Dr. Steve Yamaguchi

Presbytery Pastor

B.A. Westmont College
M.Div. Princeton Theological Seminary
D.Min. Claremont School of Theology

"One of my great joys in serving Los Ranchos is helping leaders of our churches embrace the remarkably rich opportunity surrounding us in this Post-Christendom, wildly diverse world of Southern California. Jesus sends us on an exciting mission!"

Along with being a pastor to our pastors, Steve is a catalyst for congregations becoming more missional. His doctoral work focused on transforming PC(USA) governing bodies from organizations modeled on corporate hierarchy into communities of Christ-followers sent into the world.

Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Steve has a passion for urban ministry, encouraging inner city and suburban congregations to partner together in serving their neighborhoods. He sees Holy Spirit inspired grassroots networking and collaboration as key to Christ's mission through us.

Dr. Tod Bolsinger, Senior Pastor of San Clemente Presbyterian Church, says, “Steve has the heart of a pastor, the vision of a leader, the mind of a professor, and the patience of a saint. Plus he's just a lot of fun to hang out with.”

Steve is always on the go but you might spot him jamming on a Saturday night when he plays his guitar with the gospel/jazz band of New Hope Presbyterian Church, our newest African American, multicultural congregation in Orange County. Or you may see him flying down the coast on his bicycle as you walk along the beach.

He loves living in Long Beach with his wife Alison, an artistic and athletic pediatric physical therapist. They love and enjoy their two funny teenage daughters who are graceful dancers, musicians, and scholars.

Dr. Keith Geckler

Stated Clerk

B.A. College of Wooster and Southern Illinois University
M.A. Graduate Theological Union
M.Div. San Francisco Theological Seminary
D.Min. McCormick Theological Seminary

"Being a Stated Clerk is walking the fence between hard -nosed enforcer and rebellious underminer of the status quo."

As he navigates the walking of that fence between enforcer and underminer, Keith seeks to help churches do mission inside the permeable boundaries of the constitution. It's the interpretive side of the stated clerk position, amidst his work serving churches and pastors, that he most enjoys about his role as Los Ranchos Presbytery's Stated Clerk.

Keith grew up in Middletown, Ohio, a steel and paper-manufacturing town between Cincinnati and Dayton. One of five children, the son of an elementary school principal and a pre-school director, he grew up on three acres and amongst countless animals. Though he still loves to garden there's not much room for it in is current apartment.

Rev. Gary Collins, pastor of St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach says, "The amazing thing about Keith is that he actually thinks doing polity is fun! Not only that, he's good at it . . . good at interpreting and applying it to particular issues, good at teaching it to the rest of us, good at playing it right down the middle with a smile."

Keith loves to play softball, golf, and umpire slow pitch softball. He's also a master arbitrator with the Better Business Bureau. On weekends Keith enjoys singing in the New Hope Gospel Choir.

Bonita Carr

Administrator Coordinator

BA, MA - Psychology
BS - Mathematics

"I come from many years of work in various types of Non-Profits. The important work and Mission of Non-Profits is where my calling lies; I love the feeling that I'm putting my energy toward something greater than just business and money."

Bonita has worked in the corporate offices of a shelter program for victims of domestic violence, group homes for developmentally disabled adults, and other service organizations, mostly in the development (fundraising) area.

After college she became a computer programmer, then a Marriage and Family Therapist, then a stay-at-home mom for her three wonderful kids, a girl and two boys. She went back to work after they were older, getting into nonprofit donor database management and event management.

Bonita was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, but has lived all over Southern California, from San Diego to Burbank. She enjoys Southern California, but still misses the change of seasons that happens east of the Mississippi River.

Steve Yamaguchi, our EP/PP says, "Bonita blends her great mind and excellent technical training with a sweet and caring servant's heart. We love her in the office and I am continually impressed by her creative solutions to our challenges. She has captured the spirit of our Los Ranchos and she has immediately fit us like a glove."

Bonita enjoys doing Logic Puzzles, camping and hiking, reading, and crocheting. She also likes spending time with her children, who are grown now. Whenever possible, she volunteers her time at various programs like Habitat for Humanity and Thomas House Temporary Shelter.

Kathy Hill Long

Accounting and Business Manager

Pepperdine University
B.S. CSULB

"There is such a difference working with Christians. I'm not sure I could say exactly what it is but it's very refreshing."

Kathy has served as Deacon at Good Shepherd where she has been a member for 30 years. Twelve years ago she joined a Covenant group, which has greatly enhanced her spiritual life. She enjoys Pastor Jim's sermons, particularly delighting in his subtle humor that helps bring biblical truths to light.

Kathy brings a wealth of professional training and experiences to her position as the Accounting and Business Manager for Los Ranchos. Most recently she worked as the Controller for a real estate firm in Los Alamitos. But her eyes widen when she shares about her role as CFO for a Long Beach Public Affairs firm that specialized in local political campaigns, media affairs and crisis management. The public affairs firm was involved in communicating with the larger world, planning events and managing the occasional corporate crisis-skills that translate well to serving in the presbytery office.

Dr. James Wilson says, "Kathy is a dedicated and gifted person whose faith, warmth, humor, and competency have blessed us at Good Shepherd and will be a blessing to the Presbytery of Los Ranchos."

Kathy loves to travel. She married an Aussie who has taken her snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. When they go back to visit his homeland down under, they savor shrimp "hot off the barbie " with family and friends.

Elvira Ortez

Executive Secretary, Office of the Stated Clerk

"My work is an extension of the local church; I'm about my Father's work and doing what I like all at the same time!"

Elvira (pronounced "Elveera") has been with the Los Ranchos Presbytery for 21 years. "I enjoy secretarial work," she explains, noting that it was her focus in high school. Prior to coming to Los Ranchos, Elvira worked for 18 years in banks and at Nogales High School.

"I really enjoyed working at the high school, even though I was working in the discipline office and most of the time saw the 'bad' kids." Her work in the office allowed her to get to know some of them quite well. "They were always respectful and polite-probably because I treated them with respect also." Her work at the presbytery reminds her of that work-not because she works with bad people, she is quick to point out-but because she works with people to serve and assist them in ministry.

Elvira was born in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico. Her family immigrated to the United States from Mexico when she was five years old. Though she had every intention of going to college, she landed a great secretarial job at Security Pacific National Bank two weeks out of high school. This allowed her to help her parents with expenses; something she's never regretted. "I am very thankful that I was able to give them something back for the many sacrifices they made to make our life better."

Former Los Ranchos Stated Clerk Pat Niles says about Elvira, "She's friendly, thorough, knowledgeable, collegial, dedicated and on top of all that, has a beautiful smile."

When not working Elvira likes watching HGTV (which her daughter calls "HomeandGagMeTV"), reading, sewing and crocheting.