Choose a tab below to get to know both our staff and our elders
- Staff
- Elders
Staff
- Neal BensonLead Pastor, Elder
Neal has been on staff at Coastline since 2017. He is married to Charity, and they have three kids: Sophie, Leah, and Isaiah. Neal's favorite part about his role on staff is getting a front row seat to life change! He loves being a part of people finding the hope of Jesus and then watching Jesus transform their lives. When Neal is not at Coastline, you can find him fishing, hiking, snowboarding, or going on adventures with his family. A random fact that most people don't know about Neal is that he eats a banana almost every day at 10 AM.
- Doug MeyeTeaching Pastor
While Doug serves on the staff of Aspire Network as the Developing Pastors Lead, he is part of the teaching team at Coastline, where he served as an interim pastor for several months in 2007. He loves encouraging and coaching leaders and helping Jesus followers live on mission. Doug’s wife, Pat, founded the Renewing Life Center, and today she continues to do counseling and spiritual formation and direction through the Center. Their two adult children, David and Kristin, are both married, and currently live in Southern California. They love being with their one grandson, Axel, currently 2 years of age. Doug enjoys hacking at golf, fishing, and working in his yard. He also loves watching soccer highlights from the European soccer leagues on YouTube.
- Charity BensonFamily Ministries Director
Charity has been at Coastline for almost four years. There are so many reasons she loves serving at Coastline, but getting to connect with women at different ages and stages is her favorite part. It is so fun for her to get to meet with women and get to know them and then help them plug into this community of believers. She has been married for sixteen years to Neal . They have three kids, Sophie, Leah, and Isaiah, and they are in the middle school and elementary school phases of parenting. She is a huge beach fan so living in Ventura is the dream life. She enjoys sea glass hunting, reading, and coffee (which she considers to be a hobby!). A random fact about Charity is that she loves to travel outside of the US. She has been to at least twelve countries and can't wait to add more to that list.
- Ryan LafataWorship & Student Ministry Director
Ryan has attended Coastline since 2015 and serves in both youth and worship ministries. Working on staff at Coastline has been a blessing to Ryan. He loves being able to serve alongside creative and intuitive people and see how God has gifted each person with unique perspectives and incredible talents. He's been married since 2019 to his wife, Mika. They have a daughter, Willow.
- Mika LafataConnections Coordinator
Mika grew up in Camarillo and started attending Coastline in 2014. She has worked on staff at Coastline Bible Preschool as a Teacher in almost every class and as Admin since 2018. Currently, she is working as their Kindergarten teacher.
In addition to her work with the preschool, Mika joined the church staff in summer 2024 as our Connections Coordinator. Mika's favorite part of her new position is having the ability to help our guests and members find ways to be connected and feel welcomed in the church.
As the Connections Coordinator, it allows her to fulfill her passion in fostering community and building relationships within Coastline as she welcomes guests and finds ways to support our congregation.
She has been married to her husband Ryan since 2019, and together they have a daughter Willow, born in 2023. When Mika is not at the church, she loves to spend time at the beach, Disneyland, or Idaho with family. - Molly CarrollPreschool Director
Molly was born on Long Island, New York but grew up here in Ventura. She has been with Coastline since 2018. Her favorite part of her job is building relationships with parents, students, and teachers throughout the week at Coastline's Preschool. Molly’s son, Nathan, is currently serving with YWAM (Youth With a Mission), and she is incredibly happy to know that he loves Jesus. Her favorite activities are looking for sea glass on Ventura’s beautiful beaches, and going to concerts where she can dance and hear good music. Molly hopes to be able to visit Ireland one day.
- Dorothy GibsonFinancial Coordinator
The Gibsons have attended Coastline since 1992, and Dorothy joined the team in 2005. Her favorite part of serving at Coastline is seeing the awesome and mind-blowing ways God blesses His Church and His people. Dorothy has been married to Gordon for nearly 45 years, and their family of seven has grown to 16, with spouses and grandchildren! Her favorite activities are cooking, gardening and traveling. Dorothy has a goal of traveling to all 50 states, and she only has 8 left to visit.
- Glenn IrwinMaintenance
Glenn has worked for Coastline Bible Church for ten years. His favorite part about his job is getting to serve the Lord Jesus Christ every day! Glenn's family consists of his mom, Arlene, his fabulous fiancé, Sandra, and other relatives in San Diego. Glenn's favorite hobby is bicycling. Most people don't know that Glenn loves to just sit in silence and listen to God's Creation!
- Cecily BreedingCreative
Cecily and her husband Dusty have attended Coastline Bible Church since summer 2022, and she joined our staff in 2023, providing graphic design, social media management, website management, photography, video editing, and communications support for our staff and Sunday morning gathering. Her favorite part of the job is getting to use her creative skills to serve the body of Christ. Originally a Colorado girl, Cecily moved to the California coast to attend undergraduate at Pepperdine University, where she met and married her husband Dusty. When Cecily isn't working, you can usually find her at the local CrossFit gym or searching for a find at a thrift store or estate sale.
- Evan FonsecaMinistry Intern
Evan has been attending Coastline since 2023 and is serving as the new ministry intern here on staff. He is excited to join our staff as it is a great opportunity to learn and experience the ins and outs of what goes into Christian ministry. As a college student, he is passionate about reaching young adults to grow in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. Evan enjoys hiking, golfing, and spending time with friends and family.