PASTOR 

Justin Edgar

Justin came to our church as an apprentice for church planting with the hopes of starting a church in Albuquerque within two years. However, our church went through a time of transition as God called our founding pastor, Mike McLaughlin, home to Missouri. Justin has served as our Lead Pastor since his election during the Fall of 2013. Justin, and his wife Danette, are from Albuquerque, and they have five children: Jedidiah, Blakley, Jadyn, Judson, and Deacon. We are thankful for Justin and his family, and the way God has used them to lead our church. 

WORSHIP DIRECTOR

Brian Whippo 

Brian has been serving as Worship Director since August 2013 and as a deacon since July 2014. He and his wife Rachel have been married since May 2014 and they have two sons. Brian also works as an Emergency Medicine PA at UNMH. 

DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION

Bronwyn Siebert

Bronwyn is the Director of Administration at City Pres. Bronwyn and her husband Stephen attended City Presbyterian their first weekend after moving to Albuquerque and loved it so much they have been going ever since. Bronwyn graduated from New Mexico State University in 2014 and married Stephen a month later. Bronwyn is a stay-at-home mom to three kids. She loves investing in others by grabbing a cup of coffee, exploring the city, and welcoming people into her home.

EVENT AND MINISTRY COORDINATOR

Emily Spare

Emily is the Events Coordinator and Ministry Team Director.  Emily, and her husband, Josh Spare, came to City Pres in the fall of 2014 after moving back to Albuquerque from a year abroad in the UK.  Josh and Emily longed to be in a small, loving community of believers, and instantly found that through City Pres.  Emily attended the University of New Mexico and earned her degree in Fine Arts. Besides planning big events and finding time at the pottery wheel, Emily loves spending time with her two boys and will always show up for a good latte.

ELDERS

Arlen Biersgreen

Arlen is a native Santa Fean who made his way to Albuquerque after living in Washington State and Texas for several years. He and his wife, Elizabeth, found City Presbyterian in 2013 and joined as members in 2014. It is a new experience for both of them to be part of a small congregation/large denomination family, and they have enjoyed learning the joys and challenges that come with both of those aspects of the church identity. Arlen served as a deacon prior to becoming a church elder in August of 2016. 

Charlie Bursi

Charlie was born in Memphis, Tennessee.  He grew up in an Audubon Park neighborhood, just a short walk away from where Elvis Presley lived prior to Graceland. Charlie was married to Teresa for forty years when the Lord called her home to glory.  He has three amazing daughters, three wonderful sons-in-law, and has been blessed with six grandchildren. Charlie and his family moved to the metro Atlanta area in 1991, where he finished his career in Information Technology and Consulting.  Charlie served as a ruling elder at Midway Presbyterian Church and on the Northwest Georgia Presbytery Ordination Committee.  He moved to Albuquerque in 2016 and joined City Pres in 2017.    

Charlie is an avid University of Tennessee sports fanatic. He enjoys Memphis style barbecue, green chile on hamburgers, watching Everybody Loves Raymond, and spending time with his grandchildren. 

Brian Byers

Brian's Family includes his wife Daniela, and his children, Emery (EJ), Anika, and Sabina. Brian works as a web designer and developer but his dream job is to lounge by the pool/beach or to be a full-time artist. Brian and his family found City Pres in 2004 on the invite from some good friends when it was just tiny church plant with a whopping 15 people. He loves the teaching, and knowing that he can count on the hearing Gospel every week. He also loves the focus on community and making the love of Christ known in our city. The future is bright with a body of believers maturing in Christ who love each other and their neighbors boldly for the sake of Christ.

Josh Spare

Josh moved to Albuquerque to attend the University of New Mexico in 2009, during which time he met Emily, who became his wife in 2013. After spending a year in the UK, Josh and Emily returned to Albuquerque in 2014, attended City Pres for the first time, and fell in love with the church because of the close-knit community and plentiful opportunities to serve the church! Josh and Emily have two sons. Josh works in residential real estate in the greater Albuquerque area, and in his free time, he enjoys reading philosophy and theology, drinking delicious coffee, hiking and skiing, and trying his hand at wood-working.

