OUR TEAM
LINDSAY DORMAN
Family Pastor
Partnering with families of kids and youth is pretty magical; it always gives me a fuller picture of how God loves and moves through relationships. Prior to entering full-time ministry, I spent over a decade teaching and coaching middle and high school students and loved every minute of it. My first teaching gig is what brought me to Pasadena, and I started attending FBCP in 2008. It didn't take long for it to feel like a family in the best sense of the word. This place is also where I met my husband, Gavin, so it quite literally provided me with a family. Needless to say, it didn't take any arm twisting to step into the role of Family Pastor knowing that my passions for teaching, reading, cheering on young people, supporting families, and pursuing Jesus were all just part of the job description. I find joy connecting people of all ages in our church and seeing the beautiful things that happen when they share how God has made them (ask me about kids camp for the perfect example of this). It's a privilege to walk with families through the hard seasons, too. My own kids love their village at FBCP—it's the best group of people you could ever want surrounding your children. I get teased for how much I love meetings (our team is so fun!), and I suffer from extreme FOMO. I’m always up for big or small adventures (what are errands if not small adventures, especially when you have a toddler with you?) and meeting God in the mundane.
LESLIE CHENG
Worship Pastor
I’ve been worship leading since junior high in the mid 90’s, and it has been my life’s work to draw people closer to God. In crafting corporate liturgy and communal singing, my guiding principle is for us to do what we can only do together- to bring our whole, unique selves into worship and this community, tapping into all God has made us to be. I was born and raised in Birmingham, AL, and I moved to SoCal in 2005 to study worship leadership at APU. I’ve been married to my best friend and husband, Warren, for 10+ years, and in our free time we enjoy long walks, working on our pickleball game, eating good food, and playing Nintendo Switch. We are proud parents to our many plant children. I recharge by reading and exploring, and I am completely depleted after making too many decisions. My happy place is sitting on the beach facing the ocean or anywhere with a Sunright grapefruit tea in tote.
JOHN JAY ALVARO
Lead Pastor
As far back as I can remember, church was a part of my family's life. I was baptized as a young boy, when belief was still simple and comforting. I studied architecture and studio art in undergrad, which have been unconventional foundations for how I approach ministry and preaching. I was lucky to have married my best friend, and she still laughs at my stupid jokes after over two decades. Our kids (they are basically young adults now!) are just the coolest humans I know. I love to be outside, climbing trees, hiking, porch sitting and riding my skateboard/bike/anything-with-wheels. I read way too many books, and buy more books than I have time to read. I love coffee until 3pm, then I hate it. I also love sleep, hence the fickle affection for coffee late in the day. I have found that following Jesus is rarely easy, but it is always good. I also make a lot of music to soothe my restless soul, which you can hear scoring a lot of the recordings we share with the church.
CHIP BARABAS
Community Pastor
Some of my earliest memories of church were hanging out with friends and talking during Sunday School. Years later, the same teacher passed by my class as I was attempting to share with middle school students, without much success, and exclaimed, “I am grateful Jesus allowed me to live long enough to see you struggle today the same way I struggled teaching you!” Since then I have enjoyed the opportunity to lead in ministry, but with the humble realization that there is probably a better conversation in the back of the room! Some time ago, I moved from Georgia to pursue my MDiv at Fuller Theological Seminary. That amazing experience led me to discover FBCP, which has led to serving as Community Pastor and finding a church family that I have grown to love more and more. One of the best parts of my “job” is to connect people in our church to one another and to offer opportunities for them to lead. If these things can happen at a beach, so much the better! I also love college football and finding new dumpling restaurants in the SGV. If you can find a place that offers both those things, I’ll buy you lunch! Even if we can’t pull that off, at some point I would love to hear your story of how you connected to FBCP.
MARY WINCHELL
Assistant Children’s Pastor
I looove being a children’s pastor with Pastor Lindsay and helping out with all the younger kids at our beautiful church. I have been at First Baptist Pasadena for over 40 years, and my favorite thing about God is that He is truth and love. I love the children and families that I get to love on each week, and I even get to love kids and families in the community, too, through my other job at a local elementary school during the week. In my free time, I love hiking, camping, reading, gardening, and hanging out with my dog, Wrex. It is an honor to love people in church and be loved by them.
