LEAD PASTOR at Legacy Church
June 2018 - Present (Tustin, CA)
I planted this church alongside my wife, hearing the call from God while I was in college to start a church in Orange County. We launched on January 5, 2020, just ten weeks before the Covid pandemic. In addition to all the start up work (ie. mission and vision statements, growing a launch team, raising funds etc), I have served as Lead Pastor for the last five years. I have provided visionary and organizational leadership to a growing church with a heart for legacy, community impact, and biblical truth. My role encompasses preaching, strategic planning, team oversight, and financial stewardship. Through cultivating a strong church culture and developing community partnerships, I’ve led efforts that not only strengthen our congregation spiritually but also position the church as a trusted resource within our city. With a passion for excellence and sustainability, I’ve helped shape both the spiritual direction and the operational foundation of the church.
Key Responsibilities & Accomplishments:
Oversaw the spiritual and organizational health of the church, aligning all ministries with long-term vision and values.
Cast vision and curated church culture with an emphasis on legacy-building for future generations.
Wrote and preached biblically sound, engaging sermons that encouraged discipleship and reached new believers.
Collaborated with pastoral staff to care for the congregation’s spiritual needs and disciple members toward Christlikeness.
Cultivated relationships with civic and community leaders to establish the church as a citywide resource.
Provided strategic financial leadership, including managing church funds and launching successful fundraising campaigns.
Partnered with the Board of Trustees to establish and execute a long-term financial savings plan.
Led the adoption of foundational governance documents, including bylaws, employee handbook, and policy manual.
Oversaw Pastoral Staff and Board of Trustees to ensure healthy leadership and accountability structures.
Negotiated lease agreements to secure facilities that support ministry growth and outreach.
Produced in-house creative content including photography, video, and graphic design to enhance communication and engagement.
ASSISTANT PASTOR at Grace Community
Aug 2016 - June 2018 (Whittier, CA)
In this role, I led the worship ministry that transformed church culture and engagement in worship. I played a pivotal role in a complete church rebrand, updating the vision and identity to reflect a fresh, forward-thinking approach. I launched a thriving small group ministry that debuted with 25 groups—exceeding Sunday attendance in its first semester—and contributed to a season of rapid growth where church attendance doubled under the leadership of the pastoral team. Beyond ministry development, I managed the day-to-day operations and staff to ensure smooth execution of church programs and events. The church nearly doubled in my time there due to the staff’s unity and commitment to the vision.
Key Responsibilities & Accomplishments:
Oversaw a growing worship ministry, elevating both musical excellence and congregational engagement.
Played a key role in the church’s full rebrand, including updating vision, messaging, and creative direction.
Launched a small group ministry with 25 active groups, surpassing Sunday attendance during its first semester.
Contributed to a season of rapid church growth, with overall attendance doubling under pastoral leadership.
Managed church staff and daily operations to ensure alignment with vision and organizational goals.
WORSHIP PASTOR at Calvary Assembly
July 2014 - Aug 2016 (Lomita, CA)
During my time in this Long Beach area church we saw incredible growth in the worship team and the church as a whole. The worship team grew to have multiple teams with multiple leaders overseeing teams. We installed an entirely new sound system and brought the overall production department to a new level. While I was there I also served as an overseer to Youth, Small Groups, Outreach and Kids ministries.
Key Responsibilities & Accomplishments:
Planned worship sets and environmentals.
Grew the worship ministry and developed multiple worship leaders.
Installed new sound system and built out a video production space for announcements and testimonies to be filmed.
The church and team experienced stable growth as Sunday attendance nearly doubled in those two years.
EDUCATION:
BACHELORS DEGREE in Religion
Vanguard University of Southern California
Graduated in 2014 with an emphasis in Pastoral Theology and Church Leadership.
LICENSED & ORDAINED
Assemblies of God
Licensed in April 2012; Ordained in June 2017
POLICE CHAPLAIN
Tustin Police Department
March 2025 - Present
MENTORS:
Phil & Barbara Popineau
Dad & Mom, Associate Pastors|Legacy Church
Phil and Barbara Popineau have modeled a life of unwavering faith, spiritual depth, and generational impact. I got to witness it firsthand as their son. Their decades of marriage and ministry have been marked by servant leadership, quiet strength, and a commitment to the local church. Together, they raised their family with intentionality and a deep love for God’s presence, cultivating a home where faith was lived out daily. Their influence has helped shape not only my theology and leadership, but also character, resilience, and the conviction that ministry begins in the family. Through seasons of both joy and challenge, Phil and Barbara have embodied what it means to lead with integrity, love people deeply, and steward a legacy that lasts. Their lives continue to be a compelling reminder of calling, faithfulness, and a reminder that the greatest ministry often happens at home.
Wayne Tesch
Founder | Royal Family Kids Camps
Wayne Tesch is the founder of Royal Family Kids Camps, a transformative ministry launched in 1985 with his wife, Diane, at Newport Mesa Church. Together, they pioneered a compassionate model that brings abused and neglected children into a week-long summer camp experience to provide healing, hope, and unconditional care. Under Wayne’s leadership, Royal Family grew to more than 150 camps nationwide, expanded into year-round mentoring, and became an international movement ministering to children in foster care. His deep commitment to relational ministry, strategic church mobilization, and healing community formation has shaped thousands of volunteer leaders. His example of visionary service and kingdom-focused innovation makes him an ideal mentor, modeling how faith-based creativity and organizational wisdom advance God’s heart for the vulnerable. Wayne and I enjoy Chik-Fil-A sandwiches regularly and those conversations have saved me years of figuring things out on my own. His encouragement and impact on my life has been immense and I’m incredibly grateful to call him friend.
Don Sanderson
Lead Pastor | Vista Assembly of God
Pastor Don Sanderson served as the lead pastor in Whittier, CA, where he deeply influenced both the congregation and emerging leaders during a season of transformation. Under his leadership, Grace Community, previously New Horizons/Life Church, embodied a spirit of vision and renewal, reaching into the community with practical teaching and transformative outreach. A devoted family man, husband to Shari and a grandfather, Don brings decades of pastoral wisdom seasoned by years of guiding churches through revitalizing, community engagement, and gospel-centered growth. His mentorship provided a living example of how to shepherd a congregation through change with grace, vision, and a heartfelt commitment to raising up the next generation of believers. Working alongside him was a season filled with excitement and we saw God grow our church and expand us as leaders. I enjoy my time with him now across the coffee table instead of at a desk. His friendship has helped shape me into the leader I am today. I owe much of my experience in conflict resolution to his instruction.
Steve Bland
Lead Pastor | La Palma Christian Center
Executive Presbyter | SoCal Network of The Assemblies of God
Pastor Steve Bland has served as the Lead Pastor of La Palma Christian Center for twenty years, delivering dynamic, Spirit-empowered preaching and instilling bold vision and hope within the congregation. Under his leadership, La Palma has cultivated a multi-generational community with robust ministries for youth, seniors, and families, supported by strong worship, media, and outreach initiatives. Known for practical teaching grounded in biblical truth, Steve’s ministry emphasizes trust in God through every season, encouraging believers to “find, serve, share” even when it’s hard. His pastoral mentorship has demonstrated how steadfast faith, intentional discipleship, and creative communication can shape healthy, resilient church culture. He has had a deep impact on my ministry and helped us navigate bringing Legacy Church to General Council status with the Assemblies of God.