News & Events

Senior Pastor Gary Watkins

Gary's passion is to lead people into God's presence and love in their lives. A graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, Gary served as Associate Pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana, CA for seven years before being called as Senior Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Huntington Beach, where he has now served for twenty years. Gary's engaging communication style and deep love for Jesus have been used by God to lead people into a deeper intimacy with Jesus Christ.

Married for 28 years, Gary and his wife Susan have two grown children, Grayson and Janna, a chemist, living in Santa Barbara.  When not doing ministry, Gary and Susan enjoy traveling, tropical islands, skiing and scuba diving.

Associate Pastor William (Bill) Welch

Bill's heart for the Lord started with a rich Christian heritage in a strong Christian family here in Newport Beach, California. He previously pastored Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church in Oakhurst, California, where God had called him to be the organizing pastor of a church in a small town near Yosemite National Park. While under his leadership, worship attendance grew from 40 to 500. Bill received his undergraduate degree from Westmont College, and received both his Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.

Bill and his wife Chris have been married for 38 years and have two grown and married daughters.  Family has always been Bill's "hobby."  When he has any spare time he loves to sail and is a great sports enthusiast.