The DJJ Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of Discipleship Journeys with Jesus provides spiritual oversight, strategic direction, and fiduciary accountability to ensure the ministry fulfills its mission of making disciples worldwide.
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
Mark Williams
Mark has been in full time ministry since 1981. He has served as a church planting missionary, local church pastor, adjunct professor, missionary and denominational church planting director. Mark is the founding pastor of two churches and has been the mother or partner church pastor for five other church plants. For 18 years Mark served and helped develop the ministry of Dynamic Church Planting International. He wrote and gave oversight to materials that have been used to train over 100,000 church planting leaders in over 100 countries. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Biola University, Talbot Seminary and Fuller Seminary where he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree. In 2010 the Moody Bible Institute named Mark “Alumnus of the Year.” He is the co-author of three books on church planting. Mark has trained leaders on 6 continents and countries as diverse as Pakistan, Siberia, Egypt, Peru, The Congo, Ethiopia, Italy, Nepal, Myanmar, Australia, Colombia and others. He also serves as a consultant and mentor to pastors, denominational leaders and mother church leaders. In 2003 he received the Penny Penhollow Award for Excellence in Mentoring Church Planters. Mark’s personal website (www.markalanwilliams.net) helps people “build life on practical, biblical insights.” He writes and podcasts about spiritual life, family, apologetics, leadership and church planting. Mark’s website is read in 140 countries. Mark & Carolyn have been married since 1979 and have three sons: Gabe, Danny and Ben.
SECRETARY / TREASURER
Rich Fernandez
Rich Fernandez is a member of New Song Church in Oceanside, which he has attended since 1992. Rich knew about Jesus growing up in a Catholic Church. But he began his discipleship journey through a small group during his community college years. Shortly after getting married to Debbie, they began to attend Saddleback Church, where Pastor Rick Warren baptized Rich. As part of New Song, Rich has been a life group leader, greeter, assisted in building team projects, and is involved in landscaping maintenance on the church grounds. He has a heart for missions and a strong desire to see the Great Commission fulfilled worldwide. Rich met Mark Williams at New Song and admires Mark's passion for building disciples for Christ. Rich is a Northern California native and worked in computers and telecom engineering during his working career. He met Debbie (also a Fernandez) while employed at an Irvine computer company. They have been married since 1985 and have three sons, Ricky, Nicolaus, and Michael. They also have one grandson, Mateo. Rich's hobbies include traveling, gardening, jogging, bicycling, and hiking.
BOARD MEMBER
Gerlanda "G" Reyes
Gerlanda Reyes (“G”) was born and raised in the Philippines, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and a Bachelor of Laws degree. She worked as a civil and corporate lawyer and then as a Court Administrator before moving to the US in 1992 to join her husband Emil, who then served in the US Navy. She currently works as the Director of Contracts for a biopharmaceutical company, where she started a daily prayer meeting and a prayer chat group with over 50 members. G has served on the Leadership Boards of New Song Community Church as the Secretary and Inland Hills Community Church. G is a 2-time cancer survivor (2007, 2012) and considers March 5, 2007, the day she received the first diagnosis, her spiritual birthday. That’s the day God and His Peace became so real to her. In 2008, she received God’s calling to help those in need to celebrate the birthday of Jesus. The Christmas Hope Project (XHP) was created to provide groceries for ten families in the Philippines. Then a vision came that feeding should be physical and spiritual. In its 3rd year, XHP started sharing the gospel. In 2017, God prompted XHP to go global. In 2021, XHP gave away groceries and shared the gospel with over 2,500 families in fifteen countries (28 locations), where many received Christ as their Lord and Savior. G’s husband, Emil, is the Discipleship Pastor at Coast City Church. He also serves as the Online Delivery Coordinator for DJJ. They live in Oceanside, California, with their son Max who serves on the church’s worship team, and their daughter Germille, who works as an Assistant Manager in a sushi restaurant.
BOARD CHAIRMAN
Mike Mieritz
Mike is an Air Force Veteran and former Vice President at Hartford Insurance. He and his wife Karen have been in full-time ministry since 2009. Mike is the Senior Pastor and founder of The Center Church and ministry in Escondido, CA. Within this ministry, Mike and Karen oversee a preschool with 50 children and a San Diego Super Pantry that serves over 10,000 people annually, including locations in Escondido, Poway, and Vista, CA. www.CenterNC.com He is a graduate of Vision International University and recently completed the requirements for his master’s degree in theology from Angelo Bible College in San Angelo, Texas. Mike is the co-founder and Overseer of the Multi-Cultural Christian Network, built to support small church health and growth. He serves on the board of directors for Grace Church Spring Valley and Atmosphere of Faith Christian Church in Vista, CA. He formerly served as president of Ministerio Centro Cristiano, a Southern California-based extension of a ministry based in Cucuta, Colombia. Mike and Karen have been married since 1989 and have four children, Michaela, Kyara, Joshua, and Malenah.
