Sam Jun, Senior Pastor
Sam began his ministry at Celtic Cross in November of 2024 as Senior Pastor and Head of Staff. He was born and raised in a Presbyterian family in South Korea, then moved to the States in the early 90’s for college and studied religion and sociology at the University of Texas at Austin. With much encouragement and support from his college professors and home church pastor and congregation in Austin, TX, he went to Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ, for his Master of Divinity and became ordained as a minister of Word and Sacrament with PC(USA) at First Presbyterian Church at Ann Arbor, MI. As a life-learner, he pursued and completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. Mostly recently, he served Northern Lakes Community Church in Traverse City, MI.
As much as he loves studying the Bible and theology, he is a very “relatable and approachable” people-person who has a huge heart for people of all ages. Relationships are extremely important in his life and ministry, so he takes pastoral care with the utmost seriousness and sincerity. He is also passionate about “missional leadership and life,” seeking to love God and love his neighbor as himself with “a ministry of presence.” He is evermore grateful in his life for the deeply loving presence of his family—his wife, Annie, and his two daughters, Hannah and Amy.
Jim Staniels, Director of Family Ministries
Jim oversees the ministries for ages 0-18 and families. He has been at Celtic Cross three years at the end of March 2022. He does a lot of other things with live @ 5, some preaching and teaching, a little tech help, and lots of other odds and ends. Faith has been a driving and defining part of his life. He started following Jesus at an early age and has looked back many times, thankful for how it has kept him from making terrible choices and how his life is so much better for it. He is excited that his job allows him to give hope and support to kids, students, and parents. He is husband to Melissa, and father of Aaron and Caitlin. He grew up in Chicago so he has a PROFOUND appreciation for Sacramento winters. He claims that his carpentry skills seem stuck at a high school level even though he has been trying more and has some cool new tools. Weird fact: He loves the beach, but doesn’t like getting in the water.
Sten Bolander, Organist/Accompanist
Sten is the Organist/Pianist/Accompanist for our Traditional service, providing organ and piano music with accompaniment for the choir, vocalists, instrumentalists, and congregational hymn singing. He has been a part of the Celtic Cross community since 2012. Sten has offered organ and piano recitals, played for weddings and funerals, as well as been part of the praise team for the Modern service. Having participated in church music from his earliest years, faith continues to be important to Sten, and helps him choose music from different styles each week. If you are a vocalist or instrumentalist and would like to share your gift of music with others, Sten would be happy to meet with you for possibly sharing at an upcoming worship service. Sten has received certification of his service playing skills from the American Guild of Organists, and is an active member of the Sacramento Valley Chapter. His wife, Julie, is an essential component of his overall ministry. Sten is an IT Analyst at Adventist Health when not supporting the music ministries of Celtic Cross and Carmichael Seventh-day Adventist Church. In their spare time, he and Julie enjoy reading, traveling, and walking.
Laura Johnson, Modern Service Worship Leader
Laura has been at Celtic Cross for about three months as of June 2022 and is responsible for selecting songs and music which will bring a sense of joy and reverence into our time of worship during the Modern service each Sunday. She is also responsible for putting together a worship team of musicians and singers who lead the church into a time of praise and worship to God. She believes that the Holy Spirit helps, guides, and supports her, so that she in turn can lead the church into a time of worship that will build up everyone’s faith, giving support and encouragement to all of God’s people. She loves the Lord and loves being a music minister. Laura looks forward to continuing to grow in community with everyone at Celtic Cross.
Jeff Nelson, Technical Director
Jeff is the Technical Director, working with our awesome staff and volunteers to make sure the in-person and online services work from the technical perspective, including all audio, video and lighting production. His faith journey brought him to Celtic Cross Church in 2008, and he's so grateful that God has always provided for his family, and continues to let him grow in new and exciting areas of our ministry here. Fun fact: He is always looking for people like you (yes, you!) who are interested in learning a new technical skill and sharing a little of your time volunteering for the Tech Team. This is a safe place to learn, make mistakes, and grow your skills and faith. He previously served on staff as Worship Leader, has served as an elder and continues to volunteer for the worship team. When not at church, Jeff works in the audiovisual industry, doing live events and installations. He enjoys spending time with his wife Fraulein, their two kids, Ilsa and Koen, and Sadie, the wonder dog.
Stephanie Wallace, Office Manager
As the Office Manager at Celtic Cross, Stephanie ensures that all church information is up to date and successfully communicated in various forms, including the weekly Sunday bulletin, all weekly emails, and the monthly Comment newsletter. She also maintains the events calendar and the church office. Though new to Celtic Cross in April 2022, she is a native of the greater Sacramento area. She loves Star Wars.