Pastor Dave's first day at WPC was November 27, 2017. He describes his job as: to follow Jesus, listen, lead, teach, and equip. One of his favorite Bible passages is 2 Corinthians 5:16-21. Redemption, reconciliation, calling... lots of good stuff, all in one paragraph!
Dave feels that WPC has always been a church that shows Christ's love to the community in tangible ways. From the preschool, to different local and global mission partnerships, to launching a new church and other initiatives, and using our physical space to bring shalom to the Greater Conejo Valley...at its core this church has been about reminding people that they are loved by God and that God is still moving in today's world. He is thrilled to be a part of what God is doing here!
Asked to name his three favorite movies, Pastor Dave says: This is impossible. Star Wars (is claiming an entire series cheating?), Shawshank Redemption, and The Jungle Book. He lists his top three books as The Hobbit, Surprised by Hope, and Tipping Point.
When he is not at WPC, Dave spends a lot of time with his wife and three kids. They like to go on adventures (day trips and longer!), cook and eat together, watch movies, and occasionally have "PJ days" where they just lounge around the house. He tries to ride his bike a few times a week, enjoys surfing (although he doesn't get in the water as much as he used to), and is a HUGE baseball fan.
Contact Pastor Dave at dave@wpcwestlake.org or (818) 889-1491x110.
John's current staff position is primarily to work in pastoral care ministries. He has been on the WPC staff three times (!) beginning in February of 1977. John appreciates the people of Westminster because they are open to new ideas, to learning and working together, and to supporting relationships. His favorite scripture passage is Jeremiah 31:35: "I will be their God and they shall be my people."
John's all-time favorite movies are A Man for All Seasons, Schindler's List, and The Sound of Music. His top three books are Man's Search for Meaning (Victor Frankl), The Human Side of Enterprise (Douglas McGregor), and Psychotherapy and a Christian View of Man (David Roberts). In his spare time, John loves camping and playing golf. If he could sit down for dinner with anyone in history, it would be Abraham Lincoln.
John would love to some day travel to Asia and Australia with his wife, Pat.
Please contact him at john@wpcwestlake.org or 818 889-1491 x121.
Facilities-wise, Pieter feels his job is "to be all things to all people all the time." He has been on the WPC staff since 2005. His favorite day of the week is Saturday, when occasionally there is nothing scheduled here on campus!
Pieter's favorite scripture passages are the 6th through 9th chapters of Genesis. He loves to read, write, watch movies, play with books, and ponder his mortality. His top three books are Das Boot (Buchheim) - everyman and his fate crammed into a submarine; 12 Lessons for Life (Peterson) - he read it 40 years too late; and Goodnight Moon (Brown) - just because!
If he could have dinner with anyone, it would be with Jacob Bronowski, author of The Ascent of Man.
A little-known fact about Pieter: when he was in the Air Force he was a Space Shuttle, Mission Specialist, finalist.
Please contact him at pieter@wpcwestlake.org or 818 889-1491 x112.
Judy feels her job can be described as rewarding, challenging, connecting, creative, caring, joy-filled, risk taking, advocacy, relationship building, and team building. She started working at the preschool in 1972, when her starting pay was $3.25 an hour!
Her favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11: ""For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope." What she loves about WPC is its community, and always knowing she will be cared about.
When asked what she does for fun outside of WPC, Judy answered that there is no such thing as more fun outside of WPC! Her top three movies are Matilda, Finding Nemo and Toy Story. Her bucket list would include traveling to Italy, Australia or New Zealand.
As business administrator, Terry is involved in most operations of the campus, with an emphasis on finance and efficiency. She was employed at WPC in 2009-2010, and again from 2017 to the present. What Terry most loves about WPC is the heartfelt intention that each ministry brings - even when the chips are down.
As a child, Terry loved singing "Jesus Loves Me" really loudly while riding her tricycle - that phrase still touches her heart and soul.
When not at WPC, Terry enjoys reading fiction, paddleboarding/kayaking, and bike riding. She would love to go river cruising in Europe or Windjammer cruising in the Caribbean with various family members.
Please contact her at terry@wpcwestlake.org or 818 889-1491 x114.
As JYF (Junior Youth Fellowship) Coordinator, Matt has the awesome opportunity to walk alongside middle school students and help them to know God. Matt began serving at WPC in 2006 and came on staff in 2016. His favorite Bible verse is 1 Peter 5:7-9, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." Asked what he loves about WPC, Matt replies, "The people!"
When he is not at WPC, Matt enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing tennis, going to the gym, reading, and going to the movies. His top three movies are Gladiator, Top Gun, and Inception. A fun fact about Matt is that he played ice hockey as a child.
Please contact him at matt@wpcwestlake.org or 818 889-1491 x116.
