Jesica MacNaughton
Women’s Pastor
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Jesica MacNaughton was born in Argentina and is fluent in both English and Spanish. Jesica was raised in a ministry context. She graduated from William Jessup University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Bible and Theology with an additional major in Business Management and Ethics. Jesica has a huge passion for women to know the Lord and make Him known to those around them. Jesica has a wide variety of experience ministering to women of all ages and stages including: single ladies, homemakers, new moms, empty nesters, grandmas, widows and working professionals. She has also ministered to many mothers who have gone through the pain of miscarriage.

Jesica has been a part of national and international evangelistic TV and radio broadcasts as well as many city-reaching initiatives. Jesica has spoken at conferences globally and ministered in the following nations: Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Philippines, South Korea and all over the USA. She has ministered in jails, orphanages, schools and hospitals bringing the good news of the Gospel and the power of God’s love to others. Jesica is a solid Bible teacher, an intercessor and has a strong gift of faith. Jesica and her husband Benjy have been married 14 years and have 2 children.

Mario Minardi
Worship Pastor
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Mario has a real shepherd’s heart for people, seeks earnestly after God, highly values a genuine, authentic Christianity and wants to see South Hills Community Church healthy and thriving in worship!

Mario graduated with a degree in Economics from UC Irvine, earned a teaching credential from Cal State Fullerton, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University.

His journey began with an invitation from God to believe all that He has revealed about Himself in the Bible, and in the person of Jesus Christ. Part of this journey led Mario to work with juvenile delinquent kids for a few years. Another leg of the journey was teaching high school for five years.

Knowing God’s call to ministry, Mario moved his family from Southern California to San Jose in 1996. As a pastoral intern, Mario led worship at South Hills Community Church for the singles group, and was mentored by many in the pastoral staff. After two years, he helped plant Silver Creek Church (now Twin Oaks Church), serving as worship pastor.

Mario’s ministry goal is to help people know how amazing God is, who they are in Christ, and to help them take the courageous and liberating choices that will make for a life that is glorifying to God. Mario is married to the love of his life, Cheryl and has three children--Madeline, Emily and Gian Matteo.

Josh Robertson
Pastor of Jr. High
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While attending and serving at Bethany University Josh discovered his passion and calling in life.... Youth! Josh quickly became active in the Youth Groups of the Santa Cruz area, mentoring and discipling the students as a Youth Leader. In 2007 Josh became the Youth Pastor at Christian Life Center, where he served for almost a year. Josh recently served in Reedley, CA as the Student Ministries Pastor overseeing the College/High School/ and Jr. High, where he saw the lives of students transformed on campus in the Christian clubs.

Josh's vision for the students of SHCC is to see them continually encounter God in a way that their lives will forever be changed; daily surrendering to Him and becoming our Lord's disciples. His hopes and dreams are to establish Christian and Bible clubs at the local junior high schools and colleges. He would love to see the students become more involved in the ministry at SHCC, and does not want the ministry to be one where students simply come and go, he wants it to be a ministry where students are involved, lead and feel a sense of responsibility.

Josh and his new wife Elyssa met while attending Bethany University.
They began dating in September 2007 and were just recently married Jan 2, 2010. Josh has always had a passion for music, plays bass/guitar and is active in many sports.

Judy Ruiz
Pastor of Life Skills and Lifelines
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Judy has been working in the LifeLines and Life Skills area since 1997. Her passion is to help people grow in Christ toward emotional and relational health as well as to see marriages and families thrive. As the Director of the South Hills Life Skills Center, she is able to use her gifts and passion to meet her heart’s desire.

She has been married to Ron for 48 years this summer and has two grown sons and five wonderful grandchildren. Her hobbies include doing fun things with her grandkids, reading, and rubber stamping.

Cory Samuelson
Pastor of High School
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My wife Phoebe and I were both born in Pennsylvania. Phoebe moved to California after her 2nd birthday, and I spent my childhood years in PA. Despite our separation, God brought us together 16 years later while we were both attending Bethany University in Scotts Valley, California. We began dating in February 2008 and we were married on July 25th, 2009 in Aptos, California.

When I was a high school Junior the Lord spoke into my life and gave me a passion for the youth of this world. Upon graduating high school I began my studies at Bethany University where I started volunteering to help with youth groups in the area all the way from San Jose to Santa Cruz to Castroville. I also served as the Men’s Ministry Coordinator at Bethany University my senior year. After graduating I worked for two years at Monte Vista Christian School as a Resident Life Staff member in the Boys’ Dorm. In September of ’09 Phoebe and I were lead to North County Christian Center in Castroville, CA to be part time Youth Pastors where we served until our transition to San Jose. It was during these times that God developed my heart for ministry and has been preparing us for this incredible opportunity at South Hills.

Phoebe and I believe that God has incredible plans for the young men and women of South Hills and the surrounding areas of San Jose. It is our desire to see the youth of this neighborhood on fire for God and reaching their friends for Christ. Words cannot express how excited we are to be a part of the amazing leadership team and church family God has assembled at South Hills!