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 and Administrative Assistant

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 

Harry Tom, Youth Director

Harry was born and raised in the South Bay. Harry has over 20 years of various ministry experience ranging from Youth Pastor, Worship Leader, Bible Teacher, to Missionary and over 23 years of classroom teaching experience from Elementary, Middle School Math, and High School Yearbook. Harry loves going to Disneyland with his family especially walking by the ride where he proposed to Sharie. Harry met his wife Sharie in a Youth Group and has been happily married for 20 years. He also loves cheering on his two kids, Ethan (17) and Camille (15), at their various sporting events. He has a passion for teaching the Word of God and seeing students come to know their personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 2 Tim. 4:2 "Preach the Word..."

Email: mrhtom@gmail.com