Board and Committee Nominees

The following candidates are nominated for the available positions within our conference boards and committees. It’s natural that you might not be familiar with every individual, and you might have questions about each candidate’s qualifications. For more information on a specific candidate, please contact the Nominating Committee.

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Ministerial Education & Guidance Committee

Dawkins, Kyle

Long Beach, Light & Life Christian Fellowship - West

Kyle Dawkins was first appointed as a ministerial candidate within the Free Methodist Church of Southern California at Downey Light & Life in 2003 and served as their youth pastor for about 3 years. He began attending Light & Life West in 2006 and served as their youth pastor for almost 15 years. Kyle was ordained as an elder in the conference at the 2018 Annual Conference.
Currently, Kyle is serving as an associate pastor and on the local Board of Administration. Professionally, he works for a company providing mental health services as a Regional Training Coordinator. Kyle has 7 years of experience in staff development, training de-escalation, and coaching trauma-informed care practices while tracking staff’s progress to maintain compliance with all licensing and joint commission standards.

Erickson, TK

Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Free Methodist Church

TK Erickson has been an active member at Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara for over 10 years and is currently serving on the Local Board of Administration. As a nominee for The Ministerial Education and Guidance board, TK is deeply committed to the sacred responsibility of qualifying, guiding, counseling, and mentoring candidates for ordination as they embark on their journey towards ministry.
With a profound understanding of the significance of this role, TK recognizes the importance of providing unwavering support and nurturing environments for future ministers to grow and flourish. If entrusted with the honor of serving on the board, TK is committed to upholding its mission with dedication, wisdom, and a deep reverence for the sacred call to ministry.

Garcia-Murrieta, MaryAnn

Paramount, Chapel of Change Christian Fellowship

Mary Ann Garcia-Murrieta is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She recently got married to her wonderful husband Eddie, who is an amazing partner. Mary Ann has 4 children and is also grateful to be raising her oldest grandson after her oldest daughter was tragically murdered when he was 5 years old. It was around that time that God brought Pastor Brian and Laura into her life.
Mary Ann has been a part of Chapel of Change for 12 years now. She rededicated her life at the grand opening and has been committed ever since. Mary Ann currently serves as the secretary of the leadership council, this being her third year on the board. She also currently serves on the core team of the Abide women discipleship group.
During her 12 years at Chapel of Change, Mary Ann has served in several capacities. She was the ministry leader for the Celebrate Recovery program and was also a part of the core team that launched the Whittier campus, to name a few examples. Mary Ann has recently completed her Intro to Chaplaincy class, as that is where God is calling her in this next season. She also just received her clearance from the Los Angeles County Probation Dept. to go into the juvenile halls and minister to the youth. Mary Ann is humbled and honored to serve wherever God is calling her.

Marshall, Donna

Los Angeles, Los Angeles Community Church

Donna Marshall has been in full-time ministry for over 30 years. She and her husband, Robert Marshall, served at Spirit of Love Baptist Church as young teens and then were called to The Salvation Army for more than thirteen years. After The Salvation Army, they became elders at Highland Christian Center, where they served for four years. Following that, Donna and Robert were called to The Free Methodist Church, where they have been Elders/Pastors for the past eight years.
Donna believes her spiritual gifts are teaching and encouraging others. She loves to see the best in people. While she has many favorite Scripture verses, one of her favorites is Hebrews 13:6, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Donna is thankful for how the Lord has blessed her throughout the years and how He continues to keep her.

Martin, Kasey

Other

Kasey Martin grew up in a loving home surrounded by people who loved and followed Jesus with all of their hearts. Despite this fact, it was not until attending college locally at Mt. San Jacinto College that Kasey came to an intellectual conversion and placed his faith in Jesus. The heart conversion took a little bit longer, and God used a diagnosis of Clinical Depression in 1995 to initiate a relationship based on love that would alter things entirely.
Kasey went on to attend Biola University and Asbury Theological Seminary prior to being ordained in 2016 while pastoring in The River Conference of the FMCUSA. He has served as an Associate Pastor, Lead/Solo Pastor, School of Ministry Instructor, Institute Director, Curriculum Developer, and MEG Board Member in the past. Kasey would love to have the opportunity to serve the FMCSC in this capacity going forward.

Morris-Guzman, Kari

Riverside, California Avenue Christian Fellowship

Kari Morris-Guzman has been an ordained elder in the Free Methodist Church since 2000. Since 1996, she has served in three Free Methodist churches. Kari is currently a volunteer associate pastor at The Avenue Church in Riverside and has served there for 5 years.
Kari has a BA in Pastoral Ministries from Greenville College and a Master of Divinity from Azusa Pacific University. Her ministry at The Avenue is primarily to lend support to the lead pastors in whatever way she can. Currently, that includes leading and scheduling the prayer support team, scheduling and training teachers, teaching in the children’s ministry, and writing the weekly email communication.
Kari is also passionate about disability justice in the church and making churches practically and spiritually accessible for those with disabilities. She loves speaking and sharing her own journey with a disability to raise awareness of the inequities that exist within churches.

Rittenhouse, Lisa

Garden Grove, Living Spring Church

Lisa Rittenhouse has had the privilege of walking this faith journey with her best friend, John, for the past 35 years. Together, they’ve raised three children who have since left home, and they are crazy about spending time with their two precious granddaughters.
Since 2005, John has served as the head pastor at Living Spring Church in Garden Grove. It has been a joy for Lisa to work in children’s and women’s ministries, lead small groups for women, and assist with planning events for the church. She loves connecting with others in prayer.
During the week, Lisa is the High School Coordinator for iLEAD Exploration, an independent study charter school in LA and Orange County. She believes her experience as a pastor’s spouse and her education leadership will contribute to the decision-making process within the MEG team as they navigate candidate selections.

Roth, Kelly

Kelly Roth has been part of the Free Methodist Church of Southern California since 1994. One of her greatest joys has been serving the conference in many different capacities over the years. For the last few years, she has been honored to serve as part of the Ministerial Education & Guidance board. It is always inspiring for Kelly to hear the unique stories of candidates who are pursuing their calling into pastoral ministry. The MEG board has also been able to welcome many new church planters who are bringing fresh hope through new churches. These are exciting days for FMCSC, and Kelly is excited to be part of what God is doing in the conference.

Simpson, Patricia

Garden Grove, Living Spring Church

Patricia Simpson is a member of Living Spring Church in Garden Grove. She had the honor and privilege to be on the Ministerial Education and Guidance Board this past year. Currently, Patricia is a youth leader on Wednesday nights and one of the leaders in the Children’s Ministry when Pastor Michelle is preaching or on holiday.
Patricia is loving retirement and spending time traveling with her husband. In her spare time, she gardens, spends time with her grandkids, and is a thespian in Act Out Theatre Company in Long Beach.

Smith, Jorvon

Long Beach, Light & Life Christian Fellowship - West

Jorvon C. Smith is a dedicated minister with 26 years of pastoral experience. He serves as an associate pastor at Light and Life West in Long Beach, CA, where he has been for nine years. Prior to this, Jorvon held roles such as assistant pastor and youth pastor.
He actively participates in various church ministries, including the media ministry and preaching team, alongside serving on the Local Board of Administration. Jorvon’s passion for discipleship is evident in his commitment to ‘loving God and loving people’ and ‘serving God and serving people.’
Outside of ministry, he shares a fulfilling 19-year marriage with Cynthia and raises their three children: Eryion, Jada, and Jorvon Jr. Additionally, Jorvon boasts over two decades of healthcare administration experience, currently serving as a director of school-based health centers.