Rev. Dennis M. Laherty
Sr. Pastor

Pastor Laherty's ministry at Emanuel began in February 2005. He previously served congregations in Garden Grove, as well as South Bend, Michigan City and Batesville, Indiana. His first call after seminary was to develop a new mission in Northeast Los Angeles.

While starting at Emanuel in 2005, retirement from the Naval Reserve also occurred after a 20 year career.

Pastor Laherty is married to Phyllis and has four adult children living in various parts of the country.

Rev. Cate Luehr

Associate Pastor

Pastor Cate Luehr recently joined the ministry staff at Emanuel, to become the newest member of this vibrant ministry.

Cate grew up in Northern Minnesota.  In May she graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, and was ordained shortly following graduation. She spent her year-long internship of 2007-2008 in Dana Point at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Prior to entering seminary Pastor Luehr worked as a Director of Educational Ministries in Salem, VA. 

Jonine Sodders
Preschool Director

Jonine Sodders has served as our Preschool Director since 2000. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Cal State Fullerton, and an Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Cerritos College. Working with children in many capacities, she has found her love in the preschool environment.

Jonine is married, with two energetic boys. While not at our preschool, she can be found at the local inline hockey rink cheering for her sons.

Kevin Wiley

Organist/Accompanist

Kevin Wiley has served as the Organist/Accompanist at Emanuel since June 2006. He has served liturgical congregations over the past 20 years. Kevin earned a Master's Degree in Music from Cal State Fullerton in 1989 with an emphasis in Keyboard and Vocal Performance. Since 1989 he has been a member of the staff at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA where he serves as Full-time Staff Accompanist and Music Librarian. In recent years Kevin has performed with the chorus of Opera Pacific in Costa Mesa as well as the Pacific Chorale. He is a member of the American Guild of Organists and the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity.

Stephanie Young

Director of Choirs

Stephanie joined the music staff at Emanuel in August 2006 and serves as the Director of Choirs. Stephanie received her Master of Music degree at Cal State Fullerton in May 2007.  Stephanie studied voice as an undergraduate at the University of Oregon as well as a graduate student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. In addition to being a full-time student and serving Emanuel with her talents, Stephanie also offers private voice lessons to students in Irvine, CA. She performs in a couple of operas each year at Cal State. Stephanie is a member of Music Teacher's Association of California as well as Mu Phi Epsilon.