Staff and council leadership work collaboratively to set the vision for our church. Bethel's direction is rooted in our dedication to diversity, powerful spirituality, honoring of children, commitment to justice, and grace-filled healing.
"Without a vision, the people perish." Proverbs 29:18
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Rev. Steve Jerbi, Lead Pastor
Rev. Steve Jerbi joined Bethel Encino in 2017 after serving 10 years in Milwaukee at All Peoples Church. He earned a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Montana – Missoula in English Literature with an Environmental Studies minor. He graduated from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago with a Masters of Divinity and an environmental ministry emphasis.
Pastor Steve is a passionate leader in youth and cross-generational ministry and the interconnected work of racial, economic, and environmental justice. He is a board member of the Interfaith Solidarity Network in the San Fernando Valley.
Pastor Steve along with his wife Jennifer live in the Valley where they are raising two daughters.
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Ashlei Snead, Director of Bethel Preschool
Ashlei Snead, M.A. is the Director of Bethel Encino Preschool. She also is an adjunct faculty member in the Early Childhood Education department at College of the Canyons. She has been working in the field of Early Childhood Education for 15 years. Her experience with children ranges from birth to elementary school and includes supporting children with special needs. She has her B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University – Northridge, and her Master’s degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. Ashlei lives near the Preschool with her husband and two daughters; and they are also members of Bethel Encino.
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Lisa Brown, Office Administrator
Lisa Brown has been the church administrator for 27 years. She has two adult children who attended Bethel Preschool and Elementary School. Lisa is an incredibly gifted and talented woman who has been a foundational leader in our community. She has a has a deep love for animals and nature, and leads our pet ministry. Beyond her incredible gifts one of the greatest delights is to come into our office and to see what random music will be playing each day and try to discern what smell of incense she might be burning.
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Sara Adams, Director of Children and Family Ministries
Sara has a passion to teach children, from infants to elementary age. She has been a Sunday school teacher for over five years and a Bethel preschool teacher for three years. She is native to the San Fernando Valley, born in Van Nuys and grew up in Encino and Reseda. She currently lives in Simi Valley and considers Bethel home!
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Jake Newton, Lead Musician
Bethel honors the spirit of creativity. Our incredible worship team is one of the places that core value is clearly lived out. Bethel’s worship team is filled with some of Los Angeles’ most amazing and creative musicians. Jake Newton, singer songwriter, actor, and producer, leads our amazing worship team each Sunday. There are many other incredible musicians that together create Bethel’s music. We love to incorporate all types of music, including many originals. We recognize that God speaks through many forms and we find the sacred in many surprising places. Alongside our worship team we have a new arts team that is always looking for new creative ways to experience the Divine through co-creating alongside the Creator.
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Loren Smith, Lead Musician
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Bill Meyers, Lead Musician
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