SMT Members
SCOTT VAN ESSEN, CHAIR
Scott has worked in sales & marketing in the technology industry since graduating with a business marketing degree from Biola University. As an alum of Christian education, he is passionate about excellent Christ-centered education and has witnessed the lasting Kingdom impact in the lives of his family and friends. Scott and Robin have been married 24 years and live in Santa Ana. Their two daughters are successful graduates of Calvary Christian School.
JOSH BENEDA, VICE CHAIR
Josh and his wife Jennifer have two children who have attended Calvary Christian School. He is grateful for how Calvary’s teachers invested in his children and prepared them well for high school. He is excited to serve on the ministry team because he is passionate about seeing the school continued success.
TIM MCAVENEY, ELDER
Tim and his wife Jenn have three children who attended Calvary Christian School from Preschool through 8th grade! His wife grew up at Calvary, and their three children represent 4th generation Calvary members. Tim and Jenn have attended Calvary Church together since moving back to California in 2005. Tim is a physician, working as a cardiologist in Anaheim with Kaiser Permanente. He maintains a busy clinical practice in addition to serving in a leadership role. He enjoys spending time with his family, playing and coaching basketball, skiing, and playing the guitar.
MICHAEL WELLES
Michael has been on staff at Calvary Church for over 20 years and currently serves as the Executive Pastor leading the administrative team focused on the facility and finances of the church and schools. Michael grew up attending a Christian school and his parents, sister, and wife Kelly have all taught in various Christian schools so he is a strong advocate for Christian education. His daughter attends Calvary Christian School and loves the teachers she’s had and the friends she has made. Michael and Kelly are so grateful for the investment of Calvary in their daughter’s life and look forward to having their second daughter attend when she’s old enough. Michael graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Biola University and an MBA from California State University of Fullerton. He also has his CPA license, teaches accounting classes at Biola, and serves on the boards of SIL International and Children’s Ministry Resources International.
Nadine Larsh
Nadine and her husband Rick have attended Calvary Church since 1997, and have 3 adult children.They were planning on putting their children through the public school system (since Nadine and her father and siblings were all educators), until their older son came home from Calvary Preschool sharing his bible verse of the day. That night they decided to enroll him at Calvary Christian School, the other 2 children followed suit. Nadine received her Bachelors in Physical Education from Cal State Fullerton and a Masters degree in Middle School Curriculum at Cal State San Bernardino. Nadine was a High School Physical Education Teacher in the Santa Ana Unified School District for 34 years. She retired from teaching in 2021. Being a part of the Public school system for so long, she has seen the vital need of a faith based education.
Lori Bauman
Lori has been a member of Calvary Church for over 30 years. She is a mom of 3 and is currently serving as a Mentor Mom in the Moms’ Ministry, Nurture. She worked at CCS for 9 years as an Instructional Aide and 4 years as the Yearbook Teacher. Her youngest attended CCS for K through 8th grade. She has a passion to see Calvary Christian School continue to succeed in training up the next generation of students to be strong academically and grow in their faith. She is excited to support and pray for the students as well as the amazing staff at CCS.
Chip Chop
Chip and his wife Janet live in Santa Ana and have attended Calvary Church for over 30 years. They have four adult children and 12 grandchildren. Two of their children attended Calvary Christian School from preschool through 8th grade. They now have 3 grandchildren attending Calvary Christian School. Chip has a certificate in manufacturing from Coast College. His background is in manufacturing and sales in the electronics industry. Chip now owns and manages rental properties in Orange County, Arizona, and Florida. He is a Life Group leader and co-president of the Encourager’s Class. Chip can see the benefits of his children attending Calvary School and has talked to many people about these benefits.
Alyssa Burgess
Alyssa has been a member of Calvary Church and involved with youth ministry since 2007. She is an alum of Calvary Christian School, Foothill High School, Point Loma Nazarene University and Fuller Seminary. (Can you tell she is passionate about Christ-centered education?) She currently works in full-time ministry and keeps busy as the Area Director for Tustin Young Life, as well as serves in several different leadership roles in the Southcoast Young Life Region. Alyssa is passionate about youth ministry because she believes there is no greater privilege than getting to walk alongside the next generation as they experience Christ and learn to grow in their faith. Some fun facts about her: she loves Jesus, the beach, reading, iced vanilla oat milk lattes and ALL things related to Christmas.
