At Saint Matthew our serving staff is gifted and yet imperfect (thus
“saints”
and “sinners”). Our Mission is for people to discover a
spiritual depth to their
lives, and we believe we cannot lead others
where we haven’t been willing
to go ourselves. So true spirituality is
about honesty and growth. To really
know the staff of Saint Matthew, you
will have to discover that they are all
multi-dimensional persons with
many passions and interests (thus “surfers”).
The other word that applies to the people in these pages is “servants,”
because leadership in the church is always about servanthood. Jesus
himself said, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to
give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). To be his followers,
our leaders are servants also.
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Kevin Murphy
Senior Leader
(surfer and sailor)
925.932.1955
x118 |
Kevin is the Senior Pastor
at Saint Matthew. He is a California native and has been in ministry in
the Southwest for over thirty years. His undergraduate degree in
Biblical Literature is from Azusa Pacific University; his Master of
Divinity (M. Div.) from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary; and his
Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) in Leadership and Church Health from
Phoenix Seminary.
Kevin is married to Debi and has one daughter, Jessica, who recently got
married!
Kevin loves surfing (since 1963), sailing, motorcycling, writing and
international travel. |
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Jeff Thiemann
Executive Leader
(techie and gamer)
925.932.1955
x114 |
Jeff is the Executive
Pastor at Saint Matthew. He recently graduated from Pacific Lutheran
Theological Seminary.
Jeff is married to Pam and has four children ages 20 to 10, Jessica,
Ben, Hannah and Becca.
Jeff loves to play games (board, card and computer) and enjoys playing
with technology, especially new toys. His first career was in high-tech. |
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David Dykes
Teen Ministry Team Leader
(youthworker)
925.932.1955
x121 |
PD follows the example of a
purpose-driven youth leader. He has an uncanny ability to appeal to
middle school and high school youth with a child-like manner, yet he
does what many parents can't do and connects with them during one of the
most difficult stages in their lives and makes an impact by connecting
with them on their level.
He is very serious about instructing others about Jesus and combines fun
with high standards and goals for the kids.
His favorite dessert is peach pie.
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Sara Wolbrecht
Care Ministry Team Leader
925.932.1955
x107 |
Sara grew up in the
beautiful Northwest and attended Pacific Lutheran University, where she
received a degree in Psychology, and minors in Religion and Music. For
two years Sara worked in Campus Ministry at PLU where she discerned her
passion and call to ordained ministry in the ELCA.
In June 2004 Sara married Jason Bendickson, and she delights in
discovering the joys and complexities of marriage!
Sara loves hiking, soccer, singing, celebrating, playing games, and
building community. She also has the uncanny ability to talk with her
mouth closed.
|
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Ralph Supper
Outreach Team Leader
925.932.1955
x119 |
Ralph is a coastal transfer
from Rhode Island. He has a BA in psychology from URI and a first place
trophy from the Las Vegas annual chili cook-off for his Sweet Potato
chili recipe. He worked as a teacher for children with autism for two
years before attending seminary at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
in Berkeley, CA. He graduated in 2008 with his MDiv before starting with
Saint Matthew.
Ralph joins us as Outreach Team Leader. His heart for sharing Christ’
love and his playful demeanor are exciting additions to our team.
Ralph enjoys surfing, cooking, flying stunt-kites, and laughing. He is
engaged to be married to Kendra Kennedy who is a RN in the Bay Area.
They share joy in dining out and have a secret fetish for reality dance
TV shows. |
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Jason Bendickson
Worship Arts Team Leader
925.932.1955
x117
 Jason's
blog |
Jason was born in Missoula,
Montana into a musical family. Once he was free from high school, he
headed east to attend Berklee College and ended up finishing his dregree
in music at Pacific Lutheran University. He served as the
Associate Director of Music for University Place Presbyterian Church and
a Saturday evening service near PLU called “The Cross.” During that
time, he met Sara Wolbrecht…and to make a long story short, they're now
married.
Jason has a passion for making music and art expressions in worship.
