Our Pastors
Pastor and Head of Staff
Rev. Dr. Bryan Franzen
The Rev. Dr. Bryan J. Franzen is a pastor, community leader, and advocate whose ministry centers on justice, inclusion, and thoughtful engagement with faith in public life. He has served as Pastor and Head of Staff of Westminster Presbyterian Church in San Jose, California, since January 2012. Prior to his call at Westminster, he ministered in congregations across California, Illinois, North Carolina, Iowa, and New Jersey.
Dr. Franzen holds a Master of Divinity with an emphasis in World Christianity from San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry in Gospel and Culture from Columbia Theological Seminary. His doctoral work focused on transforming congregational discourse through mutual storytelling, respect, and deeper communal understanding.
Throughout his ministry, Dr. Franzen has been deeply committed to social justice and inclusion. He has worked alongside and advocated for the LGBTQ+ community, supported children with special needs, and championed accessibility and dignity for people with mental and physical disabilities of all ages.
His justice-oriented leadership has extended beyond congregational ministry into both domestic and international engagement. This work has included diplomatic missions to South Dakota, China, and Cuba, as well as service-focused mission experiences in Jamaica and Ghana.
Since arriving in San Jose, Dr. Franzen has played an active role in civic life. He has provided leadership and service through People Acting in Community Together (PACT) and serves as a commissioner on the Santa Clara County Human Rights Commission, where he has also served as Chair. He is also a founding member of the Silicon Valley Faith Leaders Collaborative
Dr. Franzen has been deeply involved in neighborhood and business associations. In addition, he has served as chairperson of the Rose, White, and Blue Parade, San Jose’s long-standing Fourth of July celebration honoring the city’s diverse civic community.
At the denominational level, Dr. Franzen has served as a Commissioner to multiple General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), contributed to presbytery leadership, and participated in ecumenical peace initiatives.
Dr. Franzen believes the church should be a place where people are welcomed, challenged, and encouraged to grow. He describes faith as strongest when individuals are invited to explore, question, and deepen their understanding in community. Outside of ministry, he enjoys spending time outdoors, camping, swimming, walking his dog, and sharing conversation and adventure with friends
Dr. Franzen holds a Master of Divinity with an emphasis in World Christianity from San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry in Gospel and Culture from Columbia Theological Seminary. His doctoral work focused on transforming congregational discourse through mutual storytelling, respect, and deeper communal understanding.
Throughout his ministry, Dr. Franzen has been deeply committed to social justice and inclusion. He has worked alongside and advocated for the LGBTQ+ community, supported children with special needs, and championed accessibility and dignity for people with mental and physical disabilities of all ages.
His justice-oriented leadership has extended beyond congregational ministry into both domestic and international engagement. This work has included diplomatic missions to South Dakota, China, and Cuba, as well as service-focused mission experiences in Jamaica and Ghana.
Since arriving in San Jose, Dr. Franzen has played an active role in civic life. He has provided leadership and service through People Acting in Community Together (PACT) and serves as a commissioner on the Santa Clara County Human Rights Commission, where he has also served as Chair. He is also a founding member of the Silicon Valley Faith Leaders Collaborative
Dr. Franzen has been deeply involved in neighborhood and business associations. In addition, he has served as chairperson of the Rose, White, and Blue Parade, San Jose’s long-standing Fourth of July celebration honoring the city’s diverse civic community.
At the denominational level, Dr. Franzen has served as a Commissioner to multiple General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), contributed to presbytery leadership, and participated in ecumenical peace initiatives.
Dr. Franzen believes the church should be a place where people are welcomed, challenged, and encouraged to grow. He describes faith as strongest when individuals are invited to explore, question, and deepen their understanding in community. Outside of ministry, he enjoys spending time outdoors, camping, swimming, walking his dog, and sharing conversation and adventure with friends
Associate Pastor
Rev. Neneth Ross
Neneth received her Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, while balancing her full-time job as an elementary public-school teacher and serving in a local church. She has been a teacher for about 20 years and has taught grades K-5th. She has led Social Emotional Learning workshops for teachers and staff and directed school musicals from grades K-5th. Working with a diverse group of students and their families has helped her to serve in different cultural, traditional, socio-economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
Neneth views ministry as part of daily life. Her deep desire is to guide others in their faith, and to share the love of God with others. Her passion is to share the good news and God’s transformational power to change people’s lives for the better. This desire led her to serve unhoused individuals and families, partner with various local organizations to help communities in need and set up international mission’s programs. Neneth created an academic summer program at Westminster Presbyterian Church called Gear Up while serving as the Director of Family Ministries, designed for at risk elementary school aged children to prepare them for the in-coming school year. Neneth enjoys traveling, reading, and crafting. She is married and has two kids. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two kids, and their pet dog Prince.
Neneth views ministry as part of daily life. Her deep desire is to guide others in their faith, and to share the love of God with others. Her passion is to share the good news and God’s transformational power to change people’s lives for the better. This desire led her to serve unhoused individuals and families, partner with various local organizations to help communities in need and set up international mission’s programs. Neneth created an academic summer program at Westminster Presbyterian Church called Gear Up while serving as the Director of Family Ministries, designed for at risk elementary school aged children to prepare them for the in-coming school year. Neneth enjoys traveling, reading, and crafting. She is married and has two kids. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two kids, and their pet dog Prince.
Our Leadership Team
The Session
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CLASS OF 2024
Claudia Salazar Pat DeWhitt |
CLASS OF 2025
Ross Barrons Kristina Musgrave |
CLASS OF 2026
Steve Frost Bernard Cabanayan Sebastian Salazar (Youth Elder) |
The Deacons
Care and Mission Outreach
Jennifer Marovich, Judi Schierling, Ann Kilty, Meryl Weiss, Julia Airpetyan, Susan Hartt, Ron Schuler,
Our Staff
Director of Youth and Young Adults Ministries
Claudia Sanborn
Claudia has been serving as a youth leader and youth administrator for 8 years at various churches in San Jose. She grew up in San Jose and graduated in 2020 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts from San Jose State University. She continues her art practice in her spare time, focusing on playing with color in her paintings. With her creative passions, her love for Youth ministry, and her heart to encourage others to walk in God’s love, she is more than excited to be a part of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She also loves to travel and is always looking for friends to hike, walk, or run with!
Worship Music Staff
Music Director
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Accompanists
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