Richard Jackson

Richard is a native New Mexican (4th generation, actually!). He and his wife, Rebecca have been a part of City Pres since moving back to Albuquerque in 2009. They have three children, Will, Julianna and Robert and a beloved yellow lab named Duke. After spending 16 years in the biotech industry, Richard took over his father's financial services business in 2011. He enjoys New Mexican food, trying new methods for smoking/grilling meats, and finding adventure in the outdoors (skiing, hiking and camping are among his favorite pursuits). Richard served as an elder from 2012 to 2017, took an extended sabbatical, and in October 2020, returned to actively serving again. 

DEACON TEAM 

Stephen Siebert

Stephen, and his wife Bronwyn, have been a part of City Presbyterian since July 2013. They have three children. Stephen was raised in Phoenix, Arizona but fell in love with New Mexico when he attended college at UNM. Stephen is a paramedic/firefighter for the city of Albuquerque. In his free time he enjoys woodworking and being outdoors. 

Paul Stern 

Paul, originally from Colorado, came to Albuquerque in 2018 seeking fresh air and wilderness spaces after seven years in Philadelphia. His highschool and college years were spent in North Carolina where he received a bachelor's degree in classical piano performance before beginning his career in the wine industry as a sommelier. He thrives on sharing his love of food, books, off-roading, and music with friends - both old and new.

Jon Vogel

Jon is originally from Northwest Iowa and moved to New Mexico from South Dakota with his wife, Heidi, in 2019. Shortly after arriving in Albuquerque they began attending City Presbyterian. The community and friendships founded at City Pres have been one of the most influential experiences in a place far from home. Jon has a scientific background and enjoys spending his time with his family and almost any activity outdoors. Jon’s favorite activities involve being on the golf course, hiking in the mountains, fly fishing, or finding good snow for skiing.

Jeremy Warren

Jeremy grew up in Northeast Ohio and met his wife Chelsea in 2012 at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Since Bible College, Jeremy has had a diverse career in vocational youth ministry, teaching, entrepreneurialism, graphic design, and sales/marketing.  Currently he works for an IT consulting firm and runs his Graphic Design company on the side. The Warrens joined City Pres a little while after they moved back to Albuquerque to be close to family in 2017. Jeremy helped start the youth group with a small team of volunteers in 2019 and has been heading up the team since 2022. It has been his honor and joy to walk through life with the teens of the church community. When Jeremy is not found chasing around his 3 kids he can be found on the disc golf course, at Starbucks with Chelsea, or looking for the next creative design project!

Daniel Vizoso

Daniel grew up in the southeast, and moved from home in Chattanooga, TN and school in Atlanta, GA to Albuquerque in the beginning of 2022. He started attending City Pres soon after arriving, and has loved the community fostered by the people of CIty Pres ever since. He enjoys spending time outdoors, music, and sharing good food with good friends.

Chelsea Warren

Chelsea, and her husband, Jeremy, have been a part of City Presbyterian since the Fall of 2017. After living in three different states before, Chelsea and Jeremy decided to move back to Albuquerque in late 2016, where Chelsea grew up. They were introduced to City Pres by wonderful friends and have stayed ever since. Chelsea is currently working on her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is a Social Emotional Learning advocate at a small private school. Chelsea enjoys a good cup of coffee with friends, running, and spending time with her three children. She is excited to be a part of the deacon team for a season!

Gini Herron

Gini Herron, wife of Daniel moved to Albuquerque after serving overseas to be close to our son, Matt Cobb, daughter-in-law Laura, and grandchildren Macy, Mia and Beckett. Gini’s first husband, Clyde Cobb was a PCA pastor in Tennessee and died of cancer in 1998. Dan’s first wife Betty died of cancer in 2001. The Lord brought our two families together of 8 children and 23 grandchildren.