Saddleback Small Groups
“The heart of Saddleback is Small Groups. You need to be in a Small Group!” - Rick Warren
Our Saddleback Small Groups Team wants to see every person in a healthy Small Group. Our team is passionate about getting people in groups and getting groups healthy.
Our Small Groups are 3 or more people who meet together regularly to balance the 5 purposes.
Whether you’re looking for a Men’s, Women’s, Couples, Singles or Workplace group, there is one that is just right for you!
Small Group Tools
TrainingsNew HOST Commissioning
Congratulations on following God’s prompting to HOST a new Saddleback Small Group! You have taken such a big step! You are not alone. We are here for you! Our team has put together all the tools you need to succeed, get started today.
Watch HereResourcesCelebrating The Lord’s Supper in your Small Group
Taking Communion in your Small Group is a wonderful way to worship together! Organizing this celebration is not as difficult as you may think. To get started, download our step-by-step guide.
DownloadCelebrating Baptisms in your Small Group
Did you know that you can baptize people in your Small Group at a pool or at the beach? Baptisms don't just happen on church property. To get started, download our step-by-step guide that will equip you to baptize people in your group!
DownloadGuidelines for your Small Group
When Small Groups have issues, the number one cause is that they do not have clear expectations of the group. Our Small Group Guidelines document will give you a starting point as you discuss what your group values.
DownloadIce Breakers for your Small Group
Ice Breakers are a great way for your group members to better know each other while having fun. They also warm people up for conversation. Our team has put together a fun Chat Pack of Ice Breakers that you can download.
DownloadFasting in your Small Group
Have you had the desire to fast? Are you or people in your group unsure on how to go about it the right way? We understand it can seem confusing, so we set up a step by step guide to help you fast in a safe purposeful way.
DownloadStart a Group
Starting a Group is Easy!
In fact, it's as simple as 1-2-3:
- Grab a couple friends
- Decide when and where you’ll meet
- Once you've created a group, you'll unlock your group's FREE Small Group studies.
You did it! Your Small Groups Pastor and/or Community Leader will be in touch with you soon.
If you have questions emails us at SmallGroups@saddleback.com
Find a Group
Life Is Not Meant to Be Lived Alone
Looking to join a Small Group? Try these ways:
- Search online via our Small Group Finder tool.
- Not finding what you’re looking for? Send us a note at smallgroups@saddleback.com
Pastors and Ministers
Steve Gladen
Campus: Central Office Team
Pastor of Connections
Steve Gladen
Steve has been Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since February 1998 and serves as an Elder of the church. He oversees the strategic launch and spiritual development of over 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. He has authored Small Groups With Purpose, which has been translated into eleven languages to date, Leading Small Groups With Purpose and Planning Small Groups With Purpose (Summer 2018). He has a driving passion to see each church attendee connected to a qualified shepherd and become an integral part of their church body, living purpose driven lives for Christ. He frequently speaks at conferences and consults with church leaders from many denominations both in the United States and around the world. Prior to joining Saddleback, Steve has been on four other church staffs of varying sizes. He earned a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1985, and a B.A. in Biblical Studies, with minors in Greek and Philosophy in 1982, from Evangel University. Steve and Lisa have been married since 1989 and have two children, Erika and Ethan.
Julie Chung
Campus: Lake Forest
Connections Minister
Julie Chung
Julie Chung married her best friend Sam and together, absolutely love parenting their son and two daughters. Julie spent the early 90’s as an elementary school teacher before she felt the call to church ministry. Before joining Saddleback, she became a certified coach, and has served two other local churches in children’s, family and marriage ministries. Julie currently leads the Connections Team at the Lake Forest campus where she has the privilege of supporting a critical step in the church’s spiritual pathway. She earned her Masters of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary where she is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry degree and looks forward to graduating before Jesus comes back.
Chris Reed
Campus: Lake Forest
Small Groups Pastor
Chris Reed
Chris married his beautiful bride, Tina in 1990. They have three wonderful children, Jacob, Kaylee, and Macie Joy. Chris began pastoring at a church in Los Angeles in 1995 where he was the Youth Pastor. He was the Executive Pastor of Student Ministries at John Maxwell’s church in South Florida before he came to Saddleback in 2008 as our Pastor to 20s/30s. He has since served as the Pastor to Singles. Currently, he leads our Lake Forest Small Groups Team. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies and his Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership.
Mark Grunden
Campus: Lake Forest
Small Groups Pastor
Mark Grunden
Mark joined Saddleback’s pastoral team in 2017. A Mid-west guy from Madison, WI, Mark has extensive international experience having lived in Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and has travelled to over 40 countries. His home is a multi-cultural household, with his wonderful wife, Alicia, who is Chinese-Malaysian. He brings the best of what East and West have culturally to raise their four kids.
