First Presbyterian Church of Hayward
Mission Study Report
Approved by Session on August 6, 2013
Our “$1 All-You-Can-Eat BBQ” held annually on our front lawn,
to show our neighbors that we’re here to love and serve them!
2
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAYWARD
Mission Study Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
Page
INTRODUCTION
5
THANKS
6
OUR MEMBERSHIP
7
MINISTRIES & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
13
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
22
OUR FINANCES
27
OUR CAMPUS
30
OUR NEIGHBORS
31
CONCLUSIONS
35
MISSION STATEMENT & PURPOSE STATEMENT
37
3
4
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAYWARD
Mission Study Report
INTRODUCTION
2 Corinthians 13:11 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full
restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace.
And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
Change is not always a comfortable process but, when we trust the Lord, change
can grow the church spiritually. Our congregation has had many interesting
pastoral leadership changes in the last twelve years. Though this has been
challenging, as a community of faith we have developed great strengths as we
have sought to sustain our ministry here in Castro Valley.
We have undertaken this Mission Study and are offering this report to reflect not
only our history and present status, but also to suggest where we feel the Lord is
leading us.
Session voted to approve this mission study at their meeting in August 2013, as it
accurately lifts up our current ministries and offers hopeful plans for our future.
We commend this report to you and we are thankful for the joy-filled opportunity
this effort has provided us.
The Revision Committee
5
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAYWARD
Mission Study Report
THANKS
The Mission Study Committee worked from September 2011 through the end of
December 2011 to get the report ready for review by our session, who approved it
at their February 2012 meeting.
The revisions were undertaken for several months in 2013 for this updated Mission
Study Report.
We wish to offer many thanks to the original members of the Mission Study
Committee for their many hours of diligent work in preparation of the Mission
Study Report and for their active prayer activity in seeking God's will for our
church family in the coming years. We wish to thank as well as the members of
Session and Staff for their support and help.
Mission Study Committee included:

Loretta Botosh (Chair)

Leo Tuttle

Melissa Kiland

Paul Biondi
The Revision Committee:

Loretta Botosh

Phil Grebe

Ann Keirns

Leo Tuttle
6
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAYWARD
Mission Study Report
OUR MEMBERSHIP
John 13:34-35 – “A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know
that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
FPCH is situated on the borderline of Castro Valley and the city of Hayward. The
primary area served is central Alameda County, comprised of the following
communities:
Cities:

Hayward

San Leandro
Unincorporated areas:

Ashland

Castro Valley

Cherryland

Fairview

San Lorenzo
Map of Central Alameda County
This area is located roughly in the center of the metropolitan San Francisco Bay
Area, in what is known as the “East Bay”. These communities have a total
population of 360,632, according to the US Census of 2010, which was used as the
source for the demographic data, found near the end of this report.
7
Church Membership
Year
Active
Membership
January 1
Gains
%
Losses
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
610
610
594
535
549
526
505
491
18
15
19
28
22
2
7
7
3%
2%
3%
5%
4%
≤1%
≤1%
≤1%
18
31
78
14
45
23
23
14
%
Active
Membership
December 31
%
increase
or
decrease
3%
5%
13%
3%
8%
4%
5%
3%
610
594
535
549
526
505
491
*484
0%
-3%
-10%
-3%
-4%
-4%
-3%
-1%
*Active Membership May 31, 2013
Yearly Worship Attendance Sunday Services
Month
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
January
1664
1200
1139
1448
1050
1157
948
February
1543
1175
1108
1510
1105
1038
943
March
1060
1708
1429
1252
1081
1029
1310
April
2007
1377
1340
1241
1231
1444
923
May
1312
1230
1474
1604
1265
903
1221
June
1390
1474
1129
1120
968
1004
1212
July
1544
1115
1172
1067
1121
1159
August
1479
1355
1651
1384
900
947
September
1462
1137
1211
1106
927
1120
October
1069
1104
1243
1310
1185
914
November
1195
1479
1552
1030
1024
975
December
1504
1159
1248
1023
1023
1183
330
300
300
280
253
243
Average per
week
8
241
Age & Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Although our current membership represents a primarily mature congregation, we
are working to attract young families. Pastor Paul Bagai was recently ordained and
installed; his pastoral focus includes a growing Young Families ministry.
Our membership includes many older Christians who can help guide and lead
younger members to grow and mature in their faith. We are also blessed with
many members who were born in this church and continue to attend worship with
us and many members who raised families in this church; they remain even as the
kids have grown up and moved out of the area.
Our official membership numbers do not reflect the number of regular attenders
and occasional guests who also join us for Sunday morning worship and some of
our other activities.
Our current members’ ages are depicted below:
Age Group
Number
Under 20
27
21-30
29
31-40
17
41-50
38
51-60
97
61-70
84
71-80
55
81-90
53
90+
14
Gender Distribution
Our current membership is predominantly female at 64%, which presents an
opportunity for outreach and to welcome more men into our congregation.
Our current members’ genders are depicted below:
Male
150
Female
264
9
Christian Education Enrollment
A great many members of the congregation are active in small group Bible studies
that meet very regularly in private homes. We do offer some on-campus group
education as well. This is an area where we are exploring new offerings as it
seems the congregation would welcome new options to study together.
We are blessed at least once a year with highly anticipated classes lead by church
elders including Bob Wood, Rich Williams, Mike Panko, JoAnn Parker and Phil
Arzino, elders who are very respected study leaders. A new class is currently set
to begin in September 2013.
Below is a representative list of what is currently available on campus:
Day
Type
Ministry
# of Attendees
Wednesday
study
Marilyn Mull Bible Study Group
10
Thursday
study
Bible Study with Joann Law
10
Friday
study
Evening study with Paul & Terri Biondi
11
Friday
study
Friday Morning Men's Bible Study
13
Sunday
study
Early Sunday morning men’s study
6
Our Children and Youth Education & Outreach programs have long been a highlight
of our ministries. These programs continue to be strong and vibrant. We are
committed to nurturing these programs and the young people that they serve.
(More information about these programs is included later in this report, starting on
page 12.) Below is average attendance for our Children’s, Student and Young
Adult ministries:
Day
Type
Ministry
# of
Attendees
Sunday
Worship/Lesson
9 am Children’s Sunday School
8
Sunday
Worship/Lesson
10:45 Children’s Sunday School
12
Connect (6-12th grades)
25
Catalyst – Young Adult Ministry
15
Quest – High School Ministry
35
1ST Sunday Fellowship/Lesson
Tuesday
Fellowship/Lesson
Wednesday Fellowship/Lesson
Thursday
Fellowship/Lesson
A-OK – Children’s Ministry
65
Thursday
Fellowship/Lesson
ROCK – Middle School Ministry
10
10
Ethnic Composition of Membership
1 Corinthians 12:27 (TNIV) – “Now you are the body of Christ,
and each one of you is a part of it.”
FPCH Membership Demographics
FPCH Neighborhood Demographics (census 2010)
11
At FPCH we are aware of the diversity of our surrounding community. We are very
mindful of this as we plan our outreach and various neighborhood programs.
Successful events that we have undertaken and currently do on an annual basis
are:

