Meet the Team

Nate is the Lead Pastor at Anthem Chapel.

Pastor Nate was born in Texas but has spent over half his life in California. He graduated from UCSB in 2001 with his Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. He went on in 2023 to get a Masters of Applied Biblical Leadership from Western Seminary. After 19 years of ministry at Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara, the Lord called Nate to plant a church in the town he has called home for the last 25 years, Goleta. Pastor Nate’s passion is to share the Gospel with the lost, and equip believers to impact the world around them for Jesus.

Pastor Nate married his wife Allison in 2004 and they have four wonderful children, Ava, Hudson, Beau and Cash. As a family they enjoy going to the beach, electric bike riding, playing sports and wakeboarding. The Wagner fam loves to have fun!

Lars is the Executive Pastor at Anthem Chapel.

Pastor Lars was born in Ohio. Lars attended the University of Cincinnati, graduating with degrees in Sociology and Anthropology. He attended graduate school at the University of California Santa Barbara graduate program specializing in communication and early childhood development, earning his doctorate in Sociology in 2006. He went on in 2023 to get a Masters of Applied Biblical Leadership from Western Seminary.
Pastor Lars was called into full time ministry at the beginning of 2006 at Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara. Pastor Lars believes that Jesus is hope for the world. He is excited about Anthem Chapel impacting Goleta and UCSB with the life-transforming gospel of Jesus.

Pastor Lars has been married to his beautiful wife Emily since 2007. They have four beautiful daughters, Lydia, Lindy, Isla, and Gloria.

Erin is the Director of Children’s Ministry at Anthem Chapel.

Erin was born in Long Beach, CA and has lived in the Santa Barbara area most of her life. She attended Westmont College and graduated with a degree in Communication Studies and continued in Early Childhood Education at Santa Barbara City College. Erin worked as the Children’s Ministry assistant at Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara for 6 years before stepping down to stay home with her two boys. Erin is so excited to get back into ministry! She feels so blessed to be able to love on the kids of Anthem Chapel. Her heart is to continually show them the light of the Lord so they can be lights of Jesus to others to show them His eternal love for the world.

Erin married her college sweetheart, Justin, in 2010 and they have three boys, Decker, Jax and Ames. They enjoy traveling as a family, homeschooling, and enjoying this beautiful community.

Michaela helps run the Children’s Ministry at Anthem Chapel.
 
Michaela was born and raised right here in Goleta, CA. She attended Santa Barbara City College for two years then transferred to California State University Channel Islands where she studied Liberal Arts with the intent of being a teacher. After taking seven years off to be a full time mom, Michaela has enjoyed working part-time for Anthem since 2019. She enjoys being able to provide support to our pastors and children’s ministry director. Her heart is to love, nourish, and connect the community and faith family of Anthem Chapel.

Michaela and her husband Aaron have four children, Camilla, Wesley, Lucy and Frank. 

Gabrielle is the Children’s Ministry Assistant at Anthem Chapel.
 
Gabrielle is a Santa Barbara local, and has been apart of Anthem’s church community since the very start. While she’s currently in school to be a midwife, she works part time as Anthem’s children ministry assistant since 2021, and helps lead our 4-6th ministry (TNT).
Her heart is to support families and equip 4-6th graders to deepen their relationship with Jesus and confidently walk in their faith!

Ken is the 4th-6th Grade Ministry Director at Anthem Chapel.

Ken grew up in Isla Vista and in 1971 his family moved to Goleta where he attended and graduated from Dos Pueblos High School. At the age of 39 Ken was “Born Again” and became a follower of Jesus and has had a passion to learn, share and teach ever since. Ken studied at Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta, California from 2000-2008. Ken continues to be a student of the Bible attending numerous conferences each year, engaging in online teachings and educational courses. He has served as Pastor/Teacher at Quail Valley Bible Church and Shepherd’s Field Home Fellowship, and led several short term mission trips throughout California, Mexico, and China.

Ken met his wife Cherryl at Safe Harbor Christian Fellowship in Temecula, where he was an elder and youth pastor. They were married in 2006 and together serve faithfully at Anthem Chapel!

Rhett is the Youth Director at Anthem Chapel.
 
“Ranger Rhett” is a native of Goleta.  He has enjoyed working and serving in the church and in missions for as long as he can remember, and has been a part of Anthem Chapel from the very beginning. Rhett has a heart for youth to be discipled and transformed by the power of Jesus Christ.
 
Rhett and his wife Kailey got married in 2020, and have three children: Riley and twin boys Wyatt and Fritz.

Monty is the Jr. High Pastor at Anthem Chapel.

Monty was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. He experienced God’s love as a child and grew up worshipping Jesus. Monty attended UC Santa Barbara where he served as a student leader with Cru and Jesus Burgers. He graduated in 2020 with degrees in History and Religious Studies. Monty spent the next two years coaching P.E. and after school sports at Providence Elementary School and serving on the leadership team at Isla Vista Church. Since childhood, Monty has been blessed by strong Christian communities with mentors and friends who cared about him and consistently showed up in his life. His decision to enter full time ministry comes from a heart to glorify God by returning that blessing to the next generation.

Brandon is the Worship Director at Anthem Chapel.

Brandon is a worship leader/songwriter from Orange County and has been leading worship since he was 15 years old. He has a passion for music and a heart for raising up the next generation of young leaders through worship. Brandon is still involved in various worship movements across Southern California.

Allison is the Women’s Ministry and Events Director at Anthem Chapel.

Allison was born and raised in Orange County and married her first boyfriend, Pastor Nate. Allison has been in ministry for 20 years alongside her husband, Nate, and has enjoyed the highs and lows and everything in between that comes with serving the Lord. Allison and Nate have 4 kids: Ava, Hudson, Beau, and Cash. In her free time, Allison loves to play pickleball, be with friends, go to the beach, and go on dates with Nate. Allison counts it an honor and joy to serve the women at Anthem Chapel and the beautiful body of believers at Anthem.

Courtney is the Administrative Assistant at Anthem Chapel.

Courtney grew up in Los Angeles where she began following Jesus at a young age thanks to her parents, a local church, and a summer camp in the mountains called Hume Lake. She attended Westmont College for her undergrad and Fuller Theological Seminary for her Master’s in Marital and Family Therapy. Her career has mainly been focused on working with children with special needs and their families both in the therapeutic and social work fields. Throughout her life, Courtney has served both vocationally and as a volunteer for local churches holding positions in youth and women’s ministry. Courtney’s heart is to know Jesus and to make Him known and is it is her joy to help do that with Anthem’s team.

Courtney is married to her husband, DJ, and has two sons. You can catch her and her boys on the beach (along with their dog, Squid) cheering on DJ, their favorite surfer.