james@lifesong.net

Position
Senior Pastor & Founder

Important Dates
Birthday - April 2nd
Anniversary - December 5th

Family Facts
I have the most beautiful wife, who is an absolute blast to live with. We’ve been married for over 16 years and I cannot imagine my life without her. She’s an incredible mom to our boys. Shurece is so talented and so easy to work with as she leads the music ministry at LifeSong.

I have three boys. Noah is 9. It’s so fun seeing him grow up. He's our karate kid.  He is going to be a great athlete; his hand-eye coordination is incredible. He has taught me so much about my Heavenly Father. He also gives me a lot of sermon material.

Luke is 6 and changing daily. He just started preschool and I have never seen a boy smile as much as he does. He's the artist in the family. When you see Luke there's always action.

Seth is 3 and just a joy! He is into everything right now, climbing on top of the counter turning the water on. When it's quiet, beware!

What I Care About
Living life to the max and helping others do the same. Teaching my boys that God is their friend.

Favorite Movies
The Passion, Lord of the Rings, Tombstone, Star Wars

Favorite Thing About LifeSong
The willingness to embrace change and have fun doing it. The worship is awesome. Not taking ourselves too seriously. Passion for something deeper.

Favorite Books
“Developing the leader within you” (John Maxwell), “Wild at Heart” (John Eldredge), “Intercessory prayer” (Dutch Sheets), “Free at Last” (Larry Huch), “The Bondage Breaker” (Neil Anderson), “Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men” (Myles Munroe), "Purpose Driven Church” (Rick Warren), and “Over the Top” (Zig Ziglar).

Favorite Scripture
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14, NIV).

What I Like To Do The Most
Communicating God’s love for us. Movies, sports, playing nerts, dominoes. Shopping with my wife –Not. Seriously, taking vacations with my wife and boys.

Personal Mission Statement
Encourage, encourage, and encourage.

shurece@lifesong.net

Position
Worship Pastor

Important Dates
Birthday - June 20th
Anniversary - December 5th

Family Facts
My husband James is a pretty awesome guy. I married him partly for his boyish charm, which in fact he still has. You always see him with a big smile. It’s sort of contagious being around him. James is also my pastor. I’ve learned so much from him, not just from his sermons, but in his daily life. He is passionate about God and building up the kingdom. He is my best friend and it’s a joy sharing my life with him.

My son Noah is 9-years-old. We have a lot of fun playing swords and bad guys together, when dad’s not around. He’s brought a lot of joy into my life. I gave birth to him going on eight years of marriage. We didn’t choose to wait eight years. My son Luke is 6-years-old. He’s got a happy smile that’s sure to capture your heart right away. Seth is 3 and runs about 100 miles per hour and is into everything. At this stage, Seth is clearing off all table tops within his reach and throwing his food all around. We’re just having a blast! It just happened that way. I feel so blessed to be able to experience something as beautiful as the bond a mother has with her children.

What I Care About
Enjoying and growing in all my relationships and encouraging people around me.

Favorite Movie
Sleepless in Seattle

Favorite Thing About LifeSong
The people and their love for each other.

What I Like To Do The Most
Spending the day with my husband and boys. Shopping(by myself). Music. Sharing coffee with friends. Having one of those God-moments in prayer. Writing songs.

Personal Mission Statement
Shop till I drop.

mark@lifesong.net

Position
Connections Pastor

Important Dates
Birthday - March 13th
Anniversary - November 30th

Family Facts
Robin and I were married in 1991 and have two great kids.  Luke is now 16 and is navigating his second year of high school. His motivation level is high right now because he's a part of the Naval ROTC program - hoorah!  As for Christiana, who is 11, we just can't keep her busy enough!  Here are a couple of facts about us which you might want to know: Robin agreed to marry me before we ever went on a date (I know... I'm just that good).  People (as in plural) passed out at our wedding (you might get to hear the whole story some time).  When I was a kid, I almost blew up the town in which my dad served as a pastor.

What I Care About
I am passionate about God, deeply in love with my wife, and crazy about my kids.  I enjoy watching people live out the incredible life God has planned for them as they connect with other people of faith.  Other than that, I love the beautiful beaches, torrential downpours and amazing sunsets of the Hawaiian islands (we lived there for six months).  I also love Spain, France, Greece, Italy, and parts of Turkey.

Favorite Movie(s)
Shadowlands, Chronicles of Narnia (read all the books when I was a kid), the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and any western with John Wayne.

Favorite Thing About LifeSong
The authentic relationships, worship that gets God's attention, and the relevant Word that gets mine!

What I Like To Do The Most
Hanging out with my wife; it doesn't matter where (restaurant, theater, living room, etc.).

Favorite Books
"No Perfect People Allowed" (John Burke), anything by C.S. Lewis, Alister McGrath, Louis L'amour, and John Grisham.  I also like Brennan Manning, Ravi Zacharias, and ...

Favorite Scripture
Proverbs 3:5-6

Favorite Music
Hillsong United, Jesus Culture, Israel Houghton, Michael Buble, a touch of classical, jazz, and blues. 

Personal Mission Statement
This ONE thing I do...

juanita@lifesong.net

Position
Care Pastor

Important Dates
Birthday - February 21st

Family Facts
I raised five children: three boys and two girls. I have thirteen grandchildren. Mothering is an interesting job that never ends.

What I Care About
I enjoy encouraging people to reach their full potential in Christ.

