Tom Gastil

Tom grew up in Southern California.   His faith in Jesus Christ was nurtured by devoted Christian parents and influential mentors at Hollywood Presbyterian Church.  (Tom has served in five different churches over the years.)  He aims to hitch his life and ministry to this anchor: "In body and soul, in life and in death, I belong to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who purchased me with his precious blood" (Heidelberg Catechism). 

Tom sensed the Lord's call to ministry during college and thereafter attended Princeton Theological Seminary where he earned his M. Div. in 1991.  While at Princeton Seminary, Tom's desire to know Christ and to make him was refined and intensified.  He was ordained at Irvine Presbyterian Church where he served as an Associate Pastor of Student Ministries for seven years.  He loved hanging out with high schoolers and collegians, sharing with them not only the Gospel but his life.  Tom became the Head Pastor of Aliso Creek Presbyterian in August 1998, joining the Presbyterian Church in America at that time.

Tom is passionate about portraying Christ to his people in scripturally faithful and personally applicable ways.  The central thread from Genesis to Revelation is God's gracious plan to redeem and perfect his children for his glory and their pleasure.  God did not save us as isolated individuals; rather he unites us to Christ and each other through the Holy Spirit.  Tom's vision is for the body of Christ to be theologically sound and balanced as well as spiritually healthy and vibrant.  The One who saves us also makes us more like himself.  To become like Jesus is to have our humanity restored.   

Tom's wife, Liz, is also a Southern California native.  Liz loves her Lord and sharing him with others.   She and Tom are blessed with three kids: Paige - 14, Miles - 16, and Garrett - 18.  If the family is not hanging out at home, having fun with their two dogs, then they are probably at the kids' sporting or social events.  

Tom enjoys being with his family and friends; reading good books by authors such as C.S. Lewis, John Calvin, William Willimon, Tim Keller and Mike Horton; listening to all types of music; watching football and the L.A. Lakers.  Tom also enjoys gourmet cooking and often notes that the Bible is full of food and dining metaphors.  Heaven has a banquet hall.  Christ himself will be our food and drink – and we will be completely satisfied guests.

Sam Pepke

Sam is our Youth Director.  Born in Griffith Park, California, Sam has lived in Southern Orange County most his life. Sam grew up pursing the typical Southern California dreams: surfing, rock-n-roll, and self. When he was 22 everything changed.  Sam had been attending a Bible-believing church, when, one day, while hearing the Gospel message, he realized he was a sinner in desperate need of salvation. He called out to Christ the faithful Savior, believed in his Gospel, and was baptized in May of 1987 in Corona del Mar, California.

Since Christ graciously invaded his life, Sam’s heartfelt desire has been to glorify God and see him glorified. He felt called to serve Christ and has been thrilled by the blessing of serving him: whether ushering or pursuing short term missions and prison ministry, or serving in children’s ministry, youth ministry, or men’s ministry, or as a deacon and an elder. 

Sam’s true passion is to work with youth – a passion forged through his experience of growing up in the spiritually and morally challenging environment of Southern California.  He loves young people into disciples and teaching them about Christ, and how to live for him in a world that is hostile to true faith.  Sam has served in youth ministry in one capacity or another since 1990.

Sam rejoices in the wife of his youth, Renon. They have five children, Jessica, Meghan, Sammy, Johanna, and Bella. They have been members of this church since 1992, where Sam has served as Youth Director since 2002.

Donovan Raitt

Donovan Raitt has served ACPC as the Director of Music since September 2009. Donovan is in charge of planning the music for the weekly Sunday morning service with the pastoral staff as well as coordinating the musicians, sound technicians, and volunteers that serve the music ministry.

An Irvine, California native, Donovan started his musical career with the piano at the age of 5. At the age of 11, he fell in love with the guitar and began private lessons.  He holds a Bachelor's of Music degree in guitar performance from the University of Southern California and a Masters in Music in Jazz Studies from California State University, Long Beach.

In addition to his work at ACPC, Donovan is a faculty member at Concordia University in Irvine, where he teaches in both the Music and Worship Arts departments. Donovan teaches music students to become effective worship leaders in both contemporary and traditional Christian music, and coordinates the music for the Tuesday and Friday weekly Chapel services at Concordia.

Donovan has worked extensively in the music ministries in several churches in Orange and Los Angeles counties. He considers it a great privilege to direct the music at ACPC in a way that supports congregational singing to our gracious God.

Kerri Harris

Kerri Harris has been our Office Administrator since January 2006 and is responsible for the efficient and accurate operation of the church office.  Kerri handles a variety of duties, including the production of the Order of Worship and associated documents each week; supports the pastors, elders and deacons in the performance of their duties; assists ministry heads with various projects and events; and oversees the operation of all office equipment, supplies and materials – always with a caretaking eye for the church’s resources and a compassionate heart for our congregation.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree from California State University Long Beach and is a second-generation California native.  Kerri is a long-time resident of Laguna Niguel and is the mother of two wonderful sons. 

Kerri considers her job with ACPC to be true blessing from the Lord and is grateful for the opportunity to serve God among such a caring church family.

