Staff

Tom is the co-lead pastor of Christian Assembly. He grew up in Pittsburgh, PA before heading to college at Ohio Wesleyan University where he earned a B.A. in World Religions, Sociology, and Environmental Studies. He was headed to law school when God intervened, sending him into full-time ministry. Tom launched and led student ministries on the east coast for a number of years before moving to England to study with the missional church movement there. After the time in England, Tom came to Pasadena to earn his Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. Tom and his wife Allison found CA in 2002 when a neighbor invited them to come and check it out. Both Tom and Allison fell in love with the people of CA as well as what God was up to in this community. In 2003, Tom joined the CA staff as part of the teaching team, with the specific assignment to reach young adults. Since 2007, Tom has been the co-lead pastor with Mark Pickerill. He is a rabid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, loves the mountains and still enjoys kicking the soccer ball around from time to time. Tom and Allison have three children: Caleb, Sophia, and Micah.

Sarah Ann has been a part of CA since 2018, and has had a blast serving in many different ministries. She's passionate to see the next generation living worship-filled, joyfully authentic lives with the LORD, rooted in the Word of God. She and her husband, Gatlin, are originally from Whitefish, MT and now live in Highland Park with their two cats. When she's not at CA, you'll find Sarah Ann in her kitchen, at the movies, at the ballpark, and making people laugh.

Rico migrated from the Philippines to the United States in 1985. Before joining the CA Staff in 2024, Rico has worked with Union Bank/U.S. Bank for 34 years.

Rico has been attending Christian Assembly since 2010, where he met his wife. Rico and Lisa have been married for over 10 years. In his spare time, Rico loves to take walks at the Rose Bowl with Lisa. Rico is a big Boston Celtics and New England Patriots fan.

What gives Rico the most joy is when people accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Tonia and her husband Dennis Lovelace have been a part of Christian Assembly Church for over 20 years.  Tonia moved to Los Angeles as a teenager from Chicago, IL. After a 28-year career in Human Resources Management Tonia exited, opting for a simpler and more balanced lifestyle.  While seeking God for what this next season of life would bring, she entered the C.A. Internship Program. The internship was an instrumental part in Tonia’s discernment for next steps and in which ways she may be led to serve God and others. Tonia has a big heart to serve God and His people and a strong love for God’s Word and prayer. She loves her family, the beach, traveling, architecture, a good laugh, and her doggy Lucy!

Jairo Fuentes, born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Jairo grew up in the church where he discovered a calling to be a Pastor at the age of 7. In 2017, his life was forever changed when he attended a Young Adults gathering in the San Fernando Valley. It was the summer of that same year where he felt God calling him to full time ministry. Out of obedience to God, he left his accounting degree at California State University, Long Beach and transferred to Life Pacific University where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Ministry and Leadership in 2020.

Jairo has been faithfully serving the local church the last couple of years where he grew a passion to work with people. He is passionate about leading people to complete commitment to Jesus Christ and helping people find their people. In his spare time, Jairo loves discovering a new coffee shop, watching sports, movies, and taking photos of his friends.

Colie was born and raised in Wisconsin, but has always been a California girl at heart. Her love for people and helping them find freedom in Jesus is what first drew her into ministry. She formerly served as a youth pastor in Portland, OR before moving to Los Angeles to attend seminary at Azusa Pacific University. There she was sent out as a missionary to Kolkata, India and returned back to the states with a heart to serve the local community and engage God's people in the great city of Los Angeles.

Colie enjoys drinking good coffee, going to the beach, watching sports (Go Pack Go) and traveling as often as possible. She is passionate about encouraging women to be who they were created to be in Christ, and seeks to inspire all people to live out their true identities as Jesus’ beloved.

Robert has been a Southern California native for most of his adult life coming from the Philippines when he was 14. He has been a part of Christian Assembly for over 10 years and has recently spent a year as a pastoral apprentice. He is currently one of the pastors leading our 11:15 North community.

He is happily married to his wife, Girlie, and they are blessed with two boys; Jhared and Aiden.

Born and raised in the L.A. area, Jill counts it a great privilege to serve as a Community Life and Women's Pastor. She enjoys helping people to discover how God has uniquely created them and how He wants to use them in the world. Jill loves meeting new people, hanging out with friends, and spending time with her husband, Byron, and their twin boys, Hudson and Finley. She graduated from Westmont College with an English major and Religious Studies minor.

