp, walk, play ball sports and play with her grandson.
Bob has been working at GPC since 2004. He began his music career at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as a member of the group, "The Salt Company." A singer/songwriter/guitarist, he has recorded three CDs of his songs. As a praise and worship leader, Bob has led worship at retreats and churches. He also works for the Glendale Unified School District as a teacher at Daily High School. Bob is married to Deborah and the live in La Crescenta with their two Border Collies, Pipp and Speck. 
Hal has been a part-time volunteer for GPC since 1997. Hal helps Pastor Ken with hospital calls, memorial services and serving communion to shut-ins. Hal's other job is a family owned plumbing business. He is married to Louise, who is an elder at GPC. Hal has one daughter, two sons and four grandchildren. He also plays in the GPC bell choir and is a member of the Ten-Ten Sunday School Class.
Jason joined the GPC staff in August 2007 as Director, Junior High Ministries. Jason is originally from Atlanta, Georgia and moved to Los Angeles, in July 2007. He is a student at Fuller Theological Seminary pursuing a Masters of Divinity with an emphasis in Youth, Family and Culture. In his spare time, he coaches baseball at Crescenta Valley High School. Jason served as the Middle School Student Pastor at Western Heights Baptist Church in LaGrange, Georgia for three years. He enjoys working out, traveling, surfing, drinking Starbucks coffee, reading, asking questions, watching the Dodgers play baseball, and playing air guitar. One of Jason's many nicknames is "Mr. LA."
George Ratchford joined the GPC staff in July 2008 as Director, Senior High. George grew up in a small town in Georgia. It was not until the father of a close friend passed away that he felt the presence of the living God. From that point on, he knew that his life would be linked to a meaning and purpose. While living in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, he became a member of a young adult group and served as a youth volunteer. After a year, he took a position as a full time Youth Director at Isle of Faith for five years. Two years later God was gave him an open door to move to Pasadena, and attend Fuller Theological Seminary. While he was attending school, George was offered the position as High School Director at GPC and after much prayer and deliberation, he said yes. GPC has truly become his new family and new home. George loves this church and loves seeing what Christ is doing in the midst of the people at GPC. He feels truly blessed to be serving here at GPC.
Ben joined the GPC Staff as Director, Youth Worship Band in September, 2009. He grew up in Seattle where he attended Seattle Pacific University, and then moved to California where he graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara with honors in 2005. He has his Master's in Education from UCSB and his teaching credentials in Art and Music. Ben has always been passionate about art, music and poetry. He is currently pursuing a Master's in Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary. He enjoys skateboarding, reading and writing, songwriting, and holding hands with his lovely wife Kathy, with whom he lives, in Pasadena California.
Jan joined the GPC staff in 1996 as the Choir Librarian. Currently, she is the Office Manager. During her ministry to GPC she has been given a variety of responsibilities including working directly with the pastor, updating the GPC website, preparing the weekly bulletin and PowerPoint presentations for Sunday worship and working closely with the the Communications, HR and Worship committees. Jan also helps with office finances.
Flo has been working at GPC as a part-time Accountant since May, 2009. Flo also works at Soliant Energy, Inc as General Accountant. She attends Altadena Foursquare Church where she is the Treasurer and involved with Children's and Missions Ministries. In May of 2010, Flo traveled to Guam to marry her fiance.
Ron has been working at GPC since 1993. He started his sound career working for the City of Los Angeles in 1980. Ron works with the City of LA, providing sound for all local events in the LA area. He is on the Board of Directors for the Burbank Tournament of Roses Association and works for the local Ham radio events for the City of Glendale. Favorite hobbies are watching football and basketball games.
Doug completed his Master of Arts Degree in Marital & Family Therapy at Fuller Theological Seminary in 1992. He established Peer Counselor Ministries at Lake Avenue Church, Pasadena, in 1995 and at GPC in 1994. He served as an intern for Lay Counseling Ministry at La Canada Presbyterian Church from 1988-1996. Doug is married to Betsey and has a son, Matthew.
Tanya has been our part-time Children’s and Family Ministries Assistant since 2006. She helps Lisa Patriquin with all the behind-the-scenes work for Sunday School and mid-week programs. She works full-time for World Impact, a non-profit Christian organization, as their Accounting and Administrative Specialist at their National headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles. She enjoys outside activities - Frisbee and swimming.