Mark has a mix of business and ministry experience. For over 10 years Mark was a marketing professional, the last three of which he started his own marketing firm helping tech companies in SE Asia enter the US market. He has been a pastor at churches in Las Vegas and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and has led various ministries as a lay-leader since he was 13 years old.
Mark holds a BA in Biblical Literature from Taylor University, MBA from Bakke Graduate University and is currently pursuing his Masters in Divinity from Southern Seminary.
Amanda Reyes
Campus: Lake Forest
Small Groups Minister
Amanda Reyes
Amanda was born and raised in Seal Beach, CA. After graduating University, she lived abroad for several years but eventually moved back to become a part of Saddleback Church. She served Singles on staff for two years before moving into the Singles Small Groups Minister role. She is motivated by her passion to help people get connected and find community. When she is not working you’ll find her traveling with her husband, Eligio.
Kamron Zameni
Campus: Lake Forest
Small Groups Pastor
Kamron Zameni
Kamron has a huge heart for community in every sense of the word. Whether it was a sports team, an online gaming group, family, friends, or a shared interest in a culture, he always had a community to identify with. One of the things that brings him great joy is being able to create, cultivate, or contribute to a community of people that serve one another, share common interests, and pursue goals together. He always looks forward to getting to know people from other countries and cultures, especially when it comes to tasting their food!
In his free time, he enjoys playing video games and sports, finding the best/new places to eat, watching Korean dramas with his wife, and spending time with his friends and family. He also is just tapping into his new love/hate relationship with fixing things around the house. He loves being outdoors, especially near bodies of water.
Kamron and his wife Hanna married in 2017 after meeting each other through the Jesus Otaku anime outreach ministry at Saddleback Church. He is incredibly grateful for the love, encouragement, support, and kindness she shows to him and others. One of his favorite things about Hanna is her sense of humor, which is something he strongly values in his relationship with Christ and those around him.
Rex Minor
Campus: Lake Forest
Small Groups Pastor
Rex Minor
Rex has been a Pastor on many church staffs for the past 25 years in the areas of small groups, pastoral care/recovery and discipleship. Before becoming a Pastor, he was a Marriage and Family therapist in private practice. He was born and raised in California, but has also pastored in Illinois and Colorado. His passion is to help people find a home in the Kingdom of God and to help them grow and live like Jesus would if he were in their place. He is beyond grateful to be on the staff at Saddleback since June, 2019.
When he is not working, he enjoys doing home improvement projects or finding great restaurants to frequent. He also loves hanging out with his adult children, whom he would consider his best friends, along with his grandchildren.
Rex has been married to the love of his life, Andrea, for 37 years. They have three children, Mallory, Paige and Trent. They also have two incredibly adorable grandchildren, Carson and Ben.
John Simons
Campus: Lake Forest
Small Groups Pastor
John Simons
John Simons was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Orange County, California. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at California Baptist University (CBU), and also received the degrees of M.A. Philosophy and M.Div from Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. John has been married two years to his wife, Kristen, who works as a nurse and is a proud dog-mom to their mischievous beagle, Riley. His interests include: Reading all genres of fiction (but favors science fiction and fantasy), conversations on theology, ethics, culture/pop-culture, film, and discipleship.
Heather Cova
Campus: Anaheim
Connections Minister
Heather Cova
Heather was born and raised in Orange County. She left the OC for about 10 years for her education. She earned a Ph.D. from St Andrews University in Scotland in 2004, and a B.A. in Religion and Philosophy from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY in 1999. After moving back from Scotland, Heather began her career in nonprofit management working for organizations such as KidWorks in Santa Ana and The Fieldstone Foundation in Newport Beach.
In January 2018, Heather joined the team at Saddleback Anaheim as the Minister of Ministry. She transitioned into the Connections Minister role in May 2019. Heather and her husband Zajid have attended the Anaheim campus since they got married in January 2014. They enjoy living within walking distance of the Orange Circle in Orange and appreciate all that Chapman University brings to the area as well. Heather enjoys creating in the kitchen, especially learning how to make her husband’s favorite Mexican home cooked meals.
