Our Staff

 

Lead Pastor - Dave Lippman

Dave is a lover of Jesus, a friend, a leader, a listener, a tea-drinker, a song-writer, a spiritual director, and, of course, a pastor. Dave loves High Street Community Church and has been on staff since 2016 serving in a variety of roles, everything from office manager, to worship leader, to college/young adults lead, to preacher, to associate pastor, interim pastor, and is now the Lead Pastor! His favorite verse is Jeremiah 9:23-24 and is passionate about seeing God’s Word and His Holy Spirit integrated into our real-lives through sermons, meetings, prayer, teaching, and all of church life.

Dave is also a poet, an author, a loving husband, a father (finally!), and co-directs Soul-Care a nonprofit Spiritual Care ministry based at HSCC and Mount Hermon.

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Worship Director - Joe Strock

Joe came on staff here at High Street as director of worship in 2016 but has been in ministry for over 35 years. You can meet him most Sundays leading the congregation in worship from the piano or guitar. 

Since giving his heart and life to Lord in High School and later hearing a mountain top call to Ministry in 1997 he has been serving the church as worship leader and pastor. He is very grateful for the opportunity to serve here at High Street, a congregation seasoned with grace and encouraging friends. Many of the songs we sing together are musical prayers calling us deeper into a life of knowing and loving Jesus. This is what we are leaning into corporately week after week. 

Joe enjoys the outdoors where he finds God by the ocean, on the mountains, in the stars and under the redwoods. He also has a keen interest in health and functional fitness--walking, running, weight training and working outside. Joe lives in Aptos with his amazing wife Tricia who is a Physician's Assistant and their beloved Micah who will be entering the University this fall.

Kid’s Director- Sarah Lim

Sarah is a gentle, tenderhearted friend of Jesus, who loves spending time with children and teaching them about Jesus. During the week, she teaches 5th and 6th graders at Mount Hermon’s Outdoor Science School. She is also a nurse!

Sarah is passionate about living in community and intergenerational ministry, and she has a heart to see children and adults grow towards Jesus together. 

Some of her favorite things include running, the outdoors, learning to play guitar, sitting in coffee shops, chai tea lattes, game nights, and of course, babies and children!

Youth Director- Zionne Spagnuolo-Lee

Zionne is a new member as well as a newlywed here at High Street. She walked through our doors almost a year ago and expressed her passion to work with our Youth. One of her earliest dream jobs from a young age was to be a Christian camp counselor because she said growing up she admired their passion for Jesus as well as how joyful they were. “My mission working with the youth is for them to know how big of an impact they hold, and to encourage them to use their power for good," says Zionne. She also loves to surf, draw and send letters.

Youth Director - Gabriel Spagnuolo-Lee

Gabriel is a new member of the body of Jesus' church. Baptized in '22, He has since devoted his life to the study and pursuit of Truth through The Gospel that is the Son of God. Gabriel recalls that: "As a person, who experienced addiction starting at a young age, I realized that I also wanted to help people. Now through my own story of Healing and Salvation I am blessed by God to help those who are still struggling." Gabriel especially has a heart for young people who are living in this fallen world and believe there is no way 'onward and upward' for them.* 

A word of hope for Gabriel comes from the bible verse Romans 8:28

Gabriel enjoys: reading & listening to audiobooks, learning, playing games of shogi with his wife, ping pong, watching movies, surfing, and producing music. 

*(see Spurgeon sermon, 'Onward' Phil. 3:13,14)