Pastors & Ministry Leaders

Ed Noble

After growing up in Orange County, Ed lived all over the country before landing in San Diego and at Journey — as a self-professed surf addict, he thanks God every day for ending up here. As the Lead Pastor, Ed provides directional leadership and serves as the primary keeper of the vision. He’s also the main teacher at the weekend services. Ed’s three kids are grown up… so when he’s not working or with his wife Linda, he surfs. A lot.

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Erik Dees

Executive Pastor

Erik was born in Ojai, California but was raised in Northern Colorado. Erik spent many years working in the corporate life in Arkansas. Eventually God chose to override all of Erik’s glorious plans to build his own business and called Erik into ministry. Erik is a self- proclaimed “golfaholic” who’s learning to surf, likes fitness, and has a strange fascination with Algebra! Yes, he’s a closet nerd. And although he’s been told he has a serious personality, he considers himself a very funny guy.

Bob Nelson

Operations Pastor

Bob leads the team of people that handles all of our financial, administrative and HR stuff. If it has to do with “business” at JCC, Bob has a hand in it. He helps keep all of our organizational operations in order and running correctly. Bob loves fishing, hiking and pretty much anything to do with the outdoors. He is also an active part of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team — so if you ever get lost, it’ll probably be Bob who finds you.

Chris Rader

Administration Pastor / Care Ministries Pastor

It takes a big heart to serve as the leader of our Pastoral Care Ministries, and Chris has just that — a big heart. Chris leads and oversees our various care ministries, recovery and support groups and helps provide counseling to hurting people. If you hike, you’ve probably run into Chris at some time — he loves the outdoors. The day he moved from Philadelphia to San Diego was one of the happiest days of his life.

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David Merk

Community Impact & Global Missions Pastor

Dave did a crazy thing and retired early from a lucrative career with the Port of San Diego and signed on as our Community Impact Pastor…a job that didn’t exist before he took it. He serves as the primary coordinator for our missions and community impact programs. Dave’s heart to see the local church connect with its surrounding community is the driving force behind his work at JCC. Dave loves bike riding and looks down on those who choose to run instead.

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John Sorrell

John moved from Singapore, where he was the youth pastor at an international church for the last five years. Before that, he was a youth pastor in Beijing, China, for nine years. John was born and raised in Ohio (Go Bengals!) and is currently working on a Ph.D. His wife, Katie, and their 2 daughters are getting used to being back in the United States. He loves spending time with his family and wants to learn how to surf. 

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Kristy Dees

Kristy was born in Pine City, MinneSoooooota. She is the classic Midwestern turned California girl. Indeed she was a small town girl, living in a lonely world whose trains took her all around the world. She has a huge heart for people who are hurting and has worked in some pretty interesting places, including Angola, Africa for several years! Kristy loves the ocean, dystopian novels, and twirling.

Morgan Mitchell

Morgan Mitchell is from Rochester, NY. Being born and raised in the church, he has found his calling to teach people what it means to look, live, and love like Jesus. Morgan graduated with a degree in Business Management, but during his time in college, God made it very clear to him that he has been called to be a Pastor. He is currently pursuing his Masters of Divinity. At the age of 19, he started a Spoken Word Ministry where he used poetry creatively to minister to thousands of people. In his free time he likes fitness, reading, drinking coffee, Prayer, and laughing. 

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Jarred Benitez

Jarred first started attending Journey when he was in Junior High, which is funny since he is now the Director and loves to embrace this group in all its weirdness. If you enter the Riptide room, it will be hard to find Jarred, because he is about the same size as the students, plus he’s never been able to grow a beard. He loves seeing the potential in people and believes that God wants to use them at every stage of their journey… even when their voice is cracking.

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Laurie Burns

Laurie grew up here in East County, San Diego. She and her husband Mike started Journey back in 1993 and have helped it grow into what it is today. She has been involved in Women’s Ministry for over 25 years and is truly passionate about helping women connect with each other and with God. She loves spending time with family, including three adorable grandsons. If not with the family, you can find her ice skating, snow skiing, bike riding, at the beach or anywhere in the great outdoors!

Marnie Stitzer

Service Producer & Programming Director

Marnie is a native Californian, and grew up on the Central Coast of California. She was a professional nanny for several years both in San Diego and in the US Virgin Islands (poor thing). She began her work in ministry in Atlanta, GA where she spent over 6 years. She moved back to San Diego in 2013 and is thrilled to be home! Her heart is for those far from God, and her passion is to help create environments that make coming to church a fun, welcoming and loving environment where people can experience God in a fresh and authentic way!

Trevor Davis

San Diego native Trevor Davis not only knows this city like the back of his hand, but loves San Diego city with all his heart. As a high schooler, Trevor learned to play worship songs, then shortly after began writing his own original music which led to him becoming a full time touring musician. Playing hundreds of churches over the years, Trevor has always been a little infatuated with Journey. After years of Trevor stalking us, we finally let him in as one of our own.