Becca Adkinson
KidVenture Volunteer Coordinator Becca grew up in Long Beach, California. She received her degree from Cal State Long Beach. She recently retired from a 25 year career in retail. Becca and her family, Steve along with their 3 daughters have been attending Venture since 2021. Becca has jumped in to serve in KidVenture. She loves being the face kids recognize to feel welcome and safe. When Becca is not working, you can find her serving at her daughters school, hosting…
Yasmine Alatriste
Communications + Next Steps Director Yasmine was born and raised in San Diego, California. Her degree is in Business Communication from Arizona State University, and has a certification as a Biblical Trauma-Informed coach. She loves the beach, going on runs, traveling, and game nights with her friends. She enjoys leading musical worship and serving alongside the people at Venture. Yasmine chooses to serve and follow God not because it will give her a perfect life, but an eternal and abundant life.…
Chris Gausepohl
Community and Care Pastor Chris grew up in sunny Southern California, but his dreams took flight, literally, when he became a combat pilot in the U.S. Air Force, serving around the world for 20 years. He married Katherine, his truest gift and greatest encourager, and together they’re raising three wild-at-heart boys who fill their home with joy, laughter, and non-stop adventure. As military retirement approached, Chris felt a stirring in his spirit; God was calling him to a new kind…
Eric Knoblock
Creative Director Eric was born and raised in San Diego, CA. He grew up in Vista, and moved to Encinitas in the 4th grade. He enjoys collecting vinyl records, the smell when it first starts to rain, and playing the guitar and piano. He enjoys all things nature, and is always planning his next adventure. An introvert (with extroverted tendencies), but praises God with his heart wide opened, unashamed of his love for Christ, and the amazing blessing it has…
Garrett Lawley
Youth Pastor Garrett was born and raised in Tucson, AZ. He moved to San Diego to attend San Diego Christian College. While there, Garrett earned a degree in communication studies. He found a passion for ministry as a Young Life leader. Garrett has served in many roles with Young Life and local churches. He also loves to surf, spend time with friends, and enjoy all things active in his free time.
Lily Martin
KidVenture Director Lily was born and raised in San Diego, California. She graduated from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo where she met her husband, Ricky. She has attended Venture Church and served in KidVenture since 2014 and has loved watching all God has done. In her pursuit of ministry, Lily draws on the values of community, connection, and understanding. Guided by a deep sense of purpose, she is committed to spreading love, hope, and the good news of the…
Troy Martin
Lead Pastor Troy grew up in Illinois. He and his wife Jessica met at college in Springfield, MO where Troy was an All American basketball player at Central Bible College and Jessica was an education major at Evangel University. They were married in the summer of 1995 and began several years of student and associate pastor ministry. In over 20 years of ministry, Troy and Jessica have been blessed to be on staff at some amazing churches from the midwest…
Jessica Martin
HerVenture Director Jessica is the wife of Troy and mom to Reiley, Reygan, and Trevan. She was born and raised in CA and met Troy while attending college in MO. Since their marriage in 1995, she and Troy have been involved in full-time church ministry. Jessica has had a love for kids and teaching for as long as she can remember. She has a BA in Education with a Child Development minor, a CA teaching credential, and a Master’s degree…
Sierra Palm
Office Admin Sierra grew up in Papua New Guinea as a missionary kid, where she discovered her love for people and for Jesus through serving and living in community. After returning to California, she attended Biola University and graduated with a degree in Psychology. Sierra is passionate about encouraging and nurturing others as a way of spreading the Gospel. She deeply values her family and friends, and she also loves traveling, food, and photography and capturing the beauty of the…
James Parker
Worship Pastor James was raised in Prescott, Arizona, where he met his wife, Maren. He and Maren have two little boys: Henley and Benson (who are young enough to still think his dad jokes are funny). Studying music in college, James finished an internship and got connected to Cornerstone Church, where he served nine years as the full-time worship pastor. He is also the San Diego area director for Likewise Worship. Likewise is a nonprofit ministry that develops healthy and…
Andres Perez
Venture Español Pastor Andres is a community-focused leader with a deep passion for teaching the Word of God in practical, life-giving ways. His pastoral philosophy centers on building authentic community where faith is lived out through meaningful relationships and biblical truth is applied to everyday life. Raised in Glendale, Arizona, Andres moved to California at the age of twelve and was shaped by the Church from an early age, serving under the pastoral leadership of his father. He has served in…
Todd Phelps
Carmel Valley Campus Pastor Todd came to faith as a teenager at a church plant in Charleston, SC. It was there he fell in love with Jesus, his wife Shannon, and the local church. After nearly two decades of ministry across two states, and raising two amazing kids, Todd and Shannon felt called to San Diego in 2018 to start a life-giving church called REVÉ. Over the years, they’ve seen countless lives transformed, with 46 people baptized and hundreds committing…
Shannon Phelps
Carmel Valley Ministries Director Shannon is the wife of Todd and mom to Skylar and Gavin. Born and raised in South Carolina, she met Todd at Seacoast Church in 1998. As a young college student passionate about her new faith in Jesus, Shannon quickly jumped into ministry life. She and Todd married in 2001—the same year Todd was ordained as a pastor. While working full-time as a paralegal, Shannon faithfully supported her family and served in youth and young adult ministries.…
Alika Polanco
Teaching + Young Adults Pastor Alika grew up in San Diego and has served all over the county in music, Christian camping, youth, and pastoral leadership for over 15 years. He graduated with a bachelor’s in biblical studies from San Diego Christian College in 2007 and was married to his wife Samantha shortly after. They served in Oceanside, California at Generation Church for almost 8 years as youth pastor, worship leader, and interim lead pastor. Samantha and Alika have been…
Jessica Sakauye
Design and Hospitality Director Jessica grew up in the Bay Area of Northern California. She received her degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. During her journey in college she developed a passion for full-time ministry wherever the Lord led her. Jessica and her family have been attending Venture since 2017. She enjoys warm sunshiny days, creating or learning something new, making special memories with her family, and sharing her aloha spirit.
Noah Sederwall
Noah was raised just outside of Denver, Colorado. Growing up in the church and participating in outreach ministry, he sensed the Lord’s calling into vocational ministry and developed a deep desire to pour into people and help them grow in their faith. He earned a B.A. in Church Leadership with a minor in Business Management from Evangel University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Leadership and Ministry. Noah loves teaching students the gospel message and leading them in worship. Outside…
Ed Shinoda
Venture Coffee Ed was born in Chicago and raised in Southern California. Ed worked for the same worldwide logistics company for 38 years and retired as a Senior Executive. During his time he had many job rotations as well as advancement and relocation opportunities. Shortly after marrying his wife, Patti, they relocated to Hawaii where they were able to raise their family before retiring. Ed and his family began attending Venture Church when he accidentally took the wrong off ramp and…
Carson Unger
Associate Worship Director Carson was born in Franklin, Tennessee, spent much of his childhood in Arizona, and moved to California with his family at the age of 13. Growing up, he was greatly influenced by his father, who has served as a worship pastor for most of Carson’s life and remains one of his greatest mentors and examples. At 15 years old, Carson answered the Lord’s call to worship ministry and has loved leading God’s people in worship ever since.…