Elders

Stan Benson

After serving for three years in the Marine Corps, Stan Benson attended Augsburg College in Minnesota and graduated with a teaching credential in Mathematics and Physical Education. However, he chose to work in the computer field. He received training at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory in the mid-1950’s and spent the next 35 years working in the air defense and air traffic control industries.

Stan has served in ministry as an elder and teaching in children’s ministries for over 40 years. In 1998, Stan went to Russia as a member of a short-term outreach team. He is currently a leader in the AWANA program at Shepherd’s and is a part of the Child Evangelism Fellowship program.

He met and married Joan in 1953. Together they have two grown children and four grandchildren.

 

Dr. Paul S. Brown
Pastor Paul is a graduate of Logos Bible School (Bible Certificate), Southern Oregon State College (B.A. in History), and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div). He also received a D.Div. from California Pacific School of Theology. He has served in various ministries including Youth Pastor at Ashland Bible Church, Campus Ministries Pastor at Grace Community Church, and Associate Pastor at Heartland Community Church prior to coming to Shepherd's in 1990. Paul's wife, Diane, is a full-time mother and in her spare time is a professional vocalist. They were married in September of 1985 and have four children: Jeremiah, Hannah, Rachel, and Aaron.

 

Mark Collins

Mark has his A.A. in Fire Science and has served the Torrance Fire Department for 26 years. He is currently an Engineer with the Hazardous Materials Team.

Mark met Jesus Christ as Savior when he was only 11 years old. He has been active in three churches where he has grown in God’s truth.

Mark met Pamela in 1983 and they have two grown children, Clay and Casandra, who are in college. The children serve in the junior high ministry.

Mark came to Shepherd’s in 1993, where he has grown under the ministry of Pastor Paul. He has served as a deacon, maintenance man, facilities committee member and AWANA leader. He currently works discipling the High School guys.

Randy Leinen

Randy has served at Shepherd’s Community Church since 1994 in various capacities. He has a passion for God’s Word and loves teaching the Bible. He has taught Adult Sunday School classes and Home Bible studies as well as serving on the Elder Board.

Randy graduated from Multnomah School of the Bible in 1987 with a degree in Biblical Studies with a minor in N.T. Greek. He went on to earn a teaching credential in Mathematics from Western Oregon State in 1989. He currently works full-time as an I.T. Director and part-time on the pastoral staff here at Shepherds.

Randy was married to Susan in 1985. Susan has served faithfully in various areas of ministry alongside of Randy. She currently serves in the Jr. High Ministry and is the coordinator of the Shepherds Homeschool Co-op. Randy and Susan have two sons - Tim and Joe.

Dennis Philpot

Dennis Philpot has sensed God’s call on his life since the mid-1970’s when he joined the Navigators at Oregon State University. He moved to Southern California in 1983 to begin a career in the aerospace industry. He became active in a number of ministry areas including jail ministry, AWANA Clubs International and his church’s elder board. But Dennis’ favorite area of ministry is working with the inmates where he witnesses lives being transformed. He currently leads a team of men from Shepherd’s Church who minister weekly at the Ventura County Jail.

After earning his Master’s Degree in engineering, he took the state board examination to become a Licensed Professional Engineer. Having worked in a variety of related jobs in his field, he currently serves as head of the structural and thermal analysis section of a local technology company. Dennis and his wife, Kerry, joined Shepherd’s Community Church in April of 2004. They are home schooling their children, Emily and Craig.

 

Duane Ulrich

Duane graduated from Washburn University (B.S. in Physics) and served in the USAF as an Airborne Electronics Officer during the Korean War, before spending 44 years in various project management positions in aerospace engineering. He has served all of his adult life in various church and associated Christian ministries. Now retired he spends his time working on our Sunday School Program, Church Missions Committee, being available to various ministries as a mentor, and co-leading a Growth Group for Adults. Duane and his wife, Janet have been married since June of 1956 and have four children, two of which are with the Lord.