STUDENT & FAMILY MINISTRY STAFF:
ABRAHAM MUSTO
Director of Middle School Ministry
Abe has served at La Jolla Pres. since 2016. Abe says one of the best parts of his job is being able to demonstrate for students that church doesn’t have to be boring!
Abe has been a part of many SunHouse moments, but one of his favorite memories is hosting camp on Catalina Island. Abe’s favorite food in La Jolla is the “Jammin’ Bennie” from Breakfast Republic. When he’s not at SunHouse, Abe is often at the gym, or working on some type of art.
SOPHIE NICLES
Director of High School Ministry
Sophie joined the staff at La Jolla Pres. in 2020, and loves getting to watch teenagers discover who they were created to be. Sophie’s favorite moments with students so far have been shared conversations at camp or around the SunHouse kitchen island on Summer afternoons. Sophie’s current favorite treat in La Jolla is a strawberry-pistachio croissant from Wayfarer bakery, and she can often be found reading at the beach or visiting the octopus at the aquarium.
LIZZET FITZ
Administrator for Family Ministries
Lizzet oversees, manages, and implements clearing all students and volunteers, and makes sure that all administrative preparations are perfect for LJPC family ministry camps, programs, and events. Lizzet enjoys seeing the tremendous spiritual growth within the lives of our students (as well as their smiling faces)!
When she’s not serving on staff at La Jolla Pres. Lizzet can be found spending time at the beach, volunteering, or living it up with her friends and family!
PASTOR PAUL CUNNINGHAM
Lead Pastor, La Jolla Presbyterian Church
Pastor Paul oversees the staff at SunHouse and says that student ministry was super important to him when he was a student; when he was involved in both youth group and camps. Pastor Paul loved watching his own children participate at SunHouse, and saw how their experience changed their lives.
Pastor Paul never gets tired of walking the beach in La Jolla: a gift of God’s goodness and grace!
SUNHOUSE VOLUNTEER LEADERS:
KELSEY
SunHouse Volunteer Leader
Kelsey is a clinical psychology student at UCSD where she leads and mentors college freshman girls through her campus ministry, CRU. Kelsey began leading our SunHouse high school students in 2023, and one of her favorite aspects of leading is the conversations she gets to have with students who she says are “welcoming, talkative, and extremely funny with unique personalities.”
Kelsey’s favorite story from Scripture is the account of Jonah: “every time I’m feeling sad, I read Jonah because it makes me laugh really hard.”
MELINA
SunHouse Volunteer Leader
Melina enjoys serving with SunHouse students because they are “funny, outgoing, easy to build connections with, and very enthusiastic to learn about who God is.” Melina loves seeing students during worship “swaying and side-hugging their friends, showing that they are grateful for each other.” A student at UCSD, Melina enjoys working out or walking, going to the beach, and being in the sun!
Melina’s favorite Bible verse:
Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
ADRIANNA
SunHouse Volunteer Leader
Adrianna is a student at UCSD where she plays volleyball and leads a freshman girls small group through her campus ministry, CRU. Upon attending for the first time, Adrianna thought SunHouse was fun, lively, and she really enjoyed the worship. Adrianna enjoys a chai (with oat milk) from Better Buzz, and her favorite SunHouse game is ultimate tic-tac-toe.
Adrianna’s favorite Bible verse:
Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
NEGAR
SunHouse Volunteer Leader
Negar has been a SunHouse leader for over three years, and she loves the relationship she has with students, as well as the bond shared with other leaders.
When she’s not at SunHouse, you can find Negar taking care of her son, taking care of the shop she owns, or watching any Marvel movie.
COOPER
SunHouse Volunteer Leader
Cooper’s first SunHouse experience was at her small group in 8th grade: “Small group was so much fun, a welcoming place, and I’ve been going to programs and small group ever since!” Cooper enjoys being on a leader team where everyone supports each other in their faith journey while also leading students together. Outside of SunHouse, Cooper is a student, golfer, and enjoys spending time with her friends at the beach.
Cooper’s favorite Bible verse:
Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
BECCA
SunHouse Volunteer Leader
Becca joined our leader team in 2023, but she’s been involved at SunHouse and La Jolla Pres for many years! Becca’s an accomplished soccer player, field hockey player, student, and employee at In-n-Out. Becca chose ultimate-ball as the top-tier game at SunHouse because it’s “fast-paced and super fun,” and one of her favorite SunHouse memories is her cabin’s skincare talent-show act at winter camp.
Becca’s favorite Bible verse:
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
DEBBIE (NURSE DEB)
SunHouse Volunteer Leader/Camp Health Tech
Affectionally named “Nurse Deb” by our students, she’s a weekly program volunteer and our camp health tech extraordinaire! Debbie serves because she believes “it’s critical that adult Christians should take an active role in mentoring our youth in their faith walk.” Debbie enjoys caring for our students because “they have vibrant energy and enthusiasm,” and appreciates how they’re candid about faith and the church.
When she’s not pouring her heart into student ministry at La Jolla Pres. you can catch Debbie enjoying anime, K-pop, international/indie films, traveling, and advocating for the disability and neurodiverse communities.
