Meet the Ministry Leader
This month’s interview highlights Building Project Steering Committee Lead, George Psefteas
Where did you grow up, and what do you consider home?
I grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and in many ways, I still consider it home - I was married there and spent the first 34 years of my life there. Truthfully, however, I consider Danville to be home. This is where we lived when we first moved here in 2006 when the kids were 2. Even when we left for three years and lived in Poland, we kept our house and when we came back the kids went to the same elementary school and re-connected with many of the same friends. Who knows what the future may bring but I do feel more at home here now than I do in Vancouver (please don’t tell my mother I said that)!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a cardiologist for as long as I could remember. That lasted until my first year in a general science program in college - definitely not for me!
What brought you to Resurrection?
The Monolakis family! When we first moved here, we went to Ascension in Oakland. We had some success meeting people as the kids were young and Christine was able to join the mom/tot group, but it was a big parish, with well-established relationships among long-time parishioners. We met John and Dee Monolakis, who suggested we might like Resurrection as it was a smaller parish. They were absolutely right, and we’ll always be grateful to them for steering us here.
Who inspired you to get involved in the parish?
First, my parents, but unintentionally. While we were a church going family, my parents were never very involved in the programs and ministries of the church, but they did have a strong work ethic and also a kindness and gentleness about them. I have qualities from both, which I believe have served me well in serving the church. Second, my parish priest growing up - Fr. Demetrios Partsafas. As an altar boy, he took an active interest and was a good guide and mentor. As I grew older, he turned to spiritual father and friend. Through his mentorship and guidance, I stayed and served in the altar until my late 20’s, having been tonsured a reader and subdeacon (yes, that’s a thing) and I also got involved leading GOYA. Finally, Christine. We feed off each other - she does so much that she inspires me to do the same. When she sees me involved, she says she’s inspired to do more. It’s a funny circle but if we have to be competitive with each other I’m thinking this is a pretty healthy way to do it.
What do you enjoy most about your ministry?
It brings me closer to God. I pray more than I used to and I reflect constantly on why I do the things I do. It makes me feel good to see or know that my efforts are furthering the work of the church. Granted, much of my work is administrative and financial but it appears that this is the way God wanted me to use my talents for His glory. Knowing this, and seeing it in action, gives me great enjoyment in doing what I do.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Can I laugh now? What spare time?! There is little spare time but when I have it, I want to spend it with Christine and the kids (now young adults). I like to go to movies or watch them at home; I love to cook; I love to travel - all with family. We’re also big on pranks, jokes, and sarcasm!
Do you have an “hidden talents?” I don’t know about hidden talents, although I do like to make up my own songs from popular music (changing the lyrics to music to something funny), but that’s more for my amusement!
Meet the Ministry Leader
This month’s interview highlights Building Project Steering Committee Lead, George Psefteas
Where did you grow up, and what do you consider home?
I grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and in many ways, I still consider it home - I was married there and spent the first 34 years of my life there. Truthfully, however, I consider Danville to be home. This is where we lived when we first moved here in 2006 when the kids were 2. Even when we left for three years and lived in Poland, we kept our house and when we came back the kids went to the same elementary school and re-connected with many of the same friends. Who knows what the future may bring but I do feel more at home here now than I do in Vancouver (please don’t tell my mother I said that)!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a cardiologist for as long as I could remember. That lasted until my first year in a general science program in college - definitely not for me!
What brought you to Resurrection?
The Monolakis family! When we first moved here, we went to Ascension in Oakland. We had some success meeting people as the kids were young and Christine was able to join the mom/tot group, but it was a big parish, with well-established relationships among long-time parishioners. We met John and Dee Monolakis, who suggested we might like Resurrection as it was a smaller parish. They were absolutely right, and we’ll always be grateful to them for steering us here.
Who inspired you to get involved in the parish?
First, my parents, but unintentionally. While we were a church going family, my parents were never very involved in the programs and ministries of the church, but they did have a strong work ethic and also a kindness and gentleness about them. I have qualities from both, which I believe have served me well in serving the church. Second, my parish priest growing up - Fr. Demetrios Partsafas. As an altar boy, he took an active interest and was a good guide and mentor. As I grew older, he turned to spiritual father and friend. Through his mentorship and guidance, I stayed and served in the altar until my late 20’s, having been tonsured a reader and subdeacon (yes, that’s a thing) and I also got involved leading GOYA. Finally, Christine. We feed off each other - she does so much that she inspires me to do the same. When she sees me involved, she says she’s inspired to do more. It’s a funny circle but if we have to be competitive with each other I’m thinking this is a pretty healthy way to do it.
What do you enjoy most about your ministry?
It brings me closer to God. I pray more than I used to and I reflect constantly on why I do the things I do. It makes me feel good to see or know that my efforts are furthering the work of the church. Granted, much of my work is administrative and financial but it appears that this is the way God wanted me to use my talents for His glory. Knowing this, and seeing it in action, gives me great enjoyment in doing what I do.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Can I laugh now? What spare time?! There is little spare time but when I have it, I want to spend it with Christine and the kids (now young adults). I like to go to movies or watch them at home; I love to cook; I love to travel - all with family. We’re also big on pranks, jokes, and sarcasm!
Do you have an “hidden talents?” I don’t know about hidden talents, although I do like to make up my own songs from popular music (changing the lyrics to music to something funny), but that’s more for my amusement!
