January 2025

EFCA West Podcast: Responding to the LA Fires: A Conversation with Dan Holman From EFCA Crisis Response


New for 2025:

Introducing our EFCA West Regional Catalysts

Regional Catalysts are pastors who will serve to “localize” EFCA West ministry in their respective regions. (Please note that a few areas do not have dedicated Regional Catalysts at this point). Our district team will still be available as always, but our desire is to add a layer of local presence to continue our efforts to make sure that no pastors or church leaders are left alone. We are grateful for each of the men listed below for stepping up to this role!

Central & Northern Arizona Area


Bob Fox is the Pastor at Large & Elder Emeritus at Red Mountain Community Church in Mesa AZ. He has a heart for helping pastors and church leaders develop life skills that lead to longevity in ministry. He enjoys spending time with his wife Debbie, his children and grandchildren.


Email Bob

Southern Arizona Area

Dave Collins is the lead pastor at Ambassadors Church in Tucson, AZ. Dave and his family, along with a great team, planted Ambassadors in 2022. Dave has been married to his college sweetheart, Meghan, since 2003. Dave and Meghan have 3 super fun kids: Callie, Kessler & Kylah.


Email Dave

Central Valley Area

Tim Johnson is the Lead Pastor at Hillside Community Church in Porterville, California. Tim is married to his beloved wife, Taylor, and together they have 4 children. Tim finds great joy in connecting with and encouraging other pastors.


Email Tim

Northern Central Valley Area

Chris Gillespie joined Crossroads Church in Turlock, CA as their lead pastor in 2022. He is married to his wife Adrienne and they have three children.


Email Chris

Central Coast Area

Jason Whalen is lead pastor at Grace Bible Church, In Arroyo Grande CA. He loves teaching the Bible weekly and shepherding leaders. He is married to his wife Andrea and they have four children.


Email Jason

Inland Empire Area

Willie is the Senior Pastor at CrossWinds Church in Moreno Valley. He and his wife Jackie were married in 1979 and are both native Californians. They have three adult children, two of whom are married.


Email Willie

Los Angeles Area

Dean is Lead Pastor at NOVA Community Church in Torrance and serves as Dir. of Multiplication with EFCA West. He is married to Janet and they have two adult children who live nearby, in the South Bay.


Email Dean

Northern Los Angeles Area

Steve Jackson is the Senior Pastor at Faith Community Church in Santa Clarita, CA. He met his wife Shannon at Cedarville University. And they are blessed with 4 kids (ages 14-21). I


Email Steve

Orange County Area

Mike McKay is the Lead Pastor of Neighborhood Church in North Orange County CA a multi-site church with multi language specific ministries. Mike is married to his best friend, Kristi. They have 3 adult children, and 10 grandchildren.


Email Mike

San Diego Area

Ryan Rosenbaum is the Lead Pastor at Seacoast Community Church. Graduated from University of Washington and Talbot Seminary. He did graduate work at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Ryan is married to Sara and they have three boys. 


Email Ryan

New Mexico/Texas/Idaho Area

Bob Osborne serves EFCA West as director of church health. He retired in 2013 from a 38-year career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Bob and Charlene, married in 1976, have two adult sons and reside in La Verne, CA.


Email Bob

Utah Area

Scott McKinney was the lead pastor of CenterPoint Church from 1989 to 2024. Today he remains on staff as the Founding Pastor of CenterPoint. He is passionate about his involvement in the district as regional catalyst. 


