My name is Dale. I was born and raised in Anaheim, CA the home of Disneyland. My family moved to Santa Barbara when I was 11, and I’ve been here ever since. Anaheim is my place of birth, but Santa Barbara will always be my hometown.

I love traveling. One of my favorite places is Florence, Italy; I love the amazing art, architecture and history. I think Michael Angelo was one of the most brilliant artists in all of human history, and in Florence I really discovered his brilliance. My other favorite place would be Anguilla, in the Caribbean. The snorkeling and swimming in Anguilla is simply amazing!

I love ice cream. Ben & Jerrry’s makes most of my favorites, including Chubby Hubby

I had two school teachers that had a profound impact on my life because they inspired me and made me want to inspire others—Ms. Carol my 6th grade teacher and Mr. Helms, my math teacher in 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th grade. Mr. Helms was a teacher, friend and fellow sports nut. I felt honored to be in his classroom.

Amy and I met at a local church right here in Santa Barbara, while she was attending Westmont College. We became great friends immediately and spent lots of time, laughing and sharing dreams together. We soon fell in love and the rest, as they say, is history.

My favorite scripture is Isaiah 40:29-31 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 
 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. 
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” I found this scripture during an emotional and physical trial in high school. I watched this promise come to life and it changed my perspective on the power of God’s word and promises forever. I was a believer in His word from that moment forward!

My name is Amy Swanson. I have been married to Dale for 22 years. And we have three awesome adopted children who are from Burundi. I grew up in Colorado where I spent the first 18 years of my life. I love the mountains and I love to snow ski and backpack, but living in Santa Barbara, I’ve become more of a beach bum. I feel most happy when I’m sitting on the beach with the salty water drying on my skin.

My favorite color is purple. It’s a mysterious and exotic color, and reminds me of all the places I like to travel. My favorite trip was when I traveled to Morocco to visit my sister and the exciting adventure of navigating around the foreign city on my own, and hiking in the high Atlas mountains.

I also love to read. My favorite books are modern American realist like Wallace Stegner, John Irving, Joyce Carol Oates.

My favorite scripture is probably 1 Cor. 15:58 “Therefore, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” When I get discouraged or tired, this verse always brings me back to the thing that is most important—the eternal purpose for all our earthly labor.

My name is Chris VanBogelen. I grew up for most of my childhood in the midwest and moved up to the Bay Area when I was in jr. high. When I was 18, I moved to Santa Barbara to go to college at Westmont, and have been here ever since.

I met my wife right after college, while I was renting a room from her grandmother. She quickly won me over with the most delicious chocolate chip cookies ever, and we got married in less than a year! 14 years later, she’s still the best thing in my life.

I love to play basketball, ride motorcycles, and I enjoy hiking and biking — anything outdoors. My favorite place to visit is Yosemite National Park. I have a wonderful family with four children aged 10, 9, 7, and 5, and we also have one beagle and one chocolate Lab mix. My heart’s passion is to see people knowing God’s love and living out His dreams for them. I also like to see things working in order.

My favorite scriptures are: 1 Cor 13:8 “love never fails…” and Phil 3:10 “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings…” I like these verses because they remind me that love is the most powerful force in the world, and that there is so much depth in knowing Jesus Christ personally.

My name is Judy Morelli. I grew up in Carpinteria, CA. I’m married to Dennis Morelli who I met at a Disco! He had an Afro and I had a flower in my hair, and we danced all night! 30 years later, love at first sight is real!

Italy is one of my favorite places to be. It is romantic and beautiful and the food is fantastic. I also love the English countryside and its amazing and quiet peace. I often dream of Ensenada, Mexico where there is a beach house that is waiting for me like an old friend.

One of the persons who has influenced me most is my brother Bobby who fought cancer and won. His courageous fight and unwillingness to give up in the mist of a physical pain is an inspiration to me every day.

I love Thai Ice Tea and English Proper Tea. I love roses, and one of my favorites is called Sweet Surrender. It’s the first rose that greets me down the pathway to my house. I like cooking a meal for my family and sitting around the table laughing talking and reminiscing.

My life scripture Colossians 2:10. It reminds me that I am a whole being. Being complete means that I don’t need to add anything to who I am. I can just kick back in Jesus’ arms with sweet surrender.

My name is Melissa. My hometown is San Fernando Valley, CA. I am an official “Valley Girl” for sure!

I love Ben & Jerry’s Chubby Hubby ice cream or anything peanut butter flavored. My favorite color is periwinkle, but I never wear it. And my favorite thing to eat is Sushi.

I’ve been married for 2 years. I met Ed at New Life Church. I initially had no interest at all but God had another plan. As we each grew closer to the Lord, God removed the “blinders” and allowed us to see that we are perfect for each other.

My favorite place I have traveled is definitely Jamaica where we traveled for our honeymoon. I dream about going to Spain. In my parent’s travels they have often talked about Spain being the most beautiful place they’ve gone to because of the culture, food, art, music and overall beauty of that country.

The person who has influenced me most in my life is my dad. He has mentored me my entire life without me even knowing it. I look back and remember everything I used to see him do when he was leading worship and ministering. I have learned everything I know because of Him.

I love drinking coffee! Ice cream and shopping put me in a really good mood. I have 3 tattoo’s, and my hair has been platinum blonde, blue, purple, pink, red, & orange. I’ve also had a Mohawk.

My favorite scripture is Philippians 1:6 “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” This verse gives me the hope that God is always at work in my life and never leaves anything undone. It’s brought me great hope in hard times and continues to minister to me when I face things that I don’t understand.

My name is Debbie Endo. I have been married to my husband Carl for 13 years, and I have two adult sons. I was born in Colorado, but I really grew up in southern California, Hacienda Heights and Santa Barbara. I like the mild weather and the ocean air here.

My favorite color is blue. It is cool, restful and calming. I love chocolate chip cookies and brownies. My favorite flavor of ice cream is chocolate combined with strawberry. I find that listening to music, R&B from the 70’s puts me in a good mood. I also enjoy visiting the beach, smelling the ocean air and listening to the waves.

One of my favorite trips has been to historic Williamsburg, Virginia, and I always love traveling in California to San Diego, Monterey and San Francisco. My dream vacation would include a trip to New England in the fall and to Washington D.C. to see the museums and monuments.

I love to read both fiction and non-fiction. My favorite fiction books are suspense and mysteries. I enjoy authors that carry their main characters through several books, such as Patricia Cornwell and Jonathan Kellerman. I have read many wonderful non-fiction Christian books. Beth Moore’s, Praying God’s Word, Gary Chapman’s, The5 Love Languages are recent favorites.

My favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.”

My name is Katie Brock. I grew up in Jalama Beach and Goleta. I was recently married to the “man of my dreams,” and much to my surprise, we met at church. We were volunteering and had never interacted with each other until we both ended up together working in the office.

The Beach is my sanctuary. I also love the color yellow. Seeing a humming bird perch on a branch and be still, makes me really happy. I love to spend time with friends & family, a good book, or hearing my favorite song on the radio.

One of the persons who has influenced me most in my life is Mother Teresa.
She exemplifies kindness, faithfulness, and a sense of humor and pursuit of truth at all costs.

My favorite drinks are tea and coffee, Shirley temples, and mint lemonade.

My life scripture is 1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

I love this scripture because it sums up the gospel for me and reminds me how I have been loved and that in the same way I must love others. Nothing matters without love—God’s perfect love.

Bio Coming Soon