Pastoral Candidate Tommy and Gisele May

Our selected Pastoral Candidate is Pastor Tommy May and his wife Gisele. Pastor Tom was Associate/Worship Pastor at Gardena Valley Assembly of God, where he and Gisele led the popular Worship services. His love of music began when he began at an early age when he led worship services in his Father's church. He loves southern Gospel music and leads with a wide range of traditional and contemporary music. He and Gisele will be leading the Worship service on Sunday, February 12.

The selection process began with the board establishing twelve qualities we would look for in the ideal candidate. Pastor Tom was a match for our criteria, and has a passionate love for people that was noted by all the references we talked to. He and Gisele were interviewed by the PAC and Board where we found his humble, loving spirit and great sense of humor very attractive. He spoke of his ideas for growing NLCC (he has attended here recently) many ideas that resonated with the PAC and Board as what we needed. Come to the meeting on Saturday, February 11 (see meeting announcements below) to hear those ideas and ask any questions you may have.

Pastor Tom is an effective communicator of God's Word. Those references that have heard him called him a great preacher. Pastor Tom says he takes his preaching very seriously. While at Gardena Valley AG for 11 years Pastor Tom preached scheduled Sunday services, taught Wednesday Bible Studies and Membership Classes, developing the curriculum for these courses. He is a highly skilled team builder and organizer, and has a strong ability to identify the gifts in others, releasing them to fulfill their purpose. He guided teams that redefined the church's core values, vision and mission statements.

Married since 1977, Pastor Tom and Gisele have a grown son and daughter and two grandchildren. His skills as a contractor has been called upon to lead construction projects at the church and other places in the area, including nine homes in the Torrance neighborhood where he lives.

His interests include cycling, softball, basketball and music.

Don't miss these Special Opportunities to meet Candidate Pastor May:

Saturday, February 11 at 4 PM at NLCC: Meet the Pastoral Candidates Tommy and Gisele May - A special opportunity to meet the candidate Pastor Tom, hear his heart and ask your questions will be held at the church. This meeting is open to all NLCC attendees and is your opportunity to get to know the candidate Pastor in an informal setting.

Special Members Meeting to Vote In the Selected Pastor - Sunday, February 12, following10 AM Service: Following the morning service where candidate Pastor May will be leading worship and preaching, Southern California District Superintendent Rich Guerra will guide the members in the voting process. This Special Members Meeting must have a quorum (67%) of members present, so all NLCC members please plan to attend. Only members will be allowed to vote to approve the new Pastor. Wondering if you're on the member's list? Call the church or check the members list at the information counter next Sunday.

Mark your calendar now and be on time!

~ Steve Carman, Senior Deacon

Pastor Breck Zane
Worship Pastor
Email: Email Pastor Breck

Hometown: Gilbert, Arizona

On Staff Since: June 2010

Interesting fact: Before being called to ministry I had a lifelong dream to be a pilot.

What's on my iPod: A plethera of different artists and tunes. To name a few: Hillsong, Ricardo Sanchez, Brooke Fraser, Phillips, Craig and Dean, PlanetShakers, Avalon, Coldplay, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts.

Favorite Bible verse:Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Educational Background: B.A. in Music and Worship with an emphasis in Worship Leading

Kids: Nope

Free time: I love writing music, fishing, and being in the company of great friends and family.

Ministry goals: To effectively lead God's people in passionate, truth based worship that incorporates both heart and mind.

Favorite Saying: "God is too good to be unkind, too wise to be mistaken and, when you cannot trace His hand, you can always trust His heart." -Charles Spurgeon

Favorite Foods: I'm a big fan of Chinese food!

The most important quality a church should have is: In unity functioning as the living, breathing, active body of Christ Jesus in a broken world.

Pastor Josh Houston
Youth Ministries Pastor
Email: Email Pastor Josh

Hometown: San Jacinto, California

On Staff Since: November 2009

Interesting fact:I can solve a Rubik's cube in less than 3 minutes.