Aaron Crumbey
Campus: Los Angeles
Campus Pastor
Aaron Crumbey
Aaron Crumbey, better known as AC, was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He received his Bachelors in Computer Information Technology from the University of Phoenix. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Theological Studies. AC has been serving in ministry since the age of 15 doing pretty much anything that helped his church fulfill their God given purpose. AC has a beautiful wife named Sandra and three beautiful children Shania, AJ and Mikaela. He and his family have been at Saddleback for the last ten years. The majority of his time at Saddleback, AC has been a Youth Pastor with the High School Ministry pointing students and families towards Jesus. He’s also taken and completed Saddleback’s 30 week lay counseling course. AC starting off as a volunteer and has been loving on and caring for the families at Saddleback way before he even came on staff. Over the years God has just continued to grow AC’s heart for the families of Saddleback Church. One of his heart’s desire is that all people would receive God’s love and purpose for their lives, and he is committed to doing his part in making that happen. AC now serves as the Campus Pastor at Saddleback Los Angeles. He is excited about being there and serving the people of LA, mobilizing the church to make an impact and reach everyone God is calling them to reach in the beautiful city of LA. He also loves music and loves to use his talents to reach people for Christ.
William Johnston
Campus: Corona
Connections Pastor
William Johnston
William has been serving at Saddleback for the past two and a half years. He grew up in Northern California and moved to Southern California to attend Azusa Pacific University where he earned his Bachelors in Christian Ministry. William loves hiking and exploring nature, anything baseball related, and eating fried chicken. He is passionate about helping people find and experience transformative lives with Jesus. He hopes that people he serves will have a greater understanding of their God given purpose and have lifelong commitments with Jesus that impact and restore their communities.
Steve Yu
Campus: Irvine North
Connections Pastor
Steve Yu
Steve Yu is Korean-American born in Sao Paulo, Brazil and grew up in the east coast. He appreciates his upbringing in different cultural environments because it has led to many conversations about other people’s background and culture. One of his favorite ways of connecting with people is eating good food or drinking coffee. He is very passionate about exploring delicious food. As much as he loves connecting with people, he loves spending time with his wife and two kids. As a family, they enjoy playing the video game called “just dance” and family Netflix nights on the weekend. When Steve has free time, he enjoys training for triathlons and going on date nights with his wife.
John Shin
Campus: Irvine South
Connections Pastor
John Shin
John’s life goal is to do the most damage for the kingdom of God. The term Bible nerd cannot be more true for any other person. Studying correct methods of biblical interpretation, proper application, and the relationship between certain passages throughout Scripture is very exciting for John. Other than studying theology and Scripture, John loves to do hip hop choreography, lift weights, make short films, beat box, play the drums, watch soccer, play volleyball, pretend to be PJ Masks and play PAW patrols with his children, watch documentaries, listen to film scores and work on his you tube channel PJS.
John has always been intrigued with media arts and Scripture, and how he can use media in creative ways to teach Scripture, share the gospel and reach the world for Christ. There is an endless amount of teaching that comes from the gospel and life. Delivering it in a pathway that can reach millions without compromising the truth is always on his mind.
Before coming to Saddleback, John was an Elementary Pastor for 8 years, involved with college campus ministry for 12 years, church planting for 2 years and taught previously at Talbot School of Theology as an Adjunct Professor in Hermeneutics and N.T. Survey.
Jeff Feld
Campus: Laguna Woods
Campus Pastor
Jeff Feld
Jeff Feld grew up in the Los Angeles area and is a USC Alumni with a BS in Business and a Computer Science emphasis. He immediately joined the corporate world and worked for technology companies in LA and Orange County. Once Jeff and his wife Jeanine found Saddleback Church, he began serving as a volunteer Small Group Community Leader for many years before coming on staff. Before Jeff’s current role at Saddleback Laguna Woods, he was a Small Group Pastor at the Lake Forest campus. He has a great passion for fellowship and welcoming others to become part of God’s family. Jeff also served as part of the Global Purpose Driven team that helps other churches implement P E A C E and the five Biblical purposes (PD) of a healthy church. He is currently working on his Masters in Ministry Leadership at Rockbridge Seminary.
Lalo Garcia
Campus: Newport Mesa
Connections Pastor
Lalo Garcia
I was born and raised in Costa Mesa California. I Grew up playing Soccer, I played at that collegiate and also played at the Semi-Professional Level. Attended Orange Coast Community College for two years and then Received a full ride scholarship to California Baptist University where I played and received my Bachelor of Science degree, and I have received a Masters of Arts degree from Rockbridge Seminary. I love Saddleback Church, it is where I discovered my own personal relationship with Jesus. I am married to the woman of dreams Liliana Garcia, and will be celebrating the life of our first baby this fall. I love to read, workout, run, and always seeking a challenge.
