Pastor and Head of Staff
The Rev. Dr. Bryan Franzen
Bryan came to San Jose from Hightstown, New Jersey in January 2012. Bryan received his Master of Divinity with an emphasis in World Christianity from San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, CA and Doctor of Ministry in Gospel and Culture from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA. Bryan has served congregations in California, Illinois, North Carolina, Iowa, and New Jersey in various capacities.
Through his ministry, Bryan’s passion has been issues of justice and inclusion. This passion has taken him on diplomatic missions to South Dakota, China, and Cuba and working missions to Jamaica and Ghana. Bryan has also been involved in advocacy for the LGBT community, special-needs children, and both mentally and physically handicapped adults and children. Bryan’s current concern in our culture is with the need for civility and a faith focused on how we build each other up. He believes that the church should be a place where we welcome all types of families and individuals, young and old. Bryan also knows that the strongest faith comes when people are encouraged to explore and question, be challenged, and ultimately grow in their own understanding and relationship with God.
“I believe that something incredible is starting to happen at Westminster Presbyterian Church, I hope that you can come and be part of it!!!” –Bryan
Through his ministry, Bryan’s passion has been issues of justice and inclusion. This passion has taken him on diplomatic missions to South Dakota, China, and Cuba and working missions to Jamaica and Ghana. Bryan has also been involved in advocacy for the LGBT community, special-needs children, and both mentally and physically handicapped adults and children. Bryan’s current concern in our culture is with the need for civility and a faith focused on how we build each other up. He believes that the church should be a place where we welcome all types of families and individuals, young and old. Bryan also knows that the strongest faith comes when people are encouraged to explore and question, be challenged, and ultimately grow in their own understanding and relationship with God.
“I believe that something incredible is starting to happen at Westminster Presbyterian Church, I hope that you can come and be part of it!!!” –Bryan
Our Leadership Team
The Session
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CLASS OF 2021
Ross Barrons Charles Verrey |
CLASS OF 2022
Claudia Salazar Andrew Marovich Nan Notor |
CLASS OF 2023
Matthew Ross Steve Frost Sebastian Salazar (Youth Elder) |
The Deacons
Care and Mission Outreach
Jennifer Marovich, Judi Schierling, Pam Verrey, Merryle Wiese, Kris Carrerow, Betty Slater, Julia Airpetyan, Susan Hartt, Ron Schuler, Amara Brook, Kai Matsumoto and Galen Brook (Youth Deacon)
The Family Ministry Team
Director of Children and Youth
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Director of Family Ministries
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Revive Staff
Revive Team Leader
Amber Rusara
Amber Rasura grew up in Temple, Texas and began singing in the sixth grade. She attended the University of Texas at the Permian Basin, earning a degree in Music Education and becoming a certified music teacher. Amber found a love for praise music at Temple Bible Church, which she attended from birth until she began university.
Amber enjoys music, teaching voice lessons, and the great outdoors. She is married to Ricky Rasura. Amber is looking forward to worship and fellowship at Westminster Presbyterian!
Amber enjoys music, teaching voice lessons, and the great outdoors. She is married to Ricky Rasura. Amber is looking forward to worship and fellowship at Westminster Presbyterian!
Traditional Worship Music Staff
Music Director
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Accompanist
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A native of Georgia, she has lived many years in Silicon Valley. Mary Anne has a degree in French from Duke University and a Masters in Choral Conducting from San Jose State University. She has conducted adult choirs, children's choirs, and handbell choirs at several area churches. She has also been a regular performer with Camerata California early music performance ensemble in San Jose. Choral music has been Mary Anne's particular passion since childhood. She believes in enabling willing singers to make the best musical offering possible each Sunday in worship. Mary Anne enjoys an eclectic taste in music and loves helping coordinate music with the theme of worship.
Choir Director
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Brad Handshy has lived in San Jose since he was 8 years old, when he had his first piano lesson. He took lessons from the same teacher until age 14, and had enough “chops” by then to play paino for his High School musical, Godspell. When his teacher moved away, Brad decided it would be more fun to be on stage than in the orchestra pit, so he kept his keyboard skills secret so he could sing and dance in shows. In 1990, he moved back into a pianist role at First Baptist Church in Gilroy, and has continued as a church musician ever since.
Still a fan of live entertainment, Brad enjoys a wide spectrum of performing arts. A final bit of trivia is that he has lived in the same townhouse for 36 years.
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