We welcome you to get to know us around the Crystal Cathedral.
There are many people who help with the success of the Crystal Cathedral.
- Find out more about:
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Sheila Coleman
Director of Ministry and Mission
Sheila Schuller Coleman is the Director of Ministry and Mission at the Crystal Cathedral. Sheila is the firstborn child of Robert H. Schuller, the Founding Pastor of the Crystal Cathedral. Sheila has had a diverse
career as a published author (curricula, children's books, devotionals, and books on family), a public school teacher, and most
recently as a private Christian school administrator for over 13 years. As such, her life has been intertwined with families of
all ages in multiple capacities. As a Christian leader she has mentored teachers, principals, preschool directors, youth pastors,
and children's pastors. Sheila has an Ed. D. in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of California,
Irvine. Sheila and her husband, Jim, have been happily married for almost 30 years. They have four grown sons who are involved
in their own careers and academic pursuits.
Pastor Jim Kok
Director of Care Ministries
Care Ministry
Jim Kok has been a Pastor of the Crystal Cathedral Congregation since 1984. His focus is Care Minstries.
This includes responding to the illnesses, and other serious crises, in the lives of the church members and others.
The Ministering Elders of the church are part of his response team. They stay in touch with the members of the church,
and reach out to them in times of heartache and concern. Communicating the love of Christ, as a healing presence,
motivates this ministry.
Care Ministries, and Pastor Jim Kok, also embrace the Seniors. Jim Kok's passion is seeing to it the older
members of the church are not forgotten and unappreciated. A lively and entertaining monthly program called "50+ Prime
Time" facilitates communication, contact, and care for this group of wonderful people.
A grandfather of eight, which includes two young girls adopted from China, enriches the lives of Jim and his wife Linda.
Their four adult children live in Michigan and California.
Linda is a retired Kindergarten teacher, now teaching piano at "The Academy" of The Crystal Cathedral.
Writing is a significant part of Jim's life. He has authored six books. They are Family at Work-a
book about family relations. There is No Such Thing as Over the Hill - a pleasantly provocative book about
life after age 65. His thoughts, on living with the death of a dear one, are contained in Waiting for Morning
(Seeking God in Our Suffering). His most popular books are 90% of Helping is Just Showing Up an
essential for every Christian who wants to support the hurting; also The Miracle of Kindness a strong
motivator and instructor for every Christian. He has also authored The Pastoral Counseling Treatment Planner.
The Care Ministries quarterly publication The Care Capsule is another avenue for Jim Kok's
passion about care and kindness.
He claims to be an average golfer, who loves the game. His younger years included college basketball and tennis.
Today he relishes his beautiful back yard, and a front yard succulent garden delights him. Daily walks with Linda,
and careful eating keep him trim.
Pastor Kok has been a solo pastor of a church for five years, a hospital chaplain for fifteen, and an educator of
clergy and seminarians since 1969. In 1996 Jim, and a group of Crystal Cathedral volunteers, launched the unique ministry
of "The Care and Kindness Conference".
Maureen A. Winer
Congregational Life Ministry
Congregational Life Ministry
Originally from New Jersey, the Garden State, I have lived in California, the Golden State, since 1978, when I
joined the Garden Grove Community Church (now the Crystal Cathedral). At that time, my children were baptized and we
established many wonