Meet  Our  Staff

Jim Stewart, Lead Pastor

Pastor Jim served on staff at Rolling Hills Covenant Church before being sent out as a church planter in 2002 to help start Journey. He is passionate about people following Jesus and gets thrilled watching lives being transformed by God's grace. As a pastor he cares deeply about people and is committed to unleashing the power of God's Word into their lives. Jim has been married to his wife Beth for over 30 years and has four kids: Anne, Amy, Megan and JJ. The oldest Anne is married to Pete (a great guy) and just blessed Jim and Beth with their second grandchild. Jim loves long walks with his wife, laughing with his family around the dinner table, and getting out in the ocean from time to time to catch some waves.

Email: jim@journeysouthbay.org

Philip Heidt, Pastor

Philip has served as a pastor in the South Bay since 2006. His heart's desire is to see God at work in the church, that we be "filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" 

Philip and Amber have been married for fourteen years and have a lot to keep them busy and thankful with their four children. You can probably find their crew bicycling on The Strand, down at the beach digging in the sand, or on the quest for the one salsa that makes everyone happy.

Email: philip@journeysouthbay.org

Joanna Rodriguez, Children's Ministry Director

As a little girl, Joanna dreamed to be a missionary with her family wherever God lead her. In 2005, God brought her family to Journey South Bay, where she grew in her faith and God showed her how to live life as a daughter of the Lord, wife to her husband and best friend, Felix, and mother to her two boys, Felix III and Emanuel. There is no greater joy than to glorify God through helping children become disciples of Jesus and being a resource to parents who bring their families into the Journey Kids family! Having worked in the corporate setting, owner of a photography business and certified Holy Yoga Instructor, she brings creativity to engaging this next generation to love God and love others! The South Bay is her home, her mission and life.

Email: joanna@journeysouthbay.org 

Chris Jahng, Youth Director

Chris became a Christian in May 2000, after returning to the Church with his mother, Lisa. He taught 4th and 5th grade in the Children's Ministry of Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village from June 2000 until October 2007, when he became the Youth Director here at Journey.  He is currently in the process of writing his first Christian Science-Fiction Fantasy novel called Saving Trinity that will also found an educational ministry based on creative arts. He lives in Hawthorne with his lovely wife, Joan along with daughter Shiloh, retired mother Lisa and future son, coming September 2017, Andrew Anthony.

Email: chrisjahng@gmail.com

JC Gutierrez-Villafan, Worship Leader

JC grew up in a small Spanish Baptist church, leading worship at the age of 12. Since then, God has taken him around the world and back to minister to people through music. His heart for worship is that, for those who would never consider stepping foot into a church, would be touched by the Holy Spirit and experience the peace, joy, and freedom God intends for us to experience in Him. JC is a husband, father, worshipper and songwriter.

Email: jc@journeysouthbay.org

Brenda Dickson, Facility Manager

Brenda has been a member of the Brethren church since she was small and served the church as Women's Fellowship president, Board Member, bookkeeper, secretary, Deacon, and Facility Manager.

Email: brenda@journeysouthbay.org

Monica Way, Office Admin

Monica has been involved with Journey Church since late 2006 and has been working there since February 2007. She currently serves as Administrative Assistant for the church. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons.

Email: monica@journeysouthbay.org