Rob was born and raised in California where he enjoys playing most sports, especially golf and baseball. He also collects sports cards and sports memorabilia. Rob graduated from Pacific Christian College with a B.A. in Church Growth with an emphasis on preaching. He became a Christian at the age of 18 and believes that is why he loves ministering to young adults. Rob has been married since 1991 to Lisa and has 2 sons, Drew and Easton.  He has been ministering here at West Valley Christian Church for 21 years and 10 years ago decided to start the Journey service.  His dreams for this ministry have continued to grow and change over the years to make Journey what it is today with God’s help.

Name a favorite Bible passage and explain how it impacts you.

John 10:10 – I love this verse because it sets us free to really enjoy life.  It flies in the face of what many believe Christianity to be “boring”.   

Briefly explain how and when you came to Christ.

In 1986 I was in a car accident that could have taken my life.  It was this event that opened my eyes to a very gracious God.  After attending church and reading the Bible, I gave my life to Christ and was baptized on April 26, 1987.  Life has never been the same since (in a good way). 

Who are some of your favorite musicians/bands/singers?

I love classic rock: Styx, Journey, Chicago, Bryan Adams, Fleetwood Mac – to name a few (and Duane Dolieslager).

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I like chic flicks and often shed a tear or two watching them.  I think people would be surprised at the fact that I am an introvert.

What is your favorite sport?

Baseball would have to top that list.  In my latter years I would say golf has taken a close second.

What books do you like?

Ones with lots of pictures.  I really don’t enjoy reading but I do a lot of it because I feel I need to in order to learn and grow.  I know my favorite authors are Chuck Swindol, Max Lucado, John Maxwell

Why should someone attend Journey?

To find hope and then give hope.  I can’t think of anything that could be more fulfilling in life.

Has your sister ever been on Silver Spoons or Growing Pains?

Yes

Born and raised in Modesto, CA, Duane moved to Southern California in 1998. After graduating from Cal State Northridge with a degree in Communications in 2000, he began teaching English and Speech at Hillcrest Christian School in Thousand Oaks. While he enjoyed his time at Hillcrest, his love for music led him to pursue a career as a singer/songwriter. Duane has been an active member of Journey’s worship team since 1998 and has served as worship leader for the past 3 years. Ironically or not, Duane doesn't much care for the band Journey.

What is your favorite worship song and why?

My favorite worship song is probably whatever song we have started playing most recently. It’s easy to get tired of the songs when you play them a lot, but I like any worship song with a good melody and strong lyrics. Come Thou Fount has amazing lyrics.

What books do you like?

I like to read biographies and political books. I recently read Michael Medved’s “The 10 Big Lies About America.” I especially like the chapter where he dispels the myth that the founding fathers intended a secular, not Christian, society. Pop-up books are cool, too.

Why should someone attend Journey?

To connect, to serve, to grow and to learn about God and what the Bible says about our lives.

What do you do with your spare time?

I like to play guitar, write songs, hang out with my wife, and watch the Dodgers.

What do you do with your spare change?

I keep it in a flower pot I bought at Ikea and save it until there’s enough to go on vacation.

What do you do with your spare tire?

Ideally, it gets neglected.

What cartoon character do you think affects the world most negatively?

I love him, but Yogi Bear does nothing but steal from unsuspecting picnickers and then lie about it to the authorities. Plus, he drags Boo Boo down with him.

Bethany Cobb moved from a rural Midwestern town in Illinois to the big city of Los Angeles in 2003. She graduated from Lincoln Christian College with a degree in Christian Business Administration. She found West Valley Christian Church shortly after her move to CA and has found a home away from home. Bethany has always had a passion for missions. She started going on trips in high school that guided her to a Christian college to equip her to one day run and organize short term mission trips. This led her to her current position here at West Valley Christian Church where she is living her dream. When she is not running around the world, you can usually catch her going to rodeos and watching bull riding or hanging out with friends and family. She loves being in the country and tries to visit often. She is still a country girl at heart even in this big city.

Name a favorite Bible passage and explain how it impacts you.

Jeremiah 29:11 – it is very comforting and encouraging, knowing God is always in charge of my life.

Briefly explain how and when you came to Christ.

