Staff and Elders

First and foremost, we want God to lead Grace Lutheran Church.

The role of our leaders is to seek God, see where He is moving, to follow Him and bring others along.

Some people see us as only “staff” or “leadership.” Really, we’re family. How could we not be? We’ve worked in close quarters, prayed, worshipped and celebrated life together. Some of us have gone on vacations together. It is a privilege to serve alongside one another, equipping, supporting, and leading the various teams here at Grace.

Feel free to contact any of us by using our email as listed below.

Pastors

Emergency Pastoral Line: (714) 899-1711

Chris Tweitmann

Senior Pastor

ctweitmann@gracehb.org Pastor Chris and his wife, Beth, were high school sweethearts, have been married for over twenty years, and have two teenagers, Emma and Ethan. Chris has his MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary and currently serves as one of their adjunct instructors. Chris has served congregations in Redondo Beach, Los Angeles, and Seattle, WA. Prior to becoming a pastor, Chris worked in business management and human resources for AMC Theatres. Chris enjoys the gift of Sabbath by reading, watching and talking about movies, listening to music, enjoying the beach, and sharing good conversation about life, faith, and Jesus.

Jon Alexanian

Associate Pastor of Student & Family Ministries

jalexanian@gracehb.org Pastor Jon is a Huntington Beach native who married his wife, Melissa, in 2010 and enjoys flirting with her in his free time. Jon is a graduate of Biola University (BA in Biblical and Theological Studies, ‘08) and Talbot School of Theology (M. Div, ‘15). Having served in student ministry for over 10 years, Jon has a great passion to help students and their families grow in their understanding of who God is and what He has done for them, and to help them embrace the life God created and saved them for.

Reverend Van Tran

Vietnamese Outreach

bishop.tran@gmail.com Reverend Van Tran has been an ordained minister over 20 years. He has his Certificate of Theological Education for Emerging Ministries from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, a BA and MA in Theological Ministry from Union University of California, a MA and Candidate Doctoral Ministry Degree from Newport University of California. Van Tran has served congregations in Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, and Westminster. Van Tran and his wife, Bai, have been married over forty years and have one son, Hac. In 2010, Van Tran was elected Bishop of ELCCVA for a six-year term, and in 2013 he was elected President of the Vietnamese Inter-faith Council in American for a two-year term.

Ministry Staff

Lisa Bari

College Ministry

lbari@gracehb.org Lisa is a full-time occupational therapist, a career that has given her the right balance of patience and empathy needed to disciple college students. She is happy to call Huntington Beach home, and loves hosting students at her place to watch The Walking Dead.

Margie Clark

Administrative Assistant

mclark@gracehb.org Margie graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a BS in Business Administration. She and her family have been members at Grace since 1996. Margie lives in Huntington Beach with her husband, Ralph. Together, they have two adult children, Adam and Jennifer. In her free time, she enjoys bike riding at the beach, kayaking and being involved in her small group Bible study. She has worked at Grace since 2012 and loves her job and the Grace community she serves.

KJERSTI GLESNE

CHOIR DIRECTOR

kglesne@gracehb.org Kjersti has been attending Grace for a decade. She currently serves with the Worship Team, Choir, and the Wedding Ministry. Kjersti grew up in the Midwest as the oldest of 4 children and is now an aunt to two precious nephews. She currently works as an Elementary School Music Teacher and is a director and teacher at an arts camp for 7th-8th graders. During her down time and summers, she enjoys traveling, reading, movies, Disneyland, attending live performances and spending time with friends.

Mary Taylor

High School Ministry, Orange County Care Connections Director

mtaylor@gracehb.org Mary became a member at Grace in 2011 and married her husband, Steven, that same year. Their daughter, Abigail, came along in 2015 and instantly became more popular than either of them at church. Besides running the Orange County Care Connections, Mary oversees the high school youth group.

Beth Tweitmann

Children & Family Ministries

btweitmann@gracehb.org Beth has been married to her high school sweetheart and best friend, Pastor Chris, for over 20 years. Together, they have 2 kids. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a BA in Liberal Studies and an elementary teaching credential. After teaching for several years in the public schools, God called her into Children's Ministries, which she has been doing for about 18 years in several different church settings. She loves writing fun, energetic, and creative lessons for kids that make them excited to learn about God.

Betty Wardle

Office Manager

bwardle@gracehb.org Betty and her husband, Mark, have been members of Grace for a decade. She began volunteering in the office as a way to meet people at Grace. That led to a part-time and then a full-time job in the Grace office. She and Mark are the parents of two grown children, Ashley and Ethan. With an empty nest, she and Mark enjoy time at home by the pool with extended family and friends and traveling whenever they can.

Megan Williams

Worship & Jr. High Ministry

mwilliams@gracehb.org Megan is an Orange County native who graduated from Concordia University, Irvine, in 2011 with a degree in Music and Worship Arts. She was proposed to and later married here at Grace, and has found deep friendships and community here. She loves to encourage others to grow in their gifts and to use them to give glory to God.

Drew Williams

Tech & Jr. High Ministry

dwilliams@gracehb.org Drew is married to the love of his life, Megan, and still hasn't figured out why she agreed to the prospect in the first place. He graduated from Concordia University, Irvine, in 2010 and has been a part of the Grace family since 2007. Drew is a life-long student, and loves helping others follow Jesus in every aspect of their lives.