Our Pastors

A woman with glasses and long brown hair, smiling, wearing a black cardigan over a purple patterned blouse, standing outdoors in front of green plants.

Jessica Strysko

Pastor Jessica is someone who loves to hear and share about God’s grace and God’s call. She is dedicated to discerning God’s active presence in the church and the world community, and therefore is passionate about inter-generational ministry, Christian Education, ecumenical/interfaith dialogue, and social justice.

Senior Pastor

  • Jessica grew up in Yucaipa, California, and was raised in the United Methodist Church there. She developed a deep love for God nurtured in the youth and camping ministries of her church. As a result of these ministries, she first felt God calling her to ministry at age 14, and has been living into this calling ever since.

    Jessica attended the University of Redlands where she studied English Literature and Religious Studies, followed by seminary at Harvard Divinity School. Jessica began her pastoral ministry as an Associate Pastor of First UMC of San Diego in 2012. In 2017, Jessica was involved in the merger of First UMC of San Diego with Point Loma UMC, and planted the Water’s Edge Faith Community in the Ocean Beach neighborhood of San Diego. Jessica came to serve as the senior pastor of Anaheim UMC in 2022. Jessica lives with her husband Tim, their two daughters, and two dogs.

    Feel free to contact Jessica—she loves to meet new people and would love to hear your story!

A middle-aged woman with short brown hair smiling outdoors in front of large green leafy plants and flowers, wearing a mustard yellow jacket and a striped shirt.

I started as the Minister of Children’s Education and Visitation in May of 2015 and love serving Anaheim United.

I am responsible for the care and prayer ministries of Anaheim United.

Diaconal Minister

MJ Buist

  • I started as the Minister of Children’s Education and Visitation in May of 2015 and love serving AUMC. I am currently the Minister of Visitation responsible for visiting our home-centered, leading the Care Team, and assisting in worship.

    I was blessed to publish Lone Falcon in 2019, and published its sequel Lone Choices in 2020. I am currently working on the third book in the Lone series.

    Serving as a Diaconal Minister makes me very proud, being able to follow their mission to bring the love, service, and justice of Christ to the world. Feel free to contact me to find out how we can serve the needs of our congregation and home-centered members together.

Our Staff

  • A smiling man wearing a blue patterned short-sleeve shirt standing outdoors with trees in the background.

    Alex Gilson

    OPERATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS

  • Happy man with dark hair, wearing a maroon polo shirt, standing outdoors at night in front of a tree with green leaves and warm lighting.

    Herman Hope

    MINISTER OF MUSIC

  • Woman with shoulder-length dark hair and earrings, wearing a blue denim jacket, standing in front of a tree with green leaves.

    June Jongeun Lee

    ORGANIST

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing glasses, a teal T-shirt, and layered necklaces, smiling in front of a yellow background.

    Stephanie Alcantar

    FAMILY MINISTRIES COORDINATOR

  • A woman with curly dark hair and light makeup, wearing a black top, smiling against a plain yellow wall.

    Jessica Speaks

    CHIDLREN’S MINISTRIES ASSISTANT

OFFICE VOLUNTEERS

  • An elderly woman with short gray hair and glasses smiling outdoors, wearing a blue plaid shirt with small floral patterns, standing in front of green leafy trees.

    Betsy

    RECEPTIONIST

  • An elderly woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing glasses and a white cardigan over a blue blouse with a small floral pattern, smiling at the camera.

    Jeannine

    RECEPTIONIST

  • An elderly man wearing glasses and a blue checkered shirt smiling outdoors with tropical plants and orange flowers in the background.

    Loren

    ACCOUNTING