Dr. Gary Stratman, Interim Pastor

Dr. Gary Stratman is a graduate of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., where he earned B.A. in English. He then attended the University of Miami, in Oxford, Ohio, where he earned a masters degree in personnel counseling. He went to seminary at Austin Presbyterian Seminary in Austin, Texas, and also earned an M. Div. from Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana. His Doctor of Ministry in pastoral theology was earned at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Dr. Stratman’s continuing education has been rich and varied, including successful completion of Phase I and II of our denomination’s specialized Interim Training courses.

Dr. Stratman and his wife, Deb, have two sons. Their oldest son, Jake, his wife, Julia, and their son, Ben, live in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, where Jake teaches English at John Brown University. Their younger son, Nathan and his wife, Kim, and their daughter, Ruthie, are living in Colorado Springs, Colorade, where Nate is youth director at First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs.

Both Gary and Deb grew up in the St. Louis area and still have family there.

Send E-mail. Phone: 323-606-5280

Rev. Scott Erdman, Pastor, Pastoral Care and Prayer Visitation

Rev. Scott Erdman came to Hollywood Presbyterian Church in March of 1985 to take on the role of Pastor of Evangelism. He is a native of Southern California, growing up in Arcadia. Rev. Erdman chose to attend the University of California at Davis where he was invited to play basketball. His junior year he transferred to UCLA where he graduated with a BA in Psychology. It was there that his love for ministry grew and he became involved in the youth and then college departments at Bel Air Presbyterian Church.

Rev. Erdman then graduated from Fuller Seminary with his Masters of Divinity. His role at Hollywood Pres has evolved over the years. Currently Scott is the Pastor in charge of our Pastoral Care Department which covers our extensive prayer ministries and events, senior ministries, hospital visitation and memorials.

While attending Fuller, Scott met and married his wife Pam Glasson. With their son Ryan they currently live in La Canada where they enjoy their home, each other and the opportunities they have to grow together.

Send E-mail — Phone: (323) 606-5239

Rev. Charles Suhayda, Ph.D., Pastor of Community and Diaconal Ministries

Charles G. Suhayda, Ph.D. initially embarked on a career in science after receiving his Ph.D. from Michigan State University. While in science, he worked at USDA Research Laboratories in Riverside, Pasadena and Albany CA; and at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. Sensing God’s call to ordained ministry, he enrolled at Fuller Theological Seminary completing his Master of Divinity in 1999. He received chaplaincy training at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and returned for further chaplaincy work in 2000.

He has worked overseas on development projects in Asia. In 1992 he worked at Northeast Normal University, Changchun, PRC on an agricultural development project. Deeply moved by the friendship and care of the Chinese people, he had numerous opportunities to share the Gospel while teaching conversational English. In 1996 he held a research intern position with World Vision and served in Cambodia. He was profoundly affected by the lasting effects of the Khmer Rouge-led genocide and deep-rooted poverty on the Khmer people. Having witnessed the positive impacts of World Vision’s work he has sought ways to translate WV’s Christian relief and development principals into the urban setting of Los Angeles.

His current ministry responsibilities include overseeing the Board of Deacons, The Community Ministry Center and The Lord’s Lighthouse Ministry. He was elected to a 2-year term on the Hollywood United Neighborhood Council in February 2003, and is active in the community – working with a number of groups including: the Community Police Advisory Board, the Business Improvement District, Hollywood Clergy Council, Social Service providers, Health and Mental Health care providers, and churches in the Los Angeles area. He also serves on two non-profit boards: Hollywood Urban Project and Pathway to Progress. Charles seeks to understand and address the diversities and challenges facing the church’s urban mission.

Send E-mail — Phone: (323) 463-7161 Ext. 332