Meet the Ministry Leader
This month’s interview highlights Building Project Steering Committee Lead, George Psefteas
Where did you grow up, and what do you consider home?
I grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and in many ways, I still consider it home - I was married there and spent the first 34 years of my life there. Truthfully, however, I consider Danville to be home. This is where we lived when we first moved here in 2006 when the kids were 2. Even when we left for three years and lived in Poland, we kept our house and when we came back the kids went to the same elementary school and re-connected with many of the same friends. Who knows what the future may bring but I do feel more at home here now than I do in Vancouver (please don’t tell my mother I said that)!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a cardiologist for as long as I could remember. That lasted until my first year in a general science program in college - definitely not for me!
What brought you to Resurrection?
The Monolakis family! When we first moved here, we went to Ascension in Oakland. We had some success meeting people as the kids were young and Christine was able to join the mom/tot group, but it was a big parish, with well-established relationships among long-time parishioners. We met John and Dee Monolakis, who suggested we might like Resurrection as it was a smaller parish. They were absolutely right, and we’ll always be grateful to them for steering us here.
Who inspired you to get involved in the parish?
First, my parents, but unintentionally. While we were a church going family, my parents were never very involved in the programs and ministries of the church, but they did have a strong work ethic and also a kindness and gentleness about them. I have qualities from both, which I believe have served me well in serving the church. Second, my parish priest growing up - Fr. Demetrios Partsafas. As an altar boy, he took an active interest and was a good guide and mentor. As I grew older, he turned to spiritual father and friend. Through his mentorship and guidance, I stayed and served in the altar until my late 20’s, having been tonsured a reader and subdeacon (yes, that’s a thing) and I also got involved leading GOYA. Finally, Christine. We feed off each other - she does so much that she inspires me to do the same. When she sees me involved, she says she’s inspired to do more. It’s a funny circle but if we have to be competitive with each other I’m thinking this is a pretty healthy way to do it.
What do you enjoy most about your ministry?
It brings me closer to God. I pray more than I used to and I reflect constantly on why I do the things I do. It makes me feel good to see or know that my efforts are furthering the work of the church. Granted, much of my work is administrative and financial but it appears that this is the way God wanted me to use my talents for His glory. Knowing this, and seeing it in action, gives me great enjoyment in doing what I do.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Can I laugh now? What spare time?! There is little spare time but when I have it, I want to spend it with Christine and the kids (now young adults). I like to go to movies or watch them at home; I love to cook; I love to travel - all with family. We’re also big on pranks, jokes, and sarcasm!
Do you have an “hidden talents?” I don’t know about hidden talents, although I do like to make up my own songs from popular music (changing the lyrics to music to something funny), but that’s more for my amusement!
Meet the Ministry Leader
This month’s interview highlights Building Project Steering Committee Lead, George Psefteas
Where did you grow up, and what do you consider home?
I grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and in many ways, I still consider it home - I was married there and spent the first 34 years of my life there. Truthfully, however, I consider Danville to be home. This is where we lived when we first moved here in 2006 when the kids were 2. Even when we left for three years and lived in Poland, we kept our house and when we came back the kids went to the same elementary school and re-connected with many of the same friends. Who knows what the future may bring but I do feel more at home here now than I do in Vancouver (please don’t tell my mother I said that)!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a cardiologist for as long as I could remember. That lasted until my first year in a general science program in college - definitely not for me!
What brought you to Resurrection?
The Monolakis family! When we first moved here, we went to Ascension in Oakland. We had some success meeting people as the kids were young and Christine was able to join the mom/tot group, but it was a big parish, with well-established relationships among long-time parishioners. We met John and Dee Monolakis, who suggested we might like Resurrection as it was a smaller parish. They were absolutely right, and we’ll always be grateful to them for steering us here.
Who inspired you to get involved in the parish?
First, my parents, but unintentionally. While we were a church going family, my parents were never very involved in the programs and ministries of the church, but they did have a strong work ethic and also a kindness and gentleness about them. I have qualities from both, which I believe have served me well in serving the church. Second, my parish priest growing up - Fr. Demetrios Partsafas. As an altar boy, he took an active interest and was a good guide and mentor. As I grew older, he turned to spiritual father and friend. Through his mentorship and guidance, I stayed and served in the altar until my late 20’s, having been tonsured a reader and subdeacon (yes, that’s a thing) and I also got involved leading GOYA. Finally, Christine. We feed off each other - she does so much that she inspires me to do the same. When she sees me involved, she says she’s inspired to do more. It’s a funny circle but if we have to be competitive with each other I’m thinking this is a pretty healthy way to do it.
What do you enjoy most about your ministry?
It brings me closer to God. I pray more than I used to and I reflect constantly on why I do the things I do. It makes me feel good to see or know that my efforts are furthering the work of the church. Granted, much of my work is administrative and financial but it appears that this is the way God wanted me to use my talents for His glory. Knowing this, and seeing it in action, gives me great enjoyment in doing what I do.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Can I laugh now? What spare time?! There is little spare time but when I have it, I want to spend it with Christine and the kids (now young adults). I like to go to movies or watch them at home; I love to cook; I love to travel - all with family. We’re also big on pranks, jokes, and sarcasm!
Do you have an “hidden talents?” I don’t know about hidden talents, although I do like to make up my own songs from popular music (changing the lyrics to music to something funny), but that’s more for my amusement!
