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36 East Victoria St.
Santa Barbara
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Staff

Kyle Wells Lead Pastor

kyle@cpcsb.org

Kyle hails from Memphis, TN—the birthplace of Rock and Roll, home of the Blues, where Elvis is King, Jesus is Lord, and Barbecue is spicy. This upbringing has deeply influenced this love of food, music, and Jesus. He is author of Grace and Agency in Paul and Second Temple Judaism (Brill, 2015), for which he was awarded the 2016 Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise. His most shining accomplishment, however, is getting his wife Pam to say “yes”. They have one daughter, Niamh (pronounced Neeve), whose looks and personality bear an uncanny resemblance to her father, which makes him as scared as it does proud.

Nick Whitaker Asst. Pastor: Youth and Community Engagement

nick@cpcsb.org

Nick is from the San Francisco Bay Area where he became a Christian at 17. He has since worked in church planting, camp ministry, youth ministry, and as an evangelist and filmmaker in the United Kingdom. He received his Masters in Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary in 2021. He has a love for film, gaming, fiction, and comedy and hopes to seek and share the glory of God through these creative avenues.

Jordan Bentley Music, Finance, and Operations

jordan@cpcsb.org

Jordan was born on the edge of Hanford, CA—a farming town right in the middle of California. He grew up remodeling houses with his dad and taught himself guitar after getting tired of singing along to CD’s in his high school youth group. He went on to get his BA in Christian Ministry at Fresno Pacific University. He collects vinyl records and musical instruments (more than he knows how to play). The best decision he’s ever made was to convince his wife to marry him and let him follow her around the rest of their lives (two years in Spain before moving to Santa Barbara in 2011.) In his free time you will find him fixing things, hanging out with his son Everett, and playing music.

Joyce Berg Volunteers and Events

joyce@cpcsb.org

Joyce, a native Californian, has lived on the coast for most of her life. She graduated with a BA and teaching credential, and spent 21 years as a teaching leader and area advisor with Bible Study Fellowship International. She now uses her vast experience to work with our volunteer leaders. Joyce has mastered the art of “doing,” but God is now teaching her simply “to be”. Consequently, she has a deep desire to enjoy God’s beauty, and longs for our volunteers to share that experience. Away from the office, you can find her strength training, playing music she has written, gardening, or spending time with her husband (Randy) and two now-married children.

Holly Covington Care Ministries

hollycov@cpcsb.org

Holly is a Georgia native who has made her home in Santa Barbara since 2007. She studied at Westminster Theological Seminary, where she completed an MA in Religion with an emphasis in biblical counseling. She is passionate about applying Scripture—especially its message of God’s grace—to matters of daily life. Holly has taught on Christian pilgrimage and religious practices, and has particular interests in language, liturgy, and culture. She is married to Jesse, is mother to their four children, and loves to dance.

Elise Baker Children's Ministry

Ministry Leaders

Russ Sharer Community Groups

groups@cpcsb.org

Johnathan Keenan College Pastor (RUF@UCSB)

johnathan.keenan@ruf.org

Johnathan Keenan is originally from Hereford, TX. He graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2001. In 2010, Johnathan graduated from Reformed Theological Seminary (M.DIV.) and moved to Edinburgh, Scotland for some post-graduate studies (Th.M.).

Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) is a campus ministry that reaches college students from all backgrounds with the hope of Jesus Christ. College is a time when beliefs are explored, decisions are made, and lives are changed. They invite students into authentic relationships and the study of God’s Word. Through the ministry of RUF, students discover the love of Christ, find their significance in God’s redemptive story, and engage in the life of His church.

Grace Hoyme Campus Staff (RUF@UCSB)

grace.hoyme@ruf.org

Grace was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska and completed her undergrad at the University of Mississippi. There she majored in journalism and minored in history. Grace was involved with RUF throughout her four years in college and loved the way the ministry spoke the gospel truth into her life and reminded her of the constant need for a savior. Grace loves to talk and finds joy in meeting new people and making friends. Grace is so excited to minister to students at UCSB.

Phil Beccue Global Outreach

globaloutreach@cpcsb.org

Bob Nisbet Jail Ministry

bob2@rnisbet.com

Bob Nisbet is a retired Data Scientist (UC-Santa Barbara and UC-Irvine). He is a founding Ruling Elder of Christ Presbyterian Church. He Served on the CPC Session between 1998 and 2015. He has led the Jail Ministry since 2008.

The ministry team of 3 CPC members and 3 non-CPC members present bible studies to inmates in the Santa Barbara County Jail for about 45 minutes on Sunday evenings. Their message is that if an inmate has confessed with his mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, and believed in his heart that God raised him from the dead, he shall be saved (Ro. 10:9). For those that believe this Gospel, Christ promised that they shall never perish, and no one can “pluck” them out of his hand (Jn. 10:28); they can’t even pluck themselves out of his hand. They can’t work their way into salvation (Eph. 2:8), and they can’t sin their way out. Messages like that build hope in the men that their sins will never separate them from God. The CPC Jail Ministry also provides hundreds of bibles to men in the jail each year.

Session

Elders have been set apart to govern the church and nurture those entrusted to their care, especially through prayer (1 Timothy 3:5; Acts 20:28; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1-2).

Request Prayer
Mark Corazza

“The aspect of being a elder that I have found most rewarding is being an emotional and spiritual support to individuals in need.”

Jesse Covington

“The aspect of being an elder that I have found most rewarding is building relationships of care and mutual encouragement with others in the congregation. I am probably most excited about plans for developing lay leadership, discipling, and counseling within the church.”

Jason Eldred

“The aspect of being an elder I find most rewarding is connecting with more people at church. While I’m naturally a little shy, I value the fellowship of our church, and the roles each one of us plays in the body of Christ.”

Edd Noell

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my service as an elder is getting to know our church members and their gifts and needs in various settings, including the times of praying on the side during communion or a gathering of elders in praying for healing, fellowship time around meals, and serving the homeless at Alameda Park.”

Kyle Wells

Elders (Emeritus or on Sabbatical)

We are extremely grateful for the service of these men. Please pray that God would give those on sabbatical and their families rest and refreshment over the coming year.

Randy Berg (on sabbatical)

“The aspect of being a elder that I have found most rewarding is when we see people grow in their love for God so that they are part of the community we call CPC.  The growing looks like taking an active part in the work here.”

Paul Johnson Emeritus
Bob Nisbet Emeritus

“I think that the most rewarding aspect of Eldership was seeing the Gospel-centric preaching and teaching flourish in CPC.  It was not always so in my church life.”

Deacons

Deacons manage the finances, oversee the building, and utilize the resources of the church to assist those in need.

Request assistance
Jordan Bentley
Layne Campbell
Tjaart van der Walt
Brian Wintz

Co-Laborers

Co-laborers are commissioned women who work in a collaborative relationship with our elders and deacons to
join in the shepherding and diaconal work of the church.

Jenna Campbell
Susan Champion
Debbie Corazza
Holly Covington

Holly is a Georgia native who has made her home in Santa Barbara since 2007. She studied at Westminster Theological Seminary, where she completed an MA in Religion with an emphasis in biblical counseling. She is passionate about applying Scripture—especially its message of God’s grace—to matters of daily life. Holly has taught on Christian pilgrimage and religious practices, and has particular interests in language, liturgy, and culture. She is married to Jesse, is mother to their four children, and loves to dance.