Give

Our Team

Rev. Jeya So, Lead Pastor

Pastor Jeya (or PJ, as she is affectionately known) is passionate about helping people discover their belovedness in God and tying together different threads of their identities to discern their distinct and unique callings. In addition to co-pastoring Anchor & Hope, PJ also works for 1001 New Worshiping Communities as the Associate for Training and coaches people in innovative contexts. In her spare time, PJ is learning how to make bad art and working on repressing her cute aggression.

  • What’s your dream for our church in 2025? … to learn together how we can see hope by being hope in our small corners of the world, which then flows and overflows into the rest of this world.
  • What’s your favorite place in San Diego? The Timken Museum, specifically at the Rembrandt painting of St. Bartholomew
  • How do you connect with God? These days much of my connection is through nature, in quiet contemplation and prayer. Being outside and just spending time noticing how God is at work in the world. Also, doing or trying something new to me, whether it’s a new place, food, or experience often helps me to know God’s love, creativity, and heart for myself and the world in a deeper way.
  • How do you connect with others? One on one or small group conversations over a meal, coffee, or in a beautiful setting. I treasure sharing experiences and love it when people share what they love or are excited about!
  • What’s your favorite place to eat in Mira Mesa/SD? So many good places to eat! In Mira Mesa, right now I love eating at Shabu Works (give me all the soup and veggies!) and in San Diego in general, my current favorite is Izakaya Sakura on Convoy.
  • Who is your favorite person in the Bible (other than Jesus!) and why? Agh! This is so hard to answer! I feel like everyone is my favorite – but if I have to choose , Jeremiah – who held on to God’s promises for a hope that Jeremiah himself might never see and if I can cheat and pick another one, I’ve been doing a lot of exploration of Mary, the mother of Jesus, with my spiritual director, and her response in the face of blessing, difficulty, injustice, and uncertainty.

Rev. Daniel So, Lead Pastor

Pastor Dan loves to help people experience the joy & wonder of following Jesus in the everyday and in-between. PD is the Director of Culture for Cyclical Inc and the Director of Innovation for the Presbytery of San Diego. He also serves on the advisory board of Justice Ventures International. PD is a hopeless music fanatic!

  • What’s your dream for our church in 2025? … that this time next year, each of us will be more open to God, others & ourselves — and that the journey of openness will fill our hearts with joy, meaning, and encouragement.
  • What’s your favorite place in San Diego? There are so many wonderful places around our beautiful city & region! I’m a big fan of the entire coast — the views from Torrey Pines are unbeatable.
  • How do you connect with God? Definitely music and, more & more these days, through contemplative silence.
  • How do you connect with others? Even though I’m a hardcore introvert, I love connecting one-to-one with folks over coffee, conversation, and music.
  • What’s your favorite place to eat in Mira Mesa/SD? For MM, I love the crepe at Phở Ban Mai. Around SD, Tacos El Gordo is always a treat!
  • Who is your favorite person in the Bible (other than Jesus!) and why? Barnabas. I mean, is there a better nickname than the “son of encouragement”? I want to follow in his footsteps of faithfulness, kindness, humility, and courage.

Kathy Lee, Director of Worship Engagement

Kathy moved to San Diego from the LA area in 2015 for college. She now works as a resident director at Point Loma Nazarene University. Kathy has a love for music and people, which is why she loves getting to be a part of ministry here at Anchor & Hope. Kathy feels like everyone should have a place and community where they can come as they are and fully be loved, belong, and grow.

  • What’s your dream for our church in 2025? … that we can embody Christ’s love, peace, and joy to one another and the world around us as we engage deeply in relationship with God, one another, and the greater community around us.
  • What’s your favorite place in San Diego? Balboa Park
  • How do you connect with God? Through community (for example good conversations with people I love over good food) and music
  • How do you connect with others? I love connecting with others through conversation. While “small talk” isn’t necessarily my strength I love getting to hear about people’s stories.
  • What’s your favorite place to eat in Mira Mesa/SD? Menya Ultra or Bahn Thai (SD)
  • Who is your favorite person in the Bible (other than Jesus!) and why? Esther. She is a great example of a woman in ministry that fought for justice and peace.

Pastor David Rucker-Do, Intergenerational Pastor

Pastor David is originally from the Bay Area and moved down to San Diego in 2021. He currently works as a 5th Grade Teacher and Athletic Director at a small elementary school in La Jolla. David has a passion for helping people find what makes them feel alive and learning about the unique story that has made them who they are. He loves connecting with people over a good meal or through watching and playing sports of any kind!

  • What’s your dream for our church in 2025? … that we are not just finding Jesus as our anchor and hope, but we are living that out in our own communities.
  • What’s your favorite place in San Diego? My favorite place in San Diego would have to be any golf course I can play at and I also love the La Jolla area, there’s so much to do around there!
  • How do you connect with God? My connection to God often changes depending on what kind of things I am going through in life but as of recently I have best connected with God in my car. I have a pretty long commute so a lot of my time is spent listening to music or in silence where I can clear my thoughts and I really enjoy the solitude I find during that time.
  • How do you connect with others? I love connecting with people through shared meals and getting to hear stories of what excites them. I also love connecting with others through watching and playing sports!
  • What’s your favorite place to eat in Mira Mesa/SD? I have a lot of place I like to eat but my favorite in Mira Mesa is Little Sakana and in SD it would have to be either Din Tai Fung or Kangnam Korean BBQ.
  • Who is your favorite person in the Bible (other than Jesus!) and why? This is a tough one because I think my favorite person in the Bible changes over time. However, as of recently, I have really loved Jonah and his story. I see the story as one that shows who we are as humans as we wrestle with our own struggles in obedience and our own personal judgment towards others as it comes face to face with God’s faithfulness and love. Jonah’s story isn’t long but it really mirrors my own life and I believe the reality of many people in our world today for justice and peace.

Ann Leong, Director of Children’s Ministry

Ann Leong is the Director of the San Marcos Lutheran Children’s Center. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design from San Diego State University and holds a Child Development Program Director Permit issued from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. In the past 30+ years of teaching, Ann has served as a preschool teacher, art teacher, Assistant Principal, professional growth advisor and mentor and has worked with a wide range of ages, from infants to school age. Ann has been a faithful and active member of our core team and church community for years, and we’re thrilled to welcome her as the newest member of our staff team!

  • What’s your dream for our church in 2025? … to host a lovely DINNER CHURCH with a big table and lots and lots of good food! Invite everyone. Get to know someone. Have great conversations. Share stories.
  • What’s your favorite place in San Diego? Mount Soledad. The view from the top is breathtaking!
  • How do you connect with God? In Word, in nature, through praise and worship, through my work and my community.
  • How do you connect with others? Through sharing life stories and experiences. Love to spend some one-on-one time over yummy food or a good cup of coffee.
  • What’s your favorite place to eat in Mira Mesa/SD? Denny’s in Mira Mesa is the best. Not kidding.
  • Who is your favorite person in the Bible (other than Jesus!) and why? Ruth. I admire her strength and dedication. Her love and loyalty for Naomi is so inspiring.