Lead Pastor, Elder

I grew up in a Christian family and have attended church my entire life. When I was 7 years old I walked the aisle of a Baptist church and accepted Christ as my Savior. Soon after that I was baptized. I attended Chaffey High School in Ontario where I met my high school sweetheart, Miriam, in band. We got married when I was 20 and she was 21. Miriam and I and our two kids started attending LBF when it was located at Sweeten Hall in Rancho Cucamonga in 1976. In 1980 LBF asked me to join the church staff as the Business Administrator, which I started in 1981. With my love for music (and already serving as one of the volunteer worship leaders) in 1987 I was asked to also become the worship pastor. After joining the staff I developed a strong desire to attend seminary and in 2003, I graduated with a Master of Divinity from the Haggard School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University. Miriam and I have been married now for 35 years and have 5 grown children, four of which are married. I now have 5 grandchildren (with one more due in July) who call me “Papa,” which I just love to hear!


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Pastor of Worship, Elder

About Your Family:
I married a supermodel who doubles as a Mom that puts Donna Reed to shame. Her name is Laura and we have been married since 1997. I have 3 children: Carter (the piano playing baseball player) who is 8; Emma (the artist) who is 5, is my red-headed beauty; and Nathan (the drummer) is 3.

Recommended Books:
(Is that what those people are reading to me on my iPod?) If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat by John Ortberg; Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray (not to be attempted while drowsy); Wisdom Hunter By Randall Arthur; The Shack by William P. Young; and pretty much anything by Dr. Seuss

Favorite Movies:
Shawshank Redemption, Inception, Saving Private Ryan, What
About Bob, Murder By Death, Rush Hour, The Mummy, ok, ok... and Napoleon Dynamite

TV Shows:
West Wing, Ultimate Fighting Championships, House, Dirty Jobs

Last band/artist/music you purchased: Chris Tomlin, Lincoln Brewster, Dave Matthews Band

Favorite Citation:
“Even a fool appears wise if he keeps his mouth shut” (Proverbs 17:28)

Yummiest Food:
Orange Chicken (Panda Express), Bar b q chicken pizza (Claim Jumper), Smoked rainbow trout, Thanxgiving dinner (yes, all of it!!)

Eating Out Frequents:
Del Taco, Chic-fil-A, Chipotle, Panda Express, Magic Wok (2 Buck Tuesday!)

Superhero of Choice:
“Greatest American Hero” (From the TV show in the 80’s)

Least Favorite Color:
Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink.

First Memory You Can Remember:
I cracked my chin open on the kitchen counter top when I was 3. (Faulty chair placement.) It hurt enough to remember!!

Outdoor Activity of Choice:
Camping (which includes, but is not limited to, fishing, hiking, mtn biking, fishing, campfires, eating fish, fishing)

Sports Teams:
My son's baseball team and the Dodgers; Tony Stewart and the Home Depot NASCAR team

Future Goal:
Is it too late for me to win the Little League World Series?

Item of Randomness:
How can 2 + 2 = 4 and 2 x 2 = 4? I hate Math!!! (Just thought you should know)

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Pastor of Community Life

About Your Family:
My wife and I met at Azusa Pacific University in 1996. After a few years of trying to convince her, we were married in July of 2000. In 2006, we found out that Amy was pregnant with quadruplets. As a result, we are the proud parents of 3 boys (Jeremiah, Jonah, and Jordan) and 1 girl (Cedar).

Favorite Citation:
"I would have to search through 10,000 people to find one person who could do something as good as you, if not better. That's how unique God made you." - Chip Anderson

Yummiest Food:
Anything mom makes...

Eating Out Frequents:
Spicy Mexican food...doesn't matter what restaurant.

Superhero of Choice:
Indiana Jones' best friend, Sallah.

Least Favorite Color:
Mustard yellow

First Memory You Can Remember:
Dad taking me to see a re-release of Star Wars: A New Hope, 1979, Chicago.

Outdoor Activity of Choice:
Duck hunting with my chocolate lab. His name is Sallah, but he also answers to "fat kid."

Sports Teams:
AL Team: Chicago White Sox; NL Team: LA Dodgers; NBA: Chicago Bulls; NFL: Chicago Bears

Future Goal:
Pass on a deep love for baseball to all three of my boys and teach them how to throw a nasty split-finger fast ball and hit from both sides of the plate.

Item of Randomness:
I have my own action figure...

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Pastor of Administration

About Your Family:
My wife, Amy, and I have been married since 2001. We have a lil' one, Owen, born November 2004 and Mya who was born January 1, 2008.

