Staff

I was lost. Now I am found. And this journey of being transformed by the love of Jesus has given me a passion to help others become His followers. As lead pastor I get to communicate the big picture of what God is doing through The Journey, while equipping people to experience and share His love in their everyday lives.

God blessed me with Cathi (my amazing wife), and together we’ve been serving with Jesus since 1981. Along the way He gave us two incredible kids who, coupled with the school of marriage, have provided some of my deepest learnings about God’s love for me. (Hope International U also equipped me with an M.A. in ministry.)

I grew up here, so I’m hooked on encountering God in His creation-from hiking to offshore fishing. But more than anything, I’m in awe of His handiwork of changed lives. God transformed my broken life, and wants to do the same for you. So come follow Jesus with us at The Journey–where everyone is welcome, nobody’s perfect, and anything can happen. The best part of the journey is yet to come.

Will serves as The Journey’s Executive Pastor. During nearly twenty years of full-time ministry, Will served churches in Ohio and California before joining The Journey team. He has been a church planter and led churches through major transitions as well as working in administration in the medical field.

As Executive Pastor, Will’s primary role is to take The Journey mission, vision, and values and provide the necessary leadership to the staff, ministries, and operations of the church to make them a reality.

Will is passionate about sharing the love of Jesus and inviting others to the journey of following Jesus. He and his wife Karen have been married more than twenty years and have three children. He loves the sunshine, the beach and spending time with his family.

Ariel oversees The Journey’s Worship Arts Ministry. His training is in business but his passion has always been music.

Ariel joined The Journey in February of 2010 and lives in Irvine with his two children. He enjoys fly-fishing and hanging out with friends and family.

Cathi is passionate about families and kids growing in Christ! Avid shutterbug, scrapbooker, loves to walk outdoors and explore O.C. beaches! Crazy about her husband of 27 years and 2 kids! Has a B.A. in Children’s Ministry from Hope International University! Addicted to chips and salsa! (loves exclamation points, because life is best experienced with enthusiasm!)

Joey Ross came on staff in Spring of 2009 working on our Student Ministries team. He and his beautiful wife Allison love working with our Junior High and High School students. In his spare time he enjoys any and all outdoor activities, watching the Office, going on dates with Allison, reading, and finishing up Masters degree from Talbot School of Theology.

Patsy manages the church office and in her spare time takes care of everything else. If you need to know anything about anything go to Patsy. She is devoted to her husband and two children. She hates Brazilian nuts.
Click to Contact Patsy

Brittany is a student at Biola University, majoring in Intercultural Studies. She is an avid adventurer and artist. Brittany also designs custom, one-of-a-kind skateboards.