Staff
Rev. Dr. Brian James Tipton
Pastor
Rev. Dr. Brian J. Tipton began serving as Lead Pastor of Laguna Country United Methodist Church in July 2026. He brings a deep love for Christ, a passion for teaching, and a commitment to helping churches become places where people experience God's grace and are empowered to share that love with the world.
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Brian comes to Laguna Country after serving as Shared Teaching Pastor for Community United Methodist Church in Huntington Beach, Mesa Verde United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church of Costa Mesa, and Christ Church by the Sea in Newport Beach. In those congregations, he focused on preaching, teaching, building connections between churches, and leading ministries of justice, compassion, and community engagement.
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A lifelong learner, Brian holds a Ph.D. in New Testament and Early Christianity from Drew Theological School, where he also earned his seminary education. His research explores the Gospel of Mark through the lens of creation care and ecology, reflecting his passion for connecting Scripture with the pressing needs of today's world. He is currently preparing his dissertation for publication.
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Ordained as a Deacon in the United Methodist Church, Brian embraces the Deacon's calling to serve as a bridge between the church and the world. He believes the church is at its best when it opens its doors wide, listens well, serves compassionately, and invites all people to experience God's transforming love.
Brian is joined in ministry by his wife, Christine, a science specialist in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, and their two daughters, Elia and Alexandra. As a family, they enjoy spending time outdoors, gathering around homemade meals (often prepared by Brian on the barbecue), and building meaningful relationships within the church community.
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Pastor Brian is excited to walk alongside the people of Laguna Country as together they seek God's leading, grow in faith, care for one another, and share Christ's love throughout Laguna Woods and beyond.
Ashleigh Kelly
Director of Administration
Children &Youth Ministry
Growing up in the Methodist church Ashleigh comes to us with a profound passion for connecting the church and the community. Drawing from her robust background in communications and media arts, she is well-versed in the latest trends and best practices in church administration.
Ashleigh's expertise extends beyond administration, as she has also excelled in the field of communications and youth ministry in the Methodist Church for over 20 years. With a strong grasp of effective storytelling, she has played an integral role in conceptualizing and executing impactful campaigns for the church. Her ability to articulate our church's mission and values through compelling narratives will undoubtedly amplify our message within the digital realm.
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When she is not serving in ministry you can find Ashleigh redecorating the house, playing with power tools, or eating sushi with her husband Steve and her 4 kids, Sadie, Chandler, Dermott, and Bray.
Richard Warne
Music Director
Richard serves as Laguna Country United Methodist Church's Music Director, leading the choir, handbell choir, and all aspects of the church's music ministry. With a lifelong passion for music and decades of experience in church ministry, he believes music has the power to bring people together and deepen our worship.
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A Southern California native, Richard knew from an early age that music would be his calling. He began playing piano as a child, performed publicly at age 10, and started serving as a church organist when he was just 11 years old. His path eventually led him to the USC School of Music and a more than 40-year ministry as Music Director at Hollywood United Methodist Church.
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Richard joined Laguna Country UMC in 2011 after what he describes as "an accident"—a first-time visit that quickly led to playing for a funeral, then accepting the position of Music Director. Since then, he has faithfully led and expanded the church's music ministry, inspiring singers and musicians of all experience levels.
Richard's favorite part of ministry is helping people discover the joy of making music together. He believes everyone has something valuable to contribute and often reminds us that, like the spokes of a wheel, we are strongest when we come together with Christ at the center.
Roger Gillette
Maintance Tech
Roger serves as Laguna Country United Methodist Church's Maintenance Technician, caring for our campus and helping keep our facilities safe, welcoming, and running smoothly. From electrical and plumbing repairs to heating, cooling, and general maintenance, Roger enjoys solving problems and finding practical solutions. His motto is, "If I know how it works, I can fix it."
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Roger joined LCUMC after successfully diagnosing and repairing the church's furnace. Impressed by his skill and dedication, the Trustees invited him to join the staff. He is known for his willingness to help wherever needed and for the extra care he gives to maintaining our church campus.
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Originally from North Carolina, Roger and his wife, Robin, now live just minutes from the church. In his free time, Roger enjoys traveling in their RV and exploring new places together. He says his favorite part of the job is the people and the opportunity to make a difference every day.
Joe Pring
Custodian
Joey has faithfully served as Laguna Country United Methodist Church's Custodian since 2010, caring for our campus with dedication and pride. From keeping the sanctuary and classrooms clean to maintaining floors, carpets, windows, and restrooms, Joey helps ensure our church is a welcoming place for everyone who walks through its doors.
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Born in the Philippines, Joey came to the United States in 1983 and became a member of Laguna Country UMC in 1991 after seeing the church while living nearby. Methodism has been part of his family for generations—his great-great-grandfather was a Methodist bishop in the Philippines, and a niece serves as a Methodist pastor in Dubai.
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Joey is the proud father of three children and grandfather of ten. When he's not working, he enjoys traveling and spending time with family. He says his favorite part of his job is feeling like he is "one of the family" at LCUMC.
Joey's favorite Bible verse is John 3:16, and his encouragement to our congregation is simple: "Love your neighbor. Don't hate anybody. Don't hold a grudge."