Community covenant
leadership

Eric came to CCC in the fall of 2011 after serving as the seminary dean of Pacific Islands University on the island of Guam. He was raised in the Bay Area and spent the early years of his ministry there before heading to Guam, which opened the doors to an ongoing ministry to the people of Micronesia. His passion is for faithful, fresh, and engaging biblical teaching that centers on Jesus, who is the world’s true hope. He received his education at Simpson University, Fuller Seminary, and Princeton Seminary. Eric loves to travel, scuba dive, read, and hang out with his family. He’s married to Karyn, and together they have four married children and three grandchildren.

Brandon Read is the Youth and Connections Pastor, which means he oversees 7th-12th grade ministry and is the person to talk to on what information about the church. Brandon has worked with students since 2008, starting his ministry career here at Community Covenant as an intern. He has spent his career working with churches up and down the coast, working in Santa Barbara, Half Moon Bay and Astoria Oregon. He is also a professional digital creator and has a passion in sharing the story of Community Covenant Church. He has his degree in Biblical Theology at Christian Leadership University and is married to his wife Jessica. He enjoys spending time with his three boys, Will, Leif and Samuel. He also enjoys surfing, photography, camping and being out in the world.

As the Pastor of Worship and Young Adults at Community Covenant Church, Jason Paras is excited to connect and do life with you. Since first leading worship in Santa Barbara at the age of 10, Jason has been extremely passionate about refining the gifts God has given us to use them for His glory. With experience as a professional songwriter, producer, audio engineer, and studio vocalist, his joy is harnessing those skills to lead worship and empower our family of worship leaders at Community Covenant Church.
On weekends, you’ll find Jason diving for a dig at the East Beach Volleyball Courts, slicing a golf ball into the trees at Glen Annie, or enjoying the Santa Barbara sun on a long walk with his beautiful wife Allie.
Jason would love to connect with you if 1) You are interested in joining our worship/tech team OR 2) You are a young adult who is interested in joining our young adults group that enjoys SB together and propels each other toward living a beautiful, God-honoring life.

With over 20 years of ministry experience, Eric is passionate about working with kids! Growing up in Goleta and living here most of his life, Eric loves being a part of this community and ministering to the young people God places in his care. In his ministry career Eric has served in many leadership roles including as a Childrens Pastor, a Youth Pastor, and a College/Young Adult Pastor. In addition to his church leadership, Eric has also served as the Vice President of the Los Angeles District Nazarene Youth International, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of a non-profit ministry to high schoolers, as a Summer Camp Director for jr. highers, as well as a Young Life leader here in Goleta. His heart is to love, encourage, and connect young people to our amazing God. When he is not at church you can find him working with students at the University of California Santa Barbara where he holds a position in Undergraduate Education.

Spanning a 40-year career in health care administration, Steve retired after 16-years as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Cottage Health. He previously served 5-years as the President for San Gabriel Valley Medical Center, 6-years as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Glendale Memorial Hospital and 11-years as the Assistant Administrator for Professional Services for Sutter Memorial Hospital.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from George Fox University, a Master of Arts in student development from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Health Administration from Washington University School of Medicine.
Growing up in Yorba Linda, he came to faith at the age of 15 through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, is married to his wife, Denice, of 34-years, Denice, and has two adult-age children, Kendra, a 5th grade teacher in Calabasas, and Paisha, a healthcare risk manager, married to Drake, and living in Pasadena.
Steve has served as the Church Executive since September 2021, and in his spare time, he works with Westmont College, enjoys reading, staying current on world news, travel, and you can see him health-walking the neighborhood.