Born and raised in the city of Los Angeles it was in this great city that I came to faith at the age of 13 while visiting the Angeles Temple. Even at that early age I could sense that God had placed a deep passion within me for seeing lives transformed. After graduating high school I enlisted in the U.S. Army where I served for 6 years. Upon return I attended Cal. State Northridge for awhile but truly began to feel a call to serve God full time. I shifted gears and earned a degree in Ministry & Leadership from LIFE Pacific College. It was during this time that I was privileged to serve as youth pastor at the Angelus Temple Hispanic church for 10 years.

In 2007 I transitioned to skid row Los Angeles to serve at the Union Rescue Mission the nation’s largest and oldest homeless shelter. As a chaplain and drug and alcohol rehabilitation counselor I sensed a need to be better equipped to handle the myriad of psychological issues I was seeing on a daily basis. I enrolled at Azusa Pacific University where I am currently pursuing an M.A. degree in clinical psychology. It was also in 2007 while looking for a church closer to home that we discovered Christian Assembly and fell in love.

I have been married to my best friend Sandra since 2000 and together we have the privilege of sharing life with our 3 kids Matthew, Sarah, and Caleb. In my spare time (which means from 2:00am – 6:00am) I coach and teach the game of baseball and am training to enter the senior’s ping-pong circuit.

Sean was born and raised in California and has been attending CA for over 10 years. He is married to his best friend, Allison, and they have 3 boys, Caylor, Isaac and Micah. Sean has served in many capacities at CA and has a heart for people and is so humbled by the opportunity to work for the church. He is very passionate for everyone to experience the depth of the love that God has for them and to make sure that those who come to be a part of our church services feel as though they are being welcomed back home. In his free time Sean is very active. He loves sports (especially golf), the outdoors, and spending time with his family.

Born and raised in Burbank, I have been a Christ follower my whole life and although there have been bumps in the road, I am humbled to see God's faithfulness arise in every aspect of my life. When I'm not organizing, you'll find me hanging out with family and friends or gaming on my computer. I am an avid lover of Psalm 23, pastel colors, marvel films, iced chai tea and shows from the BBC.

Sarah Ann has been a part of CA since 2018, and has had a blast serving in many different ministries. She's passionate to see the next generation living worship-filled, joyfully authentic lives with the LORD, rooted in the Word of God. She and her husband, Gatlin, are originally from Whitefish, MT and now live in Highland Park with their two cats. When she's not at CA, you'll find Sarah Ann in her kitchen, at the movies, at the ballpark, and making people laugh.

Jairo Fuentes, born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Jairo grew up in the church where he discovered a calling to be a Pastor at the age of 7. In 2017, his life was forever changed when he attended a Young Adults gathering in the San Fernando Valley. It was the summer of that same year where he felt God calling him to full time ministry. Out of obedience to God, he left his accounting degree at California State University, Long Beach and transferred to Life Pacific University where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Ministry and Leadership in 2020.

Jairo has been faithfully serving the local church the last couple of years where he grew a passion to work with people. He is passionate about leading people to complete commitment to Jesus Christ and helping people find their people. In his spare time, Jairo loves discovering a new coffee shop, watching sports, movies, and taking photos of his friends.

Jake joined our staff in August 2013 after graduating from Azusa Pacific University with a Bachelor's in Social Work in May 2013. He grew up at Christian Assembly and is excited to now serve the place that he holds so dear. Jake's major in Social Work at APU deepened his passion for people and their healing, as well as seeing them come to know God. He loves making the lonely feel welcomed and sharing hope with the discouraged. He is passionate about students coming to know the good news of the Gospel and encountering and knowing the love and grace of Jesus. In his spare time, Jake loves playing piano, spending quality time with friends and family, playing any sport, adventuring, singing harmony, and engaging with people.

Julianne Almeida was born and raised in Los Angeles and has called Christian Assembly home since she was in middle school. Julianne found faith in Christ attending the CA Students programs offered when she was young. CA has been an integral part of her life and still serves to be the church she calls home. Here, she has found faith-filled friends, community, truth and understanding of God Word, and a fantastic fiance (hallelujah)!  Julianne attended Westmont College and has earned a Bachelors of Music in Harp Performance.

I was born and raised in Los Angeles and have attended Christian Assembly my whole life. It's one of my deepest joys to get to serve the kingdom of God in the community that grew and shaped me. I love getting to care for and shepherd the littlest in the kingdom of God. I did college online and received my associate teaching degree all while teaching full time at a preschool for 4 years. I enjoy going on walks with my husband Aidan, playing card games, and Thai tea.

