I believe the local church is God’s primary instrument for bringing the hope of Jesus Christ into the world. It is where people are saved, discipled, equipped, healed, challenged, and sent. Because of that, I consider the privilege of leading God’s people to be both a sacred calling and a lifelong stewardship.

My aim has never been to build a platform. My desire is to build healthy churches that faithfully preach Scripture, cultivate the presence of God, and develop disciples who make disciples. If influence comes, it should always be the byproduct of faithfulness, not the pursuit of it.

For nearly two decades, I have served the local church in worship, executive, and lead pastoral roles, and every season has only deepened my conviction that healthy churches are built through faithful shepherding, biblical preaching, and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Shepherd Before Leader

The New Testament consistently describes pastors as shepherds. Before I am responsible for vision, strategy, budgets, or organizational leadership, I am called to know, feed, protect, and care for the people God has entrusted to me.

Leadership without shepherding eventually creates spectators. Shepherding produces disciples.

I want to be the kind of pastor who is present in both celebration and suffering, who preaches with conviction and listens with compassion, who leads from the front without forgetting what it means to walk alongside people.

Scripture is our Authority

I believe God’s Word is timeless, trustworthy, and sufficient for every generation.

My commitment is to preach the Bible faithfully rather than simply speak about current events or personal opinions. While culture changes, the truth of Scripture does not. Every sermon should ultimately point people to Jesus Christ, because He is both the center of the Bible and the center of the Christian life.

Good leadership may inspire people for a moment. God’s Word transforms them for eternity.

Spirit-Led, Not Strategy-Led

Strategy, vision, planning and excellence are all important, and seen in scripture, but none of those things can replace the work of the Holy Spirit.

I believe a healthy ministry requires both thoughtful preparation and complete dependence upon God. We make plans, steward resources well, and pursue excellence in every area while remaining sensitive to the leading, conviction, gifts, and power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer is not preparation for ministry, it is ministry. Prayer is the engine that drives the church. His house is a house of prayer, therefore we ought to be people of prayer.

Peacemaking is Part of Shepherding

I believe pastors are called to be peacemakers, not merely peacekeepers. A peacekeeper may avoid tension but a peacemaker steps into difficult moments with humility, clarity, and a desire to see Christ honored and the body healed.

Conflict is never enjoyed, but it is something we must take seriously. Unaddressed conflict can spread through a church like an infection. Handled biblically, however, it can become a place where truth, grace, repentance, and restoration are all put on display.

My approach to correction is simple: affirm people sincerely, address the issue clearly, root the conversation in Scripture, and make sure they leave knowing they are loved, cared for, and invited into a healthy path forward. The goal is always restoration, healing, and obedience to Christ.

Build People Before Building Organizations

Healthy churches are built by healthy people.

One of my greatest responsibilities is identifying, developing, and releasing leaders into their God-given calling. Leadership is not about gathering gifted people around one personality. It is about equipping ordinary people to faithfully serve Christ in extraordinary ways.

Success is not measured by how much a leader accomplishes personally, but by how many others they empower to carry the mission forward.

Character Sustains What Gifting Begins

Talent may open doors, but character determines whether we can faithfully walk through them.

I believe humility, integrity, holiness, teachability, generosity, and consistency are not optional qualities for Christian leadership, they are essential.

Part of healthy leadership is also being able to recognize when I am wrong, own it, and seek reconciliation. A pastor cannot call people to humility while refusing to practice it himself.

The goal is not simply to finish well in ministry, but to live faithfully every day between the calling and the finish line.

Excellence is an Act of Stewardship

Because everything we have belongs to God, excellence is not about impressing people, it is about honoring Him.

Whether preaching a sermon, producing media, organizing systems, leading a team, or welcoming someone on a Sunday morning, I want every detail to communicate that people matter because they matter to God.

Excellence should never replace authenticity, but authenticity should never become an excuse for carelessness.

Legacy Over Recognition

The greatest ministries are rarely measured within a single generation.

I want my life to help build something that will continue serving Christ long after I am gone. That means investing in future leaders, strengthening healthy churches, equipping families, and creating systems that outlast personalities.

My prayer is not that people would remember my name, but that more people would know the name of Jesus because I was faithful with the years He entrusted to me.

At the end of the day, faithful ministry is remarkably simple: love God deeply, love people sincerely, preach Christ faithfully, depend on the Holy Spirit completely, restore people biblically, and leave the Church stronger than you found it.

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), it has been an honor to steward the call of God and shepherd this church community since 2018 (when we started hosting interest meetings). Part of my role is to provide visionary and organizational leadership to this 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, God has strengthened 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:

• Oversee the spiritual and organizational health of the church, aligning all ministries with long-term vision and values.

• Cast vision and curate church culture with an emphasis on building a Legacy for future generations.

• Write and preach biblically sound, engaging sermons that encourage discipleship and reach new believers.

• Collaborate with pastoral staff to care for the congregation’s spiritual needs and disciple members toward Christlikeness.

• Cultivate relationships with civic and community leaders to establish the church as a citywide resource.

• Provide strategic financial leadership, including managing church funds and launching successful fundraising campaigns.

• Partner with the Board of Trustees to establish and execute a long-term financial savings plan.

• Lead the adoption of foundational governance documents, including bylaws, employee handbook, and policy manual.

• Oversee Pastoral Staff and Board of Trustees to ensure healthy leadership and accountability structures.

• Negotiate lease agreements to secure facilities that support ministry growth and outreach.

• Produce 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 and Barbara Popineau have modeled a life of unwavering faith and servant leadership — and I got to witness it firsthand as their son. Their example shaped my theology, character, and conviction that ministry begins at home.

Wayne Tesch founded Royal Family Kids Camp (now For the Children) in 1985, growing it into an international movement bringing healing to abused and neglected children. Our regular conversations over a BBQ lunch have saved me years of figuring things out on my own.

Pastor Don Sanderson led Grace Community Church in Whittier through a season of vision and renewal, mentoring me as we grew our church together. I owe much of my leadership — especially in conflict resolution — to his instruction and friendship.

Former Superintendent, pastor, mentor, and one of the most respected denominational leaders in the Assemblies of God. He has been a trusted friend and mentor in my life, and his wisdom, encouragement, and example have significantly shaped my pastoral ministry.