MARCIE LUMPKIN
Operations Manager
We love this church and the people that are drawn here…I became a member in 2002. Since then, I’ve helped in the Children’s Ministry department and the Nursery & Pre-school rooms, and I was Church Clerk for the Board of Deacons and Assistant Wedding Coordinator. Outside of church I served on a PTA Board for 17 years. Before joining the staff here, I was the Office Administrator/Bookkeeper for a structural engineering consulting company for 9 years. I enjoy being out in nature, bonfires, walking or riding bikes at the beach, porch time in the desert, rides at amusement parks, and laughing with my family. My husband, our 2 sons & our kitty, Puddin' Pie, keep me on my toes, always! I love them to the moon and back. God has granted me strength to get through tough times. This church has shown me how to be open to God’s love and grace and to trust in Him.
Sally Loose (lō-see)
Ministry Admin
I’ve always had an obsession with office supplies. My sister would tease me that my favorite hangout spot as a teen was Office Depot. So naturally, being the Office Administrator is a perfect fit, and I couldn’t be happier to use Pastor Lindsay’s markers on my giant colorful calendars in the office. First Baptist had me at the word ‘quirky’ on their website. Being here has been a refreshing time for my family and I. My adorable youngest can avoid hugs, my amusing middle can talk about retro gaming during gratitudes, and my sweet eldest can take her time warming up to the youth group. I grew up in church but was discouraged when LGBTQ people that I loved were not accepted where I was. After almost running away from organized groups, I found that this sweet home loves as Christ loves. Speaking of love, I married my high school sweetheart and we enjoy visiting alpaca farms and pretending we can golf in our free time.
KATHY OLIVER
Operations Admin
Let me get this out of the way: this is absolutely the best job in the world! And I’m not just saying that because my bosses will read this. I came to FBCP about 6 years ago with my husband Trent. We were hooked from the first service we attended, and became regulars pretty quickly (except, of course, when the NFL had the nerve to schedule our games on Sunday mornings). We were kind of quiet, sitting in the back and not really getting to know a lot of people, but that worked for us. When Trent passed away suddenly four years ago, I couldn’t have anticipated how much love and support I would receive from this church family. It’s truly been astonishing. And now…to be able to help to support the pastoral staff and community that has brought so much healing and light—pinch me! Just FYI, I’m not quiet anymore—I have loved getting to know people here at FBCP and hope to meet many more friends as we grow. Outside of this church family, I have two fantastic, grown children who live nearby and a cat who thinks she is the center of my universe. I love to travel and taste wine, walk, and spend time with family and friends, and to learn more about faith and God’s love.
Dave Ekstrand
Project Manager
I’ve been at First Baptist Pasadena for 45 years! I’m married to the beautiful and talented Cindie and we sing in the FBCP Choir together. I’ve had a son and daughter since being here, and the green table cloths we use are actually from my daughter’s wedding at FBCP! I’ve done everything from help with weddings to reset the circuit breaker as a volunteer, and now I’m enjoying time on staff managing the many projects that go along with having a 120-year-old building. Before working here, I’ve spent 25 years working in maintenance and transportation at local Christian schools. One of my favorite things about First Baptist is watching the congregation worship from up front while I’m standing in the choir loft. It might be an old church, but the worship is strong and alive!
Ryan Lumpkin
Building Attendant
I was born at this church (well, almost), and I love knowing the building’s every nook and cranny. My tasks include everything from making your coffee to locking up the building on Sunday mornings. I am a Psychology major transferring to Cal State Long Beach this fall and I love to learn about the brain and human behavior. There are enough strange people in the world, but I like to find the common threads between us. I also love my cat, Puddy. 🐱
MARCO ECHAURY
Maintenance Supervisor
I’ve been at FBCP for about 14 years, and I have three beautiful daughters. In my free time, I love to pray and talk to people about Jesus. Work and life can be hard, but I’ve learned that my joy comes from the Lord. Right now, I’m meditating on Isaiah 40:31, which says that “those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.” God gave Isaiah this verse when the Jews had been taken out of their land and some of them had lost their faith. The verse goes on to talk about soaring like eagles–and if you know about eagles, they have a difficult time when their molten feathers go away, and they suffer a lot, but after some months, they grow new feathers which help them to soar high. Hang in there when times are tough, friends!
Kenny Kong
Sound Magician
I’m originally from Hong Kong and I moved to Los Angeles to study music. After graduating from the audio program at Azusa Pacific University, I’m now working as a mixing and recording engineer. I love music, photography, coffee, basketball, rock climbing and working out. I also love to be a part of the back-scene. I’m glad to be a part of the FBCP team and I’m looking forward to doing more great stuff with everyone here!
Michael Mann
Member, photographer, local therapist and friend
A special word of thanks to Michael for helping up update our staff photos. The person behind the camera rarely gets seen, so here he is on the other side of the lens.