Meet the Staff
Lou Paradise
Interim Pastor pastor@fpchanford.org Rev. Lou Paradise was born in Moline, Illinois. His third birthday was in California and attended La Cañada Schools (think JPL bedroom community) kindergarten through High School. Lou became a member of the La Cañada Presbyterian church at the age of fourteen. Under the care, guidance and employment of the church following High School, Lou attended the University of Dubuque in Iowa, Westmont College in Montecito, California, Fuller Seminary in Pasadena and Dubuque Theological Seminary. During these times Lou served in various positions from gardener to Junior High youth pastor. In 1972 Christi and he were married in the La Cañada Church. Spring of 1974 and through the summer of ’75 Lou served as an intern in the Northminster Presbyterian Church in San Diego. While finishing seminary in Iowa Lou was a student pastor in a yoked parish, Scales Mound & Apple River, Illinois. Following seminary Lou served as Associate Pastor in Mesa, Arizona, and Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Coalinga – for seventeen years! With the new millennium Lou and Christi moved to Fresno where Christi served in Infection Control at Saint Agnes Hospital. Lou’s new career was househusband officially, but interim ministry called. Over the past twenty years Lou has served nine congregations with FPC Hanford becoming the tenth. In addition, other specialty projects have been completed including a term as Stated Clerk of the Presbytery. In 2019 Christi retired as Director of Infectious Disease Prevention at Saint Agnes. In 2020 Rev. Lou retired officially and together they look forward to visiting their four children and spouses (Oklahoma, Colorado, Washington and Clovis, California) as well as the ten grandchildren. Lou and Christi are both excited to see how God unfolds the ministry at FPC Hanford so that the future will be fruitful and abundant for God’s Kingdom in the Central Valley. |
Sheri Winterowd
Director of Children & Youth Ministries fpchanford.youth@gmail.com Sheri Winterowd has a love for Jesus and kids and is super excited to be serving First Presbyterian at this time in the life of our Church. After nearly losing her husband to a heart attack and stroke in 2019, she is even more passionate to share the truths that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and We serve an Amazing God. Sheri has worked in youth and children's ministry for the last three decades, and has enjoyed serving in various volunteer positions here at First Presbyterian since 2004. Sheri graduated from Biola University with a BA in Communication and Minor in Bible. She delights in her roles of wife to Tony and mother to Bryce, Braden and Brooke, daughter, sister and friend. She loves to sing, drink tea, take daily walks, make tasty food, travel, read and enjoy time in nature. . |
Gwendolyn Smith
Bookkeeper bookkeeper@fpchanford.org Gwendolyn was born and raised in Hanford in a Christian household. She attended college at UC Davis earning a BA in Economics. Gwendolyn lived several years in Grand Forks, ND and moved back to California to assist her parents in the family business. She has one teenage son, Justin. Gwendolyn enjoys life and helping others. She is a licensed life insurance agent selling final expense insurance. |
Annette Rajskup
Office Administrator office@fpchanford.org Annette Rajskup is a wife, and mother of two terrific children. She enjoys activities with her family and manages her own photography business. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 |
Nancy Roller
Custodian |