Hailey was born, raised, and spent all of her school years in Los Angeles, California. After finishing her studies in foreign languages including French and Italian, she discovered her passion for helping people better their lives through fitness and she built a personal training career. In 2020, her life changed drastically when a childhood friend helped her find her way to Christian Assembly’s Fusion community, where she served as an intern for one year. Since then, she has found deep love for the gospel and continues to pursue her calling to serve, lead, and walk with young people in her community. In her free time, she loves exploring hiking trails in Angeles Crest, playing classical piano, and going on long walks with her pup. She also leads a Fusion life group of more than twelve young women. If Hailey is not at CA, she is probably at a local coffee shop or in the gym.

Trey was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and has lived there most of his life. While there he completed a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing and Management from Texas Tech University.  He made the trip out to Los Angeles in 2013 where he completed his M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary. Trey has a passion for seeing students find their hope, identity, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. He also loves helping students feel welcomed and helping them understand that they are a part of something bigger then themselves. Trey loves playing sports, going on road trips, drinking lots of coffee, and watching movies. Trey is also a die-hard San Antonio Spurs fan and feels blessed to work with such an amazing team here at CA.

Elizabeth has grown up at Christian Assembly, attending for over 20 years. She is currently pursuing a Bachelors degree in Child Development  following her passion for teaching Preschool-aged children. Having volunteered within Kids Church for more than 10 years, she is excited to be on staff helping plant the seeds of the gospel in young children as they explore and discover what it looks like to know that God loves us.

Rebecca attended CA for quite a few years before becoming a part of the Kids Church team. After growing up mostly in Arizona, she moved to California to attend college at Hope International University where she received a B.A. in Music with a minor in Bible. Rebecca grew up in the church and loves having the opportunity to be a part of the spiritual formation of the kids here at Christian Assembly. Her hope and prayer is that they will come to know the love of God and that a strong foundation of faith will be established early in their lives.

Scott joined CA staff in 2017 as the Kingdom Pastor. Scott grew up in Cincinnati and graduated from Miami University (Ohio) with a business degree in Management and Organizations. During college, he was a Young Life leader to high school students. After college, Scott spent 8 years living and ministering in South Los Angeles as an urban missionary with World Impact. He was also the Youth and Young Adult Pastor for the Rock Church, which is a multi-ethnic church in South L.A. He graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary with a Masters in Global Leadership.

Scott met his lovely wife Gina at the Oaks Camp in California and they got married in 2012. They spent their early years in marriage doing urban youth and young adult ministry together. In 2015, their daughter Ava was born. Scott also has a twin brother Will who lives in Los Angeles. Scott enjoys sports, playing board games, and spending time at coffee shops. He is passionate about seeing the good news of the Kingdom proclaimed and demonstrated.

Matt has served in various roles on the CA staff since 2005 and is currently an associate pastor with a focus on Kingdom and Evangelism (Reach One) ministries. Above all, he believes that the good news of Jesus can change lives. In the midst of all that is constantly happening in Los Angeles, God is real and alive and powerful, and it is Matt's greatest pleasure to introduce people to the power of God's love.

Matt was born and raised in East Texas and received his BA from Texas A&M University (Gig'em Aggies!). While in college, Matt met a beautiful, Canadian girl named Lindsey, and they were married in 2002. A month later, they moved to California, where Matt attended Fuller Seminary and received his MDiv in 2005. He and Lindsey are currently facing the challenge of raising their four children (Luke, Bethany, Nicholas and Mary Elena) in Los Angeles.

Sarah Dornbos has been on staff with CA as the Kids Hope director since 2007. Kids Hope is our local outreach to historically underserved kids and families here in Eagle Rock. As a former public school teacher and under-resourced kid herself, Sarah is passionate about tackling injustice here locally. She has also been volunteering abroad on short-term trips to Haiti since 2000, speaks Haitian Creole, and loves the people of Port-au-Prince. Sarah has a certificate in spiritual direction from the Mercy Center in Burlingame and has been seeing clients in that capacity since 2009. Sarah loves coffee, deep conversations, putting things in color order, the sound of the wind in the trees, and watching God work in the lives of grownups as well as kids. She was the only finisher of the 2008 Pasadena Marathon and sparkly things bring her great joy.

Sandra was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She has attended Christian Assembly with her husband for over 16 years. They have 3 beautiful children. Sandra joined the CA staff in 2022. She loves to be part of worship especially with her husband, Gustavo. She enjoys cheering for her kids at softball games, soccer games, and jazz competitions.  When she is not sharing her love of God with the CA community, you can find her hiking, trying new foods, or exploring new places with her family.

