Calvary Team
Elders
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Daniel Hendrickson
Lead Pastor
Daniel grew up in the South Bay before moving to Santa Barbara as a teenager. It was in high school that Daniel became a follower of Jesus. After attending UCSB, he served as a pastor at Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara for 10 years. Then God called him to step out in faith and move back to plant Calvary Chapel Palos Verdes. Daniel loves to communicate God’s word and to see the transformation it brings in people’s lives. Daniel is married to Leah, and they have three children.
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Rob Orr
Associate Pastor, Men, Discipleship
Rob came to faith in Jesus on Christmas Eve 1985. However, he did not experience the full joy of the Christian life until he was discipled in God’s Word. Ever since, Rob has pastored in Palos Verdes for almost 30 years and has a passion for discipleship and multicultural ministry. He is blessed to be married to Janet and to have three wonderful daughters, two sons-in-law, and two beautiful granddaughters. Rob loves to meet up with people and talk about Jesus.
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Benjamin Kim
Assistant Pastor, Worship
Ben was raised in a Christian family and became a follower of Jesus during high school. His passion for the Lord grew during his college years where he first experienced the joy of God’s love. He moved to California to start his medical training and eventually made the South Bay his home. He currently works as a surgeon in the community and loves LeBron and the Lord (the latter INFINITELY more). Ben is happily married and has two daughters.
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Steve Heffernan
Assistant Pastor, Hospitality
Steve said yes to Jesus’ call in high school while involved with Young Life, a Christian youth outreach ministry. This formative experience led to a desire to serve in a variety of ministry roles while also working in a career in finance. Eventually though, in the middle of his career, God called Steve to full time ministry with Young Life in the South Bay where he continues to faithfully serve. He is married to his high school sweetheart, the father of three children, and a grandpa of two girls with another grandchild on the way.
Directors
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Leah Hendrickson
Women, Calvary Kids
Leah grew up in Colombia as the daughter of a missionary family. That is where she learned to love and serve Jesus and his people. She moved back to California for college and then became a teacher in Santa Barbara at a bilingual charter school. Daniel and Leah married in 2012 and have three young children. They are excited to now live in the South Bay and to have planted Calvary Chapel Palos Verdes. Leah enjoys meeting new people and is quick to make them feel known and loved.
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John Esparza
Operations
John has been anchored in the South Bay his whole life. While working as a creative director in entertainment, Jesus remained his steadfast rock. In the Summer of 2022, God orchestrated a transition into full-time vocational ministry at Calvary where he now serves. John loves tropical things, has music playing most of the day, and enjoys breakfast food anytime. Johnny is engaged and will marry in 2024. He is beyond excited to continue serving the Lord with his fiancé, Molly.
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Coordinators and Administration
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Janet Orr
Administration
Janet moved to Palos Verdes when she was five and has never wanted to live anywhere else. She graduated from UC Irvine and married her husband, Rob, in 1978. She worked for 11 years as a retail clothing buyer and traveled extensively. Janet gave her life to Christ at 31 and has served in ministry ever since. Janet is married and has three daughters, two sons-in law, and two granddaughters. Janet loves cooking and having long lunches with friends.
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Molly Goldstein
Calvary Kids
Molly grew up in the South Bay and became a Christian at age 11. She rededicated herself to the Lord after graduating from UC Santa Barbara with a double major in Communications and Media Film Studies. She had plans to pursue journalism, but the Lord brought her back to the South Bay instead. Molly has a wealth of experience working with kids and enjoys it immensely which led to a service opportunity at Calvary. Molly is passionate about storytelling and testimonies, loves outdoor adventures, and has a special place in her heart for speckled things and her fiancé, John.
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Micah Gallardo
Facilities, Worship
Micah was born and raised in the South Bay. He accepted Jesus into his heart at a summer camp his sophomore year of high school. He spent two years at Discipleship Training School in Green Bay, Wisconsin and returned with a heart for student ministry and worship. He loves a great cup of coffee, connecting with people, and oversized hoodies.
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Michael Ishimaru
Tech, Calvary Middle
Michael grew up in the South Bay before moving to Santa Barbara for high school and college. He returned to his roots in 2017 and started working in IT while also serving in youth ministry as he loves helping students learn about Jesus. In his free time, Michael enjoys cooking for friends and family and knows the meaning of a good meal. Additionally, he is an avid sports fan, manages our church softball team, and is an unwavering supporter of the Angels, Lakers and 49ers.
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Samantha Reeves
Calvary High
Sam has known and loved Jesus for as long as she can remember, gaining her the nickname “Bible Baby” as a toddler. She grew up in Northern California and moved to SoCal to attend college at Pepperdine University where she met her now husband and fellow Calvary High leader, Ryan. She has a passion for connecting with teens and helping them experience God’s love. When she is not hanging out with youth, she works as an interior designer, bakes, and enjoys outdoor activities.
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Ryan Reeves
Calvary High
Ryan is Redondo Beach born and raised. He grew up in a loving Christian home and has always experienced a personal relationship with God. Ryan has a heart for pouring into youth, as he had Young Life leaders do the same for him when he was in high school. Outside of his role with Calvary High, he works full time as an investor and investment researcher. He loves spending time with his wife, Sam, as well as surfing and playing games with friends.
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Sophia Ceman
Calvary Middle
Sophia was born and raised in the South Bay. Her life radically transformed when she met Jesus in the summer after her freshman year of college. Since encountering the love of Jesus Christ personally, Sophia‘s mission and passion has been sharing the transforming love of Jesus with others, especially young people. Outside of serving youth, she loves coaching soccer and reaching out to high school and collegiate athletes for Jesus.