Our Active Ministry Staff
Rev. Dr. Darrell Wesley
Lead Pastor
Rev. Dr. Darrell Wesley is a seasoned pastor, retired Navy chaplain, and scholar with a distinguished career in ministry and academia. In July 2023, he was appointed senior pastor for RFUMC where he now serves as its first African American pastor in the church’s 137-year history. Dr. Wesley is actively involved in numerous advisory boards and community committees, reflecting his deep commitment to social justice, service, and advocacy for the marginalized.
Cyndi Potter
Office Administrator
Cyndi is the administrator of RFUMC. She has been serving in this position since April 2016. Before she moved to Southern California, she lived in Marin County, just north of San Francisco. Her previous positions have provided over 20 years of service in various administrative positions in Northern California and Carson City, Nevada. Each position she has filled, whether corporate or non-profit, was greeted and served with an eye to Wesleyan theology and purpose.
Shelby Nelson
Director of Next Generation Ministries
Shelby started working with the children and families of RFUMC in May 2018 and youth in August 2018, serving alongside amazing volunteers to grow the next generation and prepare them to walk with Christ in today’s world. Before working at the church, Shelby worked as a foster care social worker in Kansas. She is passionate about building meaningful, supportive relationships with young people to ensure everyone has someone to turn to and she equips them to love others well too.
Ryan Farris
Facilities Manager
Ryan has been a member of the church since 2012 but later became part of the staff in 2021. With a diverse background of job history and a Degree in Business Entrepreneurship from Cal State University at San Bernardino, he helps the church in many different ways. Growing up, he learned basic construction, and he still enjoys woodworking and small electronic repairs as hobbies. These experiences have given him a wide skill set, which he uses to serve the church and the community.
John Doty
Director of Worship Arts
John began serving the RFUMC congregation as organist in March 2020 and now is director of worship arts. A native of Indiana, John served two churches as music co-minister and organist for nine years before moving to Southern California in 2019. He is an active member of the National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Director’s Association, and he teaches piano and voice lessons. He enjoys sharing and collaborating the love and comfort of Christ through music.