Rev. Steve Murray, Senior Pastor
Steve was born in Wales, started school in Liverpool but has lived most of his life in the United States. The oldest of five children, Steve’s dad was an Irish Catholic and his mom an English protestant. Steve became a Christian in high school through the ministry of Young Life. Meeting Jesus and marrying Janet are the two most significant turning points in his life!
Steve received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from San Jose State University with a minor in Linguistics 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. Since 2005 Steve has never had more fun being a pastor!
His greatest honor: Being married to Janet, being a father to Lauren (22) and Megan (18), and being a pastor.
Dr. Dan Sharp, Worship and Arts/Caring Ministries Pastor
Dan grew up as the fourth generation of Sharps to live on their Illinois farm. He is benefitting from generations of vibrant Christians. At the age of eight he committed his life to Christ. His faith experienced difficult moments during his formative years with the sudden deaths of his only brother, and his father a couple of years later. Those events only deepened his conviction of the sufficiency and reality of God’s provision and presence in our lives. That conviction continues to this day.
Dan is a graduate of Wheaton College (where he met Nancy) with a bachelors in music education (BME), Drake University (MME), and USC where he received a doctorate (DMA) in church music. He has also done graduate work at Fuller Theological Seminary. He and Nancy served in the music ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ and at churches of varying sizes in Pittsburgh, Boston (where he was ordained), Newport Beach, Seattle, and now here. Dan is also a founding faculty member of the Robert E. Webber Institute of Worship Studies, a long-distance learning graduate school, which began in 1999. He team teaches a course on the Christian Year as part of the doctoral program and supervises doctoral theses in the area of worship studies. Dan loves to read, teach, and compose music. He is an avid carpenter and sports enthusiast.
He and his wife, Nancy Lindsell Sharp, were married in 1971 and have two boys, Jonathan who is married and lives with his wife, Erin, and daughter, Noel, in Omaha, NE. Jonathan is president of the high tech computer company, appendto.com. Their second son is Andrew, an aspiring actor and a graduate of the New York Film Academy (in television and film) and American Intercontinental University with a degree in marketing. Currently, Andrew is selling Smart cars at Mercedes Benz of San Diego. Nancy, a former school teacher, just completed her RN degree in nursing. Dan continues to enjoy the delight and challenge of ministry.
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 and 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 Bishop's 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 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 license 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. He is part of an LJCC Life Group, has been on a mission trip to Malawi, and participated in house building trips in Baja.
Jason is an avid cook and cyclist who has completed a number of 100 mile bike rides with his dad. He is enjoying being newly married to his wife, Suzanna.
Chris Tardiff, Director of Youth Ministry
Chris was born on the Marine base at Camp Pendleton and was raised in Tustin, CA. He attended Tustin High School and then received his Business Management degree from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, CA. Chris worked for a time in the surf industry with dreams of opening his own surf shop some day. That was before being called into full-time ministry in 1997. He was the Jr. High Pastor at Grace Fellowship Church for 6 years before coming to LJCC.
Chris said he "never set foot in a church until he was 18 years old". When on a surf trip to Hawaii, he went to church with the family with whom he and his friends were staying. Three months later he was invited to a ski trip over spring break of his senior year with the high school group at Calvary Church in Santa Ana. That’s where he heard the truth of the Gospel and accepted Christ. A year later in 1987 he got involved with volunteering in junior high ministry.
Chris still surfs any chance he gets. He says he's "still addicted" and has taken that love of surfing and used it in mentoring youth having coached the surf team at Muirlands Middle School in La Jolla for the last 4 years.
He and his wife, Karrie, have been married for 9 years, and she is a big part of his ministry at LJCC. They have two boys, Cheyne who is 6 and Chad who is 4.
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. He started in full-time ministry in 1997 at Forest Home Christian Conference Center working under J.P. Phillips with 4th-6th graders. Since that start, Charles' life has been an adventure indeed with him having the opportunity to expand God’s kingdom all over the world, within church and para-church organizations, and in ministries that ranged in size to rather small to quite large.
For more information about Charles, check out a blog he oversee’s for those involved with kids here at LJCC. See what we’re up to, what he’s thinking, and add your wisdom at - www.ljcckids.com.
Eric Figi, Facilities Director
Eric was born and raised in Marshfield, Wisconsin. He attended Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin and graduate school at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Eric started off his career in sales and sales management with a family business after which he ran a sales management training company. Prior to joining LJCC he headed up the Food Ministry at La Jolla Presbyterian Church.
He and his wife, Alison, have two grown daughters, Kate and Erin. Eric enjoys golfing, hunting, gardening and cooking.
Mary Ruyle, Interim Executive Director
Mary was born and raised in Southern California. Following college she was a first grade teacher for 6 years in the Carlsbad City Schools before she and her husband, David, started their family. Her time outside the home was devoted to volunteering in the greater San Diego community primarily with the Junior League, the San Diego Museum of Art, Rady Children's Hospital, Francis Parker School and The Bishop's School serving on their boards and doing event planning. After her children were in college, she worked full time for approximately 10 years as a paralegal/office manager in her husband's law firm. She and David were on the Steering Committee that founded LJCC. Mary served on the Board of Trustees for 5 years and as Chair from 2009-2010. She has participated in Community Bible Study for 15 years and in her previous church was active in Women's Ministry. She and David have been married since 1968 and have two grown sons who live in San Diego and practice law with their dad.
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 (Spokane, WA) 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 as the Director of Marketing. 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. Recently she moved into the position of Director of Community Life, responsible for helping people get connected into the life of the church in ways that will support and strengthen their faith in Christ. Michelle believes God has been preparing her for this role her entire lifeand feels extremely blessed to have been given the opportunity to serve Him in this way.
Michelle and her husband Jim live in La Jolla with their two teenage boys, Jimmy and Jake. She enjoys house and yard projects, long walks and core classes, going to the beach with family and friends, and traveling.
Krista Brannon, Eastgate Christian School Director
Krista grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas. After high school she attended Houston Baptist University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Child Development as well as Biblical Studies. After undergrad Krista moved to San Francisco, California where she attended Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. There she completed her master’s in Educational Leadership as well as certification programs for Early Childhood Education and Administration.
Krista has experience working with children and families in a number of different capacities including children’s ministry, public education, private education, missions, and non-profit. Prior to joining LJCC, she served as a missionary in Tijuana where she built homes for needy families and connected them to churches and educational resources in their community.
Krista enjoys photography, reading, traveling/cultural studies, and all types of social work.
Ariane Herwig, Communications Director
Ariane grew up in Silver Spring, MD. At age 15 she was confirmed in the Catholic faith. After high school she attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). She graduated Magna Cum Laude and earned her Bachelors Degree in Visual Arts with an emphasis in Graphic Design in 2002. After graduation she moved up to Ithaca, NY to work as a Prepress Technician at Wilcox Press.
In 2004 Ariane moved to San Diego where she established herself as a Freelance Graphic Designer and created Thorne Design as her business. She currently offers Graphic Design services such as magazine and publication design, advertising, brochures and letterhead, logos, direct mail, and web site design and maintenance when she's not working for LJCC.
Ariane is happily married to her husband, Tim. She enjoys riding her bicycle, going on walks, gardening, decorating, and taking photos.