church planting

Christy has been in the ministry for 30+ years. She planted and led a church for 11 years and has served in planting various churches around the world. She is an author, teacher, and loves serving local churches from various cultures. Christy has a passion for building healthy churches, advocating for mental health, and spending time encouraging leaders.

As the Lead Pastor of Friends Church Orange, Kyle Zimmerman cares deeply about people experiencing the redemptive love of Jesus through His work in their own lives. Having grown up and then working in The Church most of his life, Kyle has witnessed what happens when faith intersects culture: God's love heals, restores, and renews. Kyle's greatest thrill is seeing people encounter and wholeheartedly trust Jesus and live courageous lives of dependent faith who bring redemptive change to this broken world. Kyle has been on staff at Friends Church Orange for the past 4 years and lives in Irvine, California with his wife, Holiday. They have 4 children: Summer, Kade, Tate, and Cozy.

Emily spent the first 10 years of her adult life traveling around the nation leading worship. It was through this time that God broadened her vision of what He was doing and how He was working across the nation. She has spent time in multiple church contexts, from helping lead a small house church movement, to leading worship for  congregations of a few thousand. God has truly helped her uncover the value that churches of every size bring to their surrounding communities.  Emily has been married to her husband Johnny since 2013, and became a mom to their son, Forrest, in 2022. She is currently serving as a worship pastor at Yorba Linda Friends Church, and is excited for how God is continuing to use and grow the Friends movement. 

Rick is married to Lani and they have three adult children, two wonderful daughters-in-law and their 5^th grandchild on the way.  Rick enjoys playing hockey with his boys, hiking, camping and working in his garden.  He didn’t grow up going to church but after becoming a Christian in high school, he was all in.  Rick was on pastoral staff at Rose Drive Friends Church for 12 years before he was a part of planting Friends Community Church in Brea.

Lead Pastor for Canyon Hills Friends ChurchCarlos was born in Juárez, Mexico and raised in both Juárez and El Paso, Texas. He and his wife Olivia have been at Canyon Hills since 2000 and have three children: Carlos II, Ian, and Alexis.Along with overseeing the vision and mission of the church, Carlos is passionate about starting new opportunities for people to get to know Christ including new church plants, outreaches and missions.

John has been on Church Ministry staffs since 1988. He has served as a Worship Pastor, Associate Pastor, Executive Pastor, Church Planter, and Lead Pastor. John became a Recorded Friends Pastor in January 26, 2018 and presently serves as Lead Pastor at Corona Friends Church

In 1990 I married the cute boy who I had sat next to in speech class two years earlier, Rick Darden. I was a teacher for 4 years, including two years at Friends Christian School. In 1993 I earned the title of Momma. By 1998, I earned the official title of “boy mom”, to three handsome boys.  We attended Rose Drive Friends Church until 2002, when we planted Friends Community Church. I have been involved in a variety of ministries, my favorite being the Young Adults and Women’s Recreation.  Anytime I can include my passion for mentoring with my enjoyment of hiking, surfing or eating, is a bonus! I love the Church and always look forward to being involved wherever the Lord leads.