Tom Gastil

Tom grew up in Southern California.   His faith in Jesus Christ was nurtured by devoted Christian parents and influential mentors at Hollywood Presbyterian Church.  (Tom has served in five different churches over the years.)  He aims to hitch his life and ministry to this anchor: "In body and soul, in life and in death, I belong to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who purchased me with his precious blood" (Heidelberg Catechism). 

Tom sensed the Lord's call to ministry during college and thereafter attended Princeton Theological Seminary where he earned his M. Div. in 1991.  While at Princeton Seminary, Tom's desire to know Christ and to make him was refined and intensified.  He was ordained at Irvine Presbyterian Church where he served as an Associate Pastor of Student Ministries for seven years.  He loved hanging out with high schoolers and collegians, sharing with them not only the Gospel but his life.  Tom became the Head Pastor of Aliso Creek Presbyterian in August 1998, joining the Presbyterian Church in America at that time.

Tom is passionate about portraying Christ to his people in scripturally faithful and personally applicable ways.  The central thread from Genesis to Revelation is God's gracious plan to redeem and perfect his children for his glory and their pleasure.  God did not save us as isolated individuals; rather he unites us to Christ and each other through the Holy Spirit.  Tom's vision is for the body of Christ to be theologically sound and balanced as well as spiritually healthy and vibrant.  The One who saves us also makes us more like himself.  To become like Jesus is to have our humanity restored.   

Tom's wife, Liz, is also a Southern California native.  Liz loves her Lord and sharing him with others.   She and Tom are blessed with three kids: Paige - 14, Miles - 16, and Garrett - 18.  If the family is not hanging out at home, having fun with their two dogs, then they are probably at the kids' sporting or social events.  

Tom enjoys being with his family and friends; reading good books by authors such as C.S. Lewis, John Calvin, William Willimon, Tim Keller and Mike Horton; listening to all types of music; watching football and the L.A. Lakers.  Tom also enjoys gourmet cooking and often notes that the Bible is full of food and dining metaphors.  Heaven has a banquet hall.  Christ himself will be our food and drink – and we will be completely satisfied guests.

Sam Pepke

Sam is our Youth Director.  Born in Griffith Park, California, Sam has lived in Southern Orange County most his life. Sam grew up pursing the typical Southern California dreams: surfing, rock-n-roll, and self. When he was 22 everything changed.  Sam had been attending a Bible-believing church, when, one day, while hearing the Gospel message, he realized he was a sinner in desperate need of salvation. He called out to Christ the faithful Savior, believed in his Gospel, and was baptized in May of 1987 in Corona del Mar, California.

Since Christ graciously invaded his life, Sam’s heartfelt desire has been to glorify God and see him glorified. He felt called to serve Christ and has been thrilled by the blessing of serving him: whether ushering or pursuing short term missions and prison ministry, or serving in children’s ministry, youth ministry, or men’s ministry, or as a deacon and an elder. 

Sam’s true passion is to work with youth – a passion forged through his experience of growing up in the spiritually and morally challenging environment of Southern California.  He loves young people into disciples and teaching them about Christ, and how to live for him in a world that is hostile to true faith.  Sam has served in youth ministry in one capacity or another since 1990.

Sam rejoices in the wife of his youth, Renon. They have five children, Jessica, Meghan, Sammy, Johanna, and Bella. They have been members of this church since 1992, where Sam has served as Youth Director since 2002.

Donovan Raitt

Donovan Raitt has served ACPC as the Director of Music since September 2009. Donovan is in charge of planning the music for the weekly Sunday morning service with the pastoral staff as well as coordinating the musicians, sound technicians, and volunteers that serve the music ministry.

An Irvine, California native, Donovan started his musical career with the piano at the age of 5. At the age of 11, he fell in love with the guitar and began private lessons.  He holds a Bachelor's of Music degree in guitar performance from the University of Southern California and a Masters in Music in Jazz Studies from California State University, Long Beach.

In addition to his work at ACPC, Donovan is a faculty member at Concordia University in Irvine, where he teaches in both the Music and Worship Arts departments. Donovan teaches music students to become effective worship leaders in both contemporary and traditional Christian music, and coordinates the music for the Tuesday and Friday weekly Chapel services at Concordia.

Donovan has worked extensively in the music ministries in several churches in Orange and Los Angeles counties. He considers it a great privilege to direct the music at ACPC in a way that supports congregational singing to our gracious God.

Kerri Harris

Kerri Harris has been our Office Administrator since January 2006 and is responsible for the efficient and accurate operation of the church office.  Kerri handles a variety of duties, including the production of the Order of Worship and associated documents each week; supports the pastors, elders and deacons in the performance of their duties; assists ministry heads with various projects and events; and oversees the operation of all office equipment, supplies and materials – always with a caretaking eye for the church’s resources and a compassionate heart for our congregation.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree from California State University Long Beach and is a second-generation California native.  Kerri is a long-time resident of Laguna Niguel and is the mother of two wonderful sons. 

Kerri considers her job with ACPC to be true blessing from the Lord and is grateful for the opportunity to serve God among such a caring church family.