Staff
Rev. Jay Shirley is Pastor of Northminster Presbyterian Church, and as pastor is responsible for Sunday Worship and leading our staff, deacons, and session. Pastor Jay comes to us from El Montecito Presbyterian Church in Montecito, CA where he served as their Associate Pastor for 5 years, and subsequently as their Interim Pastor for nearly 2 years where he led them through a difficult period of transition. He also has 25 years of youth ministry experience including working as a Youth Minister at the Village Church in Rancho Santa Fe for 11 years, Solana Beach Presbyterian church for 9 years, and Oneonta as a Associate Pastor with a focus on youth ministry for 5 years. It was at Oneonta that he was ordained and discovered the importance of living out grace and trying to love others unconditionally as Christ modeled.
Pastor Jay was raised in a Christian home in south Texas, where he made two major decisions at age 11 that have affected his life to this day. While attending a church summer camp with his Methodist church he discovered a personal relationship with Jesus and he bought his first surfboard. Surfing eventually led him to Santa Barbara to attend Westmont College. After graduation from Westmont in 1976 Jay worked in the oil fields of Texas for Conoco Oil Company. In 1978 he moved to San Diego where he met his wife, Donna. Jay attended seminary at Gordon Conwell but transferred to Bethel West in to finish his Masters of Divinity and to marry Donna. In addition to his wife, family, and ministry, his passions have included travel (especially to Europe) and surfing. Donna and Jay have two adult children both living in San Diego. Their son D.J. lives in North County with his wife Becca and son Corbin.
Daughter, Katie, lives in San Francisco and works in the Tech Industry.
Jemmia Pennix is a Worship Coordinator at Northminster Presbyterian Church who organizes the worship services and the worship team to create a communal atmosphere for the congregation to experience Jesus Christ and prepare their hearts for the word of God together. David praises the Lord through song and Jemmia believes that through song we can reconnect our hearts to the Father as well. In addition to being a worship coordinator, she is a social media marketing assistant and video editor freelancer. Jemmia holds a B.A. in Commercial Music and a B.S in Marketing from Point Loma Nazarene University.
Britt is a seasoned worship pastor with a passion for leading people into profound encounters with God through music. His journey began over three decades ago when he first picked up a guitar and discovered his love for worship. Since then, he has dedicated himself to the craft, honing his skills and sharing his gift with others.
From humble beginnings in youth group settings to leading worship in churches of all sizes, Britt's musical journey has been diverse and rich. He has experienced the intimacy of worship in small gatherings and the exhilaration of leading congregations in larger services. Regardless of the setting, his heart remains fixed on one goal: to facilitate moments where individuals connect with the presence of God.
Sharon Halle, became the director of Northminster Preschool in the Summer of July 2019. There have been quite a few changes since then but the one thing that remains the same is the strong sense of community and love we have for our Northminster families.
Sharon is originally from Wisconsin. She attended the University of Wisconsin La Crosse graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. Sharon worked at The Company Store as a photography director, and then for a professional photo studio in Dallas Texas where she was the sales representative for JC Penney corporate, next as a production coordinator for a busy catalog company in San Diego. She took a few years off to raise kids and then started at Northminster Preschool in 2009 as an assistant teacher and became a lead teacher in 2014.
Sharon married Kevin Halle in 1996. They have 3 children and one grandchild.
Sharon enjoys reading, country music and vacationing with family.
“We are so blessed to have your children attend Northminster Preschool. Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s first years of school.” -Sharon Halle
Support Staff:
Linda Qua, Administrative Assistant, Bookkeeper, Media Assistant
Sheila Mura, Treasurer
Johana Smith, Clerk of Session
Leigh Moyers, Preschool Administrator Assistant
Nate Landis, Urban Youth Collaborative Parish Associate