Light Church was launched January of 2018 with Benji and Jen Horning, their four kids, and an amazing team of people committed to seeing the light, love and redemption of Jesus in Encinitas and beyond.

Benji Horning / Lead & Teaching Pastor

Where would you want to go on vacation? Europe 

Favorite local coffee shop: Ironsmith or Philz 

Significant verse / book: All of John Ch. 13

Favorite hobby / passion: spending time with my family, surfing, reading, running 

Random fact: I love eating Frozen Haribo Gummy Bears with a cup of coffee (don’t knock it until you try it)

What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry? My greatest passion and hope is that people would come to know the mercy and love of Jesus and to be transformed by His love.

Jennifer Horning / Co-Pastor & Creative Director

Where would you want to go on vacation? Tokyo, Japan, Vienna, Austria (I couldn’t choose)

Favorite local coffee shop: Better Buzz, lavender black tea latte 

Significant verse / book: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Favorite hobby / passion: Music & painting

Random fact: I love to roller skate in my house 

What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry? I look for the redemption of Jesus around every corner, and my greatest desire is to sow & notice his redemption wherever possible. I have a heart for creativity, music & storytelling within & outside of the church that reflects the heart of Jesus.

Stevy York / Associate Pastor

Where would you want to go on vacation? Europe. All of it.

Favorite local coffee shop: Steady State

Significant verse / book: John 10:1-18

Favorite hobby / passion: Reading & camping 

Random fact: The ancient Romans used to drop a piece of toast in their wine for good health … that’s why we raise a toast. Also, I got first place in the 8th grade science fair.

What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry? After growing up in North County San Diego, I’m convinced it’s the Paris of California. My wife, Trisha, and I love living in Leucadia, walking to the beach, and eating California burritos. As I apprentice under Jesus I just want to know His voice clearly and help others do the same. What would it look like if we listened more and slowed down enough to enjoy His presence?

Josh Burt / Youth Pastor

Where would you want to go on vacation? Japan 

Favorite local coffee shop: Ironsmith

Significant verse / book: The book of James, straight to the point and keeps me in check

Favorite hobby / passion: Researching anything and everything

Random fact: Not a fan of coffee, I know, I had to choose a coffee shop.

What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry? If you’re looking at this and thinking if you should come to youth or send your kids, the answer is “yes.”

Ambar Burt / Youth Pastor

Where would you want to go on vacation? Anywhere in the Caribbean

Favorite local coffee shop: Ironsmith, consistent matcha and the jalapeño and cheddar bagel goes off

Significant verse / book: Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”

Favorite hobby / passion: Cooking, trying new restaurants, museums, & laying down.

Random fact: I’m scared of my own shadow.

What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry? For the youth of Encinitas to understand how holy God is and allow him to sanctify us by His love and kindness.

Abby Pillsbury / Young Light

Where would you want to go on vacation? I would love to travel to Italy for all the amazing food. I would also love to travel to Greece. There are not many places I wouldn’t want to travel to.

Favorite local coffee shop: Captains Grounds in Oceanside

Significant verse / book: I have always been a Galatians girl.

Favorite hobby / passion: I love to cook and I love to read a good book!

Random fact: I can do the worm.

What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry? I have been a part of kids ministry for 5 years and I have loved every minute. I am passionate about sharing the love of Jesus with children and coming alongside parents to help teach their children about Jesus.

Britt Gabel / Young Light

Where would you want to go on vacation? I would love to visit every country and culture! But for now, a dream vacation would be to go backcountry cat snowboarding in Canada.

Favorite local coffee shop: Butter coffee at Nectarine Grove, mmmm. Technically, that's not a coffee shop though? So, I guess I will go with Pannikin - been going there since I was in high school: tried and true.

Significant verse / book: Colossians 3 is gold and encompasses our wedding verse & Matthew 25:34-40 is the passage that first brought me to Jesus.

Favorite hobby / passion: I love to be outdoors doing pretty much anything: snowboarding, watching sunrise and sunset, romping at the beach with my girls, & playing or watching any competitive sport (especially baseball). You name the sport- David & I will take you on!

Random fact: I asked David (hubby) out on the first date... and the second date... and the third date.

What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry? I am married to David, and we have 2 little girls: Raegan & Jordyn. I was raised in San Diego & have my Master's degree in Public Health, focusing on child nutrition & physical activity. I have always been passionate about the growth and development of children & their mothers. Being a part of Young Light, I feel right at home helping families to shepherd their sweet kids & teaching children the love of Jesus. We are incredibly grateful to raise our children in this community with you all!

Brandon Castillo / Worship Coordinator

Where would you want to go on vacation? Bahamas

Favorite local coffee shop: Philz

Significant verse / book: Psalms

Favorite hobby / passion: Writing and composing music

Random fact: I love to rollerblade and want to be in a rollerblading dance crew!

What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry? I love that through music and worship I get to partner with the Holy Spirit for people to encounter His presence in a real and tangible way!

Ashley Castillo / Worship Coordinator

Where would you want to go on vacation? Greece or Italy 

Favorite local coffee shop: Vinaka Cafe in Carlsbad (strictly because of the nostalgia it holds for me haha)

Significant verse / book: Romans 12:2

Favorite hobby / passion: Playing music & cooking!

Random fact: I was a child model...?

What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry? I truly am so honored to be a part of what the Lord is doing in and around our community. My heart is to see the Lord to continue to move in our church and for us to know Him more and more each day!

Kelsey Villalpando / Communications

Where would you want to go on vacation? Spain and Italy are at the top of the list, but New York and Greece are close behind. 

Favorite local coffee shop: Not a big coffee girl, but I’ll never say no to a croissant and good company at Captain’s.

Significant verse / book: Isaiah

Favorite hobby / passion: I could listen to and talk about and make music 25/8, but food is a strong number two passion.

Random fact: When I was little I looked exactly, and I mean exactly, like Charlie from The Santa Clause.

What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry? God has held me and loved me and been kind to me and to the ones I love in the most surreal ways. My hope is to honor Him with my life, to bring Him glory in the biggest and the smallest, and to make way for others to meet and experience Him too.