Leadership

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I have always been convinced that most comedians are just preachers who haven't answered their call, so after 20-years as a full-time standup comedian, I answered the call and helped plant Emmaus Church (you win a Christian maturity ribbon if you can pronounce Emmaus) in Redlands, California, which is now a decade old and going strong. Then I was a teaching pastor at Canyon Lake Community Church for four years and have now ventured back into church planting as the lead pastor of Center Church. (You get nothing if you can pronounce that, except the satisfaction of being hooked on phonics.) Westminster Seminary California allowed me onto their campus even though I baptize grownups. That seminary and its professors have been formative in my life. But not as much as my wife who I have been married to for 29 years as of July 2022. As a couple, we are both advocates of orphan care, having adopted Kate when she was 11 days old. That's me in the selfie with my wife Dinika, our son Rex (4), our daughter Eden (21), and our daughter Kate (12). That's right—eight years between kids, because we're good planners.

Steve Adler is a consummate rocker, as in rock n’ roll back when it was rock n’ roll and not whatever it is now. Techno. Exactly. Tech? No. The first rock concert Steve attended was KISS in 1979 and yes, he was in full makeup. Thankfully for us, he has left face-painting behind and leads the worship team at Center Church.     Steve brings his passion for the Lord into the sanctuary and with every note of his guitar. If there is an instrument, whatever it may be, Steven can probably play it, even the ukulele. He started playing music at 11-years of age, was awarded a gold medal at an international music festival with a jazz ensemble in 1984. He is a first class bass player, but his skills go far beyond his instrument of preference. This is why one of his great gifts is in developing other musicians and singers into worshippers who sing to the Lord with their whole heart and on key. Praise the Lord.     Steve has been married to Tammy (who was such a good sport for this selfie which came without warning) for 28 years in October. They have three children, one in college (Dave, 26, studying psychology at Cal State Long Beach), one who just graduated college (Michaela, 27, BS in geology from Cal State Fullerton) and Sam (22) who's studying at Cal State Fullerton also.

Daniel is a professor at Martin Luther King Jr. in Riverside, California. He has been married to Jenny for 19 years and they have two lovely little girls, Julia and Charlotte. Daniel also serves as church treasurer. His wife Jenny works for River Springs Charter Schools as an Educational Specialist where she works with homeschooling families.

Dale studied psychology and Biblical Studies at Biola University and works with United States veterans. He has been married to Angelique for... quite a few years. And he has a great passion for prayer.