Light Church was launched January of 2018 with Benji and Jen Horning, their four kids, and an amazing team of people committed to seeing the light, love and redemption of Jesus in Encinitas and beyond.
Benji Horning / Lead & Teaching Pastor
Where would you want to go on vacation? Europe
Favorite local coffee shop: Ironsmith or Philz
Significant verse / book: All of John Ch. 13
Favorite hobby / passion: spending time with my family, surfing, reading, running
Random fact: I love eating Frozen Haribo Gummy Bears with a cup of coffee (don’t knock it until you try it)
What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry? My greatest passion and hope is that people would come to know the mercy and love of Jesus and to be transformed by His love.
Jennifer Horning / Co-Pastor & Creative Director
Where would you want to go on vacation? Tokyo, Japan & Iceland are at the top of my list right now.
Favorite local coffee shop: Lofty
Significant verse / book: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Favorite hobby / passion: Music & painting
Random facts: I’m an Air Force kid, have been to 49 states (just need to get myself to Alaska), & I lived in Guam & Korea.
What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry? I look for the redemption of Jesus around every corner, and my greatest desire is to sow & notice his redemption wherever possible. I have a heart for creativity, music & storytelling within & outside of the church that reflects the heart of Jesus.
Brian Barnes / Downtown Lead & Teaching Pastor
Where would you want to go on vacation? Fjords in Norway
Favorite local coffee shop: Dot Café & Bump Coffee
Significant verse / book: Exodus 33 + Isaiah 61 + Luke 2:52
Favorite hobby / passion: Soccer, surfing, basketball, reading, cooking, listening to music
Random fact: I can recite the lyrics to almost every 90’s pop song.
What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry? I hope people know that my deepest desire is for others to truly know and love Jesus—not just intellectually, but intimately and personally. I’m passionate about training and equipping the saints for ministry because I deeply love and believe in the power and purpose of the local church.
Sarah Jamieson / Ministry Coodinator
Where would you want to go on vacation? A lively sun drenched town somewhere in the Mediterranean
Favorite local coffee shop: Bay Park Coffee
Significant verse / book: Romans 6, 7 & 8, Jeremiah 31:3, John 14:3…how many is too many?
Favorite hobby / passion: Travel, riding bikes on a sunny day, learning about the Bible & sharing the gospel
Random fact: I can recall every (most) popular song from the 2000’s (song title and artist) in the first 3 seconds of the song playing
What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry? He keeps getting better. The more you know and seek Jesus, the more you’ll find. The gospel is absolutely majestic! We are made righteous though Jesus and get to live forever under His smile :)
Lindsey Locker / Children’s Ministry Director
Where would you want to go on vacation? Honestly, send me anywhere. But I would LOVE to visit Thailand!
Favorite local coffee shop: Ironsmith or Bound
Significant verse / book: Isaiah 60 + Ezekiel 37
Favorite hobby / passion: Learning how to play new instruments, photography, playing in the ocean.
Random fact: I had multiple eye surgeries as a child, and a side effect of that was an inability to see 3D movie effects. So if I go to a 3D movie, it looks 2D to me!
What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry? My hope is that people would feel so overcome by the love of Jesus that they would yearn to share that love with those who don't know Him. There is nothing sweeter than bearing witness to someone falling in love with Him for the first time!
David Gabel / Executive Pastor
Where would you want to go on vacation? Anywhere with snow and chairlifts!
Favorite local coffee shop: Philz
Significant verse/book: Colossians 3, John 3:30, Romans 11:17
Favorite hobby/passion: Baseball, Fitness, Snowboarding and Cold Plunges! I love any opportunity to adventure with my family!
Random fact: My great-great grandfather invented the Jukebox
What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry: My wife (Brittany) and I have been married for 10 years. We have 4 amazing children: Raegan, Jordyn, Kayce and Chase. I try to learn all that I can about how to love Jesus from my kids. I got a degree in Business and Economics and worked in the marketplace for a decade before stepping into full time ministry. I often admire how God uses our past experiences for His purpose. I have a passion for raising kids to love the Lord, glorifing God through marriage and growing deeper in our individual friendship with Jesus.