DIrk has been at CA for over 25 years taking care of the computers, network, phone systems, and alarms, among other things. He has also been known to enjoy a good cup of coffee. (Or 5.) But it has to be good. He also notes that, as a rule, any cup of coffee that's in front of him is considered good. He enjoys baking cookies - without nuts - but with rainbow sprinkles, to add just a bit of color.

He also enjoys photography - street photography and capturing all kinds of events.

In his spare time (What's that...?) he enjoys taking walks, listening to podcasts, and riding bicycles. And taking naps.

Please note: There will be no reply to spam emails or cold calls from IT or AV service providers that view this profile and believe CA is a potential prospect.

Dave and Nan Dhuet lead the Relationship Center at Christian Assembly. Dave was formerly a business owner and is a trained lay counselor. He works every week counseling individuals and couples at The Relationship Center. Together Dave and Nan teach the Pre-Engaged and Pre-Married couples class at CA and oversee all the classes and counseling for the center. They both  are native Californians who love driving with the top down!

Nan and Dave Dhuet lead the Relationship Center at Christian Assembly. Nan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an ordained Foursquare Minister. She counsels, supervises, and has taught at Fuller Theological Seminary and Azusa Pacific University. She and Dave teach the Pre-Engaged and Pre-Married couples class at CA and oversee all the classes and counseling for the center.

Dave and Nan are native Californians who love driving with the top down!

Gatlin and his wife Sarah Ann have called CA their home since 2018. Gatlin started volunteering for CA Students around the same time, and has loved being part of the team ever since. Being from Montana, it is a need for Gatlin to get lost in the woods every once in a while. Once he finds his way back to civilization, he loves to play guitar, write, and he is always in the middle of a Star Wars marathon.

Trey joined the CA Staff in July of 2024. He graduated from George Washington University with his Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering. Trey was raised at CA and is the PGK (Pastor’s Grandkid) of a retired pastor here at CA. He is honored and grateful that the Lord has brought him back home to join such a stellar team working with our students. Trey’s heart is on fire for God and as Paul writes, inviting others to “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” He is fervent about helping students center their identities and lives around the love and beauty of God, and the purposes and plans he has for their lives in His Kingdom as they make their faith and their relationship with God their own. When he is not working, Trey loves to read, play, coach and watch sports, and play games (video and board alike) with anyone and everyone.

Heather began serving as a pastor at CA in 2015 and is thrilled to be a part of what God is doing in and through this local church. Originally from Minnesota, she received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and her M. Div. from Azusa Pacific Seminary and Fuller Theological Seminary. She met her husband Tyler while they were Bible Camp counselors and now they are joyfully focused on raising their 3 wild and wonderful boys: Leland, Amos, and Benji. Together they love making and eating really good food, and all things outdoor recreation (camping, hiking, kayaking, biking, fishing, skiing, and more!) Heather's prayer is that the stunningly beautiful Good News of Jesus would continue to change her life and the lives of those around her.

Levi joined the CA Staff in May of 2015. He graduated from Azusa Pacific University with his Bachelor's in Mathematics. Levi was born and raised at CA, and he could not be more excited or honored to be on the team of his heroes in serving this church. In 2017, Levi married another CA-lifer, Cayla, and they now have three kids: Glory, Evelyn, and Asher. Levi is passionate about helping students find their identity in both being beloved children of God and as co-laborers in the Gospel. Levi loves reading fiction, playing sports and video games with middle schoolers, and making up games to play with his family and friends.

Kaela grew up as a missionary kid in Russia which developed her heart for the church and for missions. She graduated from Life Pacific University with a double major in Psychology and Ministry and now loves living and working in LA. She is passionate about living for Jesus and has worked with FMI, YWAM, and Circuit Riders before joining CA! She loves reading, spending time with friends, studying the Bible, and iced matcha lattes.

Tonia and her husband Dennis Lovelace have been a part of Christian Assembly Church for over 20 years.  Tonia moved to Los Angeles as a teenager from Chicago, IL. After a 28-year career in Human Resources Management Tonia exited, opting for a simpler and more balanced lifestyle.  While seeking God for what this next season of life would bring, she entered the C.A. Internship Program. The internship was an instrumental part in Tonia’s discernment for next steps and in which ways she may be led to serve God and others. Tonia has a big heart to serve God and His people and a strong love for God’s Word and prayer. She loves her family, the beach, traveling, architecture, a good laugh, and her doggy Lucy!

Colie was born and raised in Wisconsin, but has always been a California girl at heart. Her love for people and helping them find freedom in Jesus is what first drew her into ministry. She formerly served as a youth pastor in Portland, OR before moving to Los Angeles to attend seminary at Azusa Pacific University. There she was sent out as a missionary to Kolkata, India and returned back to the states with a heart to serve the local community and engage God's people in the great city of Los Angeles.