BOARD MEMBER
Steve Foster
On a hot August night in Los Angeles, Steve experienced a life-changing wake-up call—both literal and spiritual—that led him to recommit his life to Christ. That moment marked the beginning of a powerful journey of faith, leadership, and purpose. Over the next 18 years at C.R. McMullen, Steve advanced from warehouse worker to Vice President of Operations. He then spent a decade serving as Executive Pastor at New Song Church in Oceanside, California. Since 2012, he has brought that same dedication to his role as Chief Operating Officer at Outreach, helping ministries and organizations thrive while advancing the mission of Christ’s Church. Steve and his wife, Iva, have been married since 1990 and are proud parents of four amazing children: Megan, Haley, Samantha, and Nathan. Outside of work and ministry, Steve finds joy and renewal in two of his favorite pastimes—cycling through the beautiful trails of Colorado Springs and enjoying music. Whether leading teams or riding the open road, Steve brings purpose, energy, and a deep commitment to living out his faith.
The DJJ Board of Reference
The Board of Reference of Discipleship Journeys with Jesus consists of respected Christian leaders who endorse, pray for, and advocate for the mission and vision of Discipleship Journeys with Jesus.
DJJ Board of Reference Member
Robert Shank
After 14 years as an entrepreneur in the Southern California building industry, Bob Shank discovered that his greatest fulfillment came from investing his time and talents in Kingdom work. In 1984, he left his for-profit career to launch Priority Living, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to ministering to marketplace leaders. In 1996, Bob founded The Master’s Program (TMP) to help leaders discover and fulfill their unique Kingdom Calling. Today, TMP serves leaders across the nation and around the world, guiding thousands to identify their distinctive roles in advancing the global Great Commission. Bob has served on the boards of several churches and ministry organizations, including Samaritan’s Purse, the Jesus Film Project, and other national and international ministries. Bob and his wife, Cheri, have been married since 1971 and share a deep commitment to faith, family, and service. Their two married daughters and seven grandchildren live nearby in Southern California, where the family remains actively engaged in local ministry and global missions.
DJJ Board of Reference Member
Curt Hensley
Curt Hensley is passionate about seeing the gospel of Jesus Christ reach every person around the world. As the founder of four successful companies, he has used his entrepreneurial gifts to advance Kingdom work both locally and globally. For over a decade, Curt has been blessed with skilled presidents leading each company, enabling him to devote more time to ministry service and leadership development. He has served on the boards of Cru, the Jesus Film Project®, The Barnabas Group, BEMA Live, and Partners in Action. His experience across business and ministry has shaped a deep conviction that effective leadership and faithful stewardship can multiply the impact of the gospel. Curt and his wife, Erin, make their home in San Diego, California, and are grateful for the joy of raising their three children—Riley, Jackson, and Reese. His partnership with DJJ reflects his lifelong desire to see God’s Word taught with clarity and shared with people everywhere.
DJJ Board of Reference Member
Dr. Mike Fabarez
Dr. Mike Fabarez has devoted over 40 years to pastoral ministry, serving as the founding pastor of Compass Bible Church in Aliso Viejo, California. He also serves as President and professor at Compass Bible Institute and recently launched Compass Press, providing resources to equip leaders and churches for gospel-centered ministry. His nationally broadcast radio program, Focal Point, reaches hundreds of stations, offering practical, Scripture-based teaching that encourages and challenges listeners to live faithfully for Christ. An accomplished author, Dr. Fabarez has written numerous books, including Envy, 10 Mistakes People Make About Heaven, Hell, and the Afterlife, Raising Men, Not Boys, Lifelines for Tough Times, Preaching That Changes Lives, Getting It Right, Praying for Sunday, and Why the Bible? His teaching and writing reflect a lifelong commitment to helping people grow in understanding and applying God’s Word. Mike and his wife, Carlynn, grew up in Long Beach, California, attended high school together, and studied at Moody Bible Institute. They have three adult children—Matthew, John, and Stephanie—and seven grandchildren. Their family life and ministry partnership reflect a shared passion for equipping others to know and follow Christ.
DJJ Board of Reference Member
James A. Gwinn
James “Jim” Gwinn has dedicated decades to Christian ministry, serving in a variety of leadership and pastoral roles. He began his ministry as a youth pastor at Moody Memorial Church in Chicago. He later served as vice president of the Moody Bible Institute, where he helped shape the next generation of ministry leaders. Following his time at Moody, Jim became president of Christa Ministries in Seattle, guiding the organization in its mission to equip and encourage believers in their faith. Jim has been a frequent speaker and writer, offering insights on living faithfully for Christ and aging gracefully in ministry. His book, A Life Well Lived, reflects his lifelong commitment to walking with God and helping others do the same. Jim has served on the boards of several prominent Christian organizations, including the National Religious Broadcasters, the Christian Management Association, and Western Seminary. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Illinois and are parents of two sons, grandparents of eight, and great-grandparents of two, reflecting a lifelong commitment to family and faith.
DJJ Board of Reference Member
Tara Andersen
Tara Andersen serves as Area Director for Mission Increase in Orange County, California, and Hawaii, where she partners with nonprofit leaders to strengthen boards, develop leadership, and provide coaching in fundraising strategy. With more than 35 years of experience in business leadership and philanthropy, Tara has successfully raised and stewarded over $52 million across multiple campaigns, helping ministries expand their impact for Christ. Passionate about developing leaders, she focuses on equipping individuals to unlock their God-given potential and make a lasting difference in their communities. Tara holds degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice, a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology, and certifications as a CFRE (Certified Fund-Raising Executive) and CCNL (Credentialed Christian Nonprofit Leader). Tara and her husband, Steve, reside in Orange County and are the proud parents of four sons. Her life and work reflect a steadfast commitment to leadership development, ministry effectiveness, and advancing the gospel in tangible ways.
