Dr. Joseph P. Metoyer, Jr. – Pastor/Teacher
1999-Present: ACTS “A Church That Studies”, Santa Monica, CA
The Rev. Dr. Joseph P. Metoyer, Jr. established an American Baptist Church – now affiliated with
Transformation Ministries (he served as Vice Chair of Board of Directors) – with a mission to provide a new
and friendly worship experience with the intention of reaching out to a multi-cultural community. Our purpose
is to minister to the hurts and hopes of the people of our community. Dr. Metoyer is the founder of ACTS “A
Community That Shares”, a faith based non-profit 501c3 organization with a mission to develop
collaborations for building capacity to effectively mentor children of offenders and restore the family and
provide mental health care to families.
1993-1998: Senior Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Santa Monica, CA
Development – Non-profit 501c3 Organization: Established policies and directed the overall operations of
business. Developed training programs to motivate membership to set goals, organize and initiate. Guided the
corporation to implement programs that furthered their policies within budgetary constraints. Established
Corporate Partners to support various financial objectives. Developed ministry to challenge spiritual growth
within the membership and through out the community.
Dr. Metoyer served as President of the Virgin Islands Bible Institute, training pastors for the Virgin
Islands Baptist Mission which plants churches throughout the Eastern Caribbean Nations and St. Thomas, US
Virgin Islands. Dr. Metoyer has answered God’s call to preach and teach the Word for life changing purposes after a
successful 25-year career in Sports Marketing. His experiences include owning the radio sports broadcast rights
to the University of Southern California, negotiating the sports broadcast rights for KFI Radio with the Los
Angeles Raiders, and working for radio and television stations KABC, KFWB and KMPC. Some Sports
Franchises he represented include: The Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angeles, Los Angeles Rams, the
Raiders, Lakers, UCLA Bruins football and basketball, and USC football and basketball.
Chairman Church Plant Development Committee for ABC/PSW Area IIII – In his first five years, Area III
planted fourteen new churches (4 Hispanic, 7 Asian, 1 Black, and 2 Anglo). Many are growing with exciting
new ministries that are reaching our communities.
Education
Biola University, La Mirada, CA – BS Organizational Leadership
Talbot School of Theology, La Mirada, CA
Philadelphia Bible College and Seminary, Baltimore, MD – Master of Theology & Doctor of Theology
California State University Dominguez Hills, Carson, Ca – Master of Science, Marital and Family Therapy – Practices with Hosanna Ministries of Santa Monica
Community Service
Member – Santa Monica Rotary Club, / Paul Harris Fellow, served as Vice President – Santa Monica, CA
Chair of the Personnel Commission – Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA
Member – Santa Monica College General Advisory Board, Santa Monica, CA
Past Member – YMCA General Advisory Board, Santa Monica, CA
Past Member – Center for Healthy Aging Advisory Board, Santa Monica, CA
Member–California Committee Advisory Board Virgin Island Bible Institute, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Past Vice President – Interstate Believers Association, Canton, Ohio
Chaplain, Santa Monica Police Department
Dr. Milton Payne – Elder
Dr. Milton Payne has been a member of Acts Church for 20 years. He was ordained in
Deacon Ministry in September of 2009 and has been an Elder in the church for over the
last 5 years. He is actively involved with the Men’s Group, Pastor Appreciation and the
Acts Health Service Committee. He is a Chiropractic healthcare practitioner who was
born and raised in Santa Monica, California and has been practicing for over 30 years.
Dr. Payne received his BA degree from U.C. Santa Barbara and his doctorate degree
from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. He also has certifications as a Qualified
Medical Evaluator, Certified Safety Manager, Massage Therapist and an Associate in
Risk Management. Dr. Payne is married and the father of two adult sons.
Pastor James Wimberly – Elder
Pastor Wimberly, joined the ACTS family as an Elder in September of 2010, he was ordained
in 2007. James was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, for five years serving as a Deacon
under the Leadership and Mentoring of Senior Pastor, Joe Metoyer. James an Ambassador
for Jesus Christ, is dedicated to building the “Kingdom of God” through serving and teaching the
Word of God. James has a passion for the discipleship of men and is currently facilitating the
Men’s Sunday morning Bible study through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. The transforming of
one’s Soul is to grow in the knowledge and wisdom of Jesus Christ, that we may become like Him.
James has been faithful in leading our Christian Twelve Step Celebrate Recovery Ministry,
for to those who suffer from different forms of addictions. James has developed
relationships with other social non-profit Celebrated Recovery Organizations, in South Central
L.A. helping those in their recovery through the Word of God. James and his lovely wife (Wanda),
for 41yrs., reside in Rancho Cucamonga Ca.