Get Directions

Meet the Shepherds

DAVID BAIRD

W. David Baird is a native of Oklahoma, a Professor of History at Pepperdine, and former dean of Seaver College. He is a fifth generation member of Churches of Christ. He has been an elder of the University church since 1992. Baird is married to Jane Tacker, now for more than 50 years. They are the parents of two children and the grandparents of four boys and two girls.

Email David



JIM GASH

Jim and Joline Gash began worshipping at the University Church of Christ while they were students in 1990. Jim and Joline have three children (Jessica, Joshua, and Jennifer). Jim began teaching at the law school in 1999, and Joline is active in various forms of service both on and off campus.

Email Jim



RON HIGHFIELD

Ron, Marty and their two sons Nathanael and Matthew moved from Houston, TX to Agoura Hills, CA in 1989. Ron has taught religion at Seaver College, Pepperdine University since 1989. They have attended the University Church of Christ since their arrival, and Ron has served as an elder since 1994.

Email Ron



HUNG LE

Hung and Corinne have been members of the University Church since they were freshmen at Pepperdine in 1983. Married since 1989, Hung and Corinne have four sons (Zach, Ben, Jaime and Garrett). Hung has been on staff with Pepperdine since 1990. Corinne currently serves as our children’s minister in addition to her role as an instructional aide at Webster Elementary School.

Email Hung



STUART LOVE

Stuart Love is Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Christian Ministry. He and his wife, D'Esta, have been atPepperdine since 1979. The Loves have two sons and five handsome grandsons. Before coming to Pepperdine, he served as preaching minister for churches in Oregon, Texas and Southern California and taught at Columbia Christian College and ACU.

Email Stuart



STEVE PARMELEE

Steve Parmelee and his wife Corleen have been members of the University Church of Christ since 1972, and Steve became an elder in 2001. Their three sons (Sam, Jay, and Jack), all now married, grew up in this congregation. Steve is an associate professor of film studies at Seaver College at Pepperdine.

Email Steve



GARY SELBY

Gary and Tammy Selby came to the University Church in 2005 after 22 years of teaching and local ministry in Maryland. They have two grown sons, Joel and Tyler, and a wonderful daughter-in-law, Ashley, married to Joel since 2008. Gary teaches communication and leads the Center for Faith and Learning. Tammy directs the Pepperdine Disability Services Office.

Email Gary



AL STURGEON

Al is a native Arkansan. He preached on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for ten years prior to attending law school at Pepperdine, where he now serves as an assistant dean. He also serves as president of the board of directors for the Malibu Community Labor Exchange. He is married to Jody and has two daughters, Erica and Hillary.

Email Al

Who are the shepherds and what is their role?

The congregation itself routinely selects a group of men to serve as leaders, and in understanding what this call to leadership means, the shepherd metaphor is particularly instructive. This group could also be called the congregation’s pastors or bishops, but shepherds or elders are the terms used most often. Instead of serving as a corporate board of directors, the shepherds are called to feed (teach) and protect the congregation. Simply put, the shepherds’ emphasis is on people, not programs – their unique ministry carries with it a responsibility for the souls of the congregation.

The Prayer of Faith

• Spring Bible Classes

About Us | Home

• 

FaithConnector Church Websites