(Council of Elders, Deacons, Children's Director)
Meet Our Leadership
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Pastor Jojo Ma
Staff Preaching Elder
Jojo was born in 1973 at a U.S. Military Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. His family moved all over the world until finally settling down in Arcadia, California in 1982. Jojo graduated from the University of California Irvine in 1995, then completed his seminary studies in 2000 at the Talbot School of Theology (Biola University). He spent 11 years as a pastor at Evergreen SGV before being called to shepherd CrossLife Community Church, a church plant of FCBC Walnut, in May of 2010. Jojo is an ordained minister in the Southern Baptist Convention.
Jojo is married to his best friend and the love of his life Terry (with the unanimous view that he married "up"); they have 4 children. Jojo’s all-time favorite movie is “The Princess Bride” (it is “inconceivable” that a better movie exists). He enjoys reading, listening to Sovereign Grace music, Andrew Peterson, Norah Jones, and Jack Johnson, playing sports of all sorts, adding Sriracha hot sauce and crushed red peppers to almost everything, cheering on the Washington Redskins, Anaheim Ducks, and the Lakers, but most of all spending time with his family.
Email jojo@crosslifecc.com -
Pastor Justin Chan
Staff Elder
Justin was born in Pasadena, California in 1986. He grew up in Diamond Bar and attended First Chinese Baptist Church of Walnut from a very young age. At Walnut he first heard the gospel and trusted in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Justin graduated college in 2008 at the University of California San Diego and finished his pastoral education in 2012 at the Master's Seminary. After seminary, Justin began attending CrossLife Community Church. He has been pastoring CrossLife since 2014.
Justin is married to his wife and sweetheart Jenn; together they care for and adore their only dog Bella. Justin considers himself blessed to be a part of the CrossLife family. His passion in ministry is to see people transformed by Jesus’ amazing gospel. Justin enjoys drinking coffee and green juice, buying anything from Trader Joe's, listening to 90's music, jumping on the Golden State Warriors' bandwagon, reading the Puritans, and simply being with good company.
Email justin@crosslifecc.com
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Pastor Jeff Clarkson
Elder
Jeff was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley. In 1976 he met, then soon married his loving wife of 41 years, Gloria. Jeff and Gloria have two grown sons, Andrew and Joshua. Jeff came to faith in Christ in the Spring of 1981, has followed Christ and served in various churches in various capacities over the last 36 years.
Jeff and Gloria came to CrossLife in the Summer of 2011, where Jeff has served in various ways since then. He counts it a privilege and a blessing to be given the opportunity to serve CrossLife on the Council of Elders. Jeff and Gloria enjoy spending time together and always look forward to taking the next road trip. Jeff likes various types of folk music, Celtic, Flamenco, Gypsy, Hawaiian, Mexican and old Country music. A favorite pass time of his is watching football and baseball. He also enjoys a good action or spy movie, and eating a big hamburger.
Jeff loves to study the Scriptures, Theology and Church History. He is inspired by the wondrous truths of God’s Sovereign Grace and the many awesome blessings of the New Covenant. His favorite verse is John 17:3 where Jesus said, “This is eternal life, that they may know You the only true God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” His favorite hymns are “Rock of Ages” and “Solid Rock”. Jeff’s desire is to encourage the brethren and his passion is reforming the local church into conformity with the New Testament model.
Email jeff@crosslifecc.com
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Pastor James Mark
ElderJames was born in Hong Kong. His family immigrated before he was a year old, and he's lived in California ever since. After graduating from UCLA (go Bruins!), he spent a year teaching English in Taiwan (he wanted to learn Mandarin, but that's another story). It was there he discovered his love of teaching and has been teaching elementary school in Los Angeles for over 30 years. He has been serving the Lord at CrossLife Community Church since its inception.
James is married to his lovely wife Paula and has 4 sons (what was he thinking?!), ranging from high school age to young adult. He enjoys spending time with his family and traveling. Over the last few years, James has learned the joy of eating (he used to be paper thin) things other than a medium rare steak. He also enjoys sports, epic movies like "Lord of the Rings", "Star Wars", "Star Trek", and reading good books.
Email james@crosslifecc.com
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Pastor Jerry Tom
Elder
Jerry was born in 1965 in Hollywood, California. He graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in 1988 (the year both the Lakers and Dodgers were World Champs!). He began his career in civil engineering working for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, and currently works for Glendale Water and Power. Jerry is a licensed Civil Engineer and Traffic Engineer with the State of California. Jerry is married to the first girl he ever liked at church, his long time friend since high school, his beloved wife Donna. They have 3 children - Gregory, Elisha and Stephen.
As you might have guessed, Jerry is a sports fan and he is the ultimate spectator sports fan who likes watching all kinds of sports like the big three, but cannot play a single sport with any kind of proficiency. As you know, he is a big Dodgers and Lakers fan and is still not yet a recovering Rams fan. He enjoys having a nice meal with family and friends, working out in the gym and listening to some good sermons in the car.
Email jerry@crosslifecc.com
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Joyce Young
Children's DirectorJoyce was born and raised in Southern California and grew up at First Chinese Baptist Church of Fountain Valley. She never thought she'd be a Sunday school teacher. Over the last few years, God has shown her differently AND increased in her heart a desire for kids to really know Him and love Him beyond Sundays.
Email children@crosslifecc.com
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Ryan Kwa
Deacon
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Eric Liu
Deacon
Eric was born in 1965 in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Southern California and after graduating from Cal Poly Pomona, he went on to receive his Master's in Physical Therapy from Children's Hospital of Los Angeles/Chapman University. He currently works at a private practice in Temple City. He was a member at First Chinese Baptist Church of Los Angeles before God led him to CrossLife Community Church.
He is married to his best friend Judy, and they are blessed to share their lives with their daughter Hannah. They also have two four-legged adoptees, Zoe and Buddy. Together, they enjoy hiking, walking and even fit in an occasional run when time and aging bodies permit. Eric loves CrossLife and the church body that God has brought together, and he looks forward to serving them in whatever capacity that he is called.
Email eliu0923@gmail.com
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David Podley
Deacon
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Brad Young
Deacon
Brad was born in Los Angeles, but moved up to Northern California early on and considers Sacramento the town where he ‘grew up’: go Kings!
Brad presently serves as the Safety Team Coordinator and is blessed to be married to Joyce (CLCC’s Children’s Director). Tinkering mechanically with a variety of things seems to have been a life-long constant. He is grateful that his Lord & Savior is willing & able to use even him to any small degree.
Email Bjyoung045@gmail.com
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Ronald Yuan
Deacon
Ronald has lived in Southern California practically all his life. The Lord has blessed him with a beautiful wife Grace, and 2 wonderful children Valerie and Nathaniel. Ronald graduated from USC with a PharmD and has been practicing pharmacy for over 30 years. His leisure time at home consists of tickling the ivory keys and tilling the ground in his backyard by the sweat of his brow. Ronald also enjoys the great outdoors (he’s an Eagle Scout!) and focuses his vacations on hiking and sightseeing around different venues around the world.
In terms of ministry, teaching children in Sunday School, and seeing God’s Word transform hearts, has always been a long term passion and joy. Serving and leading in song-worship is another delight of his heart. One of his favorite hymns is “Make me a Blessing”, which is his desire and prayer as a deacon to those at CrossLife. Since coming to CrossLife, his theme verse has become 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Email ronyuan@yahoo.com