Trunk or Treat – safe family Halloween event in our parking lot for our
neighbors.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner – hosted in partnership with the Salvation
Army, approximately 200+ people are served.

Spring/Summer $1BBQ – held on the front lawn, family-focused but
everyone invited, provides a great connection time for our congregation to
meet our neighbors.

Dinner and a Movie Night for Parents and Young Children — the event in the
spring of 2013 was attended by over 70 parents and children.

Monthly Young Families Gathering – currently hosted by Norm & Joyce Moy.
This group invites parents with children aged 10 and under to share a meal
and fellowship together with childcare provided.

Lorenzo Creek Apartments – a growing partnership with this nearby housing
complex for singles and families who were previously homeless…Christmas
Party, staff support, and kids participating in our Children’s Ministry
programs. In 2013 we presented a very well-attended weekend VBS for the
children who live here.
While there has been no significant change with regards to the ethnic make-up of
our membership, there have been significant changes within the cities and
unincorporated neighborhoods we serve.
We continue to look for opportunities besides the above-mentioned events (i.e.
Castro Valley Fall Festival, Healing Ministries, Peacemakers, etc.), where we can
meet our neighbors in our community, love them in the name of Jesus and
encourage them to find out more about FPCH.
12
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAYWARD
Mission Study Report
MINISTRIES & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Ephesians 2:10 (The Message) – “He creates each of us by Christ Jesus
to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready
for us to do, work we had better be doing.”
Our church has a history of offering a wide variety of ministries and programs
designed to address specific needs of church members. Some of these ministries
are designed to reach neighbors from our surrounding community as well. These
ministries succeed because our members do have a dynamic passion for serving
others.
We offer diverse programs geared to children, youth, men, women, and multigenerational opportunities for spiritual growth, leadership, and sometimes with no
other agenda than to enjoy and use the life that God has given each one of us.
It is also very clear that those who volunteer in our ministries and programs do so
as an expression of their love for Christ. As new needs arise, members of the
church family are quick to organize and establish new ministries and programs to
meet emerging needs.
Our church community has extensive interests and diversity. We strive to invite
our neighbors into our community by offering various types of activities. We are a
congregation that strives to reach individuals in various ways so we have many
activities and programs that are used as outreach ministries and internal
fellowship.
The programs described below show, at a glance, the rich diversity of ministries
provided by FPCH.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY PROGRAMS
Our church’s Children’s Ministries serves Birth through 5th and has the mission of
“Connecting Kids to Christ and Growing Them Spiritually.” All that we do as a team
is with this mission in mind. We have wonderful programming throughout the year
to teach our children and expand our reach into the community.
Son-day Celebration Sunday School
The overall purpose of this program is to provide a Sunday Christian education for
infants through grade 5. We have two different programs at the 9:00 and 10:45
AM services so that the children could be here all morning learning something new.

At the 9:00 hour, the children participate in group singing, prayer, and
instruction in tithing, cooperation, and life skills. They also participate in
technical support of the program by keying and presenting the PowerPoint®
13
and music. They work at building leadership skills in their eagerness to lead
musical selections with actions and song, and discipleship by inviting and
encouraging their friends and family to come to their place of worship and
fellowship with them on special occasions or weekly at the Clown Fish
Lounge. The Clown Fish Lounge is an area named by the children where they
can eat, drink, and fellowship with each other on quiet terms. The children
are taught the Biblical truths of the Bible in age appropriate classes.

During the 10:45 hour, the children and staff begin their morning by
gathering with the adult worshipers in the main Sanctuary where they
participate in songs, prayer, and sometimes scripture and offering. When the
children return to their meeting room the FISH (Faithful Individuals Start
Here) Tank, they continue with a lesson based on the scripture of the day.
The average attendance at Son-Day Celebrations is 25 children and 2-4
children participate in the Infant and Toddler program
His Growing Grove Childcare Center “HGG”
His Growing Grove was established to be an outreach ministry for the church to
our community. The name was obtained after church members were invited to
submit names for the new childcare center… “His Growing Grove” was
submitted by Claudia Law and Doug Whitcomb.

The overall purpose of this program is to reach out with the “way, truth and
life” of Jesus Christ to young families.

HGG celebrates its 24th year of reaching out to the community to provide top
quality child care and preschool education with 97 children and 24 staff
members. The teachers, children, and staff nurture one another in their
endeavors to understand and practice God’s plans for each other. The
children are trained in social skills, taught age-appropriate educational skills,
and encouraged in the belief and trust in the love of the Lord. There are no
age limits to the ability to understand and share God’s love.

