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 directors

Randa Dinkler and Sandy Dinkler are the co-directors of IMPACT. The Lord has given them the wonderful opportunity to share together in ministry as mother and daughter-in-law. Sandy has been on IMPACT council for five years and has led two IMPACT trips to Africa and one to Honduras. Randa, who grew up in Saudi Arabia, has been to France and Grenada on short term mission’s trips, and was an IMPACT leader to Turkey twice.
“It is an overwhelming responsibility that we take on, yet we find peace and strength in remembering that the ‘task ahead of [us] is not as great as the Power behind [us].’ We trust God to do the impossible and the incredible in and through IMPACT and the supporting Body of Christ.”

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the council (alphabetically)

Steve Butler

Jeff Farrar

Jeffrey Farrar is from Monte Vista Presbyterian Church in Newbury Park where he lives with his wife Kathleen, daughter Mallory, and son Cliff. He is an Elder currently serving as the chairman of the Property Management Committee, and as a member of the Mission 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 cycling, taking lots of pictures, and making sure the kids get enough 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."

Kirk Gilbert

Kirk Gilbert has been a member of El Montecito Presbyterian Church for 21 years.  He has served on the Board of Deacons and is currently a seated Elder.  He has been active in the church’s missions program for 12 years.  He also serves on the Presbytery’s Missions Conference Council.  He has been an IMPACT council member since 2002 and co-leader on IMPACT’s 2004 trip to Turkey

Pam Glibert

Pamela Gilbert is a member of El Montecito Presbyterian Church where she has served on the Board of Deacons. She has been an IMPACT council member since 2002, following her first IMPACT trip, to Honduras, as a co-leader. She has also co-lead IMPACT trips to Turkey (2004, with husband Kirk) and Ecuador (2006). The Gilberts live in Santa Barbara.

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 35 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 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

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 five IMPACT trips to Uganda. She serves on Presbytery of Santa Barbara Church in the World Committee.

Rev. Mike Wallman

I was born and raised in Southern California became a Christian at age 16 through the ministry of Malibu Presbyterian Church. While in College at Cal State Northridge, Mike received his call into ministry. He attended Fuller Theological Seminary and graduated in 1979. His first call was as High School Pastor at FPC Boulder Co. From there he became Assistant Pastor at FPC Downey. In 1985 Mike became the Solo Pastor at Dunlap Presbyterian Church of Shreveport, LA. While serving in Louisiana Mike received his D.Min. degree from Dubuque Theological Seminary in 1990. In 1991 Mike returned to California receiving a call to serve at FPC of Santa Maria where he served for 13 years. In the summer of 2000 he helped to lead an IMPACT Team in Linjang China to serve Threshold Ministries. Currently Mike serves as Interim Pastor of Carpinteria Community Church and just completed a year as Moderator of the Presbytery of Santa Barbara.