What's on my iPod: Paramore, U2, Christ For the Nations, John Mayer, Hillsong United, Shane and Shane, One Republic, Coldplay, Phil Wickham, Gateway Worship, Goo Goo Dolls, Michael Buble, Chris Tomlin, Colbie Caillat, The Fray.

Favorite Bible verse: As of now, it is a tie between two verses:

Romans 12:2- “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (NASB)

2 Corinthians 3:18- “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (NASB)

Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in religion with emphases in youth ministry and theology.

Kids: Just the pup pups. Kyoto is a Pekingese and is 2 years old. Goonie is a Miniature Schnauzer and is 1. Best dogs ever…

Free time: Watching movies, watching more movies, golfing with friends, bowling, snowboarding, drumming, BBQ-ing (boy do I love my New York Steaks), hanging with friends, going in jacuzzis, playing with my dogs, taking naps, and reading.

Ministry goals: Be an obedient child of the King in whatever He asks of me in the moment I'm in. The most important moment of my life is right now.

Favorite Saying: "Go big or go home."(Anyone know from what movie? Yes, that was Johnny Tsunami).

Favorite Foods: Candy candy candy, BBQ-ed New York Steaks, Pink's Hotdogs, and anything originating from Italy.

The most important quality a church should have is: A deep passion for God and His people, and a desire to see them grow in Christ-likeness with each new day.

Pastor Kim Jepsen
Children's Ministries Coordinator

Email: Email Pastor Kim

Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

On Staff Since: 2008

Interesting fact: My husband Scott proposed to me in Chinese on Victoria Peak, Hong Kong.

What's on my iPod: I’d love an Ipod, but probably won’t break down and buy one.  I carry lots of CDs in my mobile office (minivan): Jars of Clay (saw their concert recently), Amy Grant, VBS music, Jonathan Park (not music, but very stimulating).  I love the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, but Les Miserables is my favorite.

Favorite Bible verse: Ezekiel 36:25-27 God’s grace is amazing!

Educational Background: BS Mechanical Engineering @ Purdue University; Informal -- developing spiritual character in our kids by Scott and me on a daily basis.

Kids: Noah, Noelle, and Michelle – three delightful kids arrived in a blur of 2 ½ years!

Free time: reading; playing games with our family; and thinking up new and fun ways to teach our kids, and organize our home.

Ministry goals: To build a ministry team that effectively teaches children the Word of God and models a personal and collective dependence on Christ.

Favorite Saying: "Live with margins” - Keep some free time to enjoy important things like God, family, and friends.

Favorite Foods: Grandma Dettmer’s chocolate cake with caramel frosting.

The most important quality a church should have is: An individual and collective commitment to live by trusting and obeying our gracious Heavenly Father and teaching our children the same in creative, relational ways.

Angel & Zully Montijo
Director of Outreach/Office Administrator

Email: Email Angel & Zully

Hometown: Westchester, California

On Staff Since: September, 2010

Interesting fact: My favorite mammal is a dolphin. Did you know they are the second most intelligent creatures after humans?

What's on my iPod: We don’t own an Apple device (but I hope to some day). We listen to Pandora Radio.

Favorite Bible verse: Matthew 25:40. Lord, help me daily to love on others like you love me.

Educational Background: High School Graduates

Kids: Cynthia, Joe and Angel! We pray every day that you will develop a strong relationship with the Lord…and for your future spouses.

Free time: I really enjoy gardening, reading, family time, tennis with my daughter & a movie on the couch with my wonderful and handsome husband!

Ministry goals: What a privilege to be able to serve this Church. My ministry goal is to help each person that calls NLCC home, to be the best they can be for the Lord. To assist them in any way I can and provide them all the tools they need to Connect, Grow, and Serve!

Favorite Saying: “Less is more!”


Favorite Foods: Authentic Italian food.

The most important quality a church should have is: With God’s help; transform lives through spiritual growth and renewal of the mind. So that followers of Christ may be set free to serve the Lord and others.