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Grace Group Leaders

Beau Woodward

Beau Woodward was one of the founding members of Sovereign Grace Church in Bakersfield.  He and his wife, Jennifer, love serving the Lord at SGCB in virtually any way they can.  Together, they have served in the nursery, taught Sunday school to the 4-6 year olds, and hosted a small group at their home.  Beau is part of the setup crew rotation, security team, and co-leads our men’s Bible study along with Seth Highfill.  They have 3 young children and are passionate about being available to the Lord’s plans for their life.

John Stevens

John Stevens and his family have been attending Sovereign Grace Church since the first Thursday evening meeting in August of ’06. Through leading small groups, prayer and building friendships in the body, his heart and desire to shepherd continues to grow. Laura and he have been married for 25 years and have 4 children; Keith, David, Carolyn and Abigail, ranging from 21 to 9 years old. His family loves the truth of Scripture preached at Sovereign Grace every week and the passion for Jesus Christ that is evident among the believers. He has a BS/MS degrees in Chemical Engineering, is a Professional Engineer and works as a technical consultant for an oil company. 

Randy Lovegreen

Randy Lovegreen is a native of Bakersfield, CA. He has served at Sovereign Grace Church since shortly after the church began. He currently serves as a small group leader and as Director of Music and Technology. Prior to coming to SG, he served as Pastor of Music and Worship at Olive Drive Church in Bakersfield. In his 15th year of marriage to his wonderful wife Victoria, they have three awesome boys, Jonas (11), Elijah (9) and Silas (5 months). Randy desires to glorify Christ through his life, his marriage, his children and through the incredible gift of music.

 Randy Prine

 Randy Prine is self-employed as an automation consultant in the oil industry. Randy is an example of consistent, faithful service to the Lord and His church. He is currently an elder who also serves as a small group leader and teaches the toddlers at Sovereign Grace Church.  He is married to Karen, is the father of 3 children, and has one grandson.

Jason Faber

Jason Faber is one of the original four men whom God called to co-plant Sovereign Grace Church of Bakersfield. The son of a pastor and church planter, Jason grew up planting churches alongside his father and has been doing ministry most of his life. He attended BIOLA University for two years and went on to graduate from Fresno Pacific University in 2006. His desire is to be used by God to “bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His name among all the nations.” (Romans 1:5).  

jason@sgcb.org

Mark Haymond

Mark and his wife Holly met at Biola University and got married soon after graduating in 2004. They have attended Sovereign Grace Church since it’s beginning and enjoy serving in the nursery, small group, and set-up ministries. They have 3 children and have a great desire to see Christ honored in the church by the preaching of the gospel and the growth of holiness in the elect.

Tim Paulsen

Tim Paulsen is passionate about gospel-centered transformation and learning how it can be cultivated within the lives of a covenant community. When he is not working, he enjoys good food and good conversations with friends and most of all with his beautiful wife of one year, Emily. 

Rob Linder

Rob Linder, along with his wife Beth, have an insatiable passion to serve Christ and His church. Rob currently serves by co-leading a small group with Tim Paulsen and by helping weekly with our Sunday morning set up and tear down crew. He is also going through Sovereign Grace's rigorous 18 month leadership training in order to learn how to better shepherd those whom God has entrusted to his care. No matter how great or small the task may be Rob and Beth are always more than willing to serve. Rob works in the oil fields for Baker Hughes, Inc. Beth currently works as a speech pathologist and loves her work.  

Dan Cestone

Dan Cestone, a Landscape Designer and Contractor, met his wife, Deb, at Cal Poly SLO. They moved to Bakersfield in 2002, and God has blessed them with three children.  They have been growing and serving at Sovereign Grace since 2007. They absolutely love the close knit, grace-filled fellowship they experience at Sovereign grace along with the gospel-centered teaching they receive from the pulpit and small groups.