He's involved with the greater community of churches in the Ygnacio
Valley encouraging the spirit of worship through art!
|
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Laurie Van Buskirk
Choir Director (adults and kids)
|
We’re happy to announce
that we have a new choir director on board as we head into the fall
season! Laurie Van Buskirk, who has recently become a Mission Partner at
Saint Matthew, has 25 years of music experience working with adults and
kids. She has both conducting and performing experience as well as a
remarkable ability to work with and manage people of all ages. We’re
thrilled to have her in this position working with both our adult and
children choirs and look forward to making many joyful noises together! |
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Tom Aragon
AV/Sound Associate
(sound guy)
925.932.1955 |
Tom has been AV Tech for
about 7 years, he volunteered for several years. He has been on staff
for the last 2 years, he maintains all AV equipment on campus also runs
sound for Sundays and Wednesday services and all other events.
"I'm married to Joanna and have two great kids Christian and Alyssa. As
a family we love to vacation in our new travel trailer and my passion is
to serve my God and church."
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Bell Director |
We are currently looking for a new bell
director. If you are interested in working with the Bells of Saint
Matthew, please contact Jason
Bendickson at the church office 925-932-1955 x117 |
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Sandy Houseman
Parish Administrator
(the boss)
925.932.1955
x112 |
|
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Gail Penny
Communications Associate
925.932.1955
x100 |
Gail is the Administrative
Assistant for Saint Matthew. Hers is the first face you see when you
enter the office, and the voice that answers the phone. She edits and
publishes the Sunday morning bulletin, weekly online newsletter, monthly
newsletter, quarterly Mission Beyond newsletter, annual report, and
church photo directory, along with various other tasks. |
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Angie Kavert
Children's Ministry Team Leader
(teacher & friend)
925.932.1955
x116 |
Angie is the Children's
Ministry Team Leader where she is serving her 5th year. She has a great
passion for sharing her love for Christ with others, especially our
young disciples.
Angie and husband, Eric, will be celebrating their 18th year of marriage
this Fall. She is a proud mom of Emmit and Danielle, who are often seen
around Saint Matthew.
Angie enjoys hanging with friends and family, camping, scrapbooking and
just having fun! |
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Kristi Carlton
Children's Ministry Associate
925.932.1955
x120 |
|
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Nancy Pierce
Connecting Team Leader
(The Assimilator)
925.932.1955
x115 |
Helping others find their
meaningful place of connection at Saint Matthew is a joy for Nancy
because she knows she has found hers. As coordinator of Bridge Builder
Small Groups and Connecting Ministries, Alpha, and New Member (Mission
Partner) classes, she is passionate about welcoming new people to the
congregation, connecting them with others and encouraging them in their
spiritual journey.
Nancy has a degree in sociology from UCSB and a teaching credential from
UCD. She and her husband, Dave have 3 children and have been involved in
leadership in Saint Matthew for over 20 years. No surprise to anyone,
Nancy loves to spend time with friends. |
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Natalie Fassio
Connecting Associate
925.932.1955
x115 |
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Kathy Frattini
Teen/Worship Associate
925.932.1955
x108 |
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Marv Schick
Financial Team Leader
(vintner)
925.932.1955
x111 |
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Paula Hayase
Database Associate
(mother & jigsaw puzzler)
925.932.1955
x113 |
Paula handles Saint
Matthew's contributions processing, statements, pledges and other
reporting, database management, and financial matters. Her college
schooling was in the San Joaquin Valley at the University of the Pacific
in Stockton, where she graduated with a Bachelors of Science in
Accounting.
Paula's husband and two children occupy much of her time and attention
and she enjoys all the efforts of motherhood. The latest addition to
the family is an affectionate black cat which adopted them (although the
non-feline members of the family like to think it's the other way
around!) and keeps the backyard lizard population in check. Some other
joyful activities include jigsaw puzzles, reading, cooking and baking,
and volunteer work at her children's schools. |
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Edmundo Castillo
Facilities/Janitorial Associate
(gardener)
925-932-1955 |
Mundo loves gardening and caring for his niece.
Since starting to work at Saint Matthew, he says he has experienced
great peace and feels his body and soul come together here. |
