Pastor Jonathan Linman

Associate Pastor for
Teaching, Faith Formation and Spiritual Care

Jonathan has been in ministry for over thirty years, serving congregations in the inner-city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, near our nation’s capital in Arlington, Virginia, and now here in Phoenix at Faith-La Fe. He has also served the church as Professor of Ascetical Theology and Director of the Center for Christian Spirituality at the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in New York City. And he was on the staff of the Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, serving as Assistant to the Bishop for Faith and Leadership Formation. Jonathan’s focus at Faith-La Fe is on teaching, sharing in the Spirit’s work of forming people in the Christian faith, and offering spiritual care to those discerning what God may be up to in their lives. Jonathan loves to walk and to hike the nature trails of Phoenix’s desert mountain preserves.

Pastora Veronica Alvarez

Senior Pastor

Rev. Veronica Alvarez serves as the Senior Pastor of Faith-La Fe Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Arizona, where she leads with vision and dedication. A second-career pastor who transitioned from accounting, she completed her theological education at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.

At Faith-La Fe, Veronica is deeply committed to honoring the church’s rich history while guiding its ministry and facilities into the 21st century. Under her leadership, the congregation is modernizing its historic building and systems to better serve its diverse and growing community. She fosters a vibrant, welcoming environment where tradition and innovation come together to nurture faith and connection.

Beyond the local congregation, Veronica’s passion for social justice continues to inspire her ministry, especially her active role as treasurer for Cruzando Fronteras, an ecumenical ministry supporting migrant communities on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Paul Lee

Director of Music

Paul Lee currently serves as Director of Music and Organist at Faith Lutheran Church, Phoenix. For ten years prior he served as Director of Music Ministries at Saint Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal Church, Scottsdale. Lee studied at Indiana University (M.M.), Bloomington; the University of Southern Mississippi (B.M.); Southern Methodist University, and the Eastman School of Music.

Lee was one of four finalists, the only American finalist, in the Grand Prix de Chartres International Organ Competition where he was awarded the Bronze Medal. He was winner of the Boston Young Artist Competition and the Music Teachers National Competition and runner-up in the American Guild of Organists National Organ Competition.

In a wide-ranging career Lee has prepared and accompanied choruses for Roger Wagner and Robert Shaw and served as Musical Coach for Indiana University Opera, Mobile Opera, Tulane Summer Lyric Theater. He established Concerts on the Desert in Scottsdale and Precentor, Inc., a music and liturgy company providing church program development and personnel placement. At Faith Lutheran Church, Phoenix, Lee is currently Coordinator of a campaign to restore the church’s historic pipe organ.