Recommended Books:
Tom Sawyer, Good to Great, Becoming a Strategic Leader

Favorite Movies:
StarWars: Empire Strikes Back, Goonies, Snatch

TV Shows:
Prison Break, Survivor

Last band/artist/music you purchased:
Interpol, The Killers, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince

Favorite Citation:
The way to succeed is to double your failure rate - Thomas Edison
When you're finished changing, you're finished - Ben Franklin

Yummiest Food:
Steak, Sushi, Pizza - in that order

Eating Out Frequents:
In & Out, Chick-fil-A, San Biagio's Pizza

Superhero of Choice:
Captain Caveman, Duke (from GI Joe)

Least Favorite Color:
Pea-Green

First Memory You Can Remember:
Riding my tricycle around the porch of our parsonage home in Piney River Virginia (map). I was between two and three years old.

Outdoor Activity of Choice:
Backpacking, camping, fishing, snowboarding, mountain+road biking, hiking, yard work - seriously. And let me not forget video games...I know, disappointing for some, but true.

Sports Teams:
Azusa Pacific University Puck Hogs (my former roller hockey team from back in the day)

Future Goal:
To have more goals...

Item of Randomness:
I broke into my neighbor's house when I was five (I went through the doggie door) to retrieve my Atari game.

Russ' LinkedIn Profile:

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Pastor of Student Ministries

About Your Family:
Married – wife’s name is Tamara

Recommended Books:
The Bible; Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller; Wasting Time With God by Klaus Issler, James Houston; Walk On: The Spiritual Journey Of U2 by Steve Stockman

Favorite Movies:
Napoleon Dynamite, Transformers, Iron Man

TV Shows:
24, Prison Break, The Office, 

Last band/artist/music you purchased:
U2

Favorite Citation:
“I grew up with the image of a mathematical God who weighed my good and bad deeds on a set a scales and always found me wanting. Somehow I missed the God of the gospels, a God of mercy and generosity who keeps finding ways to shatter the relentless laws of ungrace.” - Philip Yancey

Yummiest Food:
Pizza

Eating Out Frequents:
In & Out

Superhero of Choice:
Jesus, Spiderman

Least Favorite Color:
Light salmon

First Memory You Can Remember:
Sleeping

Outdoor Activity of Choice:
Surfing

Sports Teams:
None

Future Goal:
Youth Ministry

Item of Randomness:
Greatest camp accomplishment is winning the ultimate slip & slide contest.

Consumes large amounts of coffee each day.

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Director of His Kids Children's Ministries

About Your Family:
My husband, Bob, and I were married September 2, 1973. We have a son and a daughter – both are out of the house for now, an old dog named Copper, a young dog named Layla, and last, but not least, our first grandson, Ashton F. Graham.

Recommended Books:
Any books on improving health in this toxic world.

Favorite Movies:
Cars is 1st and Happy Feet. Two really great movies for the whole family.

TV Shows:
House – I don’t know why, maybe because Dr. House is so cynical and down to earth. Also any home improvement shows – don’t ask me if I carry out what I learn from them.

Last band/artist/music You purchased:
Newsboys

Favorite Citation:
“See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know Him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is.” 1 John 3: 1 & 2

Yummiest Food:
Peanut butter, butter, and honey on whole wheat toast.

Eating Out Frequents:
Eat out too much @ Coco’s. Should buy stock in that company!

Superhero of Choice:
Jesus

Least Favorite Color:
I guess I’d have to pick gray.

First Memory You Can Remember:
Very sad story and very traumatic when I was preschool age: My teddy bear, Freeman, fell down the stairs landing in my mom’s ashtray where a lit cigarette caught him on fire. Needless to say, he was ruined and had to be thrown away.

Outdoor Activity of Choice:
Walking

Sports Teams:
Don’t go there – I live in a house where sports are watched ALL the time! Need I say more? Bob & Ashton have enough love of all sports teams that I don’t need to love it.

Future Goal:
To go on a cruise.

Item of Randomness:
Looking forward to the return of the King!! Come Lord Jesus, Come!!

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Children's Ministries 8 a.m. Service Director & 9:30 a.m. Preschool Service Director

About Your Family:
I'm a widow, with 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren

Recommended Books:
The Body by Charles Colsen

Favorite Movies:
Gone With the Wind, A Man Called Peter, Friendly Persuasion

TV Shows:
Jeapordy, Classic movie channel

Last band/artist/music You purchased:
Favorite Hymns, Bill Gaither

Favorite Citation:
I’ll be there, Lord willing and the creek don’t rise.

