PERSONAL
Rev. Ara Guekguezian
Executive Presbyter
executive@sjpresbytery.org | Office: (559) 739-0168
The Reverend Guekguezian is the Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of San Joaquin. Pastor Ara primarily serves as support for over twenty-five congregations, fellowships and New Worshipping Communities from Bakersfield through Visalia, Fresno to Merced and Mariposa, covering much of the Central Valley of California. Ara has pastored congregations in and outside of the bounds PC(USA) for thirty-eight years in the Presbyteries of Nevada and San Joaquin. He has labored within our bounds for the past twenty-two years serving as pastor and head of staff of Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church for fifteen-years, then as interim pastor head of staff at several congregations in Fresno, Bakersfield and Madera. Ara has travelled extensively throughout the world initiating mission in partnership with native congregations. Ara is to Evelina and they have two children and one grandchild, who claims to share many qualities and characteristics with his grandfather, some good, others not so much.
Rev. Amanda Nevin
Stated Clerk
statedclerk@sjpresbytery.org | Cell: (415) 827-8076
As the Stated Clerk, Rev. Nevin assists the Presbytery in taking minutes at Presbytery meetings, reviewing church session minutes, and handles statistical reports with the Office of the General Assembly. She is also the staff liaison for the Committee on Preparation for Ministry and the Stewardship Committee. Rev. Nevin grew up in Fresno, went to college at Whitworth University and graduate school at Austin Seminary. She has served churches in Illinois and northern California.
Shirley Batchman
Administrative Assistant
office@sjpresbytery.org | Office: (559) 739-0168
The Administrative Assistant serves as the office manager in Visalia relating to our committees and congregations along with providing administrative support for our staff. Shirley is the first point of contact who can answer your questions and direct you to the resources to meet your needs.
Kristi Hampton
Bookkeeper
financial@sjpresbytery.org | Office: (559) 739-0168
The Bookkeeper is the primary financial official of the Presbytery working with our Finance Commission to provide efficient & transparent accounting. Kristi also tracks per capita, mission giving, grants and loans for the Presbytery.
Rev. Simon Biasell
New Worshiping Community (NWC) Coordinator
Rev. Simon Biasell is the New Worshiping Community (NWC) Coordinator for the Presbytery of San Joaquin. In this capacity he will develop and launch our presbytery Innovation Program that will encourage our churches to renew their congregations. He will also work with the Identity Committee to manage the Lily Initiative to encourage Adaptive Change in our congregations. Rev. Biasell is also the pastor of the Woven Community, a New Worshiping Community in Fresno. He is a third generation Presbytery of San Joaquin pastor and a graduate of the Biblical Seminary at Fresno Pacific University.
Natasha Biasell
Communications Director
natasha@ivypublicrelations.com
The Communications Director advises the Presbytery on public relations, social media and communication options. She designed and maintains the Presbytery website, and and assists with social media to enhance our communication. Natasha is also available to advise our congregations & mission partners.