Staff
Joe De Leon - Leader, Church Starting Group
Email JoeJoe's primary responsibility is supervising church starting specialists in California. He also coordinates all matters relating to directors of associational missions and is staff liaison for the Committee on Committees.
He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Corpus Christi in Texas, and a master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also completed the doctoral courses at Talbot and Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminaries with emphasis in marriage and family counseling, evangelism and church administration.
He served as a senior pastor in California, Arizona, and Texas for 27 years, and was a Southern Baptist missionary in Russia for 10 years. He has served California Southern Baptists since 2001.
He is married and has two children and five grandchildren.
Joshua Smith - African-American Church Starting Specialist
Email Joshua
Joshua Smith serves as African-American church starting specialist for California Southern Baptist Convention. His primary responsibilities are to formulate and implement strategies to start new African-American churches. He is also responsible for recruiting and supervising office staff and church starting strategists. Additionally, he serves as a ministry resource consultant for CSBC African-American churches throughout the state.
Joshua earned a bachelor’s degree at Jamaica Bible College, Mandeville, Jamaica; M. Div. and D. Min. Ed. degrees at Luther Rice Seminary/University; certificates in Clinical Pastoral Education from SBC Seminary Extension; and a Ph. D. (Doctor of Philosophy in General Education) at Capella University.
Prior to joining CSBC in January 2008, Joshua served as Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Hebrew History, and Applied Science at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, FL; and instructor of Old Testament and Eschatology at Bethlehem School of the Bible in Malvern, PA. He also served as professor of Old Testament and Principles and Practices of Bible Teaching at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary Contextualized Leadership Centers in Vacaville, CA.
Joshua and his wife Connie have three children.
Anthony Ahaev - Language Church Starting Specialist
Email AnthonyTony's primary responsibilities are to formulate and implement strategies to start new ethnic/language churches. He also is responsible for recruiting and supervising office and field staff. Additionally he serves as a ministry resource consultant for CSBC Service Area 9, Orange County and San Diego Southern Baptist Associations.
Ahaev was born in Germany to Russian parents. He grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After immigrating to the United States, he was saved, baptized and licensed to preach at the Russian Baptist Church of Erie, PA and was ordained at the First Baptist Church of Winnfield, LA.
Ahaev has a bachelor of arts degree from Louisiana College, a master of divinity degree from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, and a doctor of ministry degree from California Graduate School of Theology. He also has an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and Odessa Theological Seminary. He is fluent in English, Russian and Spanish and has served as pastor of Anglo, Hispanic and Slavic churches.
He is married and has a daughter and son. He has served in this capacity since 1990.
Ross Shepherd - New Church Starting Specialist
Email RossRoss' primary responsibilities are to develop strategies for and facilitate the starting of new Anglo and English-speaking multi-ethnic churches in cooperation with California Southern Baptist churches and associations.
In so doing, Ross counsels, encourages and works with church and associational mission leaders in starting new works, as well as recommending pastors (church planters) for those church starts. He also works in concert with strategists across the state to constantly survey areas for new work and maintains updated goals, priorities, and places for new church starts.
He has served several churches in the United States and has planted churches in Russia and Cuba. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Grand Canyon University; masters’ degrees from Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, both in Texas; and a doctor of ministry degree from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, CA.
He has served California Southern Baptists since November 2005.
Barbara's primary responsibility is to assist the leader of the Church Starting Group. She also is responsible for registering those attending the State Staff/DOM Conference, the Developing and Managing People Workshop (formerly Supervision Training), and other Church Starting Group events. She has served California Southern Baptists since November 2002.
Vera's primary responsibility is to assist strategists of the Language Church Starting Team, directors of missions and pastors in starting new works. Vera has served California Southern Baptists since 1996.
Diana's primary responsibilities are to assist African-American and New Church Starting Teams. Diana has served California Southern Baptists since February 2001.
Michelle's primary responsibility is to support the administrative function of the Church Starting Group. Michelle has served California Southern Baptists since November 2004.
