FX Team Member Profile: Bob Kuhlmann

Bob Kuhlmann, our faithful leader, is the focus of this month’s FX profile. Bob is one of the founding members of FX, recruited by Reverend Derek to integrate contemporary praise and worship into Faith UMC’s services. As FX grew, so did Bob’s responsibilities; today they range from planning, multimedia, leadership, development, website publisher, advisor, recruiter, music director, just to name a few. Through Bob’s guidance and care FX has grown and flourished, and under his leadership FX is sound and solid as a rock, destined for more success. April 9^th marks the third anniversary of FX and we thank God for placing Bob in our midst to lead us into another fruitful and prosperous year. Job well done, my brother!

 

 

How did you come to Faith?

In early 2002, my wife’s cousin was visiting from Fresno and planned to attend services at Faith to meet Rev. Keith Inouye, who at the time was preparing for his transfer to their church, UJCC in Clovis. They invited us to join them and we’ve been attending regularly since then.  Our family was baptized and became members later that fall and is very active within the Faith community. We are so blessed that God has guided us into this community!

 

How long have you been a part of the FX ministry?

Since the ministry began in the fall of 2005, when Rev. Derek Nakano invited us to develop a team focused on incorporating a vision of contemporary worship into the life of Faith UMC. This ministry has evolved significantly since those early days. 

 

How long have you been involved in music?

I’ve been playing guitar since grade school and spent many years performing with various bands, making the move from St. Louis (my hometown) to Los Angeles in 1985 to pursue a music career.  In the last 10 years I’ve released two CD’s of original music and as time permits, I still get the opportunity to write, record and perform live.

 

What other ministries or Church activities have you been involved in?

Along with coordinating the FX ministry, and being part of Faith’s pit band The Devotion Band, I serve on a variety of committees including Staff Parish Relations and the newly formed Online Ministry Task Force. I am also a certified local church lay speaker and served as an at-large member of the Administrative Council for several years. 

 

What is your favorite Christian song?

As a singer/songwriter, and someone who spent many years in the music industry, it is hard for me to point to favorite songs, either Christian or secular.  However, God speaks to me through music and the songs that I have heard His voice the strongest would be Los Lonely Boys’ Heaven and Here I Am to Worship by Tim Hughes. Both songs are important guideposts in my faith walk.

 

What is your favorite Scripture?

When I was a kid, it was Matthew 6:27-29: 27 “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”  As I have been studying Scripture more and more recently, I have found several that I would consider favorites. But if I had to choose only one, today it is Philippians 3:14: “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

 

What is your greatest passion?

It has to be music – especially when leading and participating in worship. 

 

How has the Lord touched your life recently?

I really have been touched and inspired by seeing God work through the Faith community to impact others outside our church: through the Shared Bread program; through the way FX serves servant leaders from other congregations; through our mission team’s selfless service.  I also am witnessing the spiritual renewal within our congregation through the growing passion for our youth ministries and the expanding Ohana groups. This all drives me to find more ways for me to serve.

 

What Christian goal do you hope to achieve within the next year?

A recent recurring theme here at Faith is deeper and farther, and my goal this year would be to move deeper and go farther with a focus on a commitment of daily prayer and Scripture reading, as well as find more opportunities to serve both our church and outside the walls of Faith.

 

FX Team Member Profile: Joy K

How did you come to Faith UMC?

I came to Faith when my mom passed away 4 1/2 years ago.  She wanted her service to be at Faith even though we weren’t attending there at the time.

How long have you been a member at Faith?

I’ve been attending Faith for 4 1/2 years.  I don’t remember the exact date when I became an actual member.

Do you have family members who regularly attend Faith?
No, I don’t have any family members that regularly attend Faith.

How long have you been a part of the FX ministry?

I’ve been a part of the FX ministry since its beginning.  Is that 2 years now?

What other ministries or Church activities have you been involved in?

I’m currently serving on the Evangelism committee and have taught at Day Camp for the past 3 years.

What is your favorite Christian song?

My favorite Christian song is “Unfailing Love“.  (Thanks to Amos who introduced me to the song!)

What is your favorite Scripture?

My favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13. (“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”)

How has the Lord touched your life recently?

The Lord has touched my life recently by helping me get through this surgery experience.  It gets

depressing at times because my mobility is so limited.  I just keep praying for His healing power.

What Christian goal do you hope to achieve within the next year?

The Christian goal I hope to achieve within the next year is to fully surrender my life to God.  At times, I try to hold onto the control but I know if I “let go and let God,” life would be so much sweeter!

Family History

I was born in Los Angeles, CA and moved to the South Bay when I was 5.  I have 1 sister, Janis, who’s 6 years younger than me.  I’m single.  I currently live in Redondo Beach.  I’m currently the Math/Science/Aerospace Magnet Coordinator at Orville Wright Middle/Magnet School.  My hobbies include reading, traveling, and rubber stamping.  I love to be out in nature where I can feel God’s presence more deeply.  I love a good meal and enjoy listening to music by Keali’i Reichel.

