Rev. Steve Murray, Senior Pastor
Steve was born in Wales and started school in Liverpool but has lived most of my life in the United States. The oldest of five children, Steve’s dad was an Irish Catholic and his Mom an English protestant. His parents had a very difficult marriage and so his family life was disrupted by that. Becoming a Christian through Young Life in high school was a turning point in his life.
Steve received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from San Jose State University and a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. He served as an Adjunct Professor at Fuller from 1989-1996. From 1981 to 1995, Steve served as Associate Pastor of Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, California. He then served as Senior Pastor of La Jolla Presbyterian Church in La Jolla, California from 1995 to 2005.
His greatest honor: Being married to Janet, being a father to Lauren (18) and Megan (15), and being a pastor.
Favorite movie: "There are too many films I like, which makes it difficult to pick a favorite. But I think everyone should see 'Princess Bride'. 'Babette's Feast' is another favorite."
Favorite past-time, hobbies: Enjoying a meal and conversation with friends. Walking in beautiful places. Reading good books.
Rev. Dr. Dan Sharp, Worship Pastor
Dan was ordained to the ministry in 1980 while serving a church in Lexington, MA. Dan also serves as part of the adjunct faculty for the Robert E. Webber Institute of Worship Studies, a long-distance learning graduate school since its founding in 1999. He team teaches a course on the Church Year as part of the doctoral program. He also supervises doctoral theses in the area of worship studies.
Prior to joining LJCC, Dan was the Minister of Music and Worship at University Presbyterian Church, Seattle, Washington. He first met Steve and Janet when he was the Minister of Music and Worship at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach where Steve was the Associate Pastor.
He and his wife, Nancy, have been married 38 years and have two boys, Jonathan who is married and lives with his wife, Erin, and daughter, Noel, in Omaha, NE, and Andrew, who is a college student, an aspiring actor and a graduate of the New York Film Academy living in Burbank.
Favorite food: Ice cream
Favorite movie: “What About Bob?”
Favorite past-time: Carpentry, remodeling, wiring, sheet-rocking (building), golf, an avid Chicago teams' sports fan (Sox, not the Cubs!)
Jason Gabsch, CPA, Chief Financial Officer
Jason was born and raised here in La Jolla by his wonderful parents Karen and Orrin. Although he was raised as a Christian, believed in God from a very early age, it was not until some difficult circumstances arose later in his life that he fully committed his life to the Lord. After graduating from The Bishops School, he attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. After two years working for a food service company up in San Francisco, Jason left the Bay Area and completed his accounting degree at The University of San Diego.
After working for a couple of smaller accounting firms in San Diego, Jason was hired by Ernst & Young LLP in their Real Estate Tax Group. He obtained his CPA licence and spent 7 years at EY working on a variety of public and private companies. Seeing a need at La Jolla Community Church for someone with an accounting background and a chance to make a real difference, Jason left public accounting and accepted the position of Chief Financial Officer in July of 2007.
Favorite Food: Phil’s BBQ
Favorite Movie: Top Gun
Favorite Past Time Hobbies etc: Long bike rides with my dad, reading, cooking, watching football.
Chris Tardiff, Director of Youth Ministry
Chris grew up in Tustin, CA. Chris had never set foot in a church until he was 18. "I was on a surf trip over Christmas vacation to the North Shore of Oahu with some friends, and we stayed at the home of a Christian family. They took us to church on one of the Sundays we were there. A couple months later, in March of that year, I went on a ski trip to Brianhead, Utah with the high school group at Calvary Church in Santa Ana. That’s where I became a Christian!"
Chris graduated from Vanguard University with a BA in Business Management.
Chris has been ministering to students in one capacity or another for over 20 years. He started out as a volunteer, worked with organizations like Christian Surfers United States and Young Life and eventually ended up taking his first full time position with Grace Fellowship Church in Costa Mesa back in 1998. It’s the relationships with students that keep him going. “Watching them learn and grow in their relationship with God is what excites me in life.”
Chris and his wife, Karrie, have two sons, Cheyne and Chad.
Charles Molenkamp, Director of Children's Ministry
Charles grew up in Big Bear Lake, CA and has lived in So Cal most of his life. His spiritual journey started with the legacy his grandparents gave to his parents, who passed it down to Charles. From that secure foundation, God has continually built Charles into who he is today. "I am constantly in awe of who God is and what an amazing journey we embark on when we turn our lives over to Him. It’s always an adventure!"
Charles received his undergraduate degree in Accounting and has attended classes towards a Masters of Theology at Fuller Seminary.
Favorite food: Pazookie at BJ’s Pizza
Favorite movie: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy or most any 80’s brat pack flick.
Favorite past-time, hobbies, etc.: "I love to drive, go camping, be outside, and spend time with my friends and family."
Favorite quote: It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. -- Theodore Roosevelt
Eric Figi, Facilities Director
Eric was born in Marshfield, Wisconsin and attended school at Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin and graduate school and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He and his wife Alison have two daughters, Kate and Erin. He enjoys golfing, hunting, gardening, cooking and playing cards.
Favorite food : Peking Duck
Favorite past-time, hobbies: Coin and stamp collecting, hunting, fishing. "Golf hates me…"
Michelle Le Beau, Director of Community Life
Michelle grew up in Los Angeles, right across the street from the Presbyterian church where her father served as Senior Pastor for 28 years. Although Michelle grew up in a loving, Christian family, it wasn’t until after she was married and had children that her relationship with God became real to her.
A graduate of Whitworth College, with a degree in Communications and Marketing, Michelle’s professional career was in Advertising, Public Relations, Marketing and Special Events. She worked for the 1992 America’s Cup Organizing Committee and ran her own Marketing Communications firm for eight years prior to joining an Internet start-up. With two young children at the time, the corporate world was wearing her down and the perfect balance came when she accepted a position as Communications Manager for La Jolla Presbyterian Church. After working there for four years, Michelle joined LJCC in the same capacity.
Michelle and her husband, Jim, have two boys, Jimmy (14) and Jake (12).
Favorite food: Acai bowls, sushi
Favorite past-time, hobbies: House and yard projects, long walks, going to the beach with family and friends, traveling.
Favorite movie: "Big Fish," "Forrest Gump"