Favorite Movies
The Passion of the Christ, Lord of the Rings, A.I., I especially enjoy Sci-Fi Films.

Favorite Thing About LifeSong
The worship and the beautiful people. Seeing lives changed for the better.

What I Like To Do The Most
Interior decorating, shopping, reading and traveling

Favorite Books
"Woman, Thou Art Loosed" T.D. Jakes, "Waking the Dead" John Eldredge, "Get Over It" Paula White.

Favorite Scripture
Psalm 34

Favorite Music
I love jazz and Christian music! John Coltrane. Lou Rawls’ album, Tobacco Road; anything by  Israel, Martha Munizzi, Vicky Yohe; too many more to mention.

sergiomarcelo400@hotmail.com

Position
Bi-lingual Pastor

Important Dates
Birthday - September 15th
Anniversary - June 4th

Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) service every Sunday at 4:00 pm

Family Facts
Married 26 years; 3 Children: Gershom, Jaclyn, Joanna

Marcelo is an ordained minister and graduate from the National Apostolic Bible College in San Jose, California.  If you haven’t had the opportunity to hear him preach, you have truly missed out.  He has an amazing history; of Jewish descent, born in Argentina, raised in Brazil, an only surviving triplet, and many roads which eventually brought him to LifeSong.  He has a wonderful wife, Margaret, who is a graduate of Sequoia Community College with two degrees and supports him in his ministry while teaching full-time in a preschool.  Pastor Marcelo was the assistant missionary in Chile and opened the first apostolic Bible college there. He has pastored three churches and says he feels honored to be working in the ministry here at LifeSong.

bethanya@lifesong.net

Position
Youth & College Pastor

Family Facts
I have been married to Jeff for 4 years.  We have two kitties, El Guapo and Shelby, and we recently got a puppy. Jeff provides the stability and I provide the spark. When you meet us, you will know that opposites do attract!

What I Care About
My fulfillment in life comes from teaching and mentoring. As a teacher and youth leader God has given me a great opportunity to be a seed-planter. I love meeting up with former college students or youth group members to see how God has worked in their lives. It goes to show that God can take the seeds we plant and grow something magnificent and life-changing.

Favorite Movies
Pride & Prejudice, Father of the Bride, Somewhere in Time, You’ve Got Mail, West Wing Episodes

Favorite Thing About LifeSong
LifeSong unashamedly pursues the presence of God through worship and creates a family atmosphere like I have never experienced.

Favorite Books
I just finished my masters in biology, and thus, my nose has been buried in textbooks for the past 10 years. My new project is to find a new favorite book.

What I Like to Do the Most
I have a genetic defect that causes me to take spontaneous day trips. I love to travel and explore new places and hotels. I actually do not mind going by myself because I enjoy the peace and the lack of a schedule. I love to shop and would probably drive someone crazy if they were with me because I have to check out all the stores before I can make a decision. And last, but not least, going to the movies with Jeff.

mary@lifesong.net

Position
Children's Pastor

Important Dates
Birthday - June 10th

Family Facts
Mother of four children (3 girls and 1 boy), Nana to eleven grandchildren

What I Care About Most
Praying with our children and watching them develop a hunger for Jesus.

Favorite Movie
Gone with the Wind

Favorite Thing About LifeSong
Worship and the genuine love the people have for the Lord and each other.

What I Like to Do Most
Spend time with my grandchildren and travel.

Favorite Books
"Learning to Breathe Again" by Tammy Trout; any missionary biographies or stories.

Favorite Scripture
Psalm 81

Favorite Music
Christian Music; artists Vangie Inman, 4given, Vicky Yohe

paulette@lifesong.net

Position
Administrator

Important Dates
Birthday - June 11th
Anniversary - February 11th

Family Facts
I've been married to my best friend, Ralph, for over 32 years!  We have lots of fun together as we enter different phases of interest in our lives such as hiking, bicycling, fishing, checking out antique bookstores, taking drives through the mountains...should I stop now?!

Favorite Movies
Lord of the Rings, Monster's Inc.

Favorite Thing About LifeSong
I love how you can feel the joy of the Lord in this place!  I really appreciate how much effort is put into reaching out to the people in our community.  I feel like everyone is my extended family!

What I like to do the most
Read, puzzles, visiting with family and friends

Favorite Books
I read a lot so, here are some of the authors I like:  Anne Perry, Frank Peretti, Patricia Cornwell, Jan Karon

Favorite Scripture
Proverbs 3:5-6

Favorite Music
I pretty much enjoy most music, but I'm really not into RAP or hard rock.

linda@lifesong.net

Position
Secretary

Important Dates
Birthday - August 2nd
Anniversary - December 7th

Family Facts
Married 45 years with one daughter, one son and four granddaughters

What I Care About
My family is the most important thing in my life; seeing my children and grandchildren grow into the persons they are meant to be; working at keeping the family ties and never losing touch.

Favorite Movies
Princess Bride, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou, Lars and the Real Girl

Favorite Thing About LifeSong
That we are a family, not a church; that we’re spiritual, not religious, and the terrific “small group” I belong to.

What I like to do the most
Ride my bike, tap dance, entertain friends and family, read, go to the movies.

Favorite Book
The Dean’s Watch by Elizabeth Goudge, Melissa by Taylor Caldwell, The Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart and The Mirror

Favorite Scripture
I have two scriptures that speak to me of great promise. They are……

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels, nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:12).

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy (Jude 24).

Favorite Music
Just about anything but jazz, rap, country and hard rock.