Kevin Lee
Campus: Online Campus
Connections Pastor
Kevin Lee
Kevin Lee is a Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church. He oversees both home groups and online groups of Online Campus. He passionately believes that Small Groups is where God loves to change lives. Kevin has a small group that he participated for 7 years and counting. He currently lives in Fullerton, California.
Jacob Wilson
Campus: Rancho Capistrano
Connections Pastor
Jacob Wilson
Jacob Wilson was born in Santa Ana, California and raised in Huntington Beach, CA. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies from Biola University and received a Master of Arts degree in Bible Exposition from Talbot School of Theology. Jacob’s personal impact from community-driven groups has fueled his passion to help cultivate authentic relationships within the body of Christ. When he is not working, you’ll find his nose in a book or spending time with his wife, Jourdan, and their two ridiculously beautiful children, Elijah and Emery.
Joel Donis
Campus: Saddleback en Español
Connections Pastor
Joel Donis
Joel is a Southern California native. That enjoys traveling and meeting new people. Growing up being part of a pastoral family he has been influenced by ministry his whole life. Which is why his greatest passion is connecting people to a deeper relationship with Jesus. His wife, Nely Donis and two children Jacob and Zoey play such an important and motivational role in his ministry. Understanding the importance of family and the calling over his life, his desire is to help bridge culture and diversity to be centered around the gospel.
Jeff Tysor
Campus: San Clemente
Connections Pastor
Jeff Tysor
I love Jesus, my wife, my 2 kids Jade & Jackson, and serving at Saddleback Church. I have been on staff since 2012 where I started on the Accounting team. In 2016, I transitioned from my career in Accounting into full time pastoral ministry and I consider it a huge privilege and honor.
Clay Stokes
Campus: San Diego
Connections Pastor
Clay Stokes
Clay Stokes was born in Omaha Nebraska, moved to Texas for a few years and has been a die-hard California fan since moving to the Bay Area in 1975. He received his bachelors in History from San Jose State University and went on to get his MDiv at Denver Seminary. Clay has been in ministry for nearly 40 years, serving as a church planter, Executive Pastor and Senior Pastor in churches in the Bay Area and in San Diego. He most recently landed his dream job as the 101 Pastor at Saddleback San Diego where he thoroughly enjoys spurring others on in their faith and helping them find their place and joy within the life of small groups. Clay and his wife Candy have 4 grown children and 6 grandchildren (and counting) whom they utterly enjoy and spoil. Clay and Candy are foodies, so if he’s not working or entertaining one of the Small People, you’ll likely find him and Candy driving up and down the coast, trying out new eateries. Otherwise, he’d be delighted if you called him for a round of golf or to go to a baseball game!
Giovanny Gaviria
Campus: South Bay
Connections Pastor
Giovanny Gaviria
Giovanny Gaviria is passionate about empowering and connecting the new generations through a personal relationship with God. He has served in pastoral and administrative leadership positions for non-profit organizations. Giovanny has been the president of the Youth Baptist Inter-denominational Convention that consists of more than 500 churches in the area of Los Angeles and Hawaii. He has also worked for one of the largest Hispanic Evangelistic Associations called Alberto Mottesi Evangelistic Association (AMEA).
He has helped developed EDEAM (School of Evangelists Alberto Mottesi) academic programs expanding to 136 international centers throughout Latin America, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. He has graduated from the University of La Verne with a B.S in Psychology, and earned a MBA from Liberty University. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University as well.
Giovanny is happily married to Veronica, and they have two sons; Nathan and Liam. He enjoys exploring new places and spending time with his family.
AJ Boncore
Campus: Yorba Linda
Connections Pastor
AJ Boncore
AJ Boncore is our new Connections pastor at Saddleback Yorba Linda. AJ and his wife Christy have been married for 5 years and they have 1 child named Rion. AJ was born and raised in northern California and moved to southern California in 2016 to follow God's call to be a pastor. AJ experienced a radical transformation in his life and decided to devote himself to vocational ministry. He attended Biola University to get his bachelor’s degree in biblical and theological studies while leading the College Ministry at Saddleback Anaheim. Currently, he is studying at Talbot School of Theology to get his master’s degree in preaching and pastoral ministry. AJ loves small groups because he believes that small groups are where life change happens. It was in a small group where his faith began to flourish and he desires to see the same flourishing among all the small groups at Saddleback Yorba Linda. Over the years, AJ has grown compassion for reaching the lost through evangelism and loves sharing the gospel with people everywhere he goes. Ultimately, AJ wants all the small groups at Yorba Linda to be balanced in all 5 purposes but especially in the area of evangelism.
Small Groups Event Calendar
Small Group Network
Are you from an outside church and looking for resources? Join the Small Group Network!