Pastoral Leadership
Rev. Hannah Adair Bonner
(323) 874-2104, ext. 314
revhannah@hollywoodumc.org
Rev. Hannah Adair Bonner is the Senior Pastor of Hollywood United Methodist Church. She is a proudly and publicly Queer clergywoman in The United Methodist Church. She was ordained an Elder in 2012. She has served churches in both rural and urban settings, and served the global church as staff with the General Board of Discipleship. A highly sought after speaker and teacher, her work has focused on anti-racism, solidarity with the unhoused, immigration advocacy, leadership development, and mentoring young leaders. She has been respected throughout her twenty years in professional ministry as a prophetic voice within these areas, both inside of the United Methodist Church and beyond it.
An enthusiastic communicator, she received a BS in Psychology/Gender Studies from Furman University, and her Masters of Divinity from Duke Divinity School. Recognized as a leader from the beginning of her career, she was a Lewis Fellow in the early years of her ministry, as well as the Young Adult Representative from the United Methodist denomination to Churches Uniting in Christ. She has been a keynote speaker for United Women in Faith’s Global Assembly, has done anti-racism writing and teaching for the General Commission on Religion and Race and the General Board of Global Missions, and has spoken on solidarity as a panelist at the World Methodist Conference. She has a relentless passion for finding ways to tell stories and help new voices be heard, and has utilized filmmaking, podcasting, and writing to amplify stories that often are overlooked.
She is known best for the way she puts her words into action in the physical embodiment of solidarity, holding vigil at the Waller County Jail after Sandra Bland’s death, and again outside the Tornillo detention camp where immigrant children were imprisoned at the border. She is viewed as a resilient leader and an expert in navigating high risk situations, after facing the risk of her own life in order to help compel the attention of the church and the nation to those injustices. In 2016, she became an Honorary Member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., alongside Geneva Reed-Veal, the mother of Sandra Bland. Also, in 2016, Abingdon published her first book, The Shout: Finding the Prophetic Voice in Unexpected Places — a Bible Study curriculum arising out of the community she had built as the Curator of The Shout – a spoken-word poetry focused artivism movement seeking to nurture a community of multi-ethnic, multi-generational, justice-seeking, solidarity-building people in Houston, Texas. In 2018, HBO released the documentary, “Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland” which included interviews with Hannah and featured her footage extensively.
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Rev. Dr. Josh Lopez-Reyes
Rev. Dr. Josh Lopez-Reyes is the Associate Pastor of Hollywood United Methodist Church.
Faith-rooted. Justice-driven. Community-committed.
In a world driven by algorithms and attention, I believe in something deeper: love that transforms, communities that rise together, and faith that liberates—not oppresses.
I’m Rev. Dr. Josh Lopez-Reyes— pastor, nonprofit leader, and longtime advocate for immigrant families in Los Angeles. With nearly 20 years of nonprofit ministry experience—including co-founding the Echo Park Immigration Center (EPIC)—I’ve committed my life to work that bridges faith, justice, and community.
My story is shaped by five defining moments that continue to guide me:
🌱 Raised in a Culture of Grit
I grew up in a hard working immigrant family where love looked like sacrifice and dignity was found in showing up. My parents pushed me in school and sports, and modeled how to treat people—with humility, respect, and compassion.
📖 Called to Something Bigger
My first sermon came in a small immigrant church youth group two decades. That “yes” opened the door to studying theology—a path that showed me God’s love is not small, not tribal, not exclusive. It’s a force that transforms lives, systems, and stories.
🔥 Faith, Deconstructed
Years in seminary pushed me to wrestle with the theology I grew up with. I began to question the nationalism, xenophobia, and colonial ideologies that too often distort Christianity. That pain gave birth to clarity: real faith liberates. It doesn’t exclude—it invites. It doesn’t dominate—it heals.
I hold a Master of Arts in Transformational Urban Leadership, a Master of Divinity, and a Doctor of Ministry. My studies, paired with two years living
and working in the favelas of Brazil, deepened my empathy for immigrants. I know what it’s like to live in a land where you don’t speak the language and feel far from home.
💍 Two Life-Changing YESes
One “yes” came from my wife, Grecia, on top of the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. Over ten years later, that remains the best decision of my life—and now we’re joyfully preparing to welcome our first child.
The other came when I stepped into full-time ministry over 8 years ago—fully aware of the financial challenges it could bring. As the son of a preacher, I had seen those struggles up close. But like the first, it was an act of love and courage.
Today, I’m a commissioned provisional Elder with The United Methodist Church, fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and still on the journey of learning what it means to serve God faithfully in complex and diverse communities.
🌎 The Why Behind the Work
This work isn’t always glamorous. It’s often behind the scenes and under the radar. But I remind myself daily—it is sacred. It is a gift to walk alongside people, especially in moments of transition or struggle, to embody the kind of love the world needs most.
🤝 Let’s Connect
Whether you’re a parent, a seeker, a storyteller, or someone in a hard season—I want you to know: you’re not alone. If you believe in love over fear, community over isolation, and justice over comfort, we’re already on the same path.
Let’s build something rooted in LOVE. Together.