Staff

Pastor Sandy Bentz
Interim Pastor

Pastor Sandy joined us in June 2021 as Emanuel’s Intentional Interim Pastor. Besides doing the usual things pastors do (preach, teach, lead worship, baptize, provide pastoral care, etc.), she has special training in walking with congregations as they navigate transitional times. She loves the Lord and is looking forward to helping us celebrate God’s faithfulness as we discover and explore the gifts God has given us, and move toward the new future and new “settled” pastor God has planned for us.

Pastor Sandy grew up in Chicago and has pastored churches in the Midwest as well as in Central and Southern California. She delights in daughters Kristin (Toph) and Kari (Jay) and grandkids James, Julia, Kaitlyn and one-on-the-way. Pastor Sandy’s passion is sharing with others the freedom and joy that comes from experiencing God’s grace and knowing that WE ARE God’s beloved children! Knowing God loves us completely and unconditionally frees us to live for Jesus, for the sake of others. Real joy comes from trusting God to work through us, in all times and circumstances, to embody God’s love, healing and wholeness for the world.

Jonine Sodders
Preschool Director

Jonine Sodders has served as our Preschool Director since 2000. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Cal State Fullerton, and an Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Cerritos College. Working with children in many capacities, she has found her love in the preschool environment.

Jonine is married, with two energetic boys. While not at our preschool, she can be found at the local inline hockey rink cheering for her sons.

Stephanie Young
Director of Choirs

Stephanie joined the music staff at Emanuel in August 2006 and serves as the Director of Choirs. Stephanie received her Master of Music degree at Cal State Fullerton in May 2007. Stephanie studied voice as an undergraduate at the University of Oregon as well as a graduate student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. In addition to being a full-time student and serving Emanuel with her talents, Stephanie also offers private voice lessons to students in Irvine, CA. She performs in a couple of operas each year at Cal State. Stephanie is a member of Music Teacher’s Association of California as well as Mu Phi Epsilon.

Kevin Wiley
Organist/Accompanist

Kevin Wiley has served as the Organist/Accompanist at Emanuel since June 2006. He has served liturgical congregations over the past 20 years. Kevin earned a Master’s Degree in Music from Cal State Fullerton in 1989 with an emphasis in Keyboard and Vocal Performance. Since 1989 he has been a member of the staff at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA where he serves as Full-time Staff Accompanist and Music Librarian. In recent years Kevin has performed with the chorus of Opera Pacific in Costa Mesa as well as the Pacific Chorale. He is a member of the American Guild of Organists and the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity.