In His ministry at Resurrection Lutheran Church Pastor Johnson focuses on interaction with other religious communities and partners in business, government, the arts and civic society.  Concerned for all the people of Resurrection Church, School and Preschool, he has a particular passion for the care and wellbeing of homeless people in the community parish.

​

Pastor Johnson is a graduate of Trinity Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, Fuller Seminary, Pasadena, California, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California, studied at the Drucker Institute, Stetson University and SUNY in Buffalo, New York.

​

Pastor Johnson lives in Redondo Beach with is wife Barbie.

​

Eric has a long and diverse background as a musician and worship leader.   He loves helping people discover and develop gifts in music that let them experience the joy of serving the Lord in worship. Also a middle-school math teacher, he lives in Long Beach with his wife Pam who is also a teacher.  They have three grown children, Max, Abbey, and Grace.

Music is among the greatest gifts of beauty created and given to us by our loving Lord.  Music in worship can soften our hearts, enliven our spirits and make us want to clap our hands or dance like David before the Lord (or at least tap our toes!). As we find in the Psalms, lyrics are prayers, and In the words of Augustine, when we sing we pray twice.  Music in worship helps us encounter the love, truth and beauty of God all at the same time.  

There are many ways to serve our community’s life of worship, through instrumental music, through singing, through media. 

If you feel a calling in your heart to serve in worship, be encouraged to speak to Eric between services, or send him an email at ericbheilman@gmail.com. 

Salina was born and raised in Torrance and has spent her life living in the South Bay.  Both herself and her daughter Mackenzie were baptized at RLC in 2000.  Mackenzie is a teachers assistant at RHLS and studying to become an elementary school teacher.  Salina and her husband Chris love to spend their free time traveling or simply caring for their beloved Border Collie Max.  She is excited to be a part of the RLC family and for this next chapter in her career.

After a twenty year career at Chadwick School, Kelly McCabe became principal of the Riviera Hall Lutheran School in 2015.  She has experience teaching at the elementary and middle school levels.  Kelly has a Bachelor's degree in elementary education, a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology, and holds credentials in Multiple Subject and Administrative Services.  Her approach to working with students, teachers and parents is based on mutual respect and honesty.  Kelly wants students to feel safe physically and emotionally so the community can foster a joy of learning in a Christ-based environment.

Dorian Theberge has worked for Riviera Hall Lutheran Preschool since 2008 and became the Director in 2014.  Dorian earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Kent State University.  She is committed to providing our children with a loving and developmentally sound foundation that guides their natural curiosity to develop a sense of self, independent thinking and a love for learning.  RHLP is a Preschool where God's presence is felt throughout and seen in the faces of His beloved children.

"I am proud to be part of the ministry of Resurrection Lutheran Church and I embrace the philosophy and core values of the church to provide an academic program with a Christ-centered experience that nurtures the whole child.  Matthew 6:21 "For Where Your Treasure Is, There Your Heart Will Be Also" is my life verse and captures how I lead as the Director at Riviera Hall Lutheran Preschool."

Shane Cherry has been the Sound Engineer at Resurrection Lutheran Church since 2012.  He was born in England, and has two sisters, one his twin, and a brother.  After grammar school, Shane joined Rank Xerox Ltd as an Engineering Apprentice, and worked there while studying for a Bachelor Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Birmingham Polytechnic, UK.  Shane continued to work for Rank Rochester NY in 1987.   In 1988, he moved permanently to the US, located to Los Angeles, and continued his tenure as a Senior Design Engineer at Xerox Agency in a technical capacity. 

​

Shane has two daughters and lives in Torrance.

"I feel very blessed to be a part of this church."

Clara is Bilingual and a classically trained musician and performer with over 20 years of experience teaching instrumental music to both beginning and advanced students.  Clara joined RLC in May of 2023. She plays the organ for multiple church's on Sunday mornings. She is passionate about making musicianship accessible to all ages and skill levels, she also uses dynamic teaching methods tailored to the individuals. Her areas of expertise include piano, organ, and voice, with a Master’s in Music at 2008. Fluent in English and Korean.

Janet Thomas started her career in the corporate world in Human Resources.  However, her love for children and music inspired her to further her studies in music and early childhood development.  In 2001, Janet made the decision to leave her corporate job to teach music full time.  As a music instructor she has taught pre-school and elementary age music classes, private piano lessons, children's mini musicals and the RLC Christmas play.  She has been a Sunday School teacher for many years at RLC.  As of 2019, she became the Sunday School Coordinator and Kids Klub Director.

Mario Chocoj has been the Custodian at Resurrection Lutheran Church since August 19, 199.  He and his wife of 25 years, Victoria, have two children, Karla and Luis.  Mario holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Theology, and has continued to pursue a Masters degree in Psychology.  He is a Pastor and teaches leadership training in both Central and South America .  Mario enjoys being a positive influence to the church family members.

Nacole Motley has worked with children for over 20 years, ranging in ages from 5 to 16 years old. She has worked as Director of an after school program, children’s party Host, and camp counselor. Nacole is CPR and AED certified, and has training in First Aid. Nacole is currently attending West Los Angeles College and taking classes in Child Development. She is working towards becoming a Speech Pathologist. Nacole looks forward to working with your family.