Leadership

Born and raised in CA, Darrin put his faith in Christ at age 21. He was not raised in a Christian home and considered himself agnostic until the witness of a close friend caused him to thoroughly investigate spiritual matters and begin reading the Bible. After coming to the Lord, Darrin began attending a West LA church called The Hiding Place. There, he discovered his call to ministry, and it is there he also met his wife and ministry partner Tamra and they married in 1994. Darrin enrolled at Trinity Theological Seminary and earned his M.A. in Pastoral Ministry in 1998. Beginning in 1997, Darrin served as an Assistant Pastor at Metro Calvary Chapel in Santa Monica for five years.  In 2002, Darrin, Tamra, and a team of leaders felt led to plant Sonrise Westside Community Church in the largely unchurched community of Venice Beach. At this time Darrin enrolled at Biola University and earned his M.A. in Christian Apologetics in 2006. For 20 years Darrin faithfully served as the Senior Pastor of Sonrise along with Tamra and a dynamic group of leaders. When God opened the door for them at Rock Harbor CF in 2022, they felt He strongly confirmed He had a new call for them to minister to the community and build up the church on the Central Coast for Christ.  They had always loved the Central Coast and had desired to live here for some time. Darrin and Tamra currently reside in Morro Bay.  Tamra works from home; their son Connor recently graduated from Cal Poly SLO and lives in Phoenix, AZ.  Their daughter Mackinley is a Biological Sciences major at UC Davis.  In their spare time, Darrin and his family are enjoying trying out the many eateries and exploring the natural wonders of the Central Coast!

Rob was born and raised in Madera, California.  Although he grew up in the church, but dedicated his life to Christ in November of 2011 while in college and began going on short term mission trips in San Jose and Mexico.  During his undergrad, Rob began serving as both a youth pastor and an associate pastor in Madera for over seven years.  Rob married his beautiful wife, Kelsey, in May of 2020 and moved to Morro Bay in December of 2021 when he was called to RHCF.  He finished Seminary in May of 2022 with a MA in Christian Ministry from Fresno Pacific University Biblical Seminary. Rob and Kelsey's son, Joel, was born in April 2023, and is a bundle of energy. Rob loves to serve others at church, at the disc golf course, with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and serves as the varsity offensive linemen coach at MBHS. 

John was born and raised in California, moving to Morro Bay in 2010. He and his wife, Diane, have a blended family of four beautiful daughters. John rededicated his life to Christ in 2006 and is passionate about living out 1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” John loves his family, being a grandpa, and being of service to the Lord and his church family as God “transforms him” (Romans 12:2)!

Diane Pallanes was born in Washington DC and gave her life to Jesus at the age of 10.  After she retired from a 30+-year teaching career, Diane was blessed to be able to live out a dream to move to Morro Bay with her husband, Associate Pastor John.  It is here that she discovered Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship in 2009 and began teaching the ‘Special Friends’ Sunday school class in 2012.  She became the Children’s Director in 2015 and has served until the present time (with a 9 month ‘sabbatical’ to teach 4th/5th grade at Christ Classical School in San Luis in 2023-24).

Diane wants all the children of Rock Harbor to know that each one of them was created especially by God, that God loves them passionately, and that Jesus wants to be their friend and Savior forever.  Diane loves being a mom and a grandma!

Proverbs 22:6:  “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Phil is a veteran of the Christian music industry, a Dove Award winning producer and songwriter, as well as former VP of Maranatha! Music and former A&R Director for Song Discovery/Worship Leader Magazine. He and his wife, Karen, have lived in San Luis Obispo since 2014. They have a son, Andre, who has graduated from Boston. Phil’s passions for music and worship community have found a perfect home at Rock Harbor. When he’s not serving at Rock Harbor, Phil enjoys cooking, looking busy at the gym and continuing his profession as a songwriter/producer.

Michelle was raised on the Central Coast, Morro Bay and grew up in the church. It wasn't  until she met her husband Garrett Schooley in 2004, and watched the Lord draw him close, that's when she truly began to live for Jesus. Currently, she has three children, Isaac, James, and Ruby. Over the course of the last 6 years, Michelle and her family have been serving the community by being Certified Foster Parents for San Luis Obispo County. This is a great Joy to their lives. Michelle enjoys people and has a great love for community.

Tru was raised on the Central Coast in Cayucos. She is currently on the Worship Team and a Youth Leader here at Rock Harbor. She is a college student studying in Business. Tru is extremely excited to help the church and continue to grow in her relationship with the Lord.

Kevin spent his childhood summers vacationing on the Central California coast and is a 1992 graduate of Cal Poly, later obtaining a Master of Divinity degree and serving as a youth and associate pastor. He and his wife, Kristi, are the parents of Kameron (born 1995) and Karlisle (born 1998 and married to Justin Holub since 2023). Kevin is currently the adult curriculum editor for Warner Press. He and Kristi moved to Morro Bay in 2019 and have been a part of Rock Harbor since 2022, where Kevin enjoys serving on the worship team.

After graduating from Cal Poly, Sandra married Mike in 1989 and worked for the City of Escondido, CA for 15 years. She left her position as Police Services Manager to raise and homeschool their two sons who are now in High School and College. Sandra and Mike hosted small groups, served on the prayer team ministry, and served in various children’s ministries at their former church home in Vista, CA where Sandra also worked as classroom coordinator, and lead worship in various adult and children’s venues. Sandra and her family moved to Morro Bay in 2016. Sandra’s family considers it a blessing to be part of the Rock Harbor family as they continue to pursue Christ and serve Him.

Born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ, Walt served with the United States Navy before settling in Visalia, CA, to enter the working world. After owning a hamburger stand for 11 years, he spent 23 years delivering Wonder Bread. Walt and his wife, Joanie, married in 1995, and retired to Morro Bay in 2011. Shortly thereafter, Walt and Joanie landed at Rock Harbor where Joanie now helps lead the Women's Ministry and Walt serves with the Open Arms food ministry as well as the Executive Board. They love their Rock Harbor family!

Joanne married Steve, her high school sweetheart, in 1977.  Over the years, they moved to several locations in California raising 2 daughters.  In 2003, they moved to Cayucos, where she continued her career in the educational field as a Manager in the Human Resources Department at Cal Poly.

Steve and Joanne immediately started attending Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship .  Joanne got involved serving as the Women’s Ministry Coordinator, as well as leading women’s Bible studies. Joanne currently loves counseling women and leading women’s Bible studies. She also teaches 1st-3rd grade in our Children's Ministry. She didn’t grow up in a Christian home, but accepted Jesus in 3rd grade. She recognizes the importance of teaching youngsters about Jesus.

She loves Rock Harbor and Jesus with her whole heart and shines His light wherever she goes.