Our Staff
Pastor was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and has been the pastor of Community since November 1989. Pastor graduated from Valparaiso University and Concordia Theological Seminary at Fort Wayne, Indiana. Prior to coming to Community, he served congregations in Tennessee and Arkansas. Pastor Vogelsang has served in various capacities at the circuit and district levels of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He also is a member of the Board of Directors at the Palomar YMCA in Escondido. Pastor and his wife, Christine, have been married since 1973. Their daughter, Carrie Anne, lives in San Diego, and their sons, Jacob and Noah, live and work in China.
Pastor Tom Meyer, San Marcos Campus
Tom Meyer grew up in Illinois and attended Concordia University Chicago and Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield. He has served congregations in Aurora, Colorado, Anaheim, California and Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also served as Executive Secretary - Parish Services for the Rocky Mountain District of the LCMS. He has served on regional, circuit, district and Synod committees. He retired as a full-time pastor in June 2011 and is currently serving Community at the San Marcos campus. Pastor Tom is married to Laurie and they have three grown children living in California, Texas and Illinois and nine grandchildren.
Vicar Joel Beyer, San Marcos Campus
Joel grew up in the tourist city of Hot Springs, Arkansas as the son of a Lutheran Pastor. He met his wife, Kristen, at Concordia University, Irvine, and they married in 2008. Joel served with Americorps for one year in Escondido before graduating from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2009. Joel is currently studying to become a pastor through the Cross-Cultural Ministry Center at Concordia University, Irvine and will graduate in 2013. Joel and Kristen are expecting their first child in March! Joel enjoys preaching, teaching, and leading worship for the San Marcos campus and is looking forward to all of the new people that he will meet as the campus grows.
, Director of Christian Education
Jim Meyer was born in Denver, Colorado and lived there until he moved to Anaheim, California for high school. Jim went to Concordia University in Irvine and graduated with a degree in Religious Studies. In 1999, Jim accepted the Call to Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood, Missouri, and in 2002, Jim accepted the Call to Community Lutheran in Escondido. Jim also has a Masters Degree in Family Life Education from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. Jim has had the opportunity to serve on both District Youth Gathering and National Youth Gathering committees. He loves working with families and the especially the youth of Community.
, Director of Christian Outreach
Kristen Beyer was raised in Newbury Park, California and married Vicar Joel in 2008. She graduated from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2009 with a degree in Christian Outreach. Joel and Kristen are expecting their first child in March! Kristen helps connect the church with the local community through service projects and assists new people in getting connected with our church. Kristen also teaches sixth-grade confirmation, young adults and adults.
Dayton was born in Oceanside, CA and raised in San Diego. He lives in Valley Center with his wife Maria, daughter Laura and son Dayton. As Deacon, he assists with ministerial duties as well as teaching. His hobbies include pretty much anything with wheels and an engine. Dayton also wants you to know that Jesus is real, that Jesus loves you and wants to know you better.
, Office Manager
Sarah was born in Whiteheath, England and came to the United States in November of 1980. She first came to Community in 1991 when they were meeting at Hidden Valley Middle School. Sarah is happily married to Graham, and they have four children and six grandchildren. If you have any questions or just need a splash of joy, call the church office and talk to Sarah.
, Preschool Director
Sharon grew up in Michigan and Ohio, but she has lived in or near Escondido most of her life. She has six wonderful children and five beautiful granddaughters, with a sixth grandchild on the way! Her teaching career began after graduating from San Diego State University, and she went on to teach all ages preschool through 9th grade. Sharon has been the Director of Community Lutheran Preschool since August 1995, where she says the entire staff is dedicated to nurturing the faith of their precious little students.
Donna Hinke, Ministries Coordinator
Donna is a Midwest girl, born and raised in Iowa where she met and went to school with her husband, Jeff. Donna has a degree in Sociology and years of experience as a volunteer. She thoroughly enjoys her job of helping new members become acquainted with Community’s many ministries and activities and teaching a Spiritual Gifts class which helps our members discover how God has gifted them and discern where He might be calling them to serve.
, Secretary
Debbie is California born and raised, has a rich Lutheran background, and is a P.K. (preacher's kid). Her parents are Rev. Chuck and Phyllis Rauschek (retired), who are members at CLC as well. She is a 1987 graduate of California Lutheran University with a degree in Business Administration. She was married in 1988 to her husband, Don, and they have two children, Jenna and Alex. You might recognize Debbie as the friendly face at the front desk and the cheerful voice on the phone!
, Drama Director
Chris was born in Appleton, Wisconsin. Chris graduated with a DCE degree from Concordia University, Irvine in 1987. He started directing in 1989 and has gone on to direct more than 50 productions over the past 20 years at middle schools, high schools, and community theaters. In 2006, Chris began his ministry here at Community, starting the Community Players Theatre. He is also the Drama Director at Murrieta Mesa High School.
Margaret Simonsen, Parish Nurse
Margaret has been a Registered Nurse for over 30 years and has practiced nursing in three states in a variety of settings including: Home Health Visitation, emergency clinics, doctors’ offices, and hospital units of Medical-Surgical, Intensive Care, Coronary Care, Emergency Department, and Operating Room. She attended Sacred Heart School of Nursing with an A.S. in nursing from Pensacola College, a B.S. in Health Science and Masters in Education from Chapman University. She also holds a Teaching Credential from National University. She has been a certified instructor for the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross. Margaret’s goal as a Parish Nurse is to teach and encourage emotional and physical well- being in harmony with spiritual goals. She is married to Weaver Simonsen and has a grown, married daughter.
, Media Manager
Julie is a life-long resident of Valley Center. She came to Community in 2010 through the drama ministry program when she played Liesl in “The Sound of Music.” She was baptized on March 13, 2011 and joined the staff shortly thereafter. You might see Julie filming events and activities around church to be made into video announcements and videos for the website.
, Marriage and Family Therapist, MFC #49789
Katy grew up in California and went to school at Valparaiso University where she earned a degree in Education. She lives in San Diego with her husband of seventeen years and two daughters. Katy received a Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy degree at the California School of Professional Psychology through Alliant International University. Katy is a licensed therapist in private practice located on campus at Community Lutheran Church and provides psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and families through a Christian perspective.
Pastor Mark Logid, Stephen Ministry Liason
Pastor Logid is from Minnesota. He graduated from Concordia, St. Paul, Minnesota and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He served as a Navy Chaplain for 22 years. Before joining the Navy, he was the pastor of two parishes in British Columbia, Canada. He and his wife of thirty years, Patricia, have three grown children and one grandson in Escondido. He has volunteered to equip our members in caring for each other through the Stephen Ministries program and to serve as a chaplain to the staff.
, Worship Leader at San Marcos Campus
James, an honorary native Escondidan, is father to 12-year-old Christian and is engaged to be married to his fiancée Danielle on Cinco de Mayo, 2012! After leading worship at various churches for over a decade, James is finally getting his degree in religion through Liberty University and is looking forward to his career in ministry. James was introduced to CLC through the Beyers and was made aware of the need for a worship leader at the church's new satellite location in San Marcos. He is working alongside the launch team in planning and preparing for the launch in 2012 and is so excited to be leading worship for the community of believers in San Marcos.
