Dave & Amy Polus
Senior Pastors
Dave and Amy Polus have been married for 23 years and have five children: Jonathan, Christian, Cara, Luke and Abigail. Dave and Amy became Christians as college students at Michigan State University (MSU) in 1981 and decided to sacrifice their careers upon graduation in order to pursue vocational ministry. They served as campus ministers at MSU and several other campuses in Michigan, and then became state directors.
In 1994 they moved to Austin, Texas and Dave served within Champions for Christ as the Director of Operations. In 1998 they added the role of associate pastors of Morning Star Christian Church of Austin. In 2002 they became the pastors of Morning Star of the Valley which moved into its present location in Studio City and became Morning Star Studio City.
Dave and Amy hold bachelor degrees from MSU and Dave earned a Masters Degree in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. They have a passion to see people from all ethnicities, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds come to Christ and worship God together in the church, the family of God.
In 1994 they moved to Austin, Texas and Dave served within Champions for Christ as the Director of Operations. In 1998 they added the role of associate pastors of Morning Star Christian Church of Austin. In 2002 they became the pastors of Morning Star of the Valley which moved into its present location in Studio City and became Morning Star Studio City.
Dave and Amy hold bachelor degrees from MSU and Dave earned a Masters Degree in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. They have a passion to see people from all ethnicities, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds come to Christ and worship God together in the church, the family of God.
Raymond & Donna Magsaysay
Executive Pastor
Raymond Magsaysay is our Executive Pastor and Small Groups Pastor. He has been married to Donna since 1996 and they have three boys, Vito, Juliano, and Inigo. They immigrated here from the Philippines in 2004. He is a graduate of ENLI 1 and 2 wherein he was class valedictorian. He was also actively involved in the Victory churches in the Philippines as a point person for Victory Biz - a ministry that reaches out to the business community. Donna is also a 1st year ENLI graduate. Both Raymond and Donna are leading small groups for couple's and single's. Their passion is to glorify God by advancing His kingdom, training leaders and raising disciples of Jesus Christ.
Raul & Kim Ortiz
Youth Pastor / Music Arts Director
Raul has been a member of Morning Star Studio City for 10 years. After graduating from UCLA he attended the Every Nation School of Campus Ministry in 2003. After completing the school he joined the staff as the full time youth pastor along with his wife Kim.
Kim has been a member of Morning Star Studio City since 1992 when she was a college student at UCLA. After receiving her degree in music she spent 4 years in the inner city of Camden, New Jersey ministering to youth. She returned to join the college outreach team at UCLA and served on the worship team. She is currently the worship leader and fine arts director along with co-leading the youth ministry with Raul.
Raul and Kim have been happily married since 2000 and they currently live in Reseda with their two wonderful boys, Jordan and Ryan.
Kim has been a member of Morning Star Studio City since 1992 when she was a college student at UCLA. After receiving her degree in music she spent 4 years in the inner city of Camden, New Jersey ministering to youth. She returned to join the college outreach team at UCLA and served on the worship team. She is currently the worship leader and fine arts director along with co-leading the youth ministry with Raul.
Raul and Kim have been happily married since 2000 and they currently live in Reseda with their two wonderful boys, Jordan and Ryan.
Website: http://www.live180.com
Tim & Blanca Ma
CSUN Campus Directors
Timothy Ma is a campus minister here at Morning Star Studio City. He has a passion to see the future leaders reached today, by ministering on the college campus. Timothy is the campus director for Every Nation Campus Ministries at California State University of Northridge(CSUN). He graduated from CSUN in 2003 with his degree in Business Management. He is also an alumnus of the Graduate School of Campus Ministry in conjunction with Fuller Seminary (2004). Timothy was born and raised in Honolulu, HI and has been here in Southern California since 2001. He is happily married to his wife Blanca, and they currently reside in the Valley.
Website: http://www.myspace.com/catalyst_csun
Leo J. Clark
AriseHollywood Director
Leo hails from Sacramento, CA. He received his BA in Business Management in 1997. Leo played pro basketball for several years before becoming a professional model in New York. In 2003 He moved his family here to Los Angeles and has enjoyed success in the entertainment industry both commercially and theatrically. Leo's vision is for Christians to be excellent in their representation of godly character and true spirituality within the arts and entertainment industry.
Email: leoj43@gmail.com
Website: http://www.arisehollywood.com
Angela Ledbetter
Finance Director
Angela was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. She graduated from the University of Santo Thomas with a Certificate in Secretarial Science and Colegio de San Juan de Letran with a degree in Accounting. She passed her CPA exams in the Philippines. Angela was originally a member of the second Victory church planted in the Philippines in 1985. Thru God’s leading, she moved to the United States in 1987. After working for two private companies, Angela joined our staff in September 1997. She serves in many areas, including office management, financials, human resources, hospitality, events planning and intercession aside from being Pastor Dave’s secretary. Angela’s favorite hobbies are baking, cooking, teaching cake decorating and watching classic movies.
Sucel Samonte
Pastoral Services Director
Sucel is joyfully married to Deng Samonte and have two lovely daughters, Gen and Ella. As a family, they have been missionaries to Bangladesh, Vietnam and Cambodia. At first, Sucel resisted going to the United States.“A first world country doesn’t need us!” she responded as Deng shared an open opportunity in America. However, God’s Word spoke to Sucel’s heart, “Tell ALL nations that God is good!”
Sucel Samonte is a board certified Biblical Counselor and also holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration as well as a Bachelors Degree in Visual Communication.
Now as Morning Star Studio City’s Pastoral Services Director, Sucel enjoys loving and caring for each member and meeting their needs. She is also committed to help struggling individuals, couples and families become healed from their confusion and distress. She desires to see everyone fully enjoy the abundant life that Jesus Christ is offering each one of us.
Sucel Samonte is a board certified Biblical Counselor and also holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration as well as a Bachelors Degree in Visual Communication.
Now as Morning Star Studio City’s Pastoral Services Director, Sucel enjoys loving and caring for each member and meeting their needs. She is also committed to help struggling individuals, couples and families become healed from their confusion and distress. She desires to see everyone fully enjoy the abundant life that Jesus Christ is offering each one of us.
