Pastors and Staff

600 N. Main Street Santa Ana, CA 92701 en español Telephone: 714-542-7253

Pastors, Program Staff, and Support Staff

Lance Allen, Senior Pastor

Lance Allen has been the Senior Pastor of FPCSA since November 2000. He grew up in Los Gatos, CA before attending Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1983. He interned for two years at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley in music and youth. Then he went to St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church of Newport Beach, CA, where he served for nine years in several areas of ministry including children, youth, music, and college. Lance earned a Master of Fine Arts in Choral Conducting from UC Irvine before going to Princeton Theological Seminary, NJ, where he earned a Master of Divinity in 1997. Before coming to FPCSA, Lance served for two and a half years as Interim Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church of Lakewood, CA. Lance is married and has two children. He loves music of all kinds, the beach, the mountains, movies, and the Lakers.

Daniel Jimenez
Associate Pastor

Daniel Jimenez has been the Associate Pastor of FPCSA since February 2005. Daniel's primary focus is working in Ministry to the Hispanic community in Santa Ana developing programs for spanish speakers and first and second generation Hispanics. Prior to that he worked part time at FPCSA serving as a “Tent Maker” (as the apostle Paul who made tents and did ministry, a tent maker is a pastor who has a secular job and also does ministry) from 2003 to September of 2005. Originally from Veracruz, Mexico, Daniel immigrated to the United Status in 1990 after attending the Veracruz State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. He worked in the Environmental Area of Engineering for twelve years here in Orange County and in Southern California. From 2000 to 2002 he interned at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana in youth and senior ministries. In 2000 Daniel earned a Master of Divinity in San Francisco Theological Seminary in Southern California. Daniel is married and has three children. He plays guitar and loves music of all kinds, volley ball, camping, and movies.

Paul McNeff

Music Minister

Paul McNeff has served our congregation as Director of Music since 1996. He received his B.A. degree from CSULB in Choral/Vocal Music, M.A. degree from CSUF in vocal performance and did doctoral course work at USC in choral conducting. Besides his busy schedule at our church, Paul also founded and directs the 108-voice KidSingers, an inner city children's chorus. He is married and has three children.

Vanessa Bettrell
Office Manager

Vanessa grew up in San Diego with her parents and two older brothers. She left home to later graduate from Biola University with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, minoring in Spanish and Biblical Studies. She now lives in La Habra with two of her best friends. She spends time with all of her incredible friends and the love of her life, JP. She's looking forward to using her love for the Lord, His people and the Spanish language in her upcoming endeavors at FPCSA.

Rick Headly
Director of Adult Ministry

Rick Headly came on board in 2006 working with our senior members and adult education activities. He is presently under care of Los Ranchos Presbytery endeavoring to complete his studies to become a ordained minister with the Presbyterian Church. He is married and has one daughter.

Dick Williams joined our church in 1996 after retiring from Digital Equipment Corporation in a variety of management positions. He received his BBA at the University of Cincinnati and MBA from Columbia University. His duties include scheduling all activities at the church, managing finances and maintaining the facility. He is married and has five children and ten grandchildren.

Before coming to us in 2000, Kim worked many years in housecleaning. She is responsible for the maintenance of our facility as well as set up / clean up for various church activies. Kim has a son born in 2003. She has lived in the Orange County since 1969. Kim feels very loved by her new church family and has been strengthened in the Lord with the lessons that she learns every day in the Presbyterian faith.