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 / Downtown Lead
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 :)
Collette Conte / Downtown Lead
Where would you want to go on vacation? Greeve
Favorite local coffee shop: Communal
Significant verse / book: Matthew 17:20, “if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Favorite hobby / passion: Love a good activity especially if it’s outdoors. Crafting & DIY projects.
Random fact: I’m a triplet and they are my best friends!!!
What do you hope people know about your heart for Jesus & ministry? I love interacting with kids & rooting them in the truth in ways that are fun and exciting. My heart is to create a space where families feel connected, faith feels personal, and the basics of the Bible come to life.