HGG has had many instances where families have shared moments when
God was working through this magnificent program. In one such incident, “a
two-year old boy confidently told his grandmother, ‘Jesus died on the cross
because He loves me!’ when the adult said ‘Oh, really?’ the child responded
with the knowledge and confidence of a true disciple, ‘Yes, Ms. Kandi told me.
And He loves you too.”

The program is envisioned as a means of outreach as many of the children
attending have no church home; some families have joined FPCH through
HGG the over the years; many others stay connected through A/O K* and
VBS.* (*see below)

HGG has a Camp Wise Owl summer program. This is an exciting summer
adventure for school-aged kids entering 1st through 3rd grades. Each week14
long session is a new adventure to engage children in a fun way to keep
their learning skills sharp during their summer break! Parents can choose
from language arts and science topic sessions. Four separate sessions are
offered each summer.
Over the years the Church has struggled in its relationship with HGG; at times
HGG has been seen as a separate entity. In the future, we would hope that the
relationship between the Church and HGG would lean toward more integration.
Toward that end, we recently re-structured the HGG committee to include
representation from the church Personnel and Finance committees.
Alpha Omega Kids “A/OK”
The overall purpose of this program is to provide a midweek program for school
age children (grades K-5) where they learn about the love of Jesus Christ.

This mid-week program runs Thursday afternoons from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm.
The children are transitioned into the program time by using recreational
equipment, talking with leaders and friends, or simply being allowed to enjoy
their time relaxing and watching. They gather for group singing and then
separate into their pre-selected workshop or program. At 5:30 everyone
gathers together for the evening meal, a time of sharing and fellowship.
Bible time starts at 6:00 in the sanctuary where the children become familiar
with the facility, are encouraged to show respect for God’s property, learn
Biblical instruction and ways to be disciples in small groups, and are
introduced to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The current enrollment of this program is 65 and there are 30 leaders
ranging from 15 years of age to 70+ years of age.

The children and staff are trained on security measures in cases of
emergencies, instructed in safety policies, and encouraged to build
friendships and learn relationship skills.
Vacation Bible School
The overall purpose of this program is to provide a summertime week-long,
Christ-Centered program for pre-school to grade 5, including kids from our
congregation, neighborhood, and HGG.

As we submit this report, we are beginning a fun-filled week of VBS, with
140 children in attendance and 80 volunteers. The creation and leadership
of this program encourages people of all ages to participate in any way they
can. The weeklong program is led by individuals from approximately 12
years old to 90+ years, and all ages in between. The children and volunteers
attending come from HGG, neighborhood complexes, homeless transition
housing, and neighborhoods outside of our local surroundings.
15
STUDENT AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES
CONNECT
This newly developed program meets on the First Sunday of each month during
2nd Service. Here, middle and high school students meet with leaders to
connect with each other and with God. It is an interactive group that discusses
various topics that help them make good decisions, have better relationships
and keep Christ in their lives as they are heading into adulthood.
ROCK was named for these Really Outstanding Christian Kids.
The overall purpose of ROCK is to provide a mid-week program on Thursday
Evenings for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students.

This program meets year round and does reach out to our Church family
and community. High school and adult leaders work with this group. The
evenings include games, worship and small group time for study and
discussion.

The students participate in community service projects by assisting at the
Alameda County Food Bank. In the summer they attend camp together
with their leaders at Sugar Pine Christian Camps near Yosemite.
QUEST was named because these high schoolers are on a mission to love like
Jesus loved.
The overall purpose of this program is to provide a mid-week program for 9th
to 12th grade students. They meet on Wednesday nights for announcements,
worship, prayer, and small group time which centers on specific topics such as
forgiveness, grace, gossip, etc.

This group currently has approximately 55 students, of which 25 come from
un-churched homes, with an average weekly attendance of 35 students.

This group partners with many outside organizations such as Harbor House
in Oakland, YWAM (Youth With A Mission) San Francisco, City Team
Ministries in Oakland and in San Francisco.

This group also partners with Baja Christian Ministries during Easter break
each year to build homes for families in Mexico and provide a Vacation Bible
School program as an outreach into those communities.

Some of the activities provided for this age group are Summer camp, trips to
Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland/California Adventure, Snow Trip to Tahoe,
and a leadership retreat in Santa Cruz.
CATALYST means to provoke change and is what these individuals intend to do in
this world with the love of Jesus.
16
The overall purpose of this program is to provide a mid-week program for
College Students and Young Adults. This group meets on Tuesday nights to
provide fellowship, community, and prayer time.

The group reads through a book together and supports one another.

This group currently has 25 individuals in the program, with 12 individuals
from un-churched homes. The average weekly attendance is 12.

This group partners with Harbor House in Oakland, YWAM, City Team
Ministries in Oakland and San Francisco.

This group also partners with CEPAD in Nicaragua for a week long mission
trip each June to help build houses, plant crops, assist in installing water
filtration systems, etc.
MUSIC MINISTRY
There are many music-making activities at FPCH. In addition to regular support in
Sunday worship, each of these groups participates in concerts and other special
occasions throughout the year.
Chancel Choir ~ Wednesdays 7 - 9 pm – Music Room

Open to singers, novice to pro. Chancel Choir supports 1st Service Worship
with a wide variety of choral music.
First Praise! ~ Thursdays 7 – 9 pm – Music Room

Open to singers and instrumentalists 9th grade and up. First Praise supports
2nd service worship with a wide variety of (mostly) contemporary music.
Songbirds ~ Wednesdays 2 – 3:15 – Music Room

This just-for-fun group sings hymn favorites, sing-alongs, show tunes and
other positive songs. Very casual, lots of fellowship. Occasional “field trips”
to sing at retirement centers, participates in the various annual concerts.
Chancel Bells ~ Sundays 1-2:15 – Music Room

