What’s the message for the next Witness Sunday?
April 2 (Palm Sunday)
Matthew 21:1-11
Sermon Title: “Encountering Jesus: In Unexpected Places”
As we enter into Holy Week, we continue the Encountering Jesus series with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. No one expected a king to ride in on a donkey or a colt. It doesn’t sound very triumphant. Jesus often enters in unexpected places and ways, and we ask the same question the city was asking, “Who is this?” By the end of the week, we will know who Jesus is and why he is triumphant.
More about our Senior Pastor, Greg Batson
The Reverend Greg Batson began serving as Senior Pastor of Foothills UMC in La Mesa, CA on July 1, 2017. His previous appointments include serving as the President and CEO of the California-Pacific United Methodist Foundation in Pasadena, CA (2013-2017), Senior Pastor of Aldersgate UMC in Tustin, CA (2009-2013), Senior Pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Burbank, CA (2004 – 2009), and as an Associate Pastor at the First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica, CA (2000-2004).
A native of Greene County, Georgia, Rev. Batson grew up in a small, rural community between Atlanta and Augusta. He received his Bachelor of Arts in English and Economics in 1986 from Emory University in Atlanta. He then began an eleven year career as a corporate banker with SunTrust Banks in Nashville, TN and The Bank of New York in New York City. In 1997, he decided to follow his call to ordained ministry and returned to school. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City in 2000, and then moved to Southern California with his family to begin his ministry.
Rev. Batson is married to Tania Trotter Batson. A native Californian, Tania grew up in Nashville, TN. She also graduated from Emory University where she and Greg met. Tania has worked professionally as a classical soprano and more recently as Director of Special Events and Major Gifts for Pacific Symphony in Orange County. They have three sons: Thomas, Daniel and Wesley. The family enjoys travel, camping, playing and watching sports, performing in theatrical productions, and serving their church and community together.
More about our Associate Pastor, Kristie Grimaud
The Reverend Kristie Grimaud served as Pastor of Chapel of the Hills UMC in Descanso for three years. Pastor Kristie previously served in children’s, youth and family ministry at St. Paul’s UMC in Coronado for five years before answering her call to ordained ministry. She received her Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology in 2017. Pastor Kristie also received her Master of Arts in Writing from Oklahoma City University in 2001 and was an adjunct professor at several community colleges in Oklahoma.
From Birmingham, Alabama, Pastor Kristie met her husband, Andy, a native San Diegan, in Oklahoma City when he was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base. After his Air Force career, the family moved to the San Diego area. Andy is a Project Engineer at a local aerospace company in Poway. They have three sons: Micah, Cameron and Logan.