DYLAN
SunHouse Volunteer Leader
Dylan leads our high school students; he says that the students never fail to bring a smile to his face, and they’re constantly expanding his vocabulary. Dylan is a neurobiology student at UCSD where he plays club basketball and participates in the campus ministry, CRU. Dylan volunteers weekly with a local organization for adults with disabilities, and his favorite La Jolla meal is an El Jefe burger (with fries) from Jeff’s Beach Burgers.
Dylan’s favorite Bible Verse:
1 Chronicles 16:23-31 “Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.”
CLARA
SunHouse Volunteer Leader
Clara first came to SunHouse as a 7th grade student, and now she leads the next generation of middle school students who she says are “full of energy, have a lot to talk about, and know how to have a lot of fun!” Clara said the best part of being on the leader team is that we get to “have a lot of fun while engaging with students and helping them grow stronger in their faith.”
Clara is a high school student, swimmer, swim instructor, and her favorite SunHouse camp memory is late-night karaoke with McDonalds chicken nuggets.
Clara’s favorite Bible verse:
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”
MAX
SunHouse Volunteer Leader
Max was invited by a friend to go to Wednesday night program as a 6th grader and he’s been involved at SunHouse ever since! Max’s most cherished SunHouse memory is summer camp at Pondo where he opened his heart for Jesus.
When he’s not at SunHouse Max is a student and enjoys spending time at the gym or with friends: his favorite food in La Jolla is a California burrito from Rigoberto’s.
LANDRY
SunHouse Volunteer Leader
SKYLER
SunHouse Volunteer Leader
SUNHOUSE PILLAR SUPPORT TEAM:
KAT PEPPERS
Family Ministries Elder
Kat says that volunteering is a core part of who she is, so she was honored when she was asked to serve as a church elder for family ministries. One of Kat’s favorite experiences with SunHouse is being at camp check-in because “everyone is so excited, enthusiastic, and energized.” Kat loves to see the growth that happens at camps (and especially enjoys the videos produced after camp). When she’s not serving at La Jolla Pres. Kat can be found running, skiing, hiking, mountain biking, teaching at The Evans School, or volunteering with Boy Scouts and La Jolla High School.
ANGELA LANDEN
Family Ministries Elder
Helping get students checked-in for camp is Anglea’s favorite experience of serving at SunHouse; she recalls “the energy of the room and anticipation of things to come!”
When she’s not serving at the church, Angela is usually hanging out with her family, dogs, backpacking, reading, or baking.
JEN MARCHESINI
Family Ministries Committee Member
Jen is a wife, mother, middle school teacher for special education, and an avid “walk-n-talker” with her friends. Jen and her husband, Michael, began teaching Sunday school at La Jolla Pres. 14 years ago and she says that “witnessing the word of Jesus take root in our young Christians is an absolute joy.” Jen is excited for the future of SunHouse where our youth will continue their path with Jesus, as well as spread the word to their generation.
One of Jen’s favorite stories from the Bible is Jesus’ teaching about going after the lost sheep: “I see the ‘lost sheep’ as our younger generation. They need to not only be guided, but also reminded, that they are loved and accepted as they are. SunHouse succeeds in this promise.”
BROOKE PHELPS
Family Ministries Committee Member
Brooke says that youth ministry played a huge role in her walk with Jesus during her high school years. Brooke sees SunHouse as “a place where youth can go to struggle through their questions and be loved through it…they can be challenged in their faith and have a safe place to be cared for.” One of Brooke’s favorite ways to serve on our committee is by helping students check in for camp: “the excitement and nervous buzz of parents is great!”
One of Brooke’s favorite stories from Scripture is the account of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Brooke is a mom and designer, and she says the top spot in La Jolla is Windansea Beach.
JILL OSTROM
Family Ministries Committee Member
Jill serves on our family ministry committee and told us “it is an honor for me to be able to be a part of it and give back for all that SunHouse has poured into my kids over the years.” Jill’s favorite SunHouse memory is of the time she hosted several families to celebrate student baptisms in her backyard pool followed by a taco lunch. “It was so moving to be able to watch those kids express their faith and take a big step in their faith journey that day,” Jill said.
When she’s not at church, you can find Jill backpacking with friends, playing soccer or tennis, taking walks along the coast with her two fluffy goldendoodles, or lounging on her couch surrounded by her family (and lots of popcorn)!
BILL BRENZA
Program Check-In Volunteer
Bill volunteers each Wednesday night at the program check-in station where he has the privilege of greeting and getting to know how the middle school students are doing! Bill’s faith was shaped by his own youth ministry involvement at a Presbyterian church where he remembers pool parties, studying the Bible, camping trips, playing volleyball and dodgeball, and experiencing a very family-oriented community. Bill made lifelong friends during his time as a student at church.
In addition to serving at SunHouse, Bill is involved at La Jolla Pres. in the men’s fellowship group and two men’s Bible study groups. One of Bill’s favorite places in La Jolla is Mandarin House where he says to order the Kung Pao Chicken or Moo Shu Pork with Wor Won Ton Soup.