Email Scott

Connect with Others:

Arizona (Central & Northern)

Contact: Bob Fox


Arizona (Southern)

Next Meeting: Feb 13 at 9AM

Contact: Dave Collins



Central Coast

Contact: Robert Campbell


Central Coast español

Contact: Alex Rivero


Central Valley

Next Meeting: Jan 21, 2/11 at 11AM

Contact: Tim Johnson


East Bay (Western District)

Contact: Matt Moore


Inland Empire

Next Meeting: Jan 22 at 10AM

Contact: Willie Behrends


Los Angeles

Next Meeting: Jan 29, Mar 26 at 10AM

Contact: Jackie Austel


New Mexico (Albuquerque)

Contact: Tim Jacobs


Orange County

Next Meeting: Mar 11 at 11:30AM

Contact: Mike McKay


Santa Clarita

Next Meeting: Jan. 22, Mar 12 at 10AM

Contact: Steve Jackson


Idaho

Contact: Bob Osborne


Utah

Next Meeting: Jan 21, Mar 18 at 10:30AM

Contact: Scott McKinney


Articles:

A New Year's Resolution: Let's Stop Saying Dumb Things

In this month's article, Bob Osborne suggests resolving to stop saying dumb things. To learn some of them, you will need to read on. Clarity is our friend, and words matter. Let's resolve to be solid communicators and to stop saying things that should not be said.

Read More

The Future Church Is Here Now - EFCA Blog

When we fail to recognize teens as part of the church now, we short-change their equipping and send them into the world spiritually unprepared. 

Read More

EFCA West News:

Trinity Community Church Receives ReachNetwork Church Planting Grant

Trinity Community Church in Lancaster CA is the recipient of the ReachNetwork Church Planting Grant! They were approved for a $40k matching grant for a Hispanic Church Plant in Lancaster CA.


Pastor Moises Vides is leading the charge. This past December Trinity Church hosted a Christmas Community outreach to reach Hispanics in the area and they had 180 people show up! We welcome Iglesia Comunidad del Camino to EFCA West.

Look what God is doing in Lancaster!

Green Valley EFC has a New Hispanic Outreach!

Green Valley EFC welcomed Adulam Arizona (A Place of Refuge) as their new Hispanic Outreach. This past December they celebrated Christmas together.


Victor and Milca Corrales are the church planters. Victor is also the football coach at Sahuarita HS.


Welcome ADULAM AZ to EFCA West!


Credentialing News:

History, Theology and Polity Course

March 18-19 | Bloomington, MN


The EFCA History, Theology and Polity Course is considered the baseline for any/all of credentials in the EFCA. You can attend the course in person or online. Learn More

Upcoming Events:

Healthy Missions Partnerships

Jan 27-Feb 25 | Online


Learn how to build, launch and sustain a healthy missions partnership across cultures with this free course. Register now.

2025 EFCA Theology Conference:

February 5-7 | Arlington Heights, IL


Save your spot at the upcoming EFCA Theology Conference. Join pastors, missionaries and ministry leaders as we address the question of theological anthropology: "what does it mean to be a human being in light of God's revelation?" Register now.

Disability and Special Needs Ministry

February 20 | 1:00-2:30 PM Central


Join the webinar meeting of the EFCA Disability and Special Needs Affinity Group. They will discuss how to respond pastorally and as a church community to those with dementia and their caregivers. Learn More.

EFCA West Jobs:

Senior Pastor: Evangelical Free Church of Green Valley, Arizona


Associate Pastor: Valley EFC, Hemet CA


Dir. of Children & Young Family Ministry: Arise Church, Fremont CA


Senior Pastor: Enclave Community Church, Turlock CA


Middle School Pastor Director: Grace Church of Sahuarita, Sahuarita AZ


All EFCA Jobs

Resources:

EFCA Statement of Faith Video Series and Study Guide


Explore this 10-part video series and curriculum on the EFCA Statement of Faith, created in partnership with Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Lean More

Help your church connect to the EFCA's beliefs, mission, polity, ministries and more with this print resource.


Learn more

ReachGobal: Stay up-to-date with stories, resources and missions opportunities around EFCA ReachGlobal. Subscribe today.

ReachNetwork: Subscribe to the ReachNetwork Update for inspiring stories, helpful resources and the latest news on church plants in the EFCA. Subscribe today.

Healthcare Coverage for EFCA Churches

Discover the right medical coverage for your church staff by exploring health insurance options through GuideStone, a partner of FCMM Benefits & RetirementLearn more

Thank you for your support

To give by check please make the check payable to:

EFCA West Partnership Fund

901 E. 78th Street

Minneapolis, MN 55420

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