Yummiest Food:
Vince’s spaghetti

Eating Out Frequents:
Mimi’s, Vince's

Superhero of Choice:
Billy Graham

Least Favorite Color:
Yellow

First Memory You Can Remember:
Automobile accident when I was four, when I went through the windshield.

Outdoor Activity of Choice:
Walking

Sports Teams:
Dodgers

Future Goal:
To keep active

Item of Randomness:
I have two nicknames; one is J. D. from when I was a church secretary many years ago. The other is Frankie from when I was in Jr. High. 

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Children's Ministries 9:30 a.m. Elementary Service Director & 11:11 a.m. Service Director

About Your Family:
Married Brad Shipcott in 1981, have two boys – Evan, 20 and Ethan, 17

Recommended Books:
The Bible

Favorite Movies:
The Quiet Man, An Affair to Remember, Signs, Amistad, The Wizard of Oz

TV Shows:
America's Funniest Videos, QVC, I Love Lucy, the Cooking Channel

Last band/artist/music You purchased:
Tobymac, Diverse City

Favorite Citation:
So let it be written, so let it be done.

Yummiest Food:
Mom's roast beef with mashed potatoes and homemade gravy, See's butterscotch squares

Eating Out Frequents:
V.I.P. Pizza

Superhero of Choice:
Brad Shipcott

Least Favorite Color:
Mustard

First Memory You Can Remember:
The jingle of pocket change in my dad's front pant pocket.

Outdoor Activity of Choice:
Gardening, lounging in the sun at the beach

Future Goal:
To survive tomorrow

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Missions Coordinator

About Your Family:
My family lives close by, which I am so thankful for. My mom is still living, and I have a sister and her family – plus nieces and nephews and spouses. And now these nieces and nephews are having children and I'm a great auntie. I love being a great auntie.

Recommended Books:
"Ragamuffin Gospel," "Chronicles of Narnia"

Favorite Movies:
"Chronicles of Narnia," of course

TV Shows:
Hallmark Movies; Extreme Makeover, Home Edition (this makes me cry)

Last band/artist/music You Purchased
Fernando Ortega (great new CD), Michael W. Smith

Favorite Citation:
Psalm 139

Yummiest Food:
The stuff that probably isn't good for me (ice cream, cookies, fries, etc).

Eating Out Frequents:
Legends, Jim's Burgers (they have great hot dogs)

Superhero of Choice:
Superman...."He fights for truth, justice and the American way."

Least Favorite Color:
BROWN

First Memory You Can Remember:
Moving into our house on 11th street. I was probably about 2. Also, I remember getting our first TV when I was pretty young. What an experience – having a TV and watching the black & white tube.

Outdoor Activity of Choice:
Walking and gardening. It is wonderful walking and talking with the Lord – or being in the garden. I love it!

Sports Teams:
Biola Eagles!

Future Goal:
Get my Christmas shopping and wrapping and baking done earlier in the season so I can enjoy th season.

Item of Randomness:
My great grandparents settled in Upland in the late 1800's. I was the 4th generation to live in the house they built.

Also, I love singing classical music, which is what my grandmother used to do – sing.

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Accounts Receivables & Payables

About Your Family:
I have been married to my husband, Larry, for 37 years. We have 4 daughters and 6 of the cutest and smartest grandchildren in the world.

Recommended Books:
"True Faced" and "Anne of Green Gables"

Favorite Movies:
Star Wars, Star Trek, and Steel Magnolias

TV Shows:
Reba and Heroes

Last band/artist/music you purchased:
"The Joy of The Journey" by Michael Card

Favorite Citation:
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to bear fruit." John 15:16

Yummiest Food:
Steak

Eating Out Frequents:
CoCo's and Soup Plantation

Superhero of Choice:
Our Foreign Missionaries, The Labrecques, The Quesenberrys and The Brinkleys

Least Favorite Color:
Orange

First Memory You Can Remember:
I wandered off and I remember swimming by myself in Lake Huron when I was about 2 years old.

Outdoor Activity of Choice:
Walking, hiking

Sports Teams:
Absolutely no professional ones, but my granddaughter Lauren's soccer team.

Future Goal:
Figure out what I want to be when I grow up.

Item of Randomness:
Nothing changes if nothing changes. Caffeine is a vegetable and therefore good for you.

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Graphic Designer

About Your Family:
My husband, Daniel, and I have been married for 7 years and we have a son, born in March 2010.

Recommended Books:
Disappointment With God, Harry Potter

Favorite Movies:
Toy Story 1-3, The Incredibles

TV Shows:
Bones, Parenthood

Last band/artist/music you purchased:
Tyrone Wells

Favorite Citation:
John 14:6
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

Yummiest Food:
Carne asada tacos

Eating Out Frequents:
Iceberg

Superhero of Choice:
Elastigirl (AKA Mrs. Incredible)

Least Favorite Color:
I like all colors equally

First Memory You Can Remember:
I remember when my younger brother was born (I was 2), my parents called him “big guy.” And for whatever reason, I started calling my Care Bear “big guy” too.

