Journey South Bay Church

JOURNEY SOUTH BAY TEAM

The staff and Leadership Team here at Journey South Bay is comprised of men and women who love God and care for the people in our church and in our community. If you have any questions for any of our staff, feel free to reach out and email them or call our church office to speak with them. You can contact the church office at office@journeysouthbay.org or (310) 947-2938. If you have any questions for our Leadership Team, feel free to reach out and email them at leadership@journeysouthbay.org.

STAFF

ALEX WATLINGTON

Interim Pastor
Alex Watlington is currently serving as the Interim Pastor of Journey South Bay church, the RUF Campus Minister at the University of Southern California, and Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary in Escondido, CA. He and his wife Becki (originally from Macon, GA) have been married for 20 years and have 3 boys; Whit (16), Miles (13) and Monroe (11). In his spare time Alex loves the NFL, the Dodgers, naps on the beach and his AMC movie membership.
GARY MARUMOTO

Interim Children's Ministry Director
Gary has been teaching Sunday School here at Journey South Bay since 2009. God had revealed to him the importance of planting and watering the seeds of faith into the lives of children. He notices that this world has so many distractions that keep kids away from church and hearing the Gospel. Gary works full time in the grocery industry and has been since 1981. He is married and has 2 children.
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Liina Nygren

Interim Youth Director
Hello! I'm Liina, the Interim Youth Director! I graduated from Bethel University (MN) in 2021 with a degree in Business with an emphasis in Marketing and Human Resources. I was born and raised in Torrance, California and have grown up going to Journey South Bay ever since I can remember! I love coffee, volleyball, the beach, and a good breakfast burrito! When I was in middle and high school, I got the opportunity to be a part of the Journey Youth Group that God used to change my life! I love youth because your faith begins to become your own as you grow and mature into who you are! I'm excited to meet you and get to know you.

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eLi JENNINGS

Worship Leader
I received the calling to lead worship as a teenager and have devoted my life to using all of my gifts and talents in honoring God’s calling on my life and helping others realize and fulfill God’s calling on their lives. My wife, Amy, and I are raising our amazing son, Ezekiel, in Harbor City, CA. Our family took a step of faith and left our previous church and joined the Journey South Bay (JSB) family in January 2019. It has become more evident that God led us here as we get more involved in ministry and build community here at Journey South Bay.
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LISA MARUMOTO

Administrative Assistant
Lisa was born and raised in the South Bay. She has been attending Journey South Bay since 2008 and really enjoys serving in Journey Kids, Hospitality, and the Media Team. She loves to help people and feels incredibly blessed to be able to serve as the Administrative Assistant.
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