Rev. Dr. Clark Cowden is our interim pastor, and oversees leading worship at our Sunday services, as well as pastoral care.
Dr. Cowden has broad experience in pastoring congregations and in working with congregations going through transitional periods. He served as the Executive Presbyter of both the Presbytery of San Joaquin and Presbytery of San Diego for a number of years and worked closely with many transitioning congregations in both presbyteries. His heart for discipleship and mission will support our congregation well in our efforts to disciple our congregants as well as others in our community and around the world.
Dr. Cowden grew up in Indiana and a few years ago, he returned to Indiana to care for his elderly parents after serving in California for many years. He has pastored simultaneously two small churches in Terre Haute, Indiana near his home while caring for his parents. He has two adult sons, one of whom resides in Indiana, and the other resides in Phoenix, Arizona.
Amie Quigley oversees the Lord’s Lighthouse, the Hollywood Healthcare Partnership, and the Hollywood Winter Refuge shelter. These ministries offer friendship, discipleship, and connections to housing and health services. Urban Mission also partners with numerous local ministries such as Youth First and Jews for Jesus.
Originally from Princeton, NJ, Amie has a background in theater. After receiving an AB in English from Duke University, she did postgraduate studies in Greek at Oxford University and recently completed an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary. Amie joined the staff of FPCH in 2009. She currently serves as the Chair of the Homeless Task Force for the Presbytery of the Pacific and on the Executive Board of the Faith-Based Advocacy Council for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
Amie delights in spending time with beautiful and brilliant friends in our community, some of whom are in transition with housing. Sharing in life together allows the love of Christ to minister to all of us. Such abundant love fosters hope and the profound blessing of being the church.
Terri Knox oversees our Christian Education program for the full age spectrum of our congregation from the Nursery, all the way through Adult Education.
Terri has two Master’s degrees, in education and divinity, was previously Associate Pastor at several churches, and wrapped a 27-year teaching career in Christian schools this year. She is passionate about Jesus and the heart of the Gospel, about Bible study and memorization, and about prayerful discipleship and mentoring people to bring every care and area of their lives to Jesus. In her words, she is a Spirit-filled believer in the salvation of Jesus Christ, and her objective is to lead us to become distinct holy people who work in concert with God to proclaim Christ’s message of salvation, live lives surrendered to God, and become the hands and feet of Jesus in our church, in our community and around the globe. In this aim, she is supported by Christian Ed co-chairs Joel Russell and Bradley Campbell, together with Session Elders Jesse Corti Sr., John Safoyan and Charlotte Valentine, along with Deacons Rebecca Russell and Deni Hardgrave.
Tom Hartshorn serves as our Pastoral Care Coordinator, on our Community Life Committee, and frequently assist with the Deacon team ministries.
Richard Gomez, born and raised in Los Angeles, loves writing, reading, music, and seeking all practical intersections between the gospel and culture. The church can thrive within her context, as we seek to bring creativity, innovation, imagination, and community in all cultural spheres back underneath the loving and compassionate Lordship of the ultimate Creator: God. Richard has been in youth ministry for over ten years and longs to help youth thrive and flourish by seeking their definition and identity within the loving care of Jesus, as we together learn how we can be extensions of the grace and mercy of God, now. Richard received his Mdiv. From Northwestern Seminary, and is always looking to connect with new friends over coffee.