SJLC Board of Directors 

As a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, our church is congregationally led.
Therefore, it is very important to have board members who have a heart for the ongoing kingdom work chosen by the congregation of St. John’s here in Bakersfield and to be transparent in all works planned and completed for the good of God's kingdom.

Board of Director Candidates

Dena Mojo

My husband Jeff and I joined St John’s Lutheran Church in 2001.  We have three children:  Chris (33), Connor (29) and Cory (27) who all grew up engaged in St. John’s children and youth ministries.   I was born and raised in Bakersfield and graduated from Cal State Bakersfield with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. After living and working in Houston for 8 years, Jeff and I returned to Bakersfield to be near family and raise our sons. I am a registered nurse and recently retired after working in NICU for 36 years.
Through our many years at SJLC I have taught children classes and organized meals both on FOG Wednesday nights and at VBS. 
I also served on past BOD and Associate Pastor nominating committees. Currently, I am a member of the St. John’s Mission Task Force and have participated in five mission trips in the United States and internationally. Most recently, I organized the multi-home rebuilding project in Pond, CA. Jeff and I enjoy serving coffee and donuts on Sunday mornings and we have been fellowshipping in our Life Group for many years.
My hobbies include traveling with Jeff, volunteering in the community and with Make-a-Wish, participating in a book study group, and visiting my sons (and new grandson) located across the United States.    

Scott Gray

Please allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Scott Gray. I currently serve as St. John’s Board of Directors as Vice President. I am 55 years of age, and a lifetime resident of Bakersfield. My wife Kelly and I were married in 2009. Kelly and I have attended St. John’s for 16 years and became members in 2011.  We are blessed to have four children. As they grow older (current ages 17-24) and their decisions become more impactful, on many levels, it is great to be grounded in Christ and share His way versus the way of the world. All four of our children were baptized at St. John’s by Pastor D, who we were also blessed enough to have officiate our wedding in Lake Tahoe.
I have had many experiences at St. John’s that have allowed my family and me to serve. 
I have previously served as an AWANA volunteer, helped to build a home in Mexico, was a cart driver between services, delivered food and gifts during holiday season, was involved with St. John’s men’s group and a Life Group, served as a Capital Campaign member, and enjoyed greeting folks at the Information Booth. I also get the undeserved blessing of serving the Lord’s Supper/Communion.
In addition, I get a chance to serve others outside the St. John’s campus. I am part of a men’s Bible study group made up of other church brothers around the community. I volunteer time at a local food bank, I have attended a faith-based men’s weekend (Souly Business- in multiple capacities over the years) and serve as a prayer partner for this event.
I have been blessed over the past three years to serve on the Board of Directors for St. John’s. During this time, I have learned and contributed to “milestones” completed over these years. Thanks to God, as He continues to bless St. John’s. I am committed to praying and seeking God’s direction for His church and His people. I would welcome your support to be part of our board for the next three years.

June Salvo

I am both honored and humbled to be considered as a nominee for the Board of Directors at St. John’s Lutheran Church.
My husband, Jared (married for 20 years), and I moved to Bakersfield, in 2008, and started attending services at St. John’s in early 2009 shortly after enrolling our oldest son at the Children’s Center.  Our two sons, Luke (17) and Jake (13), grew up at St. John’s Children’s Center, and have gone on to attend St. John’s Lutheran School, with Luke to graduate from Bakersfield Christian High School and Jake set to graduate from SJLS in May 2024.  In addition to my maternal duties, I am a part-time (soon to be full time) Internal Medicine physician and have been practicing with Centric Health (currently at Preferred Family Care Specialists) since 2015.   Jared is a cardiologist specializing in cardiac electrophysiology and has his own private practice, Kern Cardiac Institute.
 My journey to faith was not as direct or traditional as many others.  My parents immigrated from Thailand in the 1960’s to pursue their graduate studies, with my father specifically completing his medical internship in residency in pathology in New York, and I was born in Brooklyn.  Our family moved throughout the States, from Michigan to Northern California, and then finally landing in Phoenix, Arizona where I grew up.  I had been exposed to several religions in my youth, with Buddhism being the main backdrop of my family and Thai culture.  We lived in a Jewish neighborhood in Phoenix, and I attended Catholic school through high school.  Through family and friends, I learned about these religions but did not truly connect with any of them.  It was when I met my husband that I (we) both began to grow together in faith, first attending non-denominational services, then attending Bel Air Presbyterian Church prior to our move to Bakersfield.  I began to grow in the Lutheran faith along-side my kids as they learned, and the years of worship and studies I was able to participate in filled in all of my spiritual gaps seamlessly.  Our family was baptized here at St. John’s in November 2015, and we formally became members in 2016.
I have enjoyed fellowship in participation in small groups at St. John’s as well as assisting where I can with activities related to St. John’s Lutheran School.  My husband and I are so thankful for what the ministries and fellowship at St. John’s have provided to us and our family.  It is truly a place where we have been welcomed and nurtured, a place that has allowed our family to grow in Christ.   I greatly appreciate this opportunity to serve, and with God’s grace I look forward to assisting the Pastoral leadership, Board Members, Elders, and St. John’s staff in continuing the mission to “Love, Learn, and Lead.”

Kirby Evenson 

I was born and grew up in the cold north of Canada and moved to the warm temperatures of Bakersfield in 2007, which is where I met my beautiful wife Carri-Ann. Fun fact Carri-Ann and I are from the same hometown of 2,000 people in Canada, but did not meet until here in Bakersfield. I’m blessed with an awesome family of 6, Carri-Ann, Sailym (13yr) Max (11yr), Noah (20mo), and Grace (2 mo). Since 2014 St. John’s has been my family’s second home - we were married here, Sailym and Max attend school here, we attend church here, and the friends we have met through church have become our family. We love being a part of the St. John’s family and growing closer to Christ.

I graduated from NAIT in Canada with an accounting degree. I am currently Secretary/Treasurer for PCL Industrial Services, Inc. (since 2008) and have been employed with PCL since 2002. I’m responsible for the leadership and management of the financial, accounting, administrative, purchasing and asset management functions for the district. I ensure the identification and management of risk and ensure that district administration is prepared to meet future business plans in a large and/or complex environment. I’m very grateful and blessed to love what I do every day.

Hello SJLC

St. John's Lutheran Church is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
In the interest of transparency, our annual financial reports will be posted and updated accordingly on this page.