New City Church of Los Angeles--Downtown

Our Servants

Kevin Haah (Lead Pastor)

No one has had a more adventurous call to serve than Kevin. Kevin went from being a young urban single out of Cornell Law School to getting married (Grace), having three kids (Kaetlyn, and twins Eliana and Bennett), making partner at a prestigious law firm, giving up law to pursue a Master in Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary, and becoming a pastor and a church planter.

Kevin lived and worked in downtown LA before it became fashionable to live here and has spent a few years ministering to the poor in downtown LA's Skid Row. His vision is to build a multi-ethnic, mult--socioeconomic community where people come together not because of natural affinity but because they are loved and accepted for who they are, and in their journey, come to a common redemptive experience through Jesus Christ.

Kevin is passionate about the Word of God, making the good news of Jesus Christ understandable to our culture, and serving the people of Los Angeles with compassion and love.

In the rare moments that he has spare time, you will find him reading a book, having a theological conversation with his nine year old daughter at home, or perhaps rockin’ away on the drums at his home!?

Jonathan McCracken (Assistant Pastor)

Jonathan was born and raised in Greensboro, NC and upon graduating from Wake Forest University, he moved to Charleston, SC. After several years of self-destructive living, he began his journey back to God. After a few market place jobs he felt a call into ministry and began serving as a youth pastor in Charleston. He also began attending a local seminary part time. He then discerned a call to transfer to Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena where he earned his Masters of Divinity.

Jonathan is also a part of an inner city mission organization called InnerCHANGE. InnerCHANGE has teams who live among the poor and the marginalized in the United States and around the world. Jonathan recently completed his first year on the LA team. His team lives in and serves the people in the Westlake district of downtown LA. He expects that his role at New City Church will in many ways be an extension of his ministry with InnerCHANGE.

Jonathan has recently tied the knot with his lovely wife Sharon.

Shirley Rayburn (Children's Pastor)

Shirley was practically born in a church… the 4th child of a Baptist Pastor in rural Alberta, Canada.

Her childhood years were happy but transient, living in various small to mid-size towns in Western Canada. Being a dramatic/adventurous soul who loved to dance did lead to some ‘challenges’ for her fairly conservative (but VERY loving and supportive) parents. Shirley began to question a great deal of what she had been taught in her early years. Her biggest questions arose when her parent’s marriage ended after 30 years. After a life-time of church attendance she stopped – full stop.

Through the love of friends in her home church and family who prayed hard as well as a gentle nudge from the ‘still, small voice’, Shirley wandered back through the doors of her home church with her defenses high. She was met by a flood of love, grace and acceptance. Thus began her adventure back to being a follower of Jesus who cannot be put in a box… (Jesus – not Shirley, but don’t try to box in Shirley either… she gets a little feisty)

Since then, Shirley received her Bachelor in Biblical Studies; spent a year in Asia; worked at her Alma Mater then became Children’s Pastor at a suburban church in North Vancouver, British Columbia. She served there for 8 years as a Single Pastor. Her status changed to married after she met and quickly fell for a tall, dark, handsome man who loved adventure and serving Urban Poor. They were married in 2001. Then the biggest adventures began.

Shirley continued as Children’s Pastor as Matthew worked with the urban poor of Vancouver. After 4 years of marriage Matthew & Shirley were delighted when Adia Talitha joined their family. Four months after she was born they decided it was time to make the long-discussed move to Los Angeles, where Matthew had studied at USC. After a two year struggle with US Immigration for Shirley (and a continuing paper-work mountain for Adia) Shirley is thrilled to be working in downtown Los Angeles blending her love for children, the Arts, and diversity!

The Rayburns live in East LA, just across the 6th Street bridge in an Intentional Missional Community called RestoreLA.

David Guyer (Worship Leader)

Dave is originally from Chicago. He grew up playing music at an early age, starting piano lessons when he was 5. It was not until high school that he really began to appreciate the musical upbringing afforded him. He began playing guitar in High School and most recently has taken up the drums. Michelle is his wonderful wife who helps keep him organized and supports him in everything he does (seriously, he would probably die without her).

Dave is excited about New City Church. He loves the vibrant, diverse and loving community that is present here.