Chancel Bells is currently taking a bit of a hiatus. This is a multi-generational
group, making music together. They will regroup for special seasonal
activities, i.e. Christmas, Easter.
Joyful Children’s Choir ~ Sundays 10:15 – 10:40 am – Music Room

Open to all children.
Concerts in the Autumn and at Christmas time
All-church caroling around the neighborhood in December
17
WORSHIP MINISTRIES
In order to ensure a worshipful experience for all who come to our services on
Sunday mornings a variety of volunteers assist including: Greeters, Ushers, the
Flower Committee, Worship Leaders, PowerPoint® operators, and people on the
sound board.
GROUP LIFE MINISTRIES
Group life ministries sponsor many activities for fellowship and spiritual growth
including:

Men’s Retreat

Women’s Retreat

Women’s SPA (Spiritual Perspective Adjustment) events

All-Church Picnic and Movie Nights

Healing Prayer Ministry

Bible Studies
o Men’s Bible Studies (2)
o Women’s Bible Studies (2)

Small Groups

Recreational/Sports Outreach
o Monday morning league Bowling
o Saturday Night Family Badminton, hosted the by the Irvin family
o Tuesday Open Gym nights with Mike Wallace and friends
o Crossover Youth Basketball, jointly with First Baptist Church and
Neighborhood Church, both of Castro Valley
o Men’s Softball league

Christian Education Opportunities

Sunday All-Church Luncheon Events

Sunday Morning Coffee Ministry
NEW COMERS/NEW MEMBERS MINISTRIES

“Come and See” Membership Inquiry Classes

Monday Night Visiting Teams
18

Welcome Kiosk with Gifts
LOCAL OUTREACH MINISTRIES

$1 BBQ

Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Event

Community Thanksgiving Dinner (partnership with Salvation Army)

Growing partnership with Lorenzo Creek Apartments

Monthly Sunday Evening Young Families Gathering
CROSS-CULTURAL MINISTRIES

Mission Partners to whom we gift 10% of our church income

Mission Partner Home Teams

Adult Short-Term Mission Trip (Mexico)

Support for Quest Mexico & Catalyst Nicaragua Mission Trips
PRAYER & CARE MINISTRIES

Monday Morning Prayer Group

Home & Hospital Visitors

Morning & Evening Prayer Chains

The Board of Deacons
Our church is blessed with a very active, caring Deacon Ministry. At present
the Board of Deacons numbers 33, with couples serving together, and is
divided into five very active committees.

The Sanctuary Care Committee prepares our sanctuary for worship and
also provides the elements for our regularly scheduled Holy Communions.

Our Memorial Support Committee offers receptions for families and
friends following all our memorial services.

The Friends at Home Committee keeps in touch with thirty home-bound
parishioners with, calls and visits.

Our Home Assistance Committee assists families when they require
special help such as meals and transportation.

The Community Liaison Committee dispenses about 12,000 to 15,000
dollars a year to local agencies such as the Salvation Army, FESCO
(Family Emergency Shelter Coalition) and Shepherd’s Gate (homeless
and/or abused family shelters in our neighborhood).
19
The Deacons collect their own funds separate from donations to the Church
Budget and the Deacons Fund is used to offer emergency monetary help to
church members. The Deacons organize our annual Thanksgiving Basket
drive and these baskets are given to 100 needy families in our area.
PEACEMAKER MINISTRY
In 2011, there were conflicts that affected our congregation. Our Session called on
four Elders to talk to those who were involved. From that small beginning, a
ministry has been developing.
In December of 2012, two conciliators from Crossroads Resolution Group,
associated with Ken Sande’s Peacemaker Ministries, were hired to come to lead
the church in a Biblical Peacemaking seminar about applying the Gospel to the
conflicts of daily life. This was for the entire congregation while conflict resolution
mediations ran concurrently and continued into the new year. We, the Session,
saw God’s wonderful work of grace as we humbled ourselves and publically
confessed our sins. We felt a true change of heart as we forgave each other and
began to see other’s needs as more important than our own (Phil 2:3). We
celebrated the culmination of this intervention in January 2013 in a special worship
service.
As a result, in early 2013 Session adopted the FPCH Peacemaker Ministry as a
committee of Session, which has added members and is currently working in two
directions: education on the principles of Biblical peacemaking and conflict
conciliation. Members of this committee and Session are committed to bringing
about a culture of peacemaking in our church so that FPCH becomes known as a
peacemaking church.
OTHER VARIOUS MINISTRY PROGRAMS

Wedding Coordinator

Office Volunteers

Re-employment In Networking Group (RING)

Library Volunteers

Campus Work Days

Gardening Ministry

Emergency outreach snack packs

Participation in local Relay for Life

Campus Committee (painting and décor)
20
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS HOSTED AT FPCH
Our surrounding community is encouraged to use our facilities for activities and
events. We have been blessed with the ability to share this wonderful location and
campus with groups and organizations who had a need that was fulfilled by God
though us.
The following groups and organizations currently use our facilities:

Al-Anon

Alameda county 4-H, Guide Dogs program

Badminton Group (2 different groups)

Boy Scouts Troop 708

Foster Parents Support Group

Girl Scouts

Moms in Touch (2 different groups)

Northern California Chapter of the Neuropathy Association

American Cancer Society, Castro Valley Relay for Life

Electronic Recycling (through Boy Scouts)
21
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAYWARD
Mission Study Report
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Hebrews 13:7 (TNIV) – “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to
you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
Lay Leaders:
Our 18 member Board of Elders prayerfully provides spiritual leadership for the
Church following Scripture, the Book of Order, and the Book of Confessions as
their guides. Ruling Elders are elected by the congregation to 3-year terms of
service. Each Elder is responsible for a ministry area with leadership succession
built into the system. There is a 5-member Board of Trustees comprised of 2
active Elders and 3 inactive Elders.
A 24-member Board of Deacons provide for the care of the members of the Church
and are the church’s liaison with other local organizations with whom the church
has partnered for many years as well as new liaisons with neighborhood needs.
The “Deacon of the Week” is the contact person between the church office and any
member of the congregation requesting assistance to meet immediate needs.
Pastoral Leadership:
Pastor Toby Nelson is now serving as “Temporary Pastor, Head of Staff”*
Toby Nelson has been an ordained Presbyterian Pastor for 39 years He has served
numerous churches as an interim including a previous time here at FPCH. He has a
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Jose State University, a Master’s from
Trinity Seminary and a Doctoral Degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary.
Pastor Toby loves to bless people with the Bible verse, “God is Able!” He also
serves on occasion as chaplain to a federal disaster team which responds to highrisk medical events.
* It was felt that the two-year Interim Process would not be required as the church has done this
work twice in the last ten years.
Pastor Victoria Wells has been the Associate Pastor for Congregational
Care and Fellowship since 1999. She has also served as acting Head of Staff on
various occasions. Reverend Wells was called into Pastoral Ministry as a second
career. She prepared for her call at the School of Theology at Claremont (MA) and
The San Francisco Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Though she is a native of
Southern California, Reverend Wells loves the Bay Area and especially enjoys
supporting the Cal Bears, as she spent her undergraduate years in Berkeley.
Pastor Paul Bagai was raised in Castro Valley and grew up at FPCH. Paul began
serving the church as Director of Youth Ministries on July1, 2004. As a result of his
work Paul began to feel the call to Teaching Elder. He is a graduate of San
Francisco Theological Seminary and was ordained here on December 9, 2012 to
22
serve as a Designated Associate Pastor for Students, Families and
Neighborhood. His primary goal in ministry is to share how the Gospel of Jesus is
relevant for daily living. Paul is married and he and his wife of 10 years, Marianne,
have 2 girls, Jaydn (8) and Ashlyn (6).
Pastoral History 2013-2003:
Pastor Toby Nelson joined the staff on May 5th 2013 as “Temporary Pastor, Head
of Staff”.
Pastor Steven Lympus became our Pastor/Head of Staff on August 16, 2009.
Steven is from Montana, and has served churches there, as well as in Seattle, WA,
and Vancouver, BC (Canada). He is married to Laura, and they have two sons; the
older one starts kindergarten this fall. He left on March 3rd 2013 to return to the
Pacific Northwest; where he accepted a call at a church in the Spokane area.
Pastor Victoria Wells was Acting Pastor/Head of Staff from June 1, 2009, to
August 15, 2009.
Pastor Jack Shriver was our Interim Pastor/Head of Staff from May 16, 2007, to
May 31, 2009. He left as his contract had ended here and he took the opening
Interim position at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland.
Pastor Victoria Wells was the Acting Pastor/Head of Staff from March 1, 2007,
to May 15, 2007.
Pastor Dan Ytterock was hired as the Pastor/Head of Staff from January 8, 2007,
to February 28, 2007. He was unable to transfer from the Evangelical Presbyterian
Church to Presbyterian Church (USA) as his ordination had been terminated.
Pastor Victoria Wells served as the Acting Pastor/Head of Staff from October 1,
2006, through January 7, 2007.
Pastor Toby Nelson was our Interim Pastor/Head of Staff from August 15, 2004,
to September 30, 2006. He left after his contract ended to take up another interim
position.
Pastor Victoria Wells was the Executive Associate Pastor from August 1, 2003,
to August 14, 2004.
Pastor Bill McGuiness was the Associate Pastor for Evangelism and Family
Ministries from January 2001 to January 2004. He left as he felt called to Interim
Pastoral Ministry.
Pastor Aahmes Overton, our former Senior Pastor, retired and left the church in
July of 2003. This was a sad parting for all concerned as he had held his position
for 26 years.
The congregation has survived many challenges under the senior leadership of
Interim Senior Pastors Toby Nelson and Jack Shriver and called Pastors Dan
23
Ytterock and Steven Lympus. During this time some of the members left our
church and the congregation that remained was troubled by this. A few members
voiced their displeasure by withholding their contributions to the general fund but
used their financial resources for various Christian endeavors and supported the
Church Board of Deacons as well. From March 1999 to 2O13, Pastor Victoria Wells
was the constant in our pastoral leadership. During the turmoil of several
hardships, disappointments, and changes during the transition of pastors, Pastor
Wells stayed positive and motivated the congregation to bind together to keep the
church moving and functioning.
Though there has been perhaps an unusual number of Pastors/Heads of Staff at
this church, each has brought something positive into the life of the church that
has enriched this body of believers. Pastor Aahmes Overton taught the
congregation the importance of careful study of scripture. Pastor Toby Nelson
introduced Healing Prayer Ministries, which remain strong to this day, and
encouraged us to add the words: “We Are a Hope Driven Church” to our Purpose
Statement. Pastor Dan Ytterock impressed upon the congregation the importance
of campus upkeep and décor and created the Campus Committee. Pastor Jack
Shriver preached the Social Gospel to help awaken us to the needs of our
immediate, national and global neighbors. Finally, Pastor Steve Lympus brought us
the Peacekeepers, which moved the congregation to a new level of understanding
and tolerance.
Program Staff:
Throughout the last several years First Presbyterian Church of Hayward has been
greatly blessed by our outstanding, hardworking Program and Support Staff.
During the tenure of Pastor Lympus the Program staff participated in a workshop
directed by Dr. David Ross: “Overcoming Five Challenges to Teamwork and
Building Healthy Organizations.” The benefits of this were the staff’s determination
to improve their collaboration and communication with each other. In addition, the
staff adopted this motto: “Further up (toward our Lord), Further in (relating to our
congregation) and Further out (into our church neighborhood).
Tammie Wallace is the Director of Children’s and Middle School Ministries.
She had become our Children’s Ministries Director in February 2012 when Carol
Lee passed away. In January 2013 she was assigned the oversight of the ROCK
program as well. Previously she had been serving as the Children’s Ministries
Assistant, working with Carol in the Sunday and weekday programs for a number
of years. Prior to that, Tammie was working full-time elsewhere, and felt the tug of