Organist and pianist Pavel Petrov was born in Pyatigorsk in Southern Russia. He made his solo debut at the Bolshoi Hall of the Moscow State Conservatory at age 14. Since then, he has received critical acclaim for performances and festival participation throughout Russia, Europe, Asia and North America.
He has performed with orchestras around the world and for many dignitaries including Pope John II and Boris Yeltsin. Trained in the rich traditions of Russian piano, Petrov graduated from the Moscow Central Music School for gifted children and earned a Master of Music in piano performance, pedagogy, chamber music and accompaniment from the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory. Pavel also has the Artist Diploma and Master of Music in piano performance from the USC Thornton School of Music, where he is currently a doctoral candidate.
Pavel contributes his music excellence at our traditional (9:30) service each Sunday morning and at other services.
Sarah began her position in January of 2020. She feels a passionate mission/calling to fulfill the purpose of teaching, inviting, growing and equipping God's word into the hearts of children (Matthew 19:14). She is here to serve and lead as many little hearts as she can to our heavenly father.
Sarah's all-time favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11, 'For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.' God has proved this to Sarah time and time again in her life. You can never imagine what he has in store for you! This scripture is as if God is telling us, do not worry, my child, you are in my plans and whatever you are facing, it's not the end. There is always hope and a future of prosperity that awaits you.
Sarah has a love of travel, although she hasn't been many places yet. Spain, Paris, and Hawaii are on her top five to visit.
A fun fact about her is that she's a dancer; she has taught classes at local studios and organized dance shows. One show was to raise awareness for the non-profit organization "I'm a Dancer against Cancer" since she is a two-time cancer survivor herself. She has taught a variety of dances, but flamenco is the closest to her soul.
When Sarah is not at WPC, she enjoys spending time at the beach, reading a good book, creating, and being with loved ones.
Please contact her at sarah@wpcwestlake.org or 818 889-1491 x128.
J.R. describes his job as sharing Jesus and prayer with high school students. He has been serving with WPC's student ministries since 1988, and came on staff in September of 2016.
One of J.R's favorite Scripture stories is the parable of the lost sheep. It's a reminder that God loves us so much, He comes looking for us when we stray away from him.
J.R. loves that WPC has so many opportunities to get involved in the life of the church. In particular, he loves the Student Ministry program that has encouraged his own faith to flourish while ministering to students.
Please contact him at jr@wpcwestlake.org or 818 889-1491 x129.
Hired in June of 2020, Catherine’s job is to connect members with internal ministry opportunities and connect WPC to the greater Conejo Valley.
Her favorite Scripture passage comes from Ruth1:16: “But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
WPC feels like home to Catherine. Although she is new to the congregation, the warmth from the congregants, and the desire to continually better the community they’re a part of, has created an inviting and fulfilling environment to become a member of.
When she’s not at WPC, Catherine spends her days lifting weights, baking unique and odd healthy desserts, hiking and going to the beach, and taking her cocker spaniel on long walks. A fun fact about Catherine: every single morning, she eats a waffle for breakfast. It’s become a ritual and an important part of her morning routine – a waffle a day!
Catherine has a deep desire to travel to Iceland, both for the rich culture and the incredible natural wonders. She would probably travel with her brother, who is a huge outdoor enthusiast and always down for an adventure.
Please contact her at catherine@wpcwestlake.org or 818 889-1491 x100.
Ed's position is best described as helping WPC worship God, and serving others through music. He has been on staff in Music Ministries since 2011.
One of Ed's favorite Scripture passages is Luke 17:11-18, the story of Jesus cleansing the ten lepers. He hopes to have the faith and gratitude of the one Samaritan leper who came back to thank Jesus for healing him. Ed loves WPC's desire to serve and be involved in the mission field, both locally and internationally.
Ed's top three favorite movies are Citizen Kane, The Mission, and North by Northwest. Something you may not know about him is that his first job was as a ball boy for the NBA's Houston Rockets. If Ed could have dinner with anyone (past, present, or future), it would be film composer Ennio Morricone.
Please contact him at terry@wpcwestlake.org or 818 889-1491 x122.
Heidi has worked as Administrative and Business Support for WPC's Preschool since 2005.
She loves the sense of community and belonging at WPC. Her favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:8: "Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
When Heidi is not at work, you will find her relaxing with her family, being a spectator at her daughters' volleyball games, or walking with friends at the park. Her favorite movies are Legally Blonde, Man's Favorite Sport, and The Proposal.
If she could have dinner with anyone (past, present or future), it would be Thomas Jefferson.
She would love to travel to New Zealand and/or Switzerland with her family.
Please contact her at heidi@wpcwestlake.org or 818 889-1493.
