Saddleback Welcomes Brandon Reed

As we continue to grow our church family, we’re leaning heavily on God’s direction and the shepherding of our campus pastors. Among them is Brandon Reed, the new Campus Pastor of Saddleback Rancho Capistrano.

November 1st marked Brandon Reed’s official start date, followed by a commissioning by Pastor Rick on November 4th and 5th. During the weekend service, Pastor Rick announced that after reviewing candidates from around the world, he was confident that the best pastor to lead the Rancho Capistrano campus was Pastor Brandon.

And for good reason. Pastor Brandon has a Masters of Divinity in theology from Southern Seminary in Kentucky, and was previously a pastor in Virginia Beach. He also served as a teaching and campus pastor in Tennessee. It wasn’t until several years ago that Brandon and his wife felt God calling them to move their family from Tennessee to Southern California.

“We are a family that values longevity in ministry,” explains Pastor Brandon. “We aren’t a family to bounce from one location to the next, from one church to another. So, we prayed and began to seek God’s will.”

Acting in faith, Brandon relocated his family from Tennessee to California, 2,500 miles away from their family and friends. God immediately blessed their obedience by providing an amazing church family at Saddleback Rancho Capistrano. Over the next few years, God opened doors of opportunity in their neighborhood, at their kids’ school, and in their church.

“God made it abundantly clear that he wanted us to invest our lives in Rancho Capistrano,” says Brandon.

In August of this year, Brandon began serving as interim pastor of Saddleback Rancho Capistrano until a fulltime leader could be found. Less than three months later, the decision was unanimous to have Pastor Brandon permanently fill that role. As a result, he now dedicates more time to the vision for the church, for God, and for the community. 

Leaning on John 1:14, Pastor Brandon says his prayer is that Jesus will move, bringing members to a place of intimacy with God, community with one another, and influence with outsiders. He is also eager to build on this season of growth by laying out strategic and intentional steps to gain influence in the community. Already the campus has launched an extension venue in Dana Point, and provides such outreach ministries as Celebrate Recovery and the Mobile Food Pantry.

With an attendance of 1,500 members and four weekend services, locals are immediately drawn to the inspiring message, warm atmosphere, and stunning location. The greatest thing about this campus, says Pastor Brandon, are the people.

“This is a church family that is passionate about loving people, sacrificial serving, and giving their all so that people will experience community and the love of Jesus.

Located near six neighboring cities, Saddleback Rancho is uniquely positioned to reach people who don’t have a home church.

“That’s our mission,” Pastor Brandon adds, “to go into these communities with the hope of the Gospel. Every number has a name, every name has a story, and every story matters to God. We are a part of the story that God is writing in Southern California.”

To learn more about Saddleback Rancho Capistrano, visit saddleback.com/ranchocapistrano.