Church Staff
Rev. Lee Yates
Pastor
Rev. Lee Yates grew up in Kentucky and first came to California in 1992 to attend Chapman University. Ten years ago, he returned to southern CA after serving Churches in Kentucky, Missouri, and Indiana. Along the way, he has done extensive work in the areas of faith formation and trauma informed care.
Lee also serves as Vice President of Higher Education and Leadership Ministry for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where he oversees multiple leadership programs for high school, college, and graduate students. These programs are designed to equip local leaders while providing a global perspective of the church.
Outside of our Church, Lee works with InsideOut Camp Curriculum, a partnership between six Christian denominations that creates summer camp resources. He served as Project Manager for eight years and continues to support the project as a writer.
Lee has two children and is married to Rev. Dr. Mandye Yates. When he isn't working, Lee enjoys playing soccer, basketball, and hanging out at Disney with is family.
Rev. Nora Jacob
Minister of Reconciliation
Rev. Nora Jacob joined Covina CC in 2021 as our Minister of Social Justice, some years after she retired as Library Services Director at Orange Public Library, went to Claremont Theological Seminary, started a new career path in ministry, and worked with our UCC partners at UrbanMission.
Along the way, she has built amazing restorative justice programs inside the California prison system and developed support programs for those “re-entering." In 2024 she founded a nonprofit organization -- the Restoration & Resilience Alliance -- that provides education and encouragement to justice-impacted individuals.
Rev. Jacob balances a deep spirituality with a passion for justice. In 2026, she was honored to be the first recipient of the UCC Southern California-Nevada Conference Matthew 25 Award. This recognition honors ministries of advocacy and empowerment that invite collaboration with two or more local churches of the Southern California Nevada Conference in service to communities who are marginalized or made invisible within our wider culture.
Irene McConnell
Office Administrator
Irene is a wife, mother, animal lover, and the longest tenured member of our staff. She makes sure everything is ready for Sunday mornings and reminds us of all the other things we forgot to do.
Emily Morley
Accompanist
Emily is a student at Cal State Fullerton and serves as our primary accompanist and musical resource. She has a passion for classical music and a deep appreciation for sacred music and Church community.