Pastor Ron Urzua Our Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian
The first thing to notice about Pastor Ron is the intense energy he brings to the ministry of Jesus Christ. Striding up the steps and across the stage to the pulpit Ron glances out over the congregation and we see the sparkle in his eyes and a smile. Then the energy and we feel his love for Christ, the church and the congregation rolling across us like a wave.
In addition to being Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian since 2009 Ron is also the organizing pastor of Word of Life Church in Port Hueneme. He has over 20 years experience of preaching, teaching and ministering to families and individuals in Santa Barbara and Ventura County.
Pastor Ron has taught “Positive Choices classes” in Oxnard schools and in the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Complex. He has worked in collaboration with local non-profit community-based organizations to train mentors for teens and to serve at risk youth and their families, providing opportunities for positive outcomes at school, home and the community. Ron Is a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor and is subcontracted by Ventura County Behavioral Health to teach Mental Health First Aid "from a faith perspective" to Ventura County's faith community.
Ron came to faith in the mid 80s and through God’s grace was rescued from a lifestyle of gang violence and drug addiction. He is an avid reader of theology and world history. Although he struggled during his early educational years, his college and seminary training (Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena) have proven to be a welcome challenge and have expanded his ability to produce biblically sound sermons and discipleship courses. He is as much at home on a Harley Davidson as he is in the classroom. When he is not involved in the community and church, he is a lover of the outdoors, especially long-range tuna fishing and camping.
Originally from Santa Barbara, he moved to Ventura County 18 years ago with his wife Veronica and their five children to launch a new church. Pastor Ron is devoted to reaching out to the community and encouraging people to turn their hearts back to God; their family; their local community; & to developing their God given potential. Pastor Ron and his wife currently reside in Santa Paula with their two youngest children.
Photos from left to right: Ron and his wife Veronica, Ron performing a baptism. Written by Elders at Word of Life Church and First Presbyterian
Pastor Bob Ramos Commissioned Ruling Elder First Presbyterian
First you notice the smile. Next the relaxed manner. Next comes his full attention and you realize he cares and is listening to you. This is Pastor Bob Ramos, the Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian. Attending his Friday afternoon Bible Study you discover he is an avid scholar. Listening to his message (either at the First Presbyterian Sanctuary or Veteran's Park) you discover that he firmly believes in our salvation through Christ and that God is indeed sovereign and working in our lives.
Bob came to faith in Christ his junior year in high school. God’s unconditional love upheld Bob as he dealt with growing up in an alcoholic family where love was conditional. From the day he accepted Christ into his life there was no turning back. He experienced the love of Christ day to day even in the midst of life’s challenges.
As an adult, Bob moved to Kansas where he pastored a Presbyterian Church. Later he returned to California attending Fuller Seminary where he earned his MDiv degree. During that time, he became involved with Young Life Ministry where he spent the next 20 years. Since 2008 he has shared the ministerial responsibilities with Pastor Ron at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Paula.
Bob feels that his gifts are teaching and preaching, pastoral care, and leading in worship. Being available to serve, to help people discover who they are in Christ Jesus, and encouraging them in their faith walk are his goals in ministry. Away from church his favorite things include hanging out with his daughter, playing guitar, or getting into the mountains to fish.
Pastor Bob’s favorite scripture is found in Philippians 1:6 where it says, “Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” The good news is that our lives are under construction and God is with us all the way.
Photo from left to right: Bob preaching at Veteran's Park, Bob at his Friday Bible Study, the congregation at Veteran's Park
Pastor Rob Schleef Commissioned Ruling Elder First Presbyterian Church
Rob is a transplant following nearly 25 years as a Commissioned ruling Elder in the Nevada Presbytery. In the early 2000s Rob met his wife, who lived in Ventura, at an Artist’s Retreat in Lake Tahoe. Suddenly Rob was spending two weekends a month in the Ventura area and they started looking for church, finally choosing First Presbyterian.
For over 15 years Rob continued in Nevada preaching the first Sunday of the month in Hawthorne (where he worked in upper management for the contractor operating the Hawthorne Army Depot) and the third Sunday of the month at the Presbyterian Church in Tonopah, Nevada. When he retired in 2016 Rob moved to Ventura full time giving up his commission in the Nevada Presbytery.
He was recommissioned as a Ruling Elder to First Presbyterian by the Santa Barbara Presbytery in 2024.
Photos: Rob in Sorrento, Italy, Rob and wife Priscilla at a monastery in Palermo, Sicily
Chris Buchanan Church Coordinator
If a microphone needs the sound adjusted Chris knows how to work the sound board. She programs the Media Shout program on the computer for worship. She also manages the church office along with a multitude of volunteers, prepares the weekly bulletins, keeps the schedules for the Session and Deacon Committees, and pinch hits as custodian from time to time. Her emphasis is always on showing others where things are and how to accomplish the daily tasks involved in managing a church.
She is an alto in the Chancel Choir, always has time to answer questions no matter how busy she is (and she is always busy), and able to manage multiple priorities keeping all under control. She even finds time to join the worship service at the park many Sundays. After retiring from the Santa Paula Elementary School District, God called, and she answered. Chris definitely has not learned how to do “retirement” yet.
Chris has been with First Presbyterian Church since 1972, a central feature in the church office since 2010, and Session Clerk since 2008.
Photos: Chris manning the PowerPoint during Praise Team rehearsal and someone has to take photos...all other duties as assigned.
Donna Nelson Pianist
For several years Donna has been the music behind the Half Notes and an active member of the church choir.
With the retirement of Nancy Austin Donna last spring stepped forward to take over the tasks of providing music for the regular church services. This includes the piano and the church organ.
And recently providing the Worship Outside music on her electric keyboard.
Penny Carlson Treasurer
For as long as most of us can remember Penny Carlson has been the person who has kept the church leadership aware of our church's financial status.
Penny is the church's accountant managing income ranging from tithes, to loose offerings, to grants and bequeaths, which she coordinates with the associated restricted and unrestricted funds to pay expenses.
