Coaching Students with Decision Point

Over the past 20 years, RJ has served in youth ministry as a volunteer, teacher, pastor, and evangelist. He got saved during his senior year in high school and never turned back on God’s calling for his life to reach the next generation for Christ. 

After getting saved, he immediately started serving in the youth ministry and attending harvest crusades with Pastor Greg Laurie at Harvest Church (2003-2013). After starting his career and graduating from Riverside Community College with an A.S. in Architecture (2007), God called him out of the “industry into the ministry” to build God's kingdom instead of buildings. He started a new journey at California Baptist University with a B.A. in Christian Ministries (2011), attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (2013-2018), graduated from Tim Keller's City to City Los Angeles church planter and next-gen influencer program (2022), and obtained a Master of Theological Studies from Gateway Seminary (2023). During this season, he grew in his experience and served for over a decade as the Student Ministries Pastor at Magnolia Church (2013-2026). Today, he is currently working on his Doctorate about a resurgence of youth evangelism in the local church (2027). 

RJ’s experience has allowed him to help other youth workers win as a Download Youth Ministry Ambassador, launch the Youth Pastor Collective to support local ministry leaders, and revitalize CSBC Youth for hundreds of Baptist churches in California. RJ met his wife Melissa while serving in youth ministry, and they have a beautiful daughter named Emma Rose who leads her own Jesus Club to reach her classmates.

Why I Feel Called to This Role

I believe God has uniquely called me to this role to mobilize hundreds of local youth pastors and students to reach the next generation in California! I know the difference one student hearing the Good News can make, because I was that student in high school who heard the gospel and my life was changed forever. Therefore, I want to equip them to become ambassadors for Christ, pray for the lost, go witnessing, teach/give God’s Word, and lead outreach weeks at schools for a united gospel awakening across Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire, and San Diego! 

Would You Partner with Me to Reach Students in Southern California?