Dear Canyon Springs Church Family,

As we close out April, we want to take a moment to update you on our pastoral transition efforts. The Elder Board has been prayerfully working on two key priorities:

  • Hiring a Transition Pastor
  • Establishing a Finance Committee

We’re thankful for the opportunity to share the progress we’ve made in both areas.

Welcome Pastor John Rose

We are excited to welcome John Rose as our Transition Pastor at Canyon Springs. Pastor John brings over 38 years of pastoral experience, having served in roles including Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor, Preaching Pastor, and Lead Pastor. He spent 20 years as the Founding Pastor of Rancho Vista Church in Chula Vista, guiding it from a small launch team to a vibrant congregation with its own facility.

John is well-regarded for his steady leadership during times of transition. Most recently, he served as the transition pastor at Clairemont Covenant Church, helping the congregation navigate change with unity and stability. He also founded and leads Baja Bound Ministries, which coordinates over 100 mission projects each year across Mexico, with 5000 volunteers. He has been married to his wife, Stephanie, for 35 years, and they are the proud parents of two adult children, Michaela and Jake.

Pastor John will begin serving as our Transition Pastor on May 15th, ahead of Pastor Chad’s departure on June 1st. In this role, he will provide spiritual, organizational, and relational guidance during our time of transition. He will work closely with our staff, ministry leads and elders to ensure continued unity and stability through this period. We’re blessed to have him with us and look forward to his leadership through this journey!

Transition Support

To support the leadership change, our current church personnel have taken on additional operational and administrative responsibilities to ensure a smooth process while we search for a new Lead Pastor. They have embraced this opportunity with enthusiasm, viewing it as a chance to grow and develop new skills. By empowering our staff in this way, we are helping maintain stability and avoid any disruptions to the church’s day-to-day operations.

Introducing the Finance Committee

We’re pleased to announce Heather Archer and Jane Edmondson as our new Finance Committee. This team plays a key role in supporting the mission of Canyon Springs through responsible, transparent, and ethical financial stewardship – ensuring our ministries and outreach efforts remain strong both locally and globally.

We are deeply grateful to John Wickenhiser for his over 20 years of faithful service as Canyon Springs Treasurer. He has led with integrity and dedication, and we thank him for his invaluable contributions. Well done, good and faithful servant!

Heather Archer will be joining the Elder Board as she transitions into the role of Treasurer as part of the Finance Committee. She and her husband, Ryan, have attended Canyon Springs for 22 years, and their children, Ellery and Avery, were raised in Canyon Springs. Heather brings nearly 30 years of valuable experience in accounting as a financial controller along with a strong passion for serving.

Jane Edmondson will be joining Heather on the Finance Committee. Jane has been at Canyon Springs since 2014, along with her husband, David, and their children, Caitlyn and Kyle. Jane brings over 30 years of experience in investment products, financial consulting, and portfolio management. She also has a deep desire to serve and support the church’s mission.. We’re excited to work with this capable and dedicated team!

Focusing on the Search for our Future Pastor

With John Rose now serving as our Transition Pastor, our next priority is the search for a new Lead Pastor. We are working closely with the Evangelical Covenant Conference (ECC) to follow their recommended process and timeline. The first step is for the Elder Board to appoint a Nominating Team, which will then select the members of the Search Committee.

We’re encouraged that many of you have expressed interest in serving on the search committee. In the coming weeks, we’ll provide more details about the process, what it involves, and the expected timeline.

Next Town Hall on May 18th

We are planning our quarterly Town Hall on Sunday, May 18th following church services. Please join us to hear updates and engage in conversation. Topics will include:

  • Meet Pastor John and Stephanie Rose
  • Meet the Finance Committee and vote on the new Elder Board member
  • Information/Questions on the Search Committee

What We Know

Our identity in Christ is rooted here, in our collective community and faith. We depend on God, and we are confident in our purpose here in Scripps Ranch and beyond. We trust that God’s work will continue according to His perfect plan.

We appreciate your patience, support, and prayers as we navigate this season of change.

With gratitude and faith,

Canyon Springs Elder Board 

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.