Meet the Staff

Rev. Dr. Matthew Colwell - Pastor

Matthew Colwell became pastor of Knox Presbyterian Church in October of 2007. Before coming to Knox, Matthew served for five years as Associate Pastor for Education and Family Life at the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich, Connecticut, where he also chaired the Social Justice Committee of the Presbytery of Southern New England. In addition to working in youth ministry for years in various Southern California churches, Matthew has been an automobile mechanic, he has served as a Program Partner for Bartimaeus Cooperative Ministries, and he has been on the Working Group of Yale University's Center for Faith and Culture. Matt has a B.A. from Williams College, an M.div. from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a D.min. from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He is the author of Sabbath Economics: Household Practices (Tell the Word Press), The Shepherds' Stories (Meriwether), and articles for Sojourners and other publications. He lives in Pasadena with his wife, Jill Carlson Colwell, and their daughter Lucia.

Laura Becker - Director of Children's Ministries

Before joining Knox, Laura served for five years on staff in the Children's Discipleship Department at Bel Air Presbyterian Church and, more recently, at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. Laura came to the Los Angeles area from Iowa, where she had worked as Director of Education and Volunteer Coordinator for the Octagon Center for the Arts. She is also a graduate of Second City's Conservatory Program. Laura has worked as an educator for the Des Moines Playhouse, as an Artist in Residence for the Metro Arts Alliance, and as a preschool teacher and daycare center director. Laura and her husband, Donnie, currently live in Los Feliz and she began her ministry at Knox on January 3rd 2010.

Heather Thomsen - Director of Worship Arts and Youth Ministries

Heather is a second-generation Fuller seminarian: she was born while her dad completed his MDiv and ordination process 25 years ago! Raised in Seattle, WA, Heather is a loud and proud Pirate from Whitworth College, from which she graduated with a degree in philosophy in 2006. She is now pursuing an MDiv and ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA). She finds great joy in exploring God's beautiful creation, playing sports and music, sharing meals and conversation with friends and family, studying theology, and anything involving skis. Heather is so thankful for the opportunity to journey deeper into life and ministry with the Knox community.

Hyejung Shin - Organist/Pianist

Born and raised in (incheon) Korea, Hyejung Shin began studying the piano at age seven. After completing her studies majoring in Piano Performance, Ms. Shin received a full scholarship from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and came to the United States where she earned her MM degree in Collaborative Piano. As a recipient of the Lynette Gutner Memorial Fellowship, Ms. Shin recently performed and studied at the Aspen Music Festival as a student of Prof. Rita Sloan. Passionate about chamber music, Ms. Shin now resides in Southern California studying as a Collaborative pianist as student of Dr. Alan Smith at the Thornton School of Music at USC. Apart from her studies, Ms Shin enjoys spending time with friends and participating in various activities including cooking, reading, and singing. Ms. Shin is an organist at Knox Presbyterian Church and loves worshipping God.

Ally Lee - Office Administrator

Ally grew up all around the country, but most recently she hails from Birmingham, Alabama. Ally is working on an M. Div at Fuller Theological Seminary with a certificate in Family Life Education through the School of Psychology. Before transferring to Fuller, Ally lived and went to school in Botswana for a semester. Ally loves to travel and hopes to get back to Africa soon. When she is not working at Knox or on homework, Ally enjoys spending time cooking with her husband, Brian.

Marguerite Minor - Bookkeeper

Marguerite has been the staff bookkeeper at Knox Presbyterian Church since February 2006. She has also worked at the Presbytery of San Fernando for sixteen years as their financial secretary. Marguerite is an elder in the Presbyterian Church and has taught Sunday school for children preschool age through middle school. She and her daughter, Marissa, are members of First Presbyterian Church of Encino where Marguerite currently serves as the church wedding director.