Our Staff
Dr. Kim Riddlebarger, Senior Pastor
Dr. Kim Riddlebarger (Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary) is senior pastor of Christ Reformed Church in Anaheim, California, and visiting professor of systematic theology at Westminster Seminary California. He is also a co-host of the White Horse Inn radio program, which is broadcast weekly on more than fifty radio stations.
A fourth generation Californian, Kim is a graduate of California State University Fullerton (B.A.), Simon Greenleaf University (M.A.), Westminster Seminary California (M.A.R.), and Fuller Theological Seminary (Ph.D.) where he worked under Richard A. Muller.
Kim has served as a visiting lecturer in the graduate program in Reformation studies at Concordia University in Irvine, CA, and was the chairman of the Growing Reformed Churches Conference, cosponsored by First Chino URC and Westminster Seminary California, where he served as a member of the board of trustees. Kim also served as executive vice president of Christians United for Reformation (CURE), the forerunner of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals (ACE).
Dr. Riddlebarger is an ordained minister in the United Reformed Churches(URCNA), is a regular contributor to publications such as Modern Reformation and Table Talk and has written chapters for the books Power Religion (Moody), Roman Catholicism: Evangelicals Analyze What Unites and What Divides Us (Moody), and Christ the Lord (Baker). His first book, A Case For Amillennialism, was published by Baker Books in February 2003. His second book, The Man of Sin was published by Baker in May of 2006.
Kim is married to Micki, and has two sons, David and Mark. He is the proud owner of the legendary Australian Shepherd, Andy. He is interested in family history and is presently writing a history of the Riddlebarger family. Kim is also a life-long New York Yankees fan.
Marcelo Souza, Associate Pastor
Rev. Marcelo Souza is an ordained minister in the United Reformed Churches (URCNA), a graduate of Biola University (B.A., Philosophy) and of Westminster Seminary California (M.Div.), where he studied under scholars such as Michael Horton, R. Scott Clark, W. Robert Godfrey, David VanDrunen and Dennis Johnson. He is currently a Ph.D. student in theology at Claremont Graduate University.
Marcelo was the theological consultant and writer at The Centers for Apologetics Research with Paul Carden. There he developed didactic materials and oversaw the theological departments of its affiliates in Russia, Ukraine, Hungary and Brazil. During that time he taught theology and apologetics to groups of pastors in Africa from more than a dozen denominations.
Marcelo graciously accepted the position of interim associate pastor in Sept. 2005. He has been installed as our new Associate Pastor since Sept. 2006.
Marcelo and his wife Heather are the proud parents of Sean and Kathryn.
Kenneth Richard Samples, Adult Education
Kenneth Samples serves as the vice president of philosophical and theological apologetics at Reasons To Believe, a Christian apologetics organization located in southern California. Ken teaches a weekly adult class at Christ Reformed Church and occasionally conducts the afternoon Lord's Day worship service. An experienced teacher and educator, he has taught courses in philosophy and religion at several different colleges and universities, and presently serves as an adjunct instructor in apologetics and philosophy at Biola University and at Providence Christian College.
Kenneth worked as Senior Research Consultant and Correspondence Editor at the Christian Research Institute (CRI) for nearly seven years, where he was a regular co-host of the popular call-in radio program the Bible Answer Man. An avid speaker and debater, he has appeared on numerous radio programs across the country, including Religion On the Line, The White Horse Inn, Talk New York, Issues Etc, Stand to Reason, Apologetics.com, the Frank Pastore Show, Creation Update, and the Bob Grant Show. He has participated in debates and dialogues on various apologetics related issues including the existence of God, Catholic/Protestant doctrinal issues, and the nature of divine punishment.
Kenneth is the author of the award-winning book Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Baker, 2004) and is the co-author of three other apologetics related books. He has published articles in such magazines as Christianity Today, the Christian Research Journal, and Facts for Faith. Many of his articles are available online at augustinefellowship.org
Kenneth has held membership in the American Philosophical Association, the Evangelical Philosophical Society, the Evangelical Theological Society, and the Evangelical Press Association. He holds undergraduate degrees in philosophy and history, and a masters degree in theological studies.
On a personal level, Kenneth is an avid Los Angeles Lakers fan, a serious student of World War II, and he likes to listen to the music of the Beatles. His favorite Christian thinkers include Augustine of Hippo, Blaise Pascal, and C. S. Lewis.
Kenneth lives in southern California with his lovely wife Joan, and their three children: Sarah, Jacqueline, and Michael.
Mark and Ann Johnson, Choir Directors
Mark is Director of Music and conducts the Adult Choir. He is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton (B.A.-Music). Ann assists with Adult Choir and teaches hymnody to the children in Sunday School programs. Ann has degrees in Voice Performance from Biola University (B.M.) and California State University, Fullerton (M.M.). Having attended the church since its inception in 1995, Mark and Ann welcome this opportunity “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…” (Eph. 4:12). Mark and Ann met at Christ Reformed Church in 1995 and were married by Pastor Kim Riddlebarger in 1998. They are the proud parents of Nathaniel and Katharina.
Pam Compton, Organist
We are very grateful to have Mrs. Pam Compton serve as our organist. Pam's playing skills are outstanding, but more importantly, Pam keenly understands the role of sacred music in our worship services. Pam has 10 years experience as an organist and has taught music in Christian schools and private instruction for 6 years. Pam received her undergraduate degree from Dordt College in Music Education and holds a Master’s degree from the University of Southern California in Sacred Music. Pam is also a member of the American Guild of Organists, the American Choral Directors' Association, and the San Diego American Orff Schulwerk Association.
Winona Taylor, Secretary-Administrator
Miss Winona Taylor, AKA "Church Lady," is the secretary-administrator for Christ Reformed Church. For a number of years, Winona served as office manager at CURE, before the merger with ACE and the move to Philadelphia. She joined the church staff in 1997, and things have never been the same! Winona is the glue that holds EVERYTHING together at Christ Reformed.
Current Elders
Dr. Tom Anderson, Paul Barr, Peter Bons, Fred Havlik (Clerk), Wes Hoffmaster, Steve Irons, Jeff Sikkema, Vince Martinez, and Tom Sloan (Vice-clerk).
Current Deacons
Larry Alwag, Dan Cox, Thayne DeVorss, Jeff Gray, Josh Havlik, John Sidwell, John Skocilic (Chairman), Ken Tunell, and Cary Vader (Treasurer).