God and the opportunity of a lifetime when the part-time position as the Children’s
Ministry Assistant opened up. She was hired on July 1, 2005. God has shown
Tammie that this is where she was meant to be as she walks with the children and
their families on their spiritual journeys.
Paul Ferris our Worship Director was hired on August 14, 2011. He has an
extraordinary musical talent for both Traditional and Contemporary Worship, with
24
fresh ideas and opportunities to enhance the music ministry program and working
with our pastors in planning Sunday worship services. Paul comes to us as a
“PPK”(presbyterian pastor’s kid), having begun his career at age nine, playing in a
small country church. Paul studied piano and organ at Interlochen Arts Academy,
Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University and San Francisco State
University. Prior to his call to serve the church full time Paul had a successful
career as a freelance commercial musician. Before coming to FPCH two years ago
Paul was music director at Trinity Presbyterian in San Carlos for ten years.
Lucinda Scanlan was hired in 2012 as our Church Financial Manager. She
came to FPCH with a breadth of experience. She has experience in the areas of
accounting oversight and in real estate management and leasing. She has worked
over 25 years in areas of payroll, collections, tax filing, budgeting and budget
analysis. She has accomplished post graduate studies in both accounting and real
estate. Lucinda is a long time member of the church and had been very active in
the financial ministries before she took this position.
Libby Barbaria was raised in inner city Oakland where her father was pastor at
Centennial Presbyterian Church. Libby is the Director of His Growing Grove,
serving in this capacity since 2004. Her family came to FPCH in the early 1980’s as
a result of her son attending A/OK. Libby was hired as Kindergarten director in
1989 (shortly after HGG opened) and was eventually promoted to Assistant
Director. From 1991 to August 1, 1993, Libby chose to pursue other professional
avenues. After that short break, Libby was rehired as the Program Director of HGG
on August 2, 1993. Libby has worked in many different settings in the Early
Childhood area: child care, resource and referral, public non-profit and private
non-profit. She served on the Board of the Community Child Care Coordinating
council of Alameda County, and served as a mentor with the California Early
Childhood Mentor Program.
Support Staff:
Lois Samarron was hired as the Office Manager on August 15, 1999. Lois has
been a Christian all her life. She became a member of our church in July 1993. In
August 1999, she was hired as Office Manager. As the Office Manager, Lois is
responsible for the day to day operation of the church office, such as overseeing
church volunteers who work in the church office, scheduling and maintaining the
church calendar, editing and preparing the church newsletter (“The Bell Tower”),
scheduling room setup and takedowns, overseeing repairs and maintenance of the
church campus, and other miscellaneous duties.
Ann Keirns, our Administrative Assistant to the Pastors and Session, grew
up in San Jose, California. After her husband’s and mother’s deaths in late 2006,
Ann chose to move back to Northern California (from Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
where she has five siblings who live fairly locally. Her son, Andrew Voight, and his
wife, Amy, still live near Orlando, Florida. After many years of being away from
church, the Holy Spirit intervened and brought Ann here. She became staff here
25
on March 30, 2007 after serving in her position as a temp for the previous 2½
months. On August 16, 2009, Ann joined our church as a member, and she feels
that our church family has helped her become a better Christian.
Evelyn Chin was brought on to the staff on April 18th 2013 as the Associate
Accountant. She is returning to work part-time after enjoying being home with
her three young sons for ten years. Previously she worked in accounting for Union
Bank and Chevron for almost 15 years. She and her husband Wallace live with
their sons in San Ramon. They attend Pathway Community Church in Dublin.
Terri Biondi came to us in the role of Children’s Ministry Assistant in June of
this year. She is a long time member of the church and has regularly volunteered
in Children’s Ministry Programs. Her background includes volunteer training in the
Parent Education Program in Castro Valley Schools. She also worked for many
years training volunteers at the Center for Human Development in Pleasant Hill.
She and her husband Paul have two teen-aged sons.
Andrew King, Youth Ministries Assistant, was raised in Hayward, California,
and grew up at the First Presbyterian Church of Hayward in the youth program.
Andrew stayed involved with FPCH youth group while he was a college student and
upon graduating he felt called to serve and share his gifts with the group. He was
hired to his position on August 15, 2009. Here he connects with, guides, and
builds friendship with the students.
Toni DiCapua had volunteered many years before she was hired to fill in as the
accompanist for the Chancel Choir after John Jarvis left as Music Ministries
Director. After we hired Paul Ferris to fill the position that John had left, she
stayed on as the accompanist and became co-director of the Children’s Choir. Toni
was born in Orlando, FL and moved to California in the mid-60’s. She has been
playing the piano since she was 6 years old and the organ since she was in her
early 20’s. She essentially followed in her mother’s footsteps both as a pianist and
organist. She began coming to our church because she had severed ties with a
prior religious affiliation and, after not having been to church for about 7 years,
felt it was time to reaffirm her love of Jesus Christ and grow spiritually; she felt
there was something missing in her life. She is currently set to continue graduate
school for a Masters Degree in Music History this fall at Cal State East Bay and is
SOOOO looking forward to it!
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAYWARD
Mission Study Report
OUR FINANCES
Malachi 3:10 (TNIV) – “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may
be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will
not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there
will not be room enough to store it.”
Financial History 2004-present
Total
Membership
as of Dec 31
Total Annual
Contributions
(All Funds)
Avg #
Households
Making
Contributions
Average
Amount Given
by Contributor
2013
484*
$446,445.03**
233
$3,897.58***
2012
491
$921,221
267
$3,450.27
2011
508
$835,738
278
$3,006
2010
526
$882,743
309
$2,857
2009
549
$832,025
320
$2,600
2008
535
$897,150
335
$2,678
2007
594
$1,105,025
408
$2,708
2006
610
$1,145,027
397
$2,884
2005
610
$1,074,728
398
$2,700
2004
645
$1,079,289
406
$2,658
Year
*as of May 31, 2013, **as of June 30, 2013, ***extrapolated annual amount
Annual sources of all of our church income include membership tithes and
offerings, plate income, special gifts by members, Sunday School income, building
fund contributions, endowment income, investment income, facilities use fees,
interest income, His Growing Grove, and rental income.
A portion of Church income (about 20-25%) comes from our tenants, currently
Trader Joe’s and Dolphin Graphics. Rental income also includes the joint use of our
church campus by the Eden Korean Presbyterian Church.
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Congregational Stewardship
2 Corinthians 9:7 (TNIV) – “Each of you should give what you have decided
in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Like most churches today FPCH does have the customary stewardship challenges.
The most pressing include:

