IMPACT

Created in 1993, Impact (International Mission Project and Cross Cultural Training) has sent over 320 people from over 30 churches on cross cultural, short term summer mission trips. Participants go to learn the perspectives of another culture in the developing world, to live and work alongside new friends, and to exchange stories and experiences of the Lord Jesus Christ. Impact is a project of the Santa Barbara Presbytery, sending both youth (16 and older) and adults on summer trips which range from two to four weeks.

Impact emphasizes working, learning and sharing in relationships. We partner with indigenous Christian communities in countries where we are invited. While living and working with people in a new culture, we seek to understand how God can use us to encourage the faith of others (who may have less resources than we do). At the same time, we see how God uses those who live more simply, to challenge and encourage our own faith. Work projects may be to help with construction of churches, homes, schools or community centers, teaching Bible School, doing visitation or neighborhood outreach. Our friendships are built also through participation in community gatherings, celebrations and sharing in worship.

The participants are prepared and equipped for their mission experience through four days of pre-field orientation, individual and team training. Teams follow with daily quiet times and spiritual instruction in-country. De-briefing both in-country and upon return to the United States is a part of the experience, as well as involvement in presentations in churches of the Presbytery upon return.

IMPACT was created in order to have an impact on:

THE WORLD, by organizing teams to do short-term mission projects, making contributions of loving service and, in doing so, sharing Jesus Christ.

THE CHURCH, by uniting our churches with each other as they pray for common mission interest, by uniting our churches with churches throughout the world, and by sharing these extraordinary experiences upon returning home so everyone may learn and grow from them.

THE PARTICIPANTS, by giving an opportunity to serve the Lord now by going, giving, and/or praying, to experience and appreciate what life is like for God's children across international and cultural lines, and to learn more of what it means to truly trust God.

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the director

Breeanne Bouma is the director of IMPACT. Bree has a graduate degree in Christian Leadership from Fuller Seminary. She has worked as Young Life Area Director in Orange County, California, and has also served as the Marketing and Ministry Director for Operation H.O.P.E. She has traveled on short term missions to Mexico and Africa. Bree writes “I feel like God has spent the last couple of years preparing me for this position, and it's exciting to know that he's called me to something so life-changing. IMPACT has the potential to do amazing things for the Kingdom of God and give people a chance to be part of his bigger story. God's work is for everyone and I'm excited to get equip people and send them out to play their part and be enamored by our God and his extravagant love for his people both here and across the world. My prayer is that as we move forward with IMPACT, the name of Jesus would be glorified, and that he would continue to use us as his humble servants - giving our time, our resources, our talents and our lives to point people to him because he's worth it."

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the council (alphabetically)

Heather Bird

Heather Bird is a student at Moorpark College for dance.  She also attends University of LaVerne working on her Bachelor's degree in child development.  Heather volunteers with the children's ministry at Cornerstone Church and is the preschool coordinator for MOPS at Emmanuel Pres. She is also a teacher at Promiseland Preschool.  Heather has been on three IMPACT trips: Honduras in 2006, 2007 and Romania as a co-leader in 2008.

Jeff Farrar

Jeffrey Farrar is from Monte Vista Presbyterian Church in Newbury Park. His family consists of his wife Kathleen, daughter Mallory (currently attending Westmont University), and son Cliff. He is an Elder currently serving as the chairman of the Property Management Committee. His day job as a geologist involves making sure that hillside houses stay where they are built. Lately he's been spending his free time taking lots of pictures and beach time. "I've really enjoyed my time on the IMPACT council working with my colleagues to support our Missionaries as they spread God's word."

Jessica Fengel

Gabe Gonzales

Gabe Gonzales was born and raised in the Los Angeles area. He has a bachelor's degree from UCLA, a teaching credential from Long Beach State University, and a Master's degree from USC. He has been an educator for 36 years, and has been the library media specialist at Buena High School in Ventura for the last 26 years. He attends Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Ventura where he has served as elder of adult education, is on the men's ministry committee, and sings in the church choir. Gabe has been on four IMPACT mission trips to Yunan Province in China in
2001, 2003, 2005, and 2007.

Annell LaBarge

Annell LaBarge has been serving on the IMPACT council for two years and has had the opportunity to co-lead two IMPACT trips, one to Uganda and the other Honduras. She has been a member of the Ojai Presbyterian church for 21 years. She served as the youth ministry director for 18 years and is currently serving on the mission and fellowship committees. She has been actively involved in both local mission and out of country trips for the past 25 years.

Gayle Luker

Gayle Luker is from Simi Valley Presbyterian Church. She lives with husband, Mark, and has two daughters. She is currently serving as a deacon in her church. she is a pediatric registered nurse at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. she is serving her 2nd year on the IMPACT council, and has gone on two IMPACT missions trips to Uganda in 2005 & 2007.

Rev. Jonathan Lusche

Born and raised in the Pasadena area, Pastor Jonathan graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1996. He attended Fuller because, up until that point in his life, "... every pastor I'd personally known either had their doctorate or M. Div from Fuller." In 1995, Jonathan began working at Simi Valley Presbyterian Church and in 1997 was ordained there as an associate pastor. Pastor Jonathan continues to minister at "Simi Prez" with a focus on students and family. Over the past six years, Pastor Jonathan has served as an advisor on the IMPACT Council for four years and just recently committed to another term. "I have seen God's blessing through cross cultural missions. Short term missions having a long term effect in the areas of the world we serve. I've also gladly received back into the local church the fruitful harvest of lives transformed through serving on short term missions and that Divine 'fire' spread into our congregation!"

Rev. Tom Stephen

Tom Stephen serves as pastor at Monte Vista Presbyterian Church. He has a passion to help others grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus through preaching and missions. He has authored several bible studies with Focus on the Family and published "Fearless: 40 Reflections of Fear" (Regal, 2006).

Dolores Taylor

DeDe Taylor has been a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church for 32 years. She has served on Session several times and for past 5-years as the elder for World Missions. She has been active in the church's Missions program for many years and also Children's Ministries where she taught third & fourth graders since 1970's. She also serves on the Stewardship & Finance Committee. She has been an IMPACT council member since 2004 and co-leader on six IMPACT trips to Uganda. She serves on Presbytery of Santa Barbara Church in the World Committee.