Teller Emmer
Interim Pastor
Teller originally came out to California from Colorado to attend Pepperdine University, where he studied Sports Medicine with the intention of going into physical therapy. During his senior year he was hired as an intern for the University Church of Christ on campus which shifted the trajectory of his career. After graduating, he moved to Shanghai, China for a year as a missionary teaching English at a university. Through his involvement with house churches in China, and evangelizing to students on campus, Teller developed a huge appreciation for the tenacity of believers under real persecution while coming to understand just how good we have it here in the US, knowing we live without many of the risks people in other places face for worshipping Jesus.
After Teller's year in China, he came back to the University Church of Christ at Pepperdine and spent 4 years working with college students While there, he got his Master's of Science in Ministry and met his wife, Shelby. They have been married for 7 years and now enjoy raising their son Wyatt.
Joel and Julia Liechty
Maintenance - Executive Assistant
They first joined South Coast Fellowship over 20 years ago and love that Journey Church Ventura is their church home.
Joel was hired to do maintenance and janitorial services thirteen years ago and Julia came on staff five years ago as Children’s Ministries Director. Over a year ago she transitioned to Pastor Ricardo’s Executive Assistant.
They have two children, Heather and Daniel, and 3 grandchildren and another on the way.
They enjoy spending lots of time with them and being outdoors working in their yard and garden. Joel is an avid cyclist and rides many miles around Ventura County each week. Honk if you see him on the road!
Joel was hired to do maintenance and janitorial services thirteen years ago and Julia came on staff five years ago as Children’s Ministries Director. Over a year ago she transitioned to Pastor Ricardo’s Executive Assistant.
They have two children, Heather and Daniel, and 3 grandchildren and another on the way.
They enjoy spending lots of time with them and being outdoors working in their yard and garden. Joel is an avid cyclist and rides many miles around Ventura County each week. Honk if you see him on the road!
Rebekah Ayala
Children's Ministry Director
Rebekah married her wonderful husband in 2010 and they have since grown their family to two sweet boys, two precious daughters, and one cuddly doggie. She was raised in Ventura County and was blessed to get her Bachelors in Child and Family Development in sunny San Diego.
Prior to joining Children’s Ministry, Rebekah did behavioral therapy with children with special needs for ten years. She loves working with kids and seeing their faces as they start to understand something. Helping them to understand who God is and how he wants to be involved in their lives has been life changing and she looks forward to continuing to do so at Journey. She loves meeting new people so please stop by The Harbor to say, “Hi!”
Prior to joining Children’s Ministry, Rebekah did behavioral therapy with children with special needs for ten years. She loves working with kids and seeing their faces as they start to understand something. Helping them to understand who God is and how he wants to be involved in their lives has been life changing and she looks forward to continuing to do so at Journey. She loves meeting new people so please stop by The Harbor to say, “Hi!”
Colby & Emma Stuck
Wharf Leads
Colby and Emma married in 2024. While in college at UC Santa Barbara, they each served as Bible study and ministry leaders for the campus ministry organization Cru. Colby is a sales representative and Emma is a marriage and family therapist. They love finding new coffee shops and going on walks by the beach. Together they lead the 6th-12th graders in the Wharf at Journey Church.
Suzanne Ryan
Children's Ministry Assistant
Don and Maria Aguirre
Board Member
They have been married for 47 years and has two children, Claudia and Dominic and are blessed with 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Don served Ventura County for 44 years in Personnel Services and is currently retired and serving at JCV. Don and Maria were active members of South Coast Fellowship since 1984 and then stayed with the church when it changed to JCV. They have served faithfully in Children’s ministry, the prayer team, as couples and men’s group leaders, men’s and women’s mentorship, as a church council member, church elder, church host leader and board member.
Dave and Liz Bautista
Board Member
Dave and Liz have been married for 43 years. They have served as youth pastors and all around servants in all kinds of roles in the church. Dave worked in the oil fields and is currently retired. Dave and Liz have a love for people that comes naturally.
Ron and Elli Busch
Board Member
Hi, I'm Elli Busch and I've been married to my husband, Ron, for 55 wonderful years. We enjoy sharing life with 2 grown sons, their wives and 2 delightful grandchildren. I met Jesus as a young mother when reluctantly attending my first Bible Study. Since then, the Power of the Word of God to change my life and the lives of others has been my motivation to help people of all ages grow in faith by sharing the love of Christ and the Word of God through many ministries, Bible Studies, and personal outreach.
Ron and I currently run a small construction company and enjoy traveling, gardening and offering hospitality. We have been blessed to serve in ministry for over 20 years. Currently we are the Directors of the Care Crew, members of the Prayer Team, and greet each Sunday. We are so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the loving and supportive Journey Church Family.
Ron and I currently run a small construction company and enjoy traveling, gardening and offering hospitality. We have been blessed to serve in ministry for over 20 years. Currently we are the Directors of the Care Crew, members of the Prayer Team, and greet each Sunday. We are so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the loving and supportive Journey Church Family.