Outdoor Activity of Choice:
Camping and shooting

Sports Teams:
How about just sports? I like soccer and gymnastics.

Future Goal:
To please God

Item of Randomness:
I live in Salt Lake City, Utah and connect to LBF via the web. Though I miss seeing everyone in person, we have webcams that help us communicate and keep in touch!

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About Your Family:
I am married with one grown son who is married with 2 children. I have one sister. My parents still live in the same house I grew up in and have been married for 67 years.

Recommended Books:
The Zion Chronicles

Favorite Movies:
I like adventure movies, like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Chronicle of Narnia.

TV Shows:
Lost, Home and Garden TV

Last band/artist/music You Purchased:
The Eagles Greatest Hits

Favorite Citation:
“It’s All Good!”

Yummiest Food:
Tacos

Eating Out Frequents:
Legends, Chevy’s

Superhero of Choice:
The Lone Ranger

Least Favorite Color:
Mustard yellow

First Memory You Can Remember:
Walking hand-in-hand with my grandparents, sharing a Hershey's chocolate bar at the Arcadia Arboretum; I was 5. Also getting up REALLY early in the morning to go fishing with my dad.

Outdoor Activity of Choice:
Camping, hiking, or reading a book outside, near a pretty river or waterfall.

Sports Teams:
Shopping, oh, doesn’t that count?

Future Goal:
To stay healthy for my family, so we can retire in beautiful Oregon with my grandchildren living near by.

Worship Assistant

About Your Family:
I am a junior music major at Azusa Pacific University, focusing me emphasis on church music and percussion. I have been involved on a worship team since I was in high school and have held several leadership roles in various student ministries.

Recommended Books:
Bruchko, Praise Habits, Redeeming Love, Crazy Love

Favorite Movies:
Ocean's 11, 10 Things I Hate About You

TV Shows:
Gilmore Girls

Last band/artist/music you purchased:
Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack

Favorite Citation:
"You're not obligated to win. You're obligated to keep trying the best you can, everyday."

Yummiest Food:
Mac & cheese (I'm a true college student)

Eating Out Frequents:
Starbucks, Chick-fil-A

Superhero of Choice:
My dad

Least Favorite Color:
Pale anything because I'm pale

First Memory You Can Remember:
The day my brother was born. It was Christmas and I danced around the Christmas tree in the hospital lobby and did puzzles with my dad.

Outdoor Activity of Choice:
Unless it involves playing guitar and d'jembe around a fire in my backyard, or sitting in a garden, I like the indoors!

Future Goal:
Make it through the music program at my school in one piece, then continue in worship ministry.

Item of Randomness:
I wish my "superpower" was that I could open any door by sticking my finger in the lock, because then not only is my last name Keys and I play the keyboard, my finger could duplicate any key!

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Elder

About Your Family:
I met my wife when I was 15 years old. We married 7 years later and have been married almost ten years. I wouldn't be who I am or where I am without her. We have two lively children, William and Faith. I am one of five children. All of us grew up in LBF.

Recommended Books:
When Character was King, Peggy Noonan; John Adams & 1776, David McCullough; Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis (or anything else he writes); Waking the Dead, John Eldredge (or anything else he writes); The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowell; The Testament, John Grisham (and almost anything else he writes)

Favorite Movies:
The Shawshank Redemption, Cinderella Man, Braveheart, The Matrix

TV Shows:
Lost, American Idol, The Office, Sports Center, The Universe

Last band/artist/music You purchased:
U2. Is there another band?

Favorite Citation:
"Abortion is advocated only by person who have themselves been born." - Ronald Reagan
"Don't be afraid to see what you see." - Ronald Reagan

Yummiest Food:
Deep Dish Chicago Style Pizza from Gino's East or Giordonos

Eating Out Frequents:
Anything Italian, Don Jose's

Superhero of Choice:
Batman. He fights for good and you never even know he's there.

Least Favorite Color:
Pink

First Memory You Can Remember:
Riding Motorcycles at Glamis with my dad

Sports Teams:
LA Lakers, Denver Broncos, Italian National Soccer Team, and the Trinity Christian College Trolls, of course.

Future Goal:
To be able to speak Italian, play the piano effortlessly, and to find the time to do both.

Item of Randomness:
I once surfed and snowboarded in the same day. It wasn't as great as it sounds.

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