Rino and Brenda came to SOUTHCOAST back in 1991 with their 2 year old daughter. At the time SOUTHCOAST was closed, overgrown and in disrepair. Since then they have enjoyed God's blessings to see not only the church grow but their family grow. They are proud parents of three daughters, Justina, Emilia, and Micaela, and grandparents to four beautiful children. They have a passion for Jesus and the people they serve.

Micaela has been at SOUTHCOAST most of her life but did not feel the call to ministry until she returned to Santa Barbara after living in Los Angeles where she worked for a non-profit in 2017. What began as volunteer work in the graphic design department quickly grew into an undeniable call to ministry. After serving five years as our Youth Pastor, she transitioned into the role of Worship Pastor in 2025 while also overseeing the creative department. Micaela and her husband, Jakob, serve on worship together and have two sons: Enzo and Rome.

Bob and his wife, Carolyn, were directed by the Lord to SOUTHCOAST Church in 2017 to be involved in the “healing of those who are hurting”. He is a physicist by training, a business executive in his career, and now a pastor by the grace of God. Bob's role in pastoral support is to follow whatever the Lord leads him to do in the functioning of the Body.

Doug and his wife, Carol, have been serving in ministry for the past 28 years and were called by the Lord in February of 2024 to SOUTHCOAST Church—to love people who are struggling with addiction, marital issues, or other issues. Doug has been the pastor over "Real Life" ministry with the love and support of Carol for the past two decades plus. Real Life is a ministry dedicated to teaching God's word and showing how to live it out in our daily lives. They are also involved in pastoral support of other ministries, including "The Bridge." This ministry is a year-long recovery ministry bridging men and woman into a relationship with Jesus and becoming a new creation in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold , all things have become new." 

Staff

What I do: Technical Director 

Kyle has been a part of SOUTHCOAST since 2020 as Production Lead after moving to the United States from New Zealand. Kyle has studied Audio and Production from an early age, earning certifications, working and volunteering in many organizations, helping to foster corporate worship environments, as well as concert and festival production.

Staff

What I do: Fellowship Ministry & Events Coordinator

Christine, her husband Gilbert Rodriguez, and their 3 children have been a part of SOUTHCOAST since 2000. Their family has played such an impactful and serving role in our ministries here. Christine is over our Fellowship Ministry and is our Events Coordinator here at SOUTHCOAST that works to serve our body on Sunday Mornings and throughout our events held throughout the year. She has a heart for Jesus and loves serving His people.  

Co-Youth Director

What I do:  Media and Youth Ministry

Christa has been attending SOUTHCOAST since 2019. She was a youth student for all four of her high school years, and now runs the website and all social media accounts. In January of 2025, Christa  became a Co-Youth Director along with Eric to continue doing what God wants for SCYTH.  Christa felt the Lord call her to ministry when she accepted her internship position at SOUTHCOAST in June of 2023.  Christa has a heart for youth students and can't wait to see what Jesus is going to do through her ministry. 

Co-Youth Director

What I do:  Youth Ministry 

Eric has been attending SOUTHCOAST since 2014. He helped volunteer in both Kids Ministry as well as served as a youth leader before leaving to attend Liberty University in 2022. During his time at school, he had the opportunity to be a part of campus leadership where he was able to help disciple peers and other young adults. It was during this period that God called Eric back home for reasons unknown at the time. After intentional and persistent prayer, it was clear that he would not be returning to school and would instead pursue ministry at SOUTHCOAST where he now passionately serves as Co-Youth Director with a heart to love and disciple the next generation.

Kids Coordinator

What I do:  Kids Ministry 

Nikki has been at SOUTHCOAST since 2015 where she started as a Toddler teacher. She has been very blessed to be able to be a part of this church for so many years, and watch the children grow. She loves Psalm 127:3, “Children are a gift from the Lord, they are a reward from him.” She has been able to grow alongside them, and has moved through many different positions within the Kids Ministry. No matter what title she carries, her love of sharing God’s word with his smallest warriors has always been at the center of everything she does. She recently finished up her BA at CSUCI for Early childhood studies, but is planning on continuing her studies in new fields. Everyday is a joyful blessing, and Nikki is thrilled to see what God has in store for her next.

Kids Lead

What I do:  Kids Ministry 

Karen, her husband George and their three sons have been a part of SOUTHCOAST since 2014.  She worked in the medical field for 20 years before God "suddenly" called her to be a stay at home mom in 2021.  This experience tested their faith as a family because in the natural, it made no sense.  After much prayer, they decided to step out in faith and trust the unknown to the God who knows all.  A year and a half later, it became clear that the Lord was calling her into ministry.  In May of 2023, she stepped into a new role as Kids Ministry lead where she has found much joy in  helping the children get to know Jesus!

Intern 

What I Do: Young Adults Ministry

Eliana has been attending SOUTHCOAST since 2021. She is currently in her third year at Westmont college studying to get her BA in Philosophy. Eliana has a heart for worship and leads on Sunday morning services and runs Young Adults on Sunday nights. Eliana has a heart for Young Adults ministry, and is growing to expand the ministry into what God has planned for it.

Dr. Jerry Root is professor emeritus at Wheaton College, as well as a visiting professor at Biola University, Talbot Graduate School of Theology, and Moody Bible Institute teaching C. S. Lewis courses at all three schools. For over forty-one years, Dr. Root has lectured on C.S. Lewis topics at 78 universities in 18 countries. He is the author of numerous C.S. Lewis focused books, articles and publications.

Claudia is a graduate of the Wheaton College Intercultural/TESOL Graduate School Program. She has been teaching ELL to immigrant and refugee students in the public school for 25 years. She began teaching graduate classes as an adjunct professor as well as conducting workshops in several countries. Throughout her life and marriage to Jerry she has been involved in Christian discipleship and leading small groups.

Recently retired, she is now focusing on discipleship with the C.S. Lewis Institute and running the website Bearings On the Bright Blur, which encourages people to grow and develop through blogs, writings, works of C.S. Lewis and various other authors.

Dr. Jerry and Claudia Root have four married children and 15 grandchildren.