Our Team

Ouk-Yean earned her B.A. from Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea and her Master of Divinity degree from Garrett Theological Evangelical Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. She was ordained in the Northern Illinois Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and served churches in Elgin, Libertyville, Tinley Park, and Arlington Heights before moving to California in 2017 to live close to her daughter and her family. She served Campbell UMC for 7 years before becoming our senior pastor in July, 2024. Her ordained ministry also includes serving as the Superintendent of the Rockford District in the NIC.

As a seasoned United Methodist Elder, Ouk-Yean enjoys all aspects of ministry, while always seeking to know and do what God wills her to accomplish at Asbury and empowering the staff and laity for God’s kindom building work in the church community and the world. She believes ministry is all about partnership between the clergy and the laity.

Ouk-Yean and her husband, Steve, have two children and four grandchildren: Hanna and Tarek Sultani and their children, Gabriel and Olivia, in Danville; Joseph and Samantha Jueng and their children, Astrid and Winston in Pennington, New Jersey.

Originally from Tennessee, Jordan's interest in ministry began as earned her B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from Lee University. Her studies continued at Yale Divinity School, where she completed her Master of Divinity degree. At Yale, she focused on theology, community building, and pastoral care.

Jordan is also interested in the intersections of innovation and faith, holding a certificate in Spiritual Entrepreneurship from the Glean Network and Venture for All Program at Columbia Business School. When she isn't studying or working, you will find Jordan enjoying poetry, friendships, and time outdoors with her dog Tuck.

Valuing both work and play, she approaches her work at Asbury with enthusiasm, creativity, and authenticity. 

Rev. Heather Leslie Hammer was an active congregational member at Asbury for many years before going to seminary and becoming a second-career pastor. She served several churches in the California-Nevada Conference, and now is back at Asbury in retirement.

Heather enjoys preaching, planning worship, teaching, and talking with people one-on-one. Her husband Jim works at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory as a physicist, and they have two children, Leslie and Sepp.

Martina moved to Livermore from Washington state with her family and they are loving the people and sunshine! She was drawn to Asbury because of the commitment to community development and welcoming people of all backgrounds.

Martina's favorite part of her job is that no two days are the same and she gets to meet new people every day. When she is not working, she loves to travel and explore local restaurants.

Ruth Hawley is our Facilities Manager for the Asbury campus. She coordinates requests for use of any of the facilities, including the Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, Conference Room and classrooms.  If you have questions about using our facilities please contact her at the number below.

Ruth has lived in Livermore since 1984. She spent 33 years working at LLNL before retiring. She has attended Asbury since 1986, and has been active in many committees and volunteer roles at Asbury UMC since then. She joined the staff in 2020. Ruth has three grown children and several pets, and enjoys gardening, walking, reading, movies and yoga in her spare time.

We have been at Asbury for almost two years after moving to Livermore from Corvallis, Oregon. I’ve been married to my wonderful husband Matt for 10 years this December. We have two amazing spirited daughters who keep us busy and full of joy.

I graduated from Oregon State University with degrees in Animal Science and Teaching. Prior to moving here I spent 7 years teaching in public education. I've been involved in children's ministry since 2012 and I'm excited to step into the interim role of Children’s Ministry Director. I can’t wait to help our children grow in their faith and have fun learning about God together! 

Jean Braun moved to Livermore from Madison, Wisconsin with her new husband in 1984. She and Dave joined Asbury in February 1985 after discovering this active, musical community. Asbury was instrumental in providing a home-away-from–home for these two Midwesterners and their two daughters, now adults, living and working in San Jose.

Jean directs Rainbow Choir (Grades 3-5), Faith Choir (adults) and recruits volunteers to provide vocal and instrumental music throughout the year. Her passions are teaching music, baking, and eating and distributing chocolate at every opportunity.

Fernanda Van Atta joined the Asbury staff in June 2020 as the organist and handbell choir director.

Fernanda holds a B.A. in music education and viola performance and performs regularly with several local orchestras. She is a member of the professional handbell ensemble Sonos and has substituted for various community and church handbell ensembles across the Bay Area. Prior to Asbury, Fernanda worked for Lutheran Music Program as a musician and administrator.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing with her dog, and making the occasional craft. 

G. Allen Schell has the distinction of being not only the oldest staff member, he also has been at Asbury since 1963, the longest of any staff. He received his Music degree (piano) in 1956 and studied organ privately, and still does. He began accompanying choirs when a student and has directed since 1960.

In 1973, he and his wife participated in a seven-week concert tour of southern Germany, which expanded his life-long love of the organ. He began playing electric keyboard with Asbury’s Band in 1994, which, while a challenge, has also been a growth experience. In each new musical adventure, he has found an opportunity to expand his service to the Church.