ABOUT

A vibrant and multicultural city has moved in around our historic church which was founded in 1883. Located two blocks from downtown El Cajon, we are exploring together how to tangibly live out God’s Realm of love, engage younger generations with the gospel of Christ, and have greater impact on our increasingly diverse neighborhood.

We are committed to cultivating spiritual formation and justice-oriented service as we strive to embody the beloved community God longs the church to be.

OUR MISSION

Grounded in God.

Gathered in Community.

Giving in Love.

OUR VISION

A welcoming refuge where everyone has a seat at Christ’s table.

OUR VALUES

Spiritual Growth, Compassion,

Service, Community

Meet Our Pastor

Reverend Kim Dawsey-Richardson is a third-generation San Diegan, who grew up less than five miles away from the church she now calls home. Kim attended the University of California, Davis, where she double-majored in English and International Relations. Service opportunities in West and East Africa, and Southeast Asia further formed and expanded her path. She worked in refugee resettlement before finishing her Master of Divinity at Bethel Seminary and beginning full-time ministry. For nearly 14 years, she served on the staff of Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church. As Associate Pastor there, Kim crafted creative worship experiences, developed spiritual formation opportunities, led the small group ministry, and reimagined community engagement.

Learning to love and lead in the way of Jesus has been Kim’s greatest adventure. She is delighted to be part of the faith family of First Presbyterian, where she has found authenticity, hospitality, grace, and laughter within the congregation. Fueled by relationships, she enjoys bearing witness to people’s stories and growth. She is passionate about social justice and exploring how the Church can better love their neighbors, including the most vulnerable in our community. Kim also has an avid interest in personality typologies, the wisdom tradition, and human consciousness more broadly.

Kim resides in Normal Heights with her husband Jeremy, their three kids Elliot, Amos, and Avila, and two dogs, Jethro and Stella; the whole family hyphenates (Dawsey-Richardson). Exploring tide pools, roaming Balboa Park, weightlifting, and spending leisurely time with friends and family over one of Jeremy’s home cooked meals are some of her favorite pastimes.

Meet Our Team

Staff

Carlos J. Correa Bernier, D.Min.,Ph.D

Director of Spiritual Formation

correabernier@firstpres-elcajon.org

Dr. Carlos J. Correa Bernier is the youngest in a family of 9 children. He was born and raised in the American territory of Puerto Rico. His degrees include a D.Min. in Family and Couples Therapy specializing in violent behaviors and a Master of Divinity from Northern Seminary in Chicago. He was an American Baptist minister before getting his PhD. in Psychology of Religion (integrative thought and practice).

Carlos' most recent publications include: Toward a Latin American Psychology of Religion: Evolution, Tendencies and Perspectives (Chicago: The Kay Foundation Press, 2016); Hombres Escurridizos: ¿Por qué huyen los hombres de las relaciones significativas? (San Diego: FYI Publications, 2019); and, Dios también usa a los débiles (San Diego: FYI Publications, 2020). As a dedicated community organizer, Carlos has been a leader in the national and international movement for environmental justice and coordinated the publication of the landmark research Toxic Waste and Race at 20 (1987-2007), a revision of the original report published in 1987 by the United Church of Christ Commission on Racial Justice.

Carlos is married to Madeleine Villalobos from Maracaibo, Venezuela. Their many happy activities include nordic walking, swimming, music, reading, and travel. They spend part of each year in their Puerto Rico paradise.

Cindy Graham

Director of Outreach and Operations

outreachandoperations@firstpres-elcajon.org

Cindy Graham began as Director of Outreach and Operations in November 2021. She has been a Session member on-and-off since 2003 serving on both the Christian Education and Administration Committees. Most recently, she administered a grant from CalOES and chaired our Big Mission Planning Group.

Cindy is a San Diego native and has lived in East County almost her entire life. She has an adult daughter and two grandsons. In her early adult life, she taught math and science at Lakeside Middle School for 33 years. After she retired, she felt called to be of greater service to God and our church community. In her free time, Cindy enjoys gardening, playing bridge, fishing with her grandsons, and traveling.

Linsey Wildey

Administrative Assistant

office@firstpres-elcajon.org

Over the years Linsey has served in ministry positions overseas, in the non-profit sector, and at two local churches. One of her greatest passions is facilitating environments where people have the opportunity to listen and respond to God.

In addition to serving at FPCEC she is a spiritual director who works with individuals, teams, and groups supporting them in their emotional and spiritual growth. Linsey was born and raised in San Diego and enjoys singing, watching soccer games, and quiet moments.

Kathleen Bright

Choir Director

choir@firstpres-elcajon.org

Kathleen is a classically trained soprano who has sung in choirs as a section leader, a cantor, and a soprano soloist in several Christian churches and Jewish Synagogues. She is also a Music Director. Before she joined First Presbyterian, she was the Music Director at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Costa Mesa and the choir teacher at St. Michael’s Preparatory High School in Silverado. Her passion has always been sacred music, and she has been featured as the soprano soloist in several works such as Handel’s Messiah, Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Rutter’s Requiem. Kathleen has performed many concert arias including Mozart’s Exsultate, Jubilate as well as concerts of art songs, musical theater, and opera arias. In addition to working in the church musically, she was a parish administrator in the Episcopal Church for over 20 years. One of her greatest joys is working with volunteer church choirs.

Philip Hatcher

Accompanist

accompanist@firstpres-elcajon.org

Philip grew up in El Cajon and attended both Grossmont and Palomar Colleges. He loves serving the community by playing piano and teaching music to marginalized students near the International Border.

In his spare time Philip enjoys local concerts and playing international video games and walking his dogs, Panther and Tiger.

Megan Benjamin

Director of Worship Arts

worshipteam@firstpres-elcajon.org

Hi, my name is Megan Benjamin and I am thrilled to be joining you at First Presbyterian Church of El Cajon as the Director of Worship Arts. I was born and raised in San Diego. Currently, I live in North County with my husband, Peter, and our two beautiful kids, Madi and Danny. We have a full household with our dog Kiwi and cat Kit Kat! I have been serving in ministry for the past fifteen years, with the last five in Escondido as a Contemporary Worship Leader. I have my Masters of Divinity from Bethel Seminary and BA in Communications from Point Loma Nazarene University. I am also under care with the San Diego Presbytery as a candidate in the ordination process . I love reading, hiking, biking, working out at the gym, coloring, and spending quality time with family and friends. I am looking forward to worshiping Jesus together and getting to know each of you!