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LAC Families-

A note from our new Family Ministries Division Chair, Ray Briggs:

I have been blessed by Lake Avenue Church for more than fifteen years, including the Father’s-in-Training (FIT) classes, Marriage Seminars, Worship & the Arts programs, and worship services.  Initially, I came to know LAC through the Mothers of Preschoolers program, which my wife co-led many years ago.  As the father of three school-age daughters, I am excited about joining the Family Ministries Division which impacts their spiritual lives and the lives of so many others.  It is my hope that our Division see a strong sense of cohesion, community and support between the youth that we serve, their families, pastoral staff and elected officials. In addition to joining the Family Ministries Division, I serve on the Racial Reconciliation Team and the Ministry Council.  Professionally, I am Assistant Director of Jazz Studies and Associate Professor of Music at the California State University, Long Beach, and Chair of Jazz Studies at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music. Lastly, I teach graduate-level jazz history at the Colburn School, and African American music and the History of Rock at Pasadena City College.  Since 2019, I have served as Director of the Quincy Jones Jazz Camp.  I have resided in Pasadena since 2001 with my beautiful wife Janneke and wonderful daughters Jeannine, Camille and Simone.

I look forward to serving on the Family Ministries Division as the chair and am excited for the work we will be doing.

Thanks,
Ray Briggs, PhDAssistant Director of Jazz Studies
Associate Professor of Music
California State University, Long Beach