I grew up going to church, had amazing parents that encouraged me and then I made the decision while I was at a week of church camp in June of 1990.

Who are some of your favorite musicians/bands/singers?

I am a HUGE country fan so here we go: Brad Paisley, Little Big Town, Craig Morgan, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, George Strait – just to name a few.

What is your favorite sport?

Bull Riding/Rodeo

What is your favorite sport not involving bulls?

There are sports that don’t involve bulls? Okay, okay I guess it would be basketball or volleyball.

What books do you like?

I like any books that are in a series – I like keeping track of characters throughout multiple books like Diana Gabladon’s Outlander series, Carol Higgins Clark’s Regan Reilly mystery books, Wrinkle in Time series by Madeline L’Engle, etc.

Why should someone attend Journey?

Journey is a “come as you are” service. We are not caught up in the do’s and don’ts of going to church and I think this option helps to make people feel comfortable and able to hear God’s message of love and grace without judgment from others.

What do you do with your spare time?

Usually something to do with sports or cooking, I know big difference but I like variety.

Josh moved with his family from Chile to Los Angeles in January of 2007. He was born into a missionary family and moved to Chile shortly after his birth. Josh loves spending time with his family and enjoys watching his children grow. He has played drums since he was 12 and loves biking. His passion is for creative/arts ministry and preaching. Josh recently obtained his M.A in ministry through the Londen Institute for Evangelism, and was ordained into ministry through Crossroads Christian Church. He will soon be heading back to Chile to continue ministry there.

Name a favorite Bible passage and explain how it impacts you.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. It gives me great comfort to know that I can rely on Scripture to be my compass in life.

Briefly explain how and when you came to Christ.

I grew up in a Christian home going to church, singing songs, praying, reading the Bible, and going to Sunday school (you know the drill) until I got out of high school…then everything changed. I started taking drugs, drinking, smoking and living a destructive lifestyle. After four years of this I decided it was enough. I couldn’t live the rest of my life like this and made a decision before God to change, and quit every destructive habit in my life and stuck to that decision for about a week. I got invited to a party and drank two glasses of beer. Now the interesting thing is that in six years of drunk driving most weekends not once did a cop stop me nor did I have any type of accident. But that night as I drove away from that party a cop stopped me, tested me for drunk driving, and I spent the night in jail. That’s when I understood for the first time who God was to me and who I was to God. I knew I was incapable of quitting without God and for the first time I surrendered my life to him. And that’s when my walk began.

Who are some of your favorite musicians/bands/singers?

70’s Kiss Rainbow Lionel Richie (Not) 80’s Europe Poison Flock of Seagulls (not) 90’s Sound Garden. Pearl Jam Spice Girls (not, well a little) 2000’s Maroon 5 Incubus Hannah Montana (not)

What is your favorite worship song and why?

Everlasting God. It expresses my favorite quality about God. Everything about God is eternal, I love that.

What books do you like?

I would have to say anything involving ministry, church planting, leadership and vision.

Why should someone attend Journey?

Because they can learn about God and Scripture without feeling bad about not being a Christian yet.

Where would you like to go on vacation?

France. When I was in high school I was in a band that ended up being one of three finalists in a music competition. The prize was a trip to France… we lost. I need closure.

Greg Green is currently a manager at Bank of America and has actively studied the bible for the better part of 30 years. He has one goal in life and that is to not stop serving God until long after he is called home. He graduated from Pepperdine's Seminary and is currently finishing his requirements to pursue a Doctorate in Theology. He is also currently writing a book that is aimed at reviving the relevance of the church in the modern world by focusing on the gospel and not being politically correct. It is called " No Apologies Necessary".

Briefly explain how and when you came to Christ.

I became a Christian when I was very young and seem to have worked most of my youth running away from him. But God never stopped calling and never backed down.

How many squares do you think the average waffle has?

That depends are we counting 4 of the small squares to be a medium square and for mediums to be a large?

What do you like about working at Journey?

All you can eat communion wafers

What is your favorite sport not involving bulls?

Ninja Warrior

What is your favorite worship song and why?

For I am convinced. (Romans 8:38 and 39) It is the power to change souls

What do you do with your spare tire?

Feed it donuts

What cartoon character do you think affects the world most negatively?

Superman, I mean really people, those tights have seriously got to bind.