Meet Our Staff!
We, the staff of UP, would like to introduce ourselves so that when you come
to worship with us, you'll already know a few friendly faces. It's our pleasure
to serve those who worship with us. We look forward to meeting you!
[Pastor]
Dr. Soon Chung
Pastor Soon has been the senior pastor at UPC since its inception. He completed
his undergraduate studies in Political Science at UCLA, then went on to study at
Princeton Theological Seminary, and received his doctorate from Gordon-Conwell
Seminary. In his spare time, Pastor Soon enjoys playing with his four children,
spending time with his wife, and playing an occasional game of basketball.
[Elders]
Thomas Hong
Thomas accepted Christ as a freshman at UCLA in 1992, and has been at UPC since.
Along the way, he met and married Phuong, a fellow church staff worker, and together
they had three exceptionally cute kids. When he is not being swarmed under by Kaitie,
Krista, and Samuel, Thomas enjoys reading bedtime stories, playing volleyball with his
wife, and listening to audiobooks.
Nathan Mates
Nathan is the clerk of session at UPC. He can be seen picking people up in the UP van on Sundays.
Growing up in Pakistan, he came to the United States to attend Caltech.
After finding UPC through the yellow pages, he has been a devoted member, cell group leader and husband.
He met his wife Andrea at UP, and was married in 2006. Nathan enjoys websurfing, science fiction, anime,
and videogames.
Ted Liu
Ted is a co-treasurer at UPC. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in Linguistics. Ted is famous for his
grilling culinary skills, which feature ribeye steak, ribs, King crab and lamb. Ted and his wife Helen both serve
as strong members of the prayer team and are best known for their selfless generosity and hospitality. They enjoy
traveling to Taiwan, watching Battlestar Galactica and playing boardgames.
Stanley Yung
Stanley is a co-treasurer at UPC. He graduated from the UCLA School of Film and Television and is
an independent film producer, whose past productions include Cat Fish in Black Bean Sauce.
He enjoys playing roller hockey and volleyball. He and his wife, Robin, just gave birth to
their first child, Holden Yung.
[Staff]
Samuel Chung
Sam is a graduate of USC and is currently working on staff at UP. Although
he was born in California, Sam's home is in Vancouver, Canada. Sam loves to listen to
all types of music and enjoys watching the food network in his spare time. He is also one
of the worship leaders at UP. He enjoys checking out new guitars and making fun of us Bruins.
Andrew Ikeda
Andy is currently attending Fuller Theological Seminary. He graduated from UCLA with
a degree in Psychology. Andy currently serves as UPC's worship leader and leads the
undergraduate ministry. Andy and his wife Elissa enjoy cooking, rollerhockey and spending
time with family, especially their sons Eric and Timothy.
Lianne Lau
A graduate of 2007 from UCLA, Lianne serves in the administration office as a full time
staff member. She helps coordinate events, helps with the childrens ministry and can frequently
be found walking her dog Marty. Lianne is a San Francisco native who is very crafty and loves taking
care of others.
Yvonne Chang
Yvonne went to the University of Virginia (go Cavaliers!) where she got her B.A. in Religious Studies and
then went on to get her M.Div. at Princeton Seminary. She spent some time doing youth ministry where she got
a couple of gray hairs and is excited to be working with undergrads at U.P. She enjoys having a good conversation
over a good cup of coffee. Watch out…when she lets her guard down, her corny sense of humor tends to emerge.
Esther Chung
Esther amazes us all in the number of things she can juggle - not only does she coordinate
all the activities and bible study lessons for the children, she is also a mother of four
children! Esther graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with a M.A. in Christian
Education. Esther also helps organize events for the Convalescent Ministry.
Sharon Chang
Sharon is a mother of four and has been ordained as an Assembly of God's pastor. She is
involved with the Convalescent Ministry that visits Westwood Plaza's residents twice a month.
Sharon also leads the International Couples' Bible Study.
[Interns]
Grace Chang
Grace is majoring in Communications Studies at UCLA with a minor in Education. She loves
working with kids and doing community service. Grace is one of the bubbliest people you will meet, and
her warmth is a great gift to all those who meet her.
