Our Pastors

Jessica Strysko

Pastor Jessica is someone who loves to hear and share about God’s grace and God’s call. She is dedicated to discerning God’s active presence in the church and the world community, and therefore is passionate about inter-generational ministry, Christian Education, ecumenical/interfaith dialogue, and social justice.

Senior Pastor

Jessica grew up in Yucaipa, California, and was raised in the United Methodist Church there. She developed a deep love for God nurtured in the youth and camping ministries of her church. As a result of these ministries, she first felt God calling her to ministry at age 14, and has been living into this calling ever since.
Jessica attended the University of Redlands where she studied English Literature and Religious Studies, followed by seminary at Harvard Divinity School. Jessica began her pastoral ministry as an Associate Pastor of First UMC of San Diego in 2012. In 2017, Jessica was involved in the merger of First UMC of San Diego with Point Loma UMC, and planted the Water’s Edge Faith Community in the Ocean Beach neighborhood of San Diego. Jessica came to serve as the senior pastor of Anaheim UMC in 2022. Jessica lives with her husband Tim, their two daughters, and two dogs.
Feel free to contact Jessica—she loves to meet new people and would love to hear your story!

I started as the Minister of Children’s Education and Visitation in May of 2015 and love serving Anaheim United.

I am responsible for the care and prayer ministries of Anaheim United.

Diaconal Minister

MJ Buist

I started as the Minister of Children’s Education and Visitation in May of 2015 and love serving AUMC. I am currently the Minister of Visitation responsible for visiting our home-centered, leading the Care Team, and assisting in worship.
I was blessed to publish Lone Falcon in 2019, and published its sequel Lone Choices in 2020. I am currently working on the third book in the Lone series.
Serving as a Diaconal Minister makes me very proud, being able to follow their mission to bring the love, service, and justice of Christ to the world. Feel free to contact me to find out how we can serve the needs of our congregation and home-centered members together.