What to Expect at Worship
Conejo's Church History
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Our Elders
The Conejo Valley Church of Christ has six elders who lead the congregation. The following gives some insight into their diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Left to right: Chris, Stu, Tim P., Rick, Tim W. (not pictured: Michael M. and Mike R.)
Rick M. [ rick@conejochurch.org ]
Rick has served as an elder for the Conejo Valley Church since 1991. He is a Professor of Old Testament at Pepperdine University and currently serves as the Dean of Seaver College, the undergraduate college of Pepperdine. He grew up in Tucson, AZ. He received his education at Abilene Christian University and The Johns Hopkins University. He is married to Paula who teaches kindergarten in Moorpark. They have two grown children. Their daughter Staci is married to Phil Daringer; Staci teaches first grade in Moorpark and Phil is a general contractor. Their son Jeremy is married to Nicole; Jeremy is a Manager at Protiviti and Nicole is a budget analyst at Pepperdine. When not working, Rick enjoys riding ATVs and playing with his grandchildren Wyatt and Raquel.
Michael M. [ mike@conejochurch.org ]
Michael and Jackie started attending Conejo in 2000 after they moved from Southern Illinois. Michael served as a deacon for congregations in St. Louis and Delaware, Ohio, and as an elder in Carbondale, Illinois. Jackie is a mental health professional who works with graduate student interns. There are three grown Murrie children and five grandchildren in St. Louis, Chicago and Virginia. Michael serves as a journalism professor and advises student media at Pepperdine University. He taught at Southern Illinois and Ohio Wesleyan Universities and worked in television news mostly in St. Louis. Church interests include worship, teaching and family support. He also speaks and writes about organ donation.
Tim P. [ tim@conejochurch.org ]
Tim and Peg have been married for 40 years and have been members of the Conejo Valley church since 1975. Tim has served as an elder since 2001. Tim and Peg have been involved in many ministries with the church over the years. Among other roles, Tim has served as a teacher, deacon, and as the church's full-time outreach and evangelism minister. Tim grew up in a missionary family in post-WWII Italy. Tim has a lifelong interest in connecting with those seeking a relationship with Jesus.
Tim and Peg have two grown, married children and one granddaughter. Their daughter, Jordan, is married to Spencer Hardman and they have a daughter, Ellie. Their son, Ty, is married to the former Amanda Dudley. Peg is a painter with her work shown in various gallery and museum exhibitions and held in private collections. Tim is the Director of the Faith Based Diplomacy project and the Assistant Director of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law. Tim is a professional mediator, a former business owner and corporate consultant and is the Executive Director of the Center for Conflict Resolution, a Christian conciliation service.
Mike R. [mike.rivas@conejochurch.org]
Mike and Darlene have been members at the Conejo congregation since moving to California in 1996. Mike, after fifteen years of teaching and coaching at the secondary level, now trains and mentors teachers at California State University, Northridge. Darlene teaches history at Pepperdine University. They have been actively involved at Conejo in youth, young adult, and adult education, as well as missions ministries. Mike and Darlene have two children, Rachel, who lives in Texas with her husband Derek, and Michael, who began law school at Pepperdine in the Fall 2009. Together as a family they are passionate about their ongoing work with the Por Los Ninos children’s home in Catacamas, Honduras.
Chris S. [ chris@conejochurch.org ]
Chris and his family have been members of the Conejo church since 1988. His wife, Sandy, is a gifted teacher who has served in our children's classrooms, led children's choruses, and directed musicals. She has also led worship at our women's retreats. They have three children: Melody, Holly, and Stacy. Chris has been actively involved in worship ministry for several years, serving on related committees, planning services, and leading our worship assemblies. His desire for the Conejo family is that we worship "in spirit and in truth," praising the Father from our hearts and making our lives themselves an act of worship. Chris has been an elder since fall, 2001. Chris is employed at Pepperdine University, working with web and other media projects, teaching in the Communications Division, and musical directing student productions.
Stu W. [ stu@conejochurch.org ]
Stu is a lifelong Christian with roots in Bakersfield, California, where his father served as a long-time elder in the Central Church of Christ. He is an alumni of Pepperdine University (BA - Religion, MBA), and has been married for over 35 years to Colleen Dolton, his college sweetheart. They have 3 children, and have lived in the Conejo Valley since 1972. Stu and his family were one of the founding members of the Conejo Church, and have participated in many of its ministries, including youth, education, and finance. Stu and Co currently serve as teachers of the 4th and 5th grade “Right Paw” class. Professionally, Stu is a senior IT manager with specialties in enterprise-wide infrastructure and project management.
Tim W. [ timw@conejochurch.org ]Tim and his wife, Jan, have been members of Conejo Valley since 1989. Tim teaches Old Testament at Pepperdine University, and Jan teaches English at Oak Park High School. Tim and Jan have three children -- Megan is an aspiring animator, Daniel studies theater (set design) at Southern Methodist University, and Conner attends Pepperdine. Tim has served for several years on the Adult Education Committee, and he and Jan help with the college/young adults group. Tim joined the staff of elders in the fall of 2005.
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