Leadership
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| Eric and Belle Ettlin Lead Pastors biography |
Chris and Karen Thomas Children's Pastors biography |
Arthur and Maria Lagasca Worship Leaders Biography |
Eric and Belle Ettin
Lead Pastors
Belle
"I am a native San Franciscan and grew up in the Richmond district. I have three sisters who along with my parents live either in San Francisco or in San Mateo. I am fortunate to have all my relatives, cousins and all, living in the Bay Area.
Most of my years were spent in San Francisco with the exception of living in New York for five years in my early twenties.
I met Eric at a Calvary Chapel (which eventually became a Vineyard church) homegroup in 1985 and we were married in 1987. We have two children, Samantha and Sean and currently live in San Mateo.
Early in our marriage, we bought a large house together with friends and lived in community for almost five years. During that time we were home pastors of adults and on staff at the Vineyard as pastors to the children and youth until we planted this church.
I have a passion for sharing Jesus with children and youth. One of my opportunities to connect with youth outside of church was through the Pregnancy Care Center, now First Resort, where I was a speaker for almost six years. These speaking engagements were mostly in the high schools along the Peninsula and has given me a better understanding of this youth culture and their need for the gospel.
I enjoy watching movies, both in theaters and on dvd. I like to collect good movies and watch them over and over again. I like cooking and enjoy small and large dinner parties. Unfortunately, while I am considered a good cook, doing any kind of dessert is not part of it. In my spare time, which isn’t too often, I enjoy doing crafts and reading books."
Contact Belle at: bettlin@astound.net
Eric
I grew up in Walnut Creek CA. Although I never had a dog, I did have a pet duck. Her name was Daffy and she liked to eat cherry tomatoes. My Dad was a teacher and my mom was a legal secretary. Along with my older brother Mark, we lived in a typical suburban home in a typical suburb not far from San Francisco.
This picture was taken just before my family moved to New Zealand in 1965.
I left high school at the age of sixteen (after getting a GED), and I joined the Navy at the age of seventeen. It was in the Navy that I began to read the Bible, and I ended up committing my life to Jesus in a small church near Pearl Harbor.
After spending a couple of years on the guided missile destroyer USS Somers, I left the Navy and went back to school. I graduated from SFSU with a major in drawing and painting, but ended up completing enough mathematics courses to qualify for a minor in math.
I currently live in San Mateo CA. Belle and I met at a Bible study at Calvary Chapel of San Francisco in 1985. We have been married for around twenty four years. Samantha and Sean are twenty one and seventeen. We live in a typical suburban home in a typical suburb not far from San Francisco.
I have taught high school for over seventeen years. Through most of those years I taught math and computer programming (BASIC, Pascal, and C++) in San Francisco. For the past several years, I have been teaching math and computer applications at a high school in Menlo Park CA.
I was ordained and served as the associate pastor in Calvary Chapel of San Francisco some time in the late 80’s and early 90's. I continued to serve as an associate pastor in that church for several years after it became a Vineyard and after it moved to San Mateo CA.
I am currently working on a Masters in Biblical studies at Fuller Seminary. The theologians who have been most influential in my thinking are George Ladd, Dallas Willard, Tom Wright, Richard Hays, and Gordon Fee.
Contact Eric at: eric-SBV@sbhsi.com
Chris and Karen Thomas
Children's Pastors
Today: Karen and I are the Children's Ministry Leaders. I primarily teach the 5th and 6th grade. Most Sundays I can be found in the classroom with today's young believers and leaders, although they often don't think of themselves as that. Our vision is to see our children develop authentic relationships with each other and their world. To see them experience a personal relationship with Jesus: praying for one another, serving in the ministry, experiencing manifestations of the Holy Spirit, learning and walking in God's word. The longer I work with and among the children the more I understand why Jesus said, MT 19:14 "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Yesterday: I got saved when I was 20 and attended Calvary Chapel in San Francisco which later became a Vineyard and several iterations later: North Peninsula Vineyard-so that's why I can never answer "How long have you been with the Church? Similarly, I've been involved in Children's ministry ever since I can remember (yes, even before Karen and I had two of our own.) After several tours of duty in the nursery, I spent 2 years in the 2&3's, then 4 years in 4&5's (got to learn what God's showing you or else you don't graduate!), then several years in the 1st-3rd, 4th and 5th, and now 5th and 6th. After more than a decade of teaching the children, I've realized that this is a BIG part of my church life. In many ways, this is the lens through which I see the kingdom of God being realized today and tomorrow.
MK 9:37 "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."
Tomorrow: Work in Progress, Dynamic, Future Potential, Exciting, Unknown, God's Hand, No Eye Has Seen, Miracles, New Things, Deeper Relationships, Fun, New Believers, Things Too Wonderful For Me To Know...
Arthur and Maria Lagasca
Worship Ministry
We, Arthur and Maria, were born and raised in the Philippines. We migrated to United States separately and met in San Francisco about 19 years ago. God has blessed us with two precious daughters, Danielle (16) and Dominique (11).
We started as worship leaders in a small Catholic Church community. We have led worship at several healing conferences in the area, from San Francisco all the way to the Stockton area, from 1988 to 1990, while God was also ministering to our own brokenness. Most recently, we were drawn to the Vineyard Christian Fellowship communities. Their worship songs have ministered and brought God's healing to our lives. In addition to the Vineyard, we are still involved with a multi-denominational / diverse small group as worship leaders.
In 1995, we decided to pursue the calling of God in our lives and joined the Vineyard Christian Fellowship in San Francisco. In 2000, we moved to the Mid Peninsula Vineyard Church in San Carlos, where we were in charge of the Resource / Merchandise table. In 2003, we joined the Mid-Peninsula's first mission trip to the Philippines. In 2004, we joined the San Bruno Vineyard, where we lead a home group; and two intercessory groups, including one before Sunday service begins.
In 2006, we were appointed as worship leaders of the San Bruno Vineyard here in San Bruno. This was the fulfillment of many prophetic words given to us for more than 17 years – that God would use us to lead worship, not only in small groups but also larger groups, in His appointed time.
Music has been our way of worshipping God in a very intimate way. We believe that we encounter God one on one, even in corporate worship. We believe that the key to be in God's presence is to be ourselves, surrender all our internal and external attachments, let Him lead and take control of our lives.
Last, but not least, we believe that worshipping God is why we were created and why we are here. In every season of our lives, good or bad, we devote ourselves to worshipping, honoring and bringing a sacrifice of praise to the Audience of One.
Please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.