Mission Statement
Elk Grove United Methodist is an inclusive, intergenerational Christian community committed to social justice, diversity, service, spiritual growth, and integrity. Our faith and work reflect God’s unconditional love and Jesus’ teaching to love our neighbors as ourselves. We are called to invite others to walk with us in the way of Jesus.
A reconciling congregation in the heart of the community.
We welcome and include everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, age, economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Through our actions, we encourage the community to do the same. Our doors are open. Our love is unconditional.
We minister to the whole person to nurture a faith that works in real life through worship, education, fellowship, service, and justice. We walk with each other on our journeys with God and in following the way of Jesus.
We create a spirit of belonging through Christian care-giving, fellowship, and service. We foster collaboration both within our congregation and throughout our greater community.
We work, educate, and advocate for social justice locally and globally through our actions, prayers, and financial resources.
We use our time, labor, and other resources to respond to the needs of our local, national, and global communities. We encourage everyone to serve.
Pastor April Sousa
Pastor Sejoon Jang
April Sousa started her pastoral ministry journey in 2015, saying yes to a nudge that had been present for a while. She started by becoming a Certified Lay Minister (CLM) and serving the Church of the Joyful Healer from 2016-2023, first as a CLM for four years, followed as a Licensed Local Pastor for 3 years. Pastor April attended Claremont School of Theology from August 2019 to December 2022 and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in May 2023. In June of 2023, she was commissioned toward ordination in the United Methodist Church.
While at the Church of the Joyful Healer, she began the Saturday Gathering, an outreach ministry for the unhoused. As an advocate and ally, she walked with the Joyful Healer Church to become a reconciling ministry church in 2018.
In 2022, Pastor April served the California-Nevada Annual Conference as the Interim Associate Director of Certified Lay Ministry and Lay Church Planting. She continues to serve the Department of Leadership Development for the CA-NV Annual Conference as a member of the CLM Advisory Committee and the Lay Leadership Development Board. She fully believes that the laity is the lifeblood and future of the church, and chooses to invest her time in empowering and mentoring laity leaders.
Pastor April began her appointment with Elk Grove United Methodist Church on July 1, 2023. She and her spouse, Justin, have two adult children, Quinn and Xavier, and a menagerie of pets (as of her 2023 appointment, this includes 1 dog, 3 cats, and 2 bunnies).
Our Rev. April Sousa will be leaving us June 30th, transferring as Pastor of Redding UMC (1/4 time) and as part of the newly formed District Superintendency Team of the Great Northern District. She will manage as District Superintendent of UMC churches in the upper part of Northern California (3/4 time). She will be dearly missed by our congregation, and we appreciate the vast array of skills and devotion she will bring to her new position.
The Rev. Sejoon Jang transfers to Elk Grove UMC as of July 1. He has been the Senior Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Rockford, Illinois since 2022, and an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church for nearly eleven years. We eagerly welcome the arrival of him and his family to our church.
Gayle Litz
Gayle is our Music Director. (more coming soon)
Noah Kelley
Noah is our Accompianist. (more coming soon)
Cliff Gassoway
Cliff is our Administrative Assistant. (more coming soon)