ARCADIA, CA July 5, 2019 – The congregation of the Church of the Good Shephard, United Methodists, in Arcadia is pleased to welcome Reverend Eva Thai-Erwin, Senior Pastor, who will fill the vacancy left by Reverend George Hooper. Reverend Hooper has been reassigned to Huntington Beach Community United Methodist Church.
Although she is of Chinese heritage, Pastor Eva, as she prefers to be called, was born in Vietnam and grew up in Long Beach, California. As a child, she was an active member of Long Beach First United Methodist Church and also attended Buddhist Temple services with her grandparents. However, her love of Biblical Scripture, United Methodist Traditions, the practice of Reason in faith, and her many wonderful church experiences led her to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior while in high school.
Pastor Eva began the Masters of Divinity program at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL, then transferred and completed her degree at Claremont School of Theology. She was commissioned in 2011, ordained Elder in 2014, and began her career at Chinese UMC in Los Angeles as Associate Pastor in 2011 advancing to Senior Pastor in 2015. Pastor Eva’s resume lists extensive youth and young family ministry work, leadership in bible studies, fellowship groups, and church committees along with roles in civic organizations such as the Chinatown Business Improvement District Board, Pacific Alliance Hospital chaplaincy and the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce.
Pastor Eva met her husband, Philip Erwin, while studying at Garrett Seminary. Both Phil and Eva enjoy sampling new and unique restaurants and experimenting with new recipes at home. And, while Eva is an LA Dodgers fan, Phil routes for the Chicago Cubs, making for an interesting baseball season at their house.
Pastor Eva states that she finds inspiration in the words of Christ in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” She will preach her first sermon at the Church of the Good Shephard, on Sunday, July 14. The congregation warmly welcomes members of all faiths to join us as Pastor Eva leads us together to be the light of Christ for the world.