On January 1, 2012 we refinanced, through the Synod of the Pacific, the
balance of $296,000 of the campaign capital debt remaining from 1989. This
is, of course, off-set by reserves of $400,000 and the market value of the
Church Property. We are working diligently to eliminate this debt.

Providing for repair and maintenance of our aging facilities while sustaining
current and developing additional programs;

Determining the correct staffing levels and positions necessary to support
the life of our church;

Continuing to support our Missions work at the significant level of ten
percent of our income each year.
When last reviewed, it was determined that a long-term strategy would call for the
formation of a Stewardship ministry group, led by the Stewardship Elder, to train
potential new stewardship leaders for future years. The anticipated result was
leadership stability in this key area going forward. There was some success with
this model.
The current model the church is pursing is in broadening our outlook on what
stewardship covers and how all members can participate. Session is contemplating
the following questions, both as a group and within our committees:
1) What is stewardship?
2) How do we structure leadership around stewardship?
3) What can our committees do with/about stewardship?
4) If the congregation were to do a common study focused on all aspects for
stewardship, what could our committee do to support it?
The answers to these questions will guide us on a new stewardship path. The goal
is to have each and every member of the church feel that stewardship is an
integral part of worshiping and serving our Lord.
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At FPCH we continue to recognize the importance of motivating people to more
generous giving through Biblical teachings of God’s stewardship principles in all
areas of our lives. Our plan helps our members mature in their relationships with
Jesus Christ so that they will make renewed commitments to ministry
opportunities, and will become generous partners in the sharing of financial
resources.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAYWARD
Mission Study Report
OUR CAMPUS
Psalm 127:1 (TNIV
“Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.”
Sanctuary

FPCH’s Sanctuary was constructed it 1959. It will seat approximately 500
people and with its long center aisle is popular for weddings. There is choir
seating in the Chancel and a large cross at the back of the Chancel.
Office-classroom building

This building has offices for the Staff and classrooms for Sunday School
classes and group meetings.

There is a large music room and a library plus a Forum room for Middle
School and High School groups.
Family Life Center

Completed in 1989, this building has a full-sized gym and congregational
meeting room.

There is also a small Multi-Purpose meeting room and a large kitchen where
meals are prepared for the day-care program and other programs.
HGG Building

This building, completed and opened in February of 1989, houses the His
Growing Grove day care program during the week and children’s classes on
Sundays. It has six classrooms, a nursery, and a front office.
Parking

There is a large parking area at the rear of the campus, and a smaller one at
the front that is shared with Trader Joe’s. The building the store leases is
owned by FPCH.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAYWARD
Mission Study Report
OUR NEIGHBORS
Luke 10:27 (TNIV) – “Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and,
‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’“
Our congregation sits strategically near the border of Hayward and Castro Valley.
We are in a prime location for opportunities to reach out with Christ’s love to our
surrounding neighborhoods. The medium to lower income households in our area
provide us with wonderful opportunities right next door to meet people’s needs in
the name of Jesus.
FPCH Demographics
94546 – Castro Valley
The 2010 United States Census[1] reported that 61,388 people, 22,348
households, and 16,112 families resided in Castro Valley. The population density
was 3,690.3 people per square mile (1,424.8/km²). There were 23,392 housing
units at an average density of 1,382.6 per square mile (533.8/km²). The racial
31
makeup of the Castro Valley was 58.0% White (49.5% non-Hispanic), 6.9%
African American (6.6% non-Hispanic), 0.5% Native American, 21.4% Asian, 0.7%
Pacific Islander, 6.1% from other races, and 6.3% from two or more races. 17.4%
of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The Census reported that 98.0% of the population lived in households, 0.4% lived
in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 1.5% were institutionalized.
There were 22,348 households out of which 36.1% had children under the age of
18 living in them. 21.7% of households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had
someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household
size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.15.
The population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 7.6% aged 18 to
24, 24.5% aged 25 to 44, 31.1% aged 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of
age or older. The median age was 41.2 years. For every 100 females there were
94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
There were 23,392 housing units of which 69.0% were owner-occupied and 31.0%
were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3%; the rental
vacancy rate was 5.4%. 68.8% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing
units and 29.2% lived in rental housing units.
94541 - Hayward
32
The 2010 United States Census[2] reported that Cherryland had a population of
14,728. The population density was 12,301.9 people per square mile
(4,749.8/km²). The racial makeup of Cherryland was 6,035 (41.0%) White, 1,698
(11.5%) African American, 200 (1.4%) Native American, 1,404 (9.5%) Asian, 310
(2.1%) Pacific Islander, 4,016 (27.3%) from other races, and 1,065 (7.2%) from
two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7,955 persons (54.0%).
The Census reported that 14,272 people (96.9% of the population) lived in
households, 277 (1.9%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 179
(1.2%) were institutionalized.
There were 4,643 households, out of which 1,963 (42.3%) had children under the
age of 18 living in them. (24.4%) were made up of individuals and 324 (7.0%)
had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average
household size was 3.07. There were 3,085 families (66.4% of all households); the
average family size was 3.64.
The population was spread out with 3,956 people (26.9%) under the age of 18,
1,457 people (9.9%) aged 18 to 24, 4,728 people (32.1%) aged 25 to 44, 3,339
people (22.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,248 people (8.5%) who were 65 years of
age or older. The median age was 32.3 years. For every 100 females there were
101.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.0 males.
There were 4,975 housing units at an average density of 4,155.5 per square mile
(1,604.4/km²), of which 1,458 (31.4%) were owner-occupied, and 3,185 (68.6%)
were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5%; the rental
vacancy rate was 5.4%. 4,439 people (30.1% of the population) lived in owneroccupied housing units and 9,833 people (66.8%) lived in rental housing units.
Fairview
The 2010 United States Census[3] reported that 10,003 people, 3,490 households,
and 2,512 families resided in the Fairview. The population density was 3,617.7
people per square mile (1,396.9/km²). There were 3,642 housing units at an
average density of 1,306.0 per square mile (504.2/km²). The racial makeup of the
Fairview was 45.0% White (36.2% non-Hispanic), 21.0% African American (20.5%
non-Hispanic), 0.8% Native American, 15.2% Asian, 1.3% Pacific Islander, 9.1%
from other races, and 7.6% from two or more races. 21.7% of the population was
Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The Census reported that 98.5% of the population lived in households, 0.8% lived
in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.7% were institutionalized.
There were 3,490 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of
18 living in them, 20.2% of households were made up of individuals and 6.8% had
someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household
size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.24.
33
The population was spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 8.4% aged 18 to
24, 26.3% aged 25 to 44, 31.9% aged 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of
age or older. The median age was 41.1 years. For every 100 females there were
97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.
There were 3,642 housing units of which 78.0% were owner-occupied and 22.0%
were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8%; the rental
vacancy rate was 5.1%. 75.9% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing
units and 22.6% lived in rental housing units.
[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_United_States_Census
[2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_United_States_Census
[3]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_United_States_Census
34
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAYWARD
Mission Study Report
CONCLUSIONS
Romans 15:5-6 (The Message) – "May our dependably steady and warmly
personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as
well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we'll be a choir—not our voices only,
but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem
to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!”
We Are a Hope Driven Church: The Near Future
Session recently identified a need to lead the church body in a reconciliation
process, and supported a congregation-wide initiative to learn and practice Biblical
peacemaking. The Peacemaking Committee is thriving and hopes to keep this
spirit of co-operation and grace alive in the church as we seek God’s will for our
community of faith.
Committees of Session (see MINISTRIES & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, p. 12) are
working hard to nurture our congregation’s faith, equip each other for ministry,
worship God, and unify our church body to reach out with the love and life of Jesus
Christ. We have thereby set the following as our immediate goals.

Reach out to our community, with a special focus on building connections to our
surrounding neighborhoods by providing Bible Studies and Children’s Programs
at neighborhood locations as exemplified in our Lorenzo Creek Project.

Initiate the Sanctuary upgrade project.

Invite and incorporate graduating youth, college-aged people, and young adults
into the life, worship and fellowship of the body with programs designed for
their own faith needs.

Place more focus on our Middle School Program with additional staff.

Encourage each student to have a service or mission experience before
graduating from High School.

Create more inter-generational worship experiences and continue our once-amonth combined worship service on the last Sunday of the month.

Focus on the creation of more opportunities for new members to enter into the
life of the church with home study groups and volunteer experiences.
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Our Long Term Hopes:
First Presbyterian Church of Hayward has remained a beacon of hope on its corner
for decades. This is God’s Church and the ministries continue and will continue
because of the faith in our Mission and Purpose Statements as expressed on the
following page. There is no doubt that this congregation is committed, not just to
exist here, but to thrive and grow into God’s plans for FPCH.
Specifically some things we might hope to accomplish in the next ten years are:

Develop a youth mentoring program for older teens and young adults.

Create an after school program for the “Latch Key” children in our immediate
neighborhood.

Provide family and financial counseling to parents of children in our programs.

Expand our re-employment program to provide placement services.

Focus on community relations and work toward achieving a church
demographic that reflects our neighborhood.
In Conclusion We Know This:
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond
all that we ask or think according to the power that works
within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
to all generations forever and ever. Amen”
(Ephesians 3: 20-21.)
36
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAYWARD
Mission Study Report
MISSION STATEMENT
Based on the foregoing data and analysis, the following will become FPCH’s
mission statement as God has revealed it to us.
Our Mission
First Presbyterian Church of Hayward is a community of believers
endeavoring to live their lives as disciples of Jesus Christ, the Son of
God, acknowledging Him to be Lord and Savior and the sole means
by which we know the Father. We believe that the Bible, in its
entirety, is the Word of God and uphold it as the rule and standard
of our faith.
Knowing what God has done for us, and out of gratitude, joy, and
expectation, we acknowledge that we are called by His Holy Spirit to
come together to know Christ more fully and to make Him known
through our worship and service. Therefore, we exist to worship our
loving God, and to serve others by ministering to the needs of all we
can reach and carrying the message of God’s redeeming love next
door and all around the world.
PURPOSE STATEMENT
The mission of our church makes complete our purpose statement, which has been
in continuous use since 1992:
Our Purpose
To reach out so others may experience God's love through us.
To nurture one another in relationships with Jesus Christ.
To equip one another for serving here and everywhere.
To worship the Lord and enjoy Him forever.
We are a Hope Driven Church!!
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