Our Team

Joel Larson

 Pastor and Head of Staff

Joel Larson has been serving FPC Monrovia since February 2022. Joel is passionate about building intergenerational relationships, equipping the people of FPC Monrovia for ministry, and our call to make flourishing disciples of Jesus Christ. Joel envisions a thriving intergenerational church growing as followers of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and reaching the people and neighborhoods of Monrovia and surrounding San Gabriel Valley with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Joel has been serving in church ministry for over 25 years serving congregations in Northwest Ohio, the Los Angeles area, and as the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood for 8 1/2 years. He has a communications degree from Bowling Green State University and an MDiv from Fuller Seminary. He is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry in Leading Congregational and Organizational Change at Fuller Seminary.

Joel and his wife Elisha have been married for 20 years and have three children, Claire, Will, and Finn. Joel enjoys the varied California landscape and loves getting outdoors to surf, bike, and hike. He is always up for sharing a cup of coffee and some conversation. 

Fawn Zappia

Director of  Tiny Treasures Preschool

Along with her husband and two daughters, Fawn has been attending FPC Monrovia since 1999.  In the fall of 2022 she re-opened our beloved preschool in the Monrovia community and became the Director of Tiny Treasures.  Fawn has completed her Certification in Early Childhood Education at UCLA and is currently working towards another Certification in Advanced Early Childhood Education. Her desire is for every child to know the amazing love of God in his or her life, and enjoys partnering with parents to help their children form an important foundation for their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Elders

Scott Giannini - Operations
Ted Goodman - Facilities
Nick Zappia - Finance
Renee Smith - Finance
Jeff Platt - Men's Ministry

Deacons

Dinora Augustine
Sharon Yohn
April Borrow - Chair
Kathy Hogan
Shirley Arneson
Ann Sulahian

Staff /  Volunteers

Worship Team  +  Coordination

Eunyoung Sohng
Shannon Gray
Elisha Larson
Joel Larson

Office

Jan DuPont
Shirley Arneson
Jo Caine

Rentals

Shannon Gray

Safety  +  Security

Vince Ramirez
Dave Sulahian

Audio Visual 

Mina Boktor
Barry Clemens
Daniel Davis
Nick Goodman
Ava Giannini
Will Larson
Carlos Acosta

Hospitality  +  Welcome 

Ann Sulahian
Barbara Hammill
Dena Goodman

Children +  Families Ministry

Elisha Larson
Charlotte Giannini
Kathy Hogan

Youth Ministry

Joel Larson
Marianne Valmonte
Claire Larson