Immanuel Bible Church: About

History

Immanuel Bible Church (IBC) was started in 1996 with a membership of about 10 to 14 people and one pastor, Nam Park. Services were originally held in the basement of a church in Hollywood and over the years moved geographically from Hollywood to Glendale to West Los Angeles to Santa Monica.

We are a non-denominational church that believes in the full inerrancy of Scripture and that the Bible is the one and only authority for life and salvation. The purpose of our church is to exalt and glorify God and in so doing, we endeavor to equip believers so that they can be better trained to share their faith to their communities and their work places.

Leadership

Nam Park
Senior Pastor | Staff Elder | nam[at]ibcbible.org

Lifelong Southern California kid, Pastor Nam grew up in Gardena and studied at UCLA. He received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in his first year at UCLA. His calling to enter Seminary came a couple years later. Pastor Nam received his Masters of Divinity from The Master’s Seminary in 1996. He has had the privilege of working with Youth and College ministries, Singles and his current position as the main pastor to Immanuel Bible Church. “Our ministry emphasizes the inerrant and inspired Word of God as the final authority for life and doctrine. We don’t have a lot of bells and whistles, just fundamental Bible teaching and instruction. Our goal is to build a family oriented church for three generations of God-fearing Christians.” He received his B.A. from University of California, Los Angeles and Masters of Divinity from The Master’s Seminary. Pastor Nam has served as a Youth Intern, Young Adults Pastor, and now currently oversees the general ministry of Immanuel Bible Church. Pastor Nam ministers with his wife Kathy and children Rebekah, Chloe, Noah and Micah.

Gary Takahashi
Associate Pastor | Staff Elder | gary[at]ibcbible.org

Pastor Gary began working with youth in 1986 after completing his first year in Jr. College. At the time he was a business major, with no ambition on going into the ministry. After two years of youth ministry, his priorities flip-flopped. No longer did he have any desire to go into business, but only had the desire to work with young people. Everything he did revolved around youth ministry. He remembers in 1988, was studying for a Sunday school lesson, and refused to touch his school work until he was finished. He remembers saying to himself, “wouldn’t it be great to be able to do this for a living?” Then it finally hit him, “Why didn’t I?” This was what he had a passion for, and yet was studying for something he no longer had any desire for. However, not wanting to make a hasty decision, he decided to pray for one year concerning the matter. In June of 1989, Pastor Gary still felt the Lord wanted him to pursue full-time ministry as his desire was ever-increasing. So, he prayed to the Lord that if He wanted him in the ministry, He would have to do two things: (1) he was only going to apply to the Master’s College, and he didn’t have overwhelming grades to get in. Also, he was past the application deadline. If He wanted him to go into ministry, He would have to get him in; (2) Even though Pastor Gary was working full-time, he didn’t have enough money to pay for school. If God wanted him to go for pastoral training, He would have to supply the funds. Pastor Gary completed the application package, sent it off, and went to Mt. Hermon as a camp counselor. Upon his return, his mother notified him that he had been accepted to the Master’s College, but questioned what he was doing. He told her that he wanted to be a youth pastor, and explained the whole situation. She voiced her displeasure, but after talking it over with his father (who was also unhappy), both agreed to pay for his whole education. It was then that he realized that God will even use unbelievers to accomplish His will. Pastor Gary graduated with his BA from the Master’s College in 1992, and immediately enrolled in the Master’s Seminary. He graduated with a Master’s of Divinity in 1996. It was shortly after Pastor Gary started the Master’s College that he left Gardena Valley Baptist Church, and began serving at Wintersburg Presbyterian Church as the Director of Youth & College Ministries. In February of 1997, he left Wintersburg Presbyterian Church, and shortly thereafter served as the youth pastor of La Canada Korean Church. In March of 1998, he was asked to become IBC’s College pastor where he has been serving ever since. Pastor Gary ministers with his wife Chie their daughter, Claire.

Wayne Hu
Youth Minister | wayne[@]ibcbible.org

Wayne grew up in the city of San Francisco and was saved at an early age through the ministry of his parents. After high school, he came to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California, receiving his B.A. in Music (Piano) in 2005 and his M.A.T (Music Education) in 2006. It was during these college years that Wayne sensed a strong desire to enter the ministry full-time. After spending several years working as a music teacher for LAUSD, his desire for ministry only increased. With the encouragement of church leaders, close friends, and family, he decided to finally apply to The Master's Seminary and is currently finishing up his studies. Wayne oversees the youth and children's ministries at IBC and ministers with his wife Melanie and their son Caleb. He enjoys playing basketball, eating In-N-Out burgers, following 49ers and Trojan football, and spending time with his family.

Adam Pawley
Lay Elder | adam[at]ibcbible.org

Adam grew up mostly in Southern California, living in cities from Irvine to Sierra Madre to Santa Monica. He received a BFA from Art Center College of Design and now finds himself working in Information Technology at a firm in Downtown Los Angeles. He ministers with his wife, Dorothy, and three children, Madison, Paige and Cooper.

Deacons