FX Team Member Profile: Amos

As FX plants its Summer Roots and prepares the Good Soil for our fall season, we want to reap the rewards of our harvest through an in depth look at our FX Ministry Team. Over the course of the next few months, each individual member of FX will be featured and profiled by personally sharing their Faith & Experience. It is our greatest desire to lead you deeper and farther in your Faith, and as you walk in our footsteps may our minds find a commonality, our hearts meld together and our souls ignite a flame that will help draw us closer to our Lord God.

And now, in his own words, we would like to introduce to you Amos

How did you come to Faith UMC?

“I first started going to Faith I think almost at the end of May 2005 when Gardena First UMC merged with Faith UMC. It was really different compared to the church that I attended when I was still in Philippines. My mom was actually a member of Gardena First. I don’t know any church yet aside from Gardena First and FUMC that time. But I am glad because I became a part of this church.”

How long have you been a member at Faith?

“I’ve been a member for 2 years now. But I’ve been attending Faith since May 2005. I am so happy that I am part of this church my new home.”

Do you have family members who regularly attend Faith?

”Yes, my mom, my dad, my brother and his family.”

How long have you been a part of the FX ministry?

“It’s been 2 years now. I feel so blessed to be a part of this ministry. I am so thankful to God because this ministry is growing and I am sure a lot of exciting things will happen because God is leading us towards a new life. HIS works are so awesome that I myself can’t express how great HE is.”

What other ministries or Church activities have you been involved in?

“Aside from FX and music ministry, I also got involved in Alpha Omega Ministry, a college age group here at Faith which gave me the opportunity to experience spiritual growth and exploration of faith by means of bible study, retreats, community outreach and a whole lot more. I also got involved in Drama Ministry, which is for me a bit strange because it was my first time in acting but I had the opportunity to be Jesus in Godspell.”

What is your favorite Christian song?

“Oh well, I have a lot of favorite Christian songs. But for now, I will say the song “Can’t Get Away” by Rush of Fools. This song really inspires me especially when I sing at church. Because sometimes I tend to hit the wrong note or I am not that confident enough of that certain song that I am singing. Then I ask my self what keeps me coming back to sing for Christ and in front people even If I made those mistakes over and over again? Then I realized, it is because no matter what I do, I can’t get away of God’s unfailing love, mercy, understanding and forgiveness. I praise God for the gift of music that He has given me and that I was able to use it by being involved at the FX and Faith’s Music Ministry and share it with other people for His glory.”

What is your favorite Scripture?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE shall direct your path.”

What is your greatest passion?

“I love singing. It helps me express my self more and this is also my way of giving back the talent that God has given me through music.”

How has the Lord touched your life recently?

“These past few months I was I really frustrated with some issues in my life. I was worrying about so many things and I ended up feeling uncertain on what will happen to my future. One day I opened my bible and it was a bit strange because I saw the FX’s flyer saying “ Surrendering Your Future” so I searched the bible and looked for something that  has to do with the future. But before I searched the bible, I prayed first and really asked God’s presence to be with me as I read my bible and also asked HIS help to make me understand what is in the bible and that I may not worry too much on what will happen to my future. So all in all, I totally surrendered my worries and of course my future to him. Jeremiah 29:12-14 really hit me. Because if you read it, The words that was written was exactly the one I did before I opened the scripture and I felt so good and said, Wow! God is speaking to me. I prayed again and gave back all my praise to Him.”

What Christian goal do you hope to achieve within the next year?

“To be able to develop my passion for singing and be able to write more inspirational Christian songs and also to learn the keyboards and use all that I know and the things that I will be learning in music for God’s glory.

Family History

“I was born in Olongapo City Philippines and lived there for 9 years then we moved to Baguio City Philippines in 1994 where I spent my elementary, high school and college years.  I have 7 siblings, 2 here in the United States, 4 left in the Philippines and one currently working in Dubai. I am currently single and working as a freight forwarder near LAX airport. I moved here in the United States before I turned 21 and I am currently living here in Torrance, CA. I’ve been here in the United States for 3 years now and I can say that I am really blessed, especially having a church family like Faith. Being involved in some of Faith’s ministries helped me draw myself closer to God and helped me develop my self confidence and was able try things that I thought I couldn’t do.   My life has changed when I joined this church and I can say that the FX Ministry is a big part of that change.  On April 9, 2006 was the day when my baptism was reaffirmed and I was officially announced as a member of Faith UMC. That same day is also the first Contemporary Worship we had at our Church so it was really memorable. Aside from singing, I also love dancing, writing songs, and acting. I had a great time too during “Godspell” as I played Jesus. This year, we will have another production called “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” and I am looking forward to being a part of that production and have a different role this time. I praise and thank God because I currently got admitted at Musicians Institute where in I will be taking Associate of Arts in Performance (Voice) and I will also be adding Audio Engineering Program or Music Business Program so I am really excited to go back to school.”

My Brother Amos, you are truly a Blessing to Faith and we are so privileged to be graced with your shining spirit and talented gifts. Thank you for your dedication and inspiration to the FX Ministry and to our Church, we are so fortunate to have you as a part of our Ohana. May the Lord Bless you as you venture on your new journey at the Musicians Institute and Best Wishes for all the success your future holds.