My name is Dr. David L. Smith, Pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church and School Administrator of Gethsemane Baptist Christian School (GBCS). I attended Bob Jones University and graduated with a BA degree. I also attended BIOLA University and graduated with a BA in Bible and Physical Education. I was named to a college selection basketball team and played in the Orient and the South Pacific against national and Olympic teams. I earned a life-time teaching credential from San Jose State University for the state of California. I am also currently, once a week, teaching college students at Golden State College in Santa Clara. I have taught and coached in both public and Christian schools and have served as a School Administrator. I helped found the Berean Baptist Christian School in Rockford, IL and served as an Associate Pastor for four years at the Berean Baptist Church of Rockford, IL. I married my beautiful wife, Jill in 1970 and we have two grown sons, Paul and Mark, both living in California. I am depending heavily on a very dedicated faculty and staff in challenging them to give their best in providing a Christian education for the children of families that choose to enroll in GBCS. We may not be the biggest, but by God’s grace we will provide the best we possibly can for each student. That means we are committed to having students who know attendance at our school is a privilege and not a right and are here with a spirit to learn and to have fun while doing it for God’s glory!

My name is AuraLina Lopez and I am the 1st and 2nd grade teacher. I graduated from Pacific Coast Baptist College in 1998 with a B.A. in Christian Education. I also have 19 E.C.E. units from Cerritos College. I have been teaching for ten years. For the past two years, I successfully started and operated my own private tutoring agency. My home church is Gethsemane Baptist Church and I have been here for four years. In those four years I have faithfully served in AWANA, Sunday School and Nursery. It is my pleasure to be teaching your child. Since communication is my goal the agendas will be a great way to communicate (as well as E-mail). Please be sure to check your child's agenda on a daily basis. The agendas will contain your child's assignments, class activities, school memos, and notes from me. I will be checking the agendas on a daily basis. If by chance you need to contact me quickly, please feel free to call me at 562.422.4206. Thank you for the privilege of teaching your child.

I am Mrs. Michelle Murphy. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1991. My husband and I moved to California from Indiana during the summer of 1991, and I began teaching that fall. I continued teaching for 15 years. I've been at Gethsemane Baptist Christian School since the fall of 2000. This year I am the school secretary. What a privilege it is to be involved in Christian education. Please feel free to email or call me with any questions or concerns you may have. I'm looking forward to a great year.

I graduated from Hyles-Anderson College with a B.A. in secondary education. I have been teaching at Gethsemane Baptist Christian School for the past 12 years since 1993. I have had the privilege of teaching 1st grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, Jr. High English, High School math, Home Economics, Music, and Drama. It has been a joy serving the Lord here in Southern California, my native home state. My hobbies include volleyball, swimming and music. Three of our four children graduated from Gethsemane Baptist Christian School (GBCS) and our youngest is currently a senior here at GBCS. My prayer is that all the young people that I teach will go on to serve our Lord.

I graduated from Hyles-Anderson College in 1990. In 1991 my wife and I left Indiana and ventured out to California to go into full-time ministry. Not only have I served as an Assistant Pastor, but I have also taught in the ministry of Christian school education for the past 14 years. I came to Gethsemane Baptist Church in the year 2000, and have thoroughly loved being a part of both the church and the school. I have the privilege to be the Learning Center Supervisor overseeing students in the 7th-12th grade. As the students work in their paces by setting goals, it not only teaches them character and responsibility, but also prepares them for life. I want to be a help to the students in their walk with the Lord, their preparation for the future, and for their education. If there are any questions that you have about your child, the curriculum, or if there is anything I can do for you, please feel free to contact me at the church or through email.

My name is Doug Weldon and I was born at an early age in Atlanta, Georgia. I am thankful to have godly parents and a Christian heritage (something I wish for all our students). My formal Christian education was from Hyles-Anderson College where I received a Bachelor and Master's degree. Of my twenty-six years teaching in Christian schools, sixteen have been here at GBCS. Most of that time, I have also served as Assistant Pastor. I currently lead Men's Ministries at Gethsemane Baptist Church. My school responsibilities include teaching computer to the First through Twelfth grades, teaching P.E. and Science to the Elementary, and producing and financing the school yearbook.

 

 

I came out to California in 2002 from a small town in Illinois to attend Golden State Baptist College. I majored in Pastoral Theology and graduated in May 2006. One month after graduation, I got married, and less than one month after that, we moved to Long Beach and came on staff. It is such a privilege to be here at Gethsemane Baptist Church and School. We love this place! It is such a joy to serve the Lord! Along with being Youth Pastor of the church and Athletic Director of the school, I also teach Bible class and Physical Education. I look forward to investing my time and energy into your child. If I can ever do anything to help, please call me at (562) 422-4206 ext. 106.

What a privilege it is to teach 3rd and 4th grade at GBCS! Having been raised in a pastor's home and attended a Christian school most of my life, I truly appreciate the value of a Christian education. I grew up in Napa, CA, and graduated from Golden State Baptist College in Santa Clara, CA. There I met my wonderful husband who I married in June 2006. Teaching has been a wonderful challenge. I look forward to exciting days in the future.

 

My name is Zaigra Martinez. I was born and raised in Los Angeles. After graduating from Golden State Baptist College in 2007, I became part of the ministry of GBCS. I am teaching K4/K5. It is a privilege to work under the ministry of Pastor Smith. I love my students and am delighted to be part of their lives.

 

I was born and raised in Los Angeles and had the privilege of growing up in a Godly Christian home. Though I was not able to assist in a Christian school environment until now, I understand the importance of a Christian education. After graduating from Montecito Christian High School, I moved to Northern California to attend Golden State Baptist College. I graduated in May, 2007 and moved to Long beach in August. It has been a delight and blessing teaching the 5th and 6th graders here at Gethsemane Baptist Christian School.