Colie enjoys drinking good coffee, going to the beach, watching sports (Go Pack Go) and traveling as often as possible. She is passionate about encouraging women to be who they were created to be in Christ, and seeks to inspire all people to live out their true identities as Jesus’ beloved.

Born and raised in the L.A. area, Jill counts it a great privilege to serve as a Community Life and Women's Pastor. She enjoys helping people to discover how God has uniquely created them and how He wants to use them in the world. Jill loves meeting new people, hanging out with friends, and spending time with her husband, Byron, and their twin boys, Hudson and Finley. She graduated from Westmont College with an English major and Religious Studies minor.

Alex Espinoza was born and raised in Ontario, California. Music has always been a great passion of his from an early age beginning creating a drum set out of his mom’s pots and pans. While working on his bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies at Westmont College, he was introduced to Christian Assembly when one of his professors used one of Tommy’s CDs to show how worship is theology that is lived out and not just an academic exercise. Ever since then, he has had a passion to unite heart and mind as we worship together in song. Alex graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2011.  He met his wife Nancy at Christian Assembly who he later married in 2013 .  Alex and his wife live in Altadena with their cat Fig and dog Truffle.

Favorite Food: Sushi (real sushi not sushi rolls). Favorite TV Show: Lost. Favorite Movie: American Beauty. Favorite Vacation Spot: Paris. Musical Influences: Henry Mancini, Joey Altruda, Andrae Crouch, Coldplay, Interpol, Poncho Sanchez, James Taylor, Frank Sinatra, The Smiths, The Specials, Hepcat, The Slackers, Bob Marley, and Tommy Walker.

Tommy Walker and his wife Robin have been at Christian Assembly since 1990. Tommy's passion for God and for Worship Evangelism is experienced each weekend as Tommy leads CA in wholehearted worship. In addition to leading our weekend worship, Tommy writes, arranges and rehearses songs with the worship team, and records many of them with various record companies. He is always looking for new and fresh ways to worship our gracious God. Tommy and our worship teams are able to share music and ideas with people all over the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. He has traveled with Promise Keepers, Harvest Crusades, the CA Worship Band and Youth With A Mission. Tommy and Robin have four children, Jake, Levi, Emma Lee and Eileen. When he's not immersed in music, Tommy enjoys spending time with his family, golf and going to the beach.

I was born in Miami, Florida and raised in Los Angeles, California. I earned a B.S. in Accounting from Cal State University, Northridge and was in practice as a CPA for over 30 years. My love for God, people, and finances have served as a foundation for my role as Stewardship Pastor at CA.

My wife and I have been attending CA since 2004 and have been involved in various ministries throughout the years including Marketplace Ministries, marriage classes, Men’s ministries, Kids Church and leading various life groups. CA has been a key part of our lives as well as our childrens’.

I love spending time with my wife Lisa, 3 children, Jarel, Asia, and Kanan and our 2 grandchildren, Roman and Reyah. I love traveling, (not flying), working out, following the Boston Celtics and listening to music. Most of all, I love to have fun and laugh and try to be impactful for God’s Kingdom.

Karley was raised attending Christian Assembly and is both honored and excited to be working with our Kids Hope program. Her heart is for children with a great desire to help them know they are deeply loved, cared for and known by God. She finds creativity life-giving and in her spare time loves singing, working with her hands on varied art and crafts projects, loves keeping up with the latest trends and takes joy in spending time with friends and family.

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Ralph is a California native who grew up in Granada Hills in the San Fernando Valley. He graduated from Notre Dame High School and Pepperdine University. He and Janna, his wife of over 25 years, live in Pasadena and have three grown children and three beautiful grandchildren. Ralph has been a Christ-follower for over 40 years and began attending CA in 2005.

In January 2013, Ralph left his Regional Director position and 26-year career with Anheuser-Busch, to pursue a master’s degree in Marriage & Family Therapy at Azusa Pacific University. However, God had other plans. In 2014, halfway through the program, God called him to join the CA staff as a Community Life Pastor. He is currently the Director of Community life and along with the team of Community Life pastors, helps people at CA find a place of belonging and discipleship through life groups, huddles, Partnership and Thrive “growth” classes. Being a divorce “survivor”, he also has a heart for helping married couples grow and thrive in their marriages.

When he’s not working, he loves regular time at the Arboretum or hiking, and spending vacation time with family and friends in Mammoth or Hawaii; two of his favorite places on earth.