Brandon Phillips has had a pretty interesting life. Growing up in South Orange County he was exposed to surfing and skating at a very young age. He came just short of going professional with his snowboard career as well, but two season-ending knee surgeries back to back side lined that, and he ended up working in the industry instead. He’s not someone many people would have seen becoming a pastor one day, especially not in his heyday of partying or team managing, but God had different plans than anyone would have expected.

The desire to start a church in Dana Point, where his family has such multigenerational roots, and where he has so much history, it makes sense. At surface level when thinking about Brandon you might think of a guy who is a talented surfer, skater, really whatever he just decides to do that day, but that’s just the surface. A layer down you think of a guy that when you go to Salt Creek half the beach seems to know him. Go to the skatepark, and Brandon is over yonder talking to some kid he just met about life and its troubles.

He was a young ripper kid, who worked in the industry, showed up at church stoned and looking for free doughnuts, had a wild transformation, and grew into a guy who just loves God and loves people. You might see him at the skate shop, gripping a board, going by the music store or at the beach with his family. Wherever you find him, make sure to say hi.