Staff
Keith Hwang, Senior Pastor
Pastor Keith and his wife, Yuko, bring warm greetings to you! Pastor Keith was born in Seoul, South Korea. His father was a career military person, and his mother raised six children which was a tougher job than his dad’s. Pastor Keith was sixteen when he arrived in Los Angeles and graduated from Hollywood High School, University of California San Diego, University of Southern California, Claremont School of Theology. He attended the Executive MBA program at the Peter Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. Pastor Keith has two children. His son Albert works for Tetra Tech, an environmental engineering company, and daughter Laura is at Texas A&M Medical School. She was in India as a volunteer at the Sivananda Rehabilitation Home for patients with leprosy, HIV/AIDS, and TB. Pastor Keith recently married Yuko Uesugi who is also a United Methodist pastor. His wife, Yuko, is a Clinical Pastoral Education supervisor at the Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center. CPE is a training program for chaplains and seminarians. CPE interns and residents learn about serving as a spiritual caregiver in a hospital setting. You can reach Pastor Keith at .
Yvonne Harrington, Secretary
I'm a native Californian; born and raised in the South Los Angeles area. I was married for 32 years and raised four children. Moved to Orange County in 1964. My ex-husband and I owned an attorney service (small business) from 1980--1996.
I have a passion for working in a church office. I have volunteered at my home church and also at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Garden Grove. When not working I delight in spending time with my grandchildren. We have a new precious granddaughter born on June 12 of this year.
I look forward to working with you and with all the members of Fullerton First UMC. I know God's hand is in all of this process.
Blessings,
Yvonne Harrington
Greg Fowler, Maintenance Supervisor
Greg has been working at Fullerton First United Methodist Church for the last 25 years, the last 6 of those as the Maintenance Supervisor. Greg has the large task of overseeing the upkeep on the entire building and making sure the congregation has a safe and inviting place to worship. He has also enjoyed participating in past productions of the church, including playing Jesus in a recreation of the "Last Supper.
Don Barter, Treasurer
Don Barter has been treasurer since 2002. Mr. Barter graduated from Humboldt State University with a BA degree in Geography which he parlayed into a career in community banking, working in administration. When not worrying about the finances of the church he enjoys traveling and photography.
Colleen Banks, Director of FFUMC Preschool
Every since I was in Kindergarten I knew that I wanted to teach preschool and have been blessed to be able to live that dream. I started working in a preschool setting through the ROP program in high school. I obtained my Child Development Certificate and AS degree in Early Childhood Education from Mt San Antonio College. In May 2012 I graduated from the University of Phoenix with a BA degree in Business Management.
I am a mother of three wonderful children, Jacob (16), Connor (12), and Elizabeth “Izzie” (8). We love to go camping, hiking, and biking. When I have spare time I enjoy scrap booking, cooking, photography, and just being silly with my family.
Becoming part of the Fullerton First United Methodist Preschool is a true blessing. I am excited to have the opportunity to work side by side with a wonderful staff, parents, and children to help them grow and develop as they start their school experience.
Jennifer Lim, Seminary Intern
Since 2009, I have been studying at Claremont School of Theology after completing my undergraduate studies in Psychology at UCLA. At that time I was asked to serve in a ministry in a church in southern Korea. I took a leave of absence where I served at Samsung Methodist Church for a year and a half. I was in charge of the English ministry for international students or those who wished to worship in English. I preached every Sunday to a congregation of about 70 and also helped with translation in all other aspects of the church, such as in mission overseas and guests who came from America. My father is a pastor and ever since high school I felt the calling to serve God and His church. I came to the United States at the age of seven. I have been serving as the youth director for a group of 30 middle school and high school students. I am still debating whether ordination is the right path for me because I want to further my studies and teach Christian studies or theology in the future. I have never been a part of an American congregation and am very excited to be a part of a new community and experience God’s grace in a new environment. I am very eager to learn and meet new people who share in the passion of serving God.
Susan Faber, Director of Youth Ministries
Susan has been doing youth work for over 14 years. She started her ministry at her home church La Mirada UMC before coming to FFUMC in January of 2006. She was a consultant for the Cal-Pac Conference for over 3 years heading up Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Susan believes in being a part of the whole church, and makes a point of being in partnership with the areas of Children and Family Ministries. She has lived in Fullerton for over 25 years and has strong community ties.
Kim Galea – Director of Children’s Ministries
Kim has been involved with Children’s Ministries at FFUMC for more than 25 years. She has taught Sunday School, planned programs, directed the cherub choir, directed Vacation Bible School, and recently became co-director of children’s ministries. Kim has a Bachelor Degree in Child Development and Child Psychology. She’s very involved in volunteer work in the community and spends as much time as possible with her four children.
Matthew Ringer, Director of Music
Matthew Ringer has been involved with music at FFUMC since 2008. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Choral Music Education, graduating Cum Laude from California State University, Fullerton and is now pursuing his Secondary Education Teaching Credential in Music Education at CSUF. During his time at Cal State Fullerton, Mr. Ringer was the Assistant Conductor of CSUF Titan Men’s Chorus, as well as tenor section leader of the University Singers. Raised in the Christian community, Matthew was ordained as Deacon at Placentia Presbyterian Church, and served on the Board of Deacons for three years. As Director of Music at FFUMC, Mr. Ringer conducts the Aldersgate Chorale for Sunday morning worship services. He feels truly blessed to be Director of Music at FFUMC.
Hyeyeon Kim, Organist
Hyeyeon was born and raised in South Korea and studied church music and organ in college. She has been in the United States for only four years. At first, she felt it was a culture shock but she now enjoys living here. Hyeyeon is married to Daniel who she dated through emails across the Pacific Ocean and they now have a son, Christian, who just turned 21 months old.. In her spare time, Hyeyeon likes to cook and enjoys doing things with her hands like cross-stitching. She is also working to perfect her English. She loves to play organ and piano. Most of all, she enjoys sharing her music with the congregation and feels blessed to be an organist at FUMC.
