Staff and Officers
Rev. Paulo Gustavo França, Pastor
Rev. Paulo Gustavo França was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where, at the age of 14, he became active in the Presbyterian Church. He remained involved with the church throughout his college years focusing on youth and young adult ministries. He organized and participated in mission trips throughout Brazil, cross-cultural ministries to Native Brazilians, taught English to low-income children, and served as interpreter for North American missionaries in the poverty-stricken communities of Rio de Janeiro. He speaks Portuguese, English and Spanish.
Rev. Paulo Gustavo França has worked with the Richmond AIDS Ministry in Richmond, Virginia; the Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia; and with Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsville, Virginia. He also served at the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago as a recipient of a grant given by the Lily Foundation to promising young pastors. After his ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2001, Rev. França served Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Rio de Janeiro; Igreja Presbiteriana de Conrado in Conrado, Brazil, and at the Fairmount Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Rev. Paulo Gustavo França brings to Christ Church vast experience in congregational care, mission and community service, evangelism, Christian education and ministry for youth and adults, church administration, stewardship, preaching, and spiritual formation.
As a minister of Word and Sacrament, Rev. França has actively sought work in churches that celebrate the fellowship of friends and hospitality to strangers, that speak for the poor and alienated, and that affirm the sacramental essence of life. He believes that Christ Church provides a safe and sacred social space and a loving and nurturing environment where people from all walks of life are welcome to worship God and hear Christ’s message of hope, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Arlene Hayn, Administrative Assistant
Sunnie Hikawa, Music Director
Fran Walker, organist
Hue Jeong Jang, organist
Pedro Ulate, Custodian
Elaine Kaneshiro & Russell Katahira, Co-Moderators
Lois Shikami , Council Clerk
Fay Kadowaki, Treasurer
