Pastor Kindra Green Carson

Kindra loves nothing more than cracking open ancient texts and discovering they have everything to say about our chaotic, beautiful, wild lives right now. With a Bachelor's in Religious Studies, a Master's in Minor Prophets (yes, that's a thing, and yes, they're her favorite), and a Doctorate in Missional Leadership, she's equal parts scholar and street-level practitioner—someone who can geek out over a Hebrew verb form and then show up at a community meeting to fight for housing justice. She lives and breathes this truth: the greatest picture of heaven is a very long table, with good food, no outsiders, and radical grace.

Raised Pentecostal, Kindra carries the fire of her tradition while blazing new trails through rigorous study and radical neighborly love. She's spent the last 27 years doing ministry—5+ years directing college ministries, 5 as an associate pastor, 9 years chaplaining in corporate spaces, and doing the slow, sacred work of building beloved community in City Heights with her husband Brian and their twin boys

BOARD UPDATE

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BOARD UPDATE *

JUNE 2026: Where We Are and Where We're Heading

The Open Meeting Session with the Board met this week, and it was a genuinely good meeting. We took time to clarify what it means to be a congregationally-led church — and then we actually did it, gathering real feedback from our community to shape real decisions. That's MG working the way it's supposed to.

On our building: We're going to be honest with you — our current space costs more than our present funds can support. So we are beginning — beginning — a process to find a new home. A committee is forming to explore options: another storefront, or potentially renting space from a neighboring church (which may mean exploring meeting times beyond Sunday morning). This will unfold over the next 4 to 6 months. There is no sudden move. There is no crisis. There is a community making a thoughtful, values-driven decision together.

We'll keep you informed and keep asking for your input. That's the whole point.You are not passengers here. You are the church. If you have ideas, questions, or want to join the Sanctuary Search Committee, let us know.

Meet Our Board Members

Scott Spalding (Board Member)

A true 1980’s child of the ‘rust belt’. Raised with a devout Presbyterian upbringing. As the automotive jobs dried up and 3/4 of the houses were vacated, Scott decided to go where the jobs were going, Japan. While in Japan, Scott worshipped at an English speaking Anglican service that met in the local Buddhist temple. The preacher was both a Buddhist priest and an ordained Christian minister. It was a mind opening experience.
However, almost immediately the Japanese economic bubble burst. Scott was forced to leave Japan. Then, finding a job in the San Diego Hillcrest area. Scott made a life for himself in this lower income ( but economically growing community). Trying ,in vain, to find a good church community. Being very disheartened by the anti-charitable messaging of almost all churches towards the gay community ( so freshly following the Aids pandemic). Scott joined a tiny community that met in North Park that advocated a straight and gay Christian mission. An open space for all, including people of other faiths, races, sexual orientations. Not separate churches, not racially/culturally and gay ‘tolerant’, but equal participation of all groups. All are welcome! This group fit ‘like a glove’ for Scott. This group later became Mission Gathering, the church.
Lisa Reynolds (Secretary)

Lisa grew up in Southern California and attended university in San Diego.
After graduation, Lisa taught English in Japan for a year and a half, and then in China for 4 years. When she moved back to the states, Lisa was attracted to Montessori education. She received her Montessori training from MISD in the primary level (ages 3 to 6). She has worked in Montessori education for about 8 years and has been a head teacher for about 7.
Lisa lives in Mission Valley with her husband David.
Richard Phipps (Tresurer)

Update coming soon
Eileen Zamora (Board Member)

Eileen Zamora has been involved in Christian leadership at diverse churches over the past 45 years.
She is an ordained minister, has pastored a church, headed discipleship and prayer ministries, worked with unhoused people, and has been involved with Pride activities for several years.
Eileen was also a full time educator during this time, specializing in English, Literature, and Education.
Matt O'Brien (Chair)

Matt moved to San Diego in 2000 to build a life with Jef, his partner. Over 26 years, they've created a home together, built careers, and share their lives with their two dogs, Reese and Sophie. In 2015, Matt started attending Missiongathering because he was searching for a church that actually practiced what it preached—radical, unconditional welcome.
For several years, Matt stepped away from corporate worship. His faith never wavered; he pursued God daily through worship and teaching. But in late 2024, he felt drawn back to community and corporate worship. As he searched through San Diego churches, one kept calling him back: Missiongathering. He realized it remained uniquely aligned with what he needed spiritually—a place where people genuinely encounter the living God together, not just study doctrine.
Matt brings the mindset of a business owner and realtor: he thinks structurally about how organizations work and how people experience them. But his real conviction is simpler—that leadership means making sure quieter voices are heard, that no one feels like an outsider, and that decisions reflect everyone's dignity, not just the loudest opinions.