Meet the Team

DJ is the kind of lead pastor who makes you feel like the Bible was written just for you. His passion is taking Scripture and making it clear, grounded, and genuinely relevant to the life you're actually living. A Fuller Seminary grad and Southern California native, faith has been woven into his story from the very beginning. At home, he and his wife Samantha — a Marriage and Family Therapist — are in the beautiful chaos of raising four kids: James, Emily, Josie, and Will. Catch him outside the office and he's probably running, throwing a frisbee, or on the hunt for great barbecue. Come to DJ when you need someone who will truly listen.

dj@gspc.org
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Janae has a way of making people feel like they belong — and she's been doing exactly that at Good Shepherd for eight years. As Family Pastor, she shows up in every season, the messy ones just as much as the joyful ones. She holds a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Talbot at Biola, but her real education happens daily watching God transform hearts. When she's not at church, she's running before sunrise, chasing her two girls at the playground, or enjoying one too many coffees. Anchored by 2 Corinthians 4:7-8 — come to Janae, you don't have to face it alone.

janae@gspc.org
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If you've ever wanted someone to truly sit with you and listen, Doug is your person. As Care Pastor, he has a gift for making people feel seen and heard — and after 30 years as a lead pastor and a season as a chaplain, he's walked alongside people through just about everything. What lights him up most? Hearing the incredible stories of faith in this congregation. An avid cyclist with 20-plus bikes in his past, he's a proud husband, dad, and grandfather of four. His door is always open. Hebrews 12:15 — "Make sure no one misses out on God's grace" — Doug takes that personally.

doug@gspc.org
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Marita sees the world through a child's eyes — and it makes her one of the most refreshing people on staff. She'll tell you kids ask better questions and shine Jesus' light in ways most adults have forgotten. With 20-plus years in kids ministry, she knows. Her story has a special twist: she grew up right here at Good Shepherd, her dad taught Sunday school here, and now she's shaping the next generation. She's a mom, an artist, and a painter of walls and windows — who skips coffee and chocolate, loves Wahoo's, and has 3 tattoos so far. Come to Marita ready to serve. She'll find your spot.

kids@gspc.org
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Cole is the kind of person who makes you feel like whatever you bring to the conversation is exactly what he wanted to talk about. As Youth Director, he's passionate about walking alongside young people as they discover who God is and who they're becoming in Him. Before this role, he was guarding lives at Huntington State Beach — and he's still most at home near the water, surfing and playing beach volleyball. He's currently pursuing his Master of Arts in Theology at Talbot School of Theology. Fueled by cold brew and Where Prayer Becomes Real, come to Cole for any conversation — he's wholeheartedly here for it.

youth@gspc.org
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If anyone knows the heart of Good Shepherd, it's Carol. She grew up here, fell in love here, raised four kids here, and has been showing up for this community ever since — 47 years of marriage to Giff and counting. A former Registered Nurse, she brings genuine tenderness to her role walking alongside the senior members of this church, people she deeply admires for their faith, their generosity, and the lives they've lived. Every summer for 46 years she's made her way to Campus by the Sea on Catalina — first as a honeymooning camp counselor, now watching her grandchildren discover God in the same place she did. There are six grandkids and one great-grandchild cheering her on. Grab her a raspberry mocha and she's ready for anything. Anchored in Psalm 46:10, come to Carol when life feels heavy — she's walked hard roads before, and she won't let you walk yours alone.

carol@gspc.org
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If you've ever felt something stir in you during a worship song and wondered what that was — talk to Binh. He's known since his early teens that music was his calling, and he'll tell you that every time he leads sacred music, he feels unmistakably close to God's heart. As Minister of Music, he lovingly prepares people of all ages — musically and spiritually — to encounter God in worship. He's a lifelong student of church history and Scripture, always learning, always growing. His personal standard? Give God the first and the best, every single time. Come to Binh — he'd love to help music become your doorway to God.

binh@gspc.org
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If something's running smoothly at Good Shepherd, Justine probably had something to do with it. As Director of Operations, she keeps the behind-the-scenes moving — staff, systems, facilities, events — with clarity and care. She spent over 16 years in educational supplies perfecting the art of making complicated things simple, and she brings that same gift here every day. But what really drives her isn't the logistics — it's the people. A longtime Good Shepherd family member, she loves seeing others step into their gifts and serve. Grounded in Philippians 4:13, come to Justine with whatever you need — she'll figure it out with you.

justine@gspc.org
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If you've ever walked into the Good Shepherd office needing help — or just needing someone to talk to — chances are Mary was there for you. Warm, grounded, and genuinely happy to help, she's the kind of person who makes you feel at ease right away. Before joining the team, she spent years as a bookkeeper, but people have always been her real calling. At home, she's a wife of 28 years, mom to six adult children, and her favorite title of all — Nana to three. She'll take her mornings by a river with coffee over a tent any day. Pull up a chair — Mary's got time for you.

mary@gspc.org
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If Good Shepherd had a heartbeat at the front door, it would be Ellie. Warm, welcoming, and genuinely delighted to see you, she's been showing up for this community for 22 years — part of a remarkable 42-year journey in ministry. Before that, she built her work ethic in the Thrift and Loan industry, but people have always been where she thrives. Her greatest joy outside these walls? Being a great-grandmother — a title she wears proudly. Anchored in Romans 8:28 and probably sipping an iced caramel macchiato, come to Ellie with your questions, needs, or prayer requests. She genuinely means it.

ellie@gspc.org
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There's a good chance Ruben was already hard at work long before you arrived at Good Shepherd. As custodian, he's the kind of person who takes quiet pride in making sure everything is just right — because he genuinely cares. Helping people is what gets him going, and it shows in every corner of this campus. Before joining the team, he worked in the restaurant industry, where serving others was always at the heart of the job. When he's not here, you'll find him in the gym or out on the soccer field doing what he loves. Need something? Anything at all? Ruben is your guy — just ask.

ruben@gspc.org
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Kylo serves as Good Shepherd’s unofficial staff morale coordinator. While his responsibilities are still being clarified, he is especially gifted in greeting people, bringing joy to the office, and reminding everyone to take an occasional walk. When he is not supervising staff meetings, Kylo enjoys treats, naps, and being told he is a very good dog.