Our Staff
Rev. Alfonso O. Espinosa, Ph.D.
SENIOR PASTOR
revdrespinosa@saintpaulsirvine.com
Our congregation’s pastor is Rev. Dr. Alfonso “Al” O. Espinosa. He was ordained in 1991 and served Saint Paul’s from 1996 to 2002 and was called again in late 2010 and began serving Saint Paul’s on January 1st, 2011. He is a graduate of Concordia University , Irvine (B.A.) and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN (M-Div). He then received his M.A. in Christian Apologetics from Biola University (2001) and a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Birmingham (England) in 2009. His most cherished service is being a parish pastor right here at Saint Paul’s where in showing Christ’s compassion he preaches and teaches the Word of Christ for the forgiveness of sins. He values the importance of meeting with the members of the congregation, but also anyone in the community looking for answers from the Word of Truth.
Rev. Steven P. Mueller, Ph.D.
ASSISTANT PASTOR
Steve Mueller attended Christ College Irvine from 1982-1986, graduated and then attended Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana where he received his S.T.M. in 1991. He was ordained on June 2nd, 1991 and accepted a call to Concordia University Irvine in 1995, finished his Ph.D. from Durham University, and has been a member of the Theology Department ever since, currently serving as Dean of Christ College and Chief Mission Officer for CUI.
Steve met his wife, Nina, at Christ College. They were married in 1988 and now have three sons: Matthew, Christopher, and Jacob.
He and our senior pastor have been friends for over 20 years and have been co-workers in sacred ministry for much of that time. It is with great joy that the people of God gathered at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine receive Pastor Mueller as their part-time Assistant Pastor beginning on February 16th, 2014. Dr. Mueller continues his full-time service at Concordia University Irvine.
Mark Howard
CHOIR DIRECTOR
Mark Howard has served as Director of Parish Music and Choir Director for Lutheran churches in the Orange County, California area. A graduate of Concordia University, Nebraska, Mark served as a Lutheran school teacher at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in North Hollywood, California and at Lutheran High School of Orange County before embarking on a career in corporate marketing and creative services (retired now). Mark is a text writer and has published sacred choral music in collaboration with B. Wayne Bisbee and Michael Burkhardt. Mark also composes sacred choral music specifically for smaller, all-volunteer church choirs and his compositions are now available on jwpepper.com, one of the largest online stores for sheet music.
Gerald Dahlin
ORGANIST
Gerald Dahlin started piano lessons in the first grade and continued taking lessons until he graduated from high school. He started organ lessons in his junior year in high school and continued on at UCLA for six years, studying under university organist Thomas Harmon. While serving as organist at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Santa Monica, he met his wife, Jeanette, who was called to teach there upon her graduation from what is now Concordia University Nebraska. They were married in 1976.
Jerry and Jeanette have two children: Melissa, who lives in Washington, D.C.; and Andrew, who lives in Anchorage, Alaska
Jackie Johnson
Administrative Coordinator
Jackie joined St. Paul’s Irvine in 2023 and began her role as Administrative Coordinator in 2024. With 4 years of experience in administration and ministry support, she is passionate about ensuring the smooth operation of church activities and supporting the leadership team through efficient communication and coordination. Jackie attended Concordia University Nebraska, where she graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (BSED). Her education and experience in child development have equipped her with a strong foundation for supporting families and helping foster a positive, nurturing environment at St. Paul’s Irvine.
Outside of church, Jackie enjoys spending time with her husband, Miles; daughter, Amaya; husky/shepherd mix, Breca; and tabby mixes, Mike and Sully. She is especially excited about streamlining communication and helping St. Paul’s Irvine grow through better organization and outreach.
Jackie is passionate about creating a well-organized space for ministry to thrive and believes that every detail counts when it comes to serving others and advancing the mission of the church.
You can reach Jackie at office@saintpaulsirvine.com.
Administrative Assistants:
Communications:
Operations: