Kaelia began her relationship with Jesus as she started leading worship in the middle school ministry. In high school, she was consumed by an unhealthy romantic relationship that led her to be trafficked into Mexico for weeks. She was rescued, brought to safety, and put into intense therapy and hospitalization. In those places, she was awakened to God’s deep love, grace, and mercy. With the help and guidance of her church community, she grew and matured in ways she never knew were possible. It is an honor to remind people that they are never too far gone for redemption.

"I have never been more disappointed in you in my life," Jake's father/best friend says. Until Jake's life came crashing down, he knocked down doors all his life since finding Jesus in Middle School. He graduated with his bachelor's in three years, moved alone 2000 miles away to San Diego three weeks after undergrad, became a pastor, and was promoted within the first year. He graduated with his master's in two years, got engaged within a year of dating with only five months until their 250-person wedding date. Just three months before the wedding, they took a family vacation, and after getting back home, his Father gave him this message. His Dad said the whole family saw how Jake treated his future wife and hated it - interrupting her, disregarding her, and almost always being frustrated about something. Even worse, Kaelia’s family had a separate conversation with them about the same thing. The word "narcissist" was mentioned more than a couple of times, and they were advised to reconsider the engagement. They decided to go through with the wedding. Once the dust settled after the honeymoon, all those trophies Jake earned from kicking doors open finally caught up to him, and he entered into a dark night of the soul. Many nights, Jake would wake up with existential dread, scared of who he had become. Reconciliation with Kaelia was a slow process of learning how to love her through listening and patience. Somehow, their family relationships are closer because of the many healing conversations over the years. God spoke so loudly through those calm waters as Jake learned to posture himself no longer as a kickboxer but as a stoic. Yet he still can’t help but look back at the most painful process of his life and wonder about the version of himself that would not have changed. He bets that the alternative universe has a lot more broken noses.

Jake's simple definition for his strengths is this: "With an entrepreneurial spirit, he loves starting new movements, rallying people around them, and seeing them through to completion." His strengths include vision creation, strategic planning, vision casting, galvanizing people, and sheer tenacity to complete tasks. He has also refined and honed his emotional intelligence. When he is healthy, self-awareness and empathy are gifts that he possesses. Three out of Jake's top four spiritual gifts are leadership, apostleship, and prophecy. He has a great sense of sociological movements, both ideologically and spiritually, especially in terms of prophecy. His passion lies in identifying these movements and finding innovative ways to bridge gaps for the sake of the Gospel, reflecting his apostleship. Jake utilizes these gifts to help remove barriers and enable people to act on their good intentions, displaying his leadership abilities.

With an empathetic spirit, Kaelia loves developing, growing, and creating opportunities alongside others, helping them connect and feel safe. Her strengths include Woo, Harmony, Consistency, Adaptability, Includer, and Activator. At heart, Kaelia is a shepherd of people, and her desire is to gather and develop individuals, encouraging them to not settle in their lives. The gift of mercy within her stems from the deep compassion and grace she received during her darkest moments. Kaelia yearns to let this gift drive how their church embraces people in their weaknesses and surrounds them with safety. Her passion lies in loving, empowering, and leading others so that they, too, can empower, love, and lead others effectively.

Student Ministry has gained a reputation for its short tenures, with the average lasting around 14 months, as Jake last checked. However, Jake was determined not to become just another forgotten face to these students, despite feeling called to minister to adults. Remarkably, he holds the record for the longest tenure as a Student Pastor at Eastlake Church. Since their 5th-grade graduation, he has been the sole Student Pastor for our 11th graders. This year (2023), planting a Church was not feasible as Jake couldn't envision leaving this class before their graduation. His commitment to this role goes far beyond seeking influence, money, or power.

It is a calling that predates his time at Eastlake. Jake's journey began in 7th grade when he fell in love with God and was asked to pray in front of the entire church. The heartfelt response he received from multiple adults, affirming his ministry calling, left a lasting impression. From starting a high school Jesus Club before school in 7th grade, to continuing it during his own high school years, to initiating a monthly worship night in college, it became evident that a higher purpose was guiding him. Over the past six years, he has diligently developed his character, competency, and self-awareness, preparing himself to respond swiftly when God speaks clearly. This calling is deeply ingrained in his DNA, planted by God.

San Diego is the city where we have decided to plant our roots. It possesses a laid-back personality with a blue-collar backbone. Remarkably, one can find extremely successful individuals within close proximity throughout San Diego, yet their success doesn't overshadow the importance of living fulfilling lives through community and engaging in outdoor activities. Serving as a gateway from Asia and Mexico, San Diego represents the future of a world shaped by the intersection of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities.

In his younger years, Jake wasn't sure if he could ever settle down in one place, but that all changed within months of moving to San Diego. The city's charm and appeal captured his heart, and he discovered a deep sense of belonging. On the other hand, Kaelia, being born and raised in San Diego, always knew that it was a place people come to, not leave from. She patiently waited for Jake to catch up with her, and fortunately, he quickly embraced the idea.

After considering various factors and seeking advice, we have decided to set our sights on planting in the fall of 2024. This choice allows us to maximize the potential for long-term sustainability, considering the school year as a crucial aspect. Therefore, we have confidently determined that the fall of 2024 will be the optimal time for our venture.

In the midst of the COVID pandemic, during the summer of 2021, it became clear that organizing a traditional Summer Camp in California was not feasible. However, rather than leaving students without any engaging activities before the start of the new school year, Jake took the initiative to create a conference called StudentCon. Unfortunately, the sudden passing of the father of our only other full-time youth worker left Jake and a new part-time coordinator as the primary team members. This challenge prompted him to assemble a team of five dedicated volunteers who invested more than 20 hours per week for a month to bring the conference to life.

In the end, the conference surpassed expectations, with over 200 students and more than 60 adult volunteers in attendance. Being responsible for every aspect of the event allowed Jake to strengthen his organizational skills in profound and transformative ways.

In his role as the Growth Group Student Pastor, Jake faced the responsibility of bringing together numerous students and leaders at the start of the school year to organize and ignite the Growth Group ministry. However, a significant challenge emerged: he was completely unprepared. Critical elements such as timing, transitions, game instructions, seating arrangements, and graphics were virtually nonexistent. The event's highlight was simply its conclusion. Recognizing the stark contrast between this event and the quality of work valued by EastLake and himself, Jake humbly approached his peers and boss, expressing his sincere apologies for falling short. Although he had never been trained as an event planner, he understood the necessity of acquiring this skill quickly. In the following semester, he took on the responsibility of organizing all Student Ministry events, approaching it as an opportunity to transform a weakness into a strategic strength. Shortly before the arrival of the COVID pandemic, Jake successfully launched an event that attracted over 250 middle schoolers. Throughout the year, he had the privilege of leading three different camps, each hosting a total of 350 students. These setbacks served as catalysts for Jake's leadership development, as he consistently chose to embrace challenges and enhance his skills.

Kaelia and Jake possess a gift for galvanizing others, evident in the thriving leadership teams within the ministries we serve. We have dedicated ourselves to refining our abilities to effectively present our ministries, not only for recruiting purposes but also with the foresight that these skills would later translate into raising funds. Part of Jake's decision to move to California was driven by the desire to access a network of successful individuals in various aspects of life and career. Over time, we have strategically positioned ourselves within a web of meaningful and generous relationships. This intentional cultivation ensures that when we engage in conversations about the church we are planting, we can entrust the challenge to capable and supportive hands.

Our philosophy revolves around identifying the mountaintop and establishing an empowering system that cultivates a community of guides capable of leading others to achieve it.

When it comes to our finances, we hold a clear vision: money should never hinder the pursuit of doing good in the world. Having paid off over $30,000 in debt and achieving financial freedom early in our marriage, we ventured into the real estate business. After four years of dedicated effort, we have managed to generate a gross income that surpasses the combined salaries of both of us. By automating the business through a team of five individuals, we now spend no more than three hours a week managing it. Our goal is to ensure that money never becomes an obstacle preventing us from fulfilling our God-sized dream of planting a church.

In the realm of Student Ministry, we encountered a challenge. With summer camps suspended due to COVID, we questioned whether it was possible to bring them back in a truly remarkable way. While replicating our previous success by bringing hundreds of students from various churches to the same summer camp would have been good, we aspired for greatness. Recognizing the need for a shift, we made the bold decision not to renew our long-standing camp contract. Instead, we launched a Snowy Winter Camp for the first time and secured Catalina Island for the summer camp. This strategic move paid off, as we filled all the spots for Summer Camp a month before registration closed. In the end, we mobilized over 60 adult leaders to care for 350 student camp spots, offering experiences like snow tubing in the mountains and water tubing overlooking downtown Los Angeles.

Kaelia experienced significant success in developing and coaching her young adult leaders through "House Parties." These gatherings brought together 5-7 groups at a time in a single home, fostering smaller group interactions, shared meals, and collective worship within the young adult community. This created a safe space for young adults to hear testimonies, receive guidance from adult coaches, and exercise their leadership gifts by organizing events and fostering personal growth. The most rewarding aspect was witnessing the young adult leaders confidently lead their peers while maintaining an attitude of humility, acknowledging that none of us have all the answers or have it all figured out.

We share a deep conviction and unwavering passion for Church Planting as a couple. Together, we will serve as pastors in this church. Kaelia's journey in ministry began as a middle and high school leader, where she actively engaged in leading worship, facilitating groups, organizing camps, and mentoring young girls. This commitment continued when she was hired as an intern immediately after completing high school.

Throughout her college years, Kaelia served as a worship leader, and our Lead Pastor recognized her exceptional talents and dedication. A year before her graduation, he extended a full-time pastoral position to her, and upon earning her Christian Studies degree, Kaelia stepped into the role of Worship and Young Adults Pastor. In her capacity, she will lead and oversee the worship department, and we have full confidence that she will excel in leading groups and participating in the speaking rotation. Kaelia's heart beats for serving both the local and global church, and she eagerly anticipates embarking on this journey alongside her husband.

Jake's journey has encompassed an eclectic range of experiences and backgrounds. He was raised in an independent Baptist Church in Rural Maine before transitioning to Ohio and becoming a member of a more liberal Church community. Seeking a different direction, Jake then served as the Student Worship Leader for a charismatic Church Plant during his final years of high school. His pursuit of higher education led him to attend Nazarene schools, where he obtained both his undergraduate and Masters in Ministry degrees.

During his undergraduate studies, Jake played a key leadership role within the House Church model on campus, gaining valuable insights and perspectives. For the past 6+ years, he has served as a pastor in a Non-denominational Church, further refining his theological framework through exposure to different perspectives and models. This diverse background has shaped Jake's understanding and equipped him with a comprehensive perspective on faith and ministry.

We are grateful for the support and partnership of our mother Church, Eastlake Church, which will be instrumental in planting our new Church. Eastlake Church is a founding member of "The Community Church Movement," a network of eight Churches in Southern California and Mexico. This affiliation provides us with a strong foundation and a community of like-minded Churches.

Additionally, we are excited to be part of the newly formed "California Church Planting Movement." This organization consists of some of the largest and most influential churches in California, and they are dedicated to supporting and empowering the best Church Planters in the state. As potential Church Planters, we are honored to be considered for this prestigious network and are currently in the interview process with Strategic Launch, an organization that plays a crucial role in equipping and launching Church Planters.

Through these partnerships and networks, we are confident in our ability to receive the necessary guidance, resources, and support to establish a thriving and impactful Church in our community.

Communion is a symbol for the love of God. It allows us to confront the fact that we participated in the death of Jesus; yet, at the same time realizing God willingly poured out his blood for the absolution of that same sin. We practice inclusive communion because “we take Holy Communion not because we are doing well, but because we are doing badly. Not because we have arrived, but because we are traveling. Not because we are right, but because we are confused and wrong. Not because we are full, but because we are hungry ” (Rowan Williams). Communion allows us to confess and repent so we may find forgiveness. Only through the reality of our faults, confession, and the awareness of forgiveness can we be wrapped in the sacrificial love of God. It is here we see a fuller picture of God. In that moment, “We gather around God’s table, a community of strangers who become guests together. It may last only a few seconds, but that is what I picture heaven to be like” (Rowan Williams).

When it comes to baptism, it represents an inward transformation of the heart. It is not a means to become better on our own merit, but rather an acceptance of our broken humanity in the presence of God. Through baptism, we relinquish our worldly identities and pledge our allegiance to the kingdom of God, finding a new home within the Church. Baptism is not only about the individual being baptized but also about the entire congregation remembering and reaffirming the covenant made at baptism. It is an integral part of the Church's process of teaching, forming, and habituating individuals into the Christian faith.

In light of these beliefs, our plan is to partake in the Eucharist (communion) on a monthly basis, recognizing its significance in our spiritual journey. Additionally, we intend to conduct baptisms on a quarterly basis, acknowledging the transformative power of this sacrament and its role in the life of the Church.

We all want freedom from our own Shame. Shame ruins our self-esteem and makes us feel unworthy of love. Shame comes from the guilt of knowing there are consequences for the way we’ve hurt ourselves and the people around us, we call that sin. But no one deserves to live so flawed. Jesus gets it. We believe God came in the form of a human body to truly experience what it is to be human. Living a perfect life, he showed us that he can be trusted. He actually said that he came to give life and life to its fullest. Yet, he not only showed his trustworthiness but a way forward, past our shame. The problem of sin was eradicated when the perfect sacrifice of Jesus satisfied the sin of humanity on the cross. He proved what everyone thought of him by being the only person in human history to raise from the dead 72 hours later. Jesus came to bring us freedom from our shame. We have a decision to either accept this love invitation and be free or to deny it and continue living in shame. We can go from a life trapped in sin to a future free from shame.