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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 818 889-1491 x121.
Julie's job is to create welcoming spaces, places and engaging opportunities for children, youth and adults to learn, experience and express their faith. She has been on the WPC staff since 1997. She loves that WPC strives to be a community that offers hospitality to all of God's people. One of Julie's favorite Scripture passages is Romans 12:9-13: "Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers."
Julie's top three books are A Lantern in Her Hand, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Call of the Wild. When she is not at WPC, Julie loves anything that gets her up, out and moving. Her most recent obsession is tap dancing! Her dream travel destination would be anywhere with a beach with her husband, children (and their honeys) and her new granddaughter. If she could have dinner with anyone, past, present or future, she would give just about anything to have one more dinner with her mom and dad.
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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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 818 889-1491 x114.
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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 818 889-1491 x122.
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.
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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.
Please contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 818 889-1493.
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.
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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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 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.
Valerie's role is to provide administrative support for Children's and Family Ministries. Working at Westminster Presbyterian Church since 2006 has provided her with a wonderful church family. She feels it is amazing to see the WPC children grasp the concept of serving God, serving others and giving back with a mission component, which is always present in the children's programs. There is also a wonderful continuity with the children: as they grow in their faith, they in turn become youth leaders for the children's programs. Many middle school and high school students return year after year to serve in our programs.
On her journey with God, God has used different scripture verses to speak to her at different times in life. A life verse is Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Also Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Valerie enjoys time spent in nature, walks on the beach, and she never tires of watching a beautiful sunset. In her own words, "Peace is watching the sun set and knowing who to thank."
Please contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 818 889-1491 x139.
Since 2001, Kathy has been assisting WPC's pastoral staff and facilitating church communication. She loves the Scripture passages that describe praising the Lord through music, such as Psalms 100 and 150. Among her favorite things about WPC are the incredible team spirit of the staff and the generosity and caring of this congregation.
Kathy's first love has always been singing classical music, both in choral groups and as a soloist. She sang, toured and recorded for many years with the Dale Warland Singers. When not at WPC, Kathy enjoys leading worship at Monte Vista Presbyterian Church and singing professionally with a local ensemble, Areté, as well as for memorial services and weddings.
Kathy enjoys reading and spending every possible moment with her four amazing grandchildren.
Please contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 818 889-1491 x110.
Paula has been working at WPC since May of 2012. Her current responsibilities include maintaining the master calendar and database, and coordinating with the Adult Christian Formation and Student Ministry committees. Her favorite Scripture passage is Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, "Everything Has Its Time."
She loves the small, family sense of community at WPC.
Please contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 818 889-1491 x150.
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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 818 889-1493.
Shenetta Martin has served as Early Childhood Coordinator since April, 2018. She loves that WPC offers family activities throughout the year that provide opportunities to engage with other families. Her favorite scripture passage is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13: "Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Now abide faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
In her spare time, Shenetta enjoys spending time with her family: hiking, swimming, and visiting theme parks. They love trying new foods and exploring everything California has to offer! Shenetta also enjoys painting and listening to classical music, but she admits there is not much time for these activities.
If Shenetta could travel anywhere in the world, she would take her family on an African safari and encounter animals in their natural habitat. The culture and traditions of Africa also inspire her to want to visit.
Please contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 818 889-1491 x140.