Meet Our Ministry Staff
Kevin and Mary Mains serve as the senior ministry couple at the Orange County church of Christ. Both were baptized while students at the University of Cincinnati in 1980 and 1978. They have served in the full time ministry for 27 years and have been married for 26 years. They have two children, Stuart and Olivia. Both are disciples of Christ in the Orange County church. Stuart and his wife Ashley serve as the College Ministry couple and Olivia leads a family group of campus women as she finishes her college career at Cal State Fullerton. Kevin and Mary have served in the ministry in Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Glendale, Long Beach, Palos Verdes and now Orange County.
Scott & Danielle Sweeney moved to Orange County from New England 5 years ago to lead our North County Marrieds Ministry. They met in the campus ministry in Boston and fell in love when they planted a church in Burlington, VT. They have two fun-loving and passionate kids: Chloe, 12, and Connor, 10.
Scott is from South Florida and played football at Harvard University. He enjoys sports, bonding with the kids, and has recently taken to deer hunting in Kansas. Danielle grew up in Huntington Beach and attended Boston College. She enjoys yoga, sports – especially watching her kids play, the beach, sunsets and dolphins. Scott’s current favorite passage is Haggai 2:23[1] and the entire book of Proverbs. Danielle likes Zephaniah 3:14-17[2] and the book of Ecclesiastes
Richard and Shannon Buckner lead our EDGE (Singles) Ministry. Richard entered the ministry in 2004 as a campus intern and started full-time after his graduation from Chapman University. Shannon graduated from Cal State Fullerton and has been in the ministry since 2005. The Buckners were married June 2006 and have previously led both the college and the teen ministry. Richard and Shannon welcomed the birth of her first child Brysen Valor Buckner in 2011. A great date night for them includes venturing to a restaurant that serves “exotic” food and then settling in to watch a cheesy 80’s movie.
Dave and Deb Eskew lead the Orange County Youth and Family Ministry. They have been married for over 20 years and have two high school-age daughters who have been baptized into Christ. Dave and Deb became Christians as college freshmen while part of the Chicago Church of Christ campus ministry.
Dave works as an IT Project Manager at Aon Hewitt and Deb works part-time for the church as an event planner and administrative assistant. Dave was appointed an elder in the congregation in February of 2011.
When not taxiing their kids to soccer and lacrosse matches all over Southern California, Dave & Deb enjoy spending time together at the gym, at the movies or at their Laguna Niguel home with the star of the family – Sammi the dog.
Stuart and Ashley Mains lead the College Ministry. They have grown up in the church and both graduated from UCI. They were married in June of 2009. Both love sports and live a very active life together. Stuart’s passions include graphic design and film editing, which come in handy as he leads the campus. When Ashley relaxes she likes to cook and bake. Stuart enjoys her hobby as well—not by participating but by enjoying the end products! They absolutely love the college ministry and are very grateful to be where they are.
Ryan Weekley and Virginia Neel lead our Teen Ministry, which is a part of the Youth and Family Ministry. Ryan is from San Diego and moved to Orange County after graduating from the University of Nevada. Virginia’s dad is a golf pro here in Southern California and she recently graduated from UCI. And in March of 2011 Ryan and Virginia got engaged!
When he has the time Ryan will hit the volleyball court or catch a game on TV. Virginia loves a good book. Her recent favorites are Hunger Games and A Deeper Kind of Calm. They are especially suited for the Teen Ministry since they both grew up in the church. Virginia’s favorite scripture is Job 11:13-18[3], and Ryan’s is 1 Corinthians 15:58[4].
Dan and Candice Roditi lead the South County Marrieds group. They have served in the ministry for almost 12 years. They both became Christians while in college in 1997. Their romance began in the College Ministry as students at UCI. They have led both the College and Teen Ministries in years past. Daniel and Candice are very busy with their two kids but make time for running and other sports. They will be celebrate their 9th anniversary this June.
Dr. Jaime De Anda directs our missions ministry. He and his wife Mimi grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They have been married for 33 years and have five children, a daughter-in-law and two grand-daughters. Jaime and Mimi became Christians in Boston in 1982, where Jaime obtained a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from MIT in 1985. After a few years working as a scientist, Jaime entered the fulltime ministry.
In 1987 the De Andas helped to plant the Mexico City Church. In 1990 they planted the church in Guadalajara, Mexico, and then in 1991 they planted the Puerto Rico Church of Christ.
Jaime has served as an elder for the South Florida Church of Christ and is currently the president of Mexico and Central America Missions. He provides biblical teaching, family counseling and administrative advice to nearly 40 churches in Mexico and Central America. In addition to his mission work, Jaime is also a Professor of Chemistry at Cypress College and Saddleback College in Orange County.
Jaeho and Misook Park lead the International Ministry. Jaeho is also one of the elders in the church. Jaeho became a Christian as a student at University of Rhode Island in 1989. He went out with the mission team to Asia in the same year. There he met his Misook and they worked together in the mission field for 14 years. They have served in the ministry together since 1991. In 2003 he moved with his family to Orange County. Their two children, Jiwoo and Jiah have both made Jesus the Lord of their life. Their favorite passage of the Bible is Romans 8:28.