Toni Nguyen
Toni is a Sociology major at UCLA with a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology. She hails from
Westminster and spends much of her free time supporting social causes she believes in. Toni loves spending time
with her friends and taking care of her family.
Dr. Soon Chung
Pastor Soon has been the senior pastor at UPC since its inception. He completed
his undergraduate studies in Political Science at UCLA, then went on to study at
Princeton Theological Seminary, and received his doctorate from Gordon-Conwell
Seminary. In his spare time, Pastor Soon enjoys playing with his four children,
spending time with his wife, and playing an occasional game of basketball.[Elders]
Thomas Hong
Thomas accepted Christ as a freshman at UCLA in 1992, and has been at UPC since.
Along the way, he met and married Phuong, a fellow church staff worker, and together
they had three exceptionally cute kids. When he is not being swarmed under by Kaitie,
Krista, and Samuel, Thomas enjoys reading bedtime stories, playing volleyball with his
wife, and listening to audiobooks. Nathan Mates
Nathan is the clerk of session at UPC. He can be seen picking people up in the UP van on Sundays.
Growing up in Pakistan, he came to the United States to attend Caltech.
After finding UPC through the yellow pages, he has been a devoted member, cell group leader and husband.
He met his wife Andrea at UP, and was married in 2006. Nathan enjoys websurfing, science fiction, anime,
and videogames.
Ted Liu
Ted is a co-treasurer at UPC. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in Linguistics. Ted is famous for his
grilling culinary skills, which feature ribeye steak, ribs, King crab and lamb. Ted and his wife Helen both serve
as strong members of the prayer team and are best known for their selfless generosity and hospitality. They enjoy
traveling to Taiwan, watching Battlestar Galactica and playing boardgames.
Stanley Yung
Stanley is a co-treasurer at UPC. He graduated from the UCLA School of Film and Television and is
an independent film producer, whose past productions include Cat Fish in Black Bean Sauce.
He enjoys playing roller hockey and volleyball. He and his wife, Robin, just gave birth to
their first child, Holden Yung. [Staff]
Samuel Chung
Sam is a graduate of USC and is currently working on staff at UP. Although
he was born in California, Sam's home is in Vancouver, Canada. Sam loves to listen to
all types of music and enjoys watching the food network in his spare time. He is also one
of the worship leaders at UP. He enjoys checking out new guitars and making fun of us Bruins.
Andrew Ikeda
Andy is currently attending Fuller Theological Seminary. He graduated from UCLA with
a degree in Psychology. Andy currently serves as UPC's worship leader and leads the
undergraduate ministry. Andy and his wife Elissa enjoy cooking, rollerhockey and spending
time with family, especially their sons Eric and Timothy.Lianne Lau
A graduate of 2007 from UCLA, Lianne serves in the administration office as a full time
staff member. She helps coordinate events, helps with the childrens ministry and can frequently
be found walking her dog Marty. Lianne is a San Francisco native who is very crafty and loves taking
care of others. Yvonne Chang
Yvonne went to the University of Virginia (go Cavaliers!) where she got her B.A. in Religious Studies and
then went on to get her M.Div. at Princeton Seminary. She spent some time doing youth ministry where she got
a couple of gray hairs and is excited to be working with undergrads at U.P. She enjoys having a good conversation
over a good cup of coffee. Watch out…when she lets her guard down, her corny sense of humor tends to emerge. Esther Chung
Esther amazes us all in the number of things she can juggle - not only does she coordinate
all the activities and bible study lessons for the children, she is also a mother of four
children! Esther graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with a M.A. in Christian
Education. Esther also helps organize events for the Convalescent Ministry.Sharon Chang
Sharon is a mother of four and has been ordained as an Assembly of God's pastor. She is
involved with the Convalescent Ministry that visits Westwood Plaza's residents twice a month.
Sharon also leads the International Couples' Bible Study.[Interns]
Grace Chang
Grace is majoring in Communications Studies at UCLA with a minor in Education. She loves
working with kids and doing community service. Grace is one of the bubbliest people you will meet, and
her warmth is a great gift to all those who meet her.Toni Nguyen
Toni is a Sociology major at UCLA with a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology. She hails from
Westminster and spends much of her free time supporting social causes she believes in. Toni loves spending time
with her friends and taking care of her family. 
