170 Years of Presbyterianism in Los Angeles

Trailer

Resonate Media — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 13:22:52 -0700

This podcast traces 170 years of Presbyterian life in Los Angeles in six episodes, from the city’s first Protestant congregations in the 1850s to today’s multilingual, multiethnic churches. It follows stories of faith shaped by war, migration, neighborhood change, urban struggle, and cultural renewal. Across the decades, Presbyterians in L.A. have started new ministries, responded to social crises, and reimagined what it means to be a church in one of the most diverse cities in the world.

Foundations in a Frontier Town

Synod of Southern California and Hawaii, PCUSA — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0800

This first episode of the series looks back to Los Angeles when it was little more than a rough frontier town. We trace the first attempts at Presbyterian ministry in a place where pastors rarely stayed more than a couple of years, congregations struggled to survive, and disputes sometimes caused as much trouble as progress. Even so, the Presbyterian witness refused to disappear. Out of repeated failure came fresh starts, new leadership, and eventually the founding of institutions like Occidental College that would shape the city’s spiritual and educational life.

This show is brought to you by the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It is produced by Resonate Purpose, in association with Theophany Media. Our Executive Producer is Loren Richmond Jr. Our Managing Producer is Jake Doberenz. Editing and sound engineering is by Billy Mark. Narration provided by Rev. Dr. Bethany Fox. Writing and research is by Jake Doberenz, with consultation from Rev. Dr. Juan Sarmiento and Rev, Dr. Darren Pollock. Special thanks to Rev. Dr. Pollock for his contribution to the episode.

Expansion and War Time

Resonate Media — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0800

In this second episode, Los Angeles is growing up in the early 1900s. The 115th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America is held here, a new union with the Cumberland Church is formed, and important outreaches to immigrants are taking place. But in the midst of World War 2, a Japanese congregation is torn apart and will never be the same again. We also see why Occidental College parted ways with the Presbyterians and we spotlight one of the greatest Sunday School teachers of all time, Henrietta Mears.

This show is brought to you by the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It is produced by Resonate Purpose, in association with Theophany Media. Our Executive Producer is Loren Richmond Jr. Our Managing Producer is Jake Doberenz. Editing and sound engineering is by Billy Mark. Narration provided by Rev. Dr. Bethany Fox. Writing and research is by Jake Doberenz, with consultation from Rev. Dr. Juan Sarmiento and Rev, Dr. Darren Pollock. Special thanks to Darren Pollock, Tim McCalmont, Vessie Kazachka, and Jane Yamashita Shirk for lending their voice and expertise to this episode.

Change and Civil Rights

Resonate Media — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 07:00:29 -0800

In this third episode, we step into the mid-twentieth century—a period of change, conflict, and courage. We’ll see how Presbyterians expanded into new suburbs after World War II, how the PCUSA began to ordain women, and how leaders like Reverend James E. Jones of Westminster Presbyterian gave voice to faith seeking justice.

Today’s show is brought to you by the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This episode is produced by Resonate Purpose, in association with Theophany Media. Our Executive Producer is Loren Richmond Jr. Our Managing Producer is Jake Doberenz. Editing and sound engineering is by Billy Mark. Narration provided by Rev. Dr. Bethany Fox. Writing and research is by Jake Doberenz, with consultation from Rev. Dr. Juan Sarmiento. Special thanks to Rev. Carlton Rhoden for lending his voice and expertise to this episode.

Reunions and Realignments

Resonate Media — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0800

In this fourth episode, we focus on the 1970s and 80s—decades that involve both reunification and realignment for the Presbyterian church as it matures into the last half of the 20th century. We’ll follow how the denomination wrestled with change: new immigrant congregations, inner-city outreach, and identity formation in a shifting cityscape. We’ll pay special attention to Korean American Presbyterian churches, but also see how others responded to a city in flux.

Today’s show is brought to you by the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This episode is produced by Resonate Purpose, in association with Theophany Media. Our Executive Producer is Loren Richmond Jr. Our Managing Producer is Jake Doberenz. Editing and sound engineering is by Billy Mark. Narration provided by Rev. Dr. Bethany Fox. Writing and research is by Jake Doberenz, with consultation from Rev. Dr. Juan Sarmiento. Special thanks to Rev. David Won for lending his voice and expertise to this episode.

Diversity and Difference

Resonate Media — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0800

In this fifth episode, we turn to the 1990s and early 2000s. These were years when many congregations began to see that faith in Los Angeles could not be expressed through a single culture or voice. Korean, Filipino, Taiwanese, Chinese, Latino, and Anglo churches increasingly learned to share space and leadership. This episode especially attends to the growth and influence of Hispanic ministries as well as the long and often painful debates around LGBTQ inclusion.

Today’s show is brought to you by the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This episode is produced by Resonate Purpose, in association with Theophany Media. Our Executive Producer is Loren Richmond Jr. Our Managing Producer is Jake Doberenz. Editing and sound engineering is by Billy Mark. Narration provided by Rev. Dr. Bethany Fox. Writing and research is by Jake Doberenz, with consultation from Rev. Dr. Juan Sarmiento. Special thanks to Rev. Margarita Reyes for lending her voice to this project.

Ministry Today

Resonate Media — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0800

In this final episode, we explore Presbyterian witness in Los Angeles today. We’ll look at how Presbyterians are finding new ways to worship and serve, from the rise of New Worshiping Communities to bold acts of justice like the church returning land to its original, indigenous caretakers. Through the voices of today’s leaders and laborers, we’ll hear how Presbyterians are living out their faith in Los Angeles right now—what their churches are doing in their communities, why they remain committed to this denomination, and what gives them hope for the church’s future.

Today’s show is brought to you by the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This episode is produced by Resonate Purpose, in association with Theophany Media. Our Executive Producer is Loren Richmond Jr. Our Managing Producer is Jake Doberenz. Editing and sound engineering is by Billy Mark. Additional music was created by Kenny Doberenz. Narration provided by Rev. Dr. Bethany Fox. Writing and research is by Jake Doberenz, with consultation from Rev. Dr. Juan Sarmiento. Special thanks to returning guests, Rev. Tim McCalmont, Rev. David Won, Vessie Kazachka, Rev. Carlton Rhoden, and Rev. Margarita Reyes. And an additional thank you to Rev. Dr. Juan Sarmiento, Rev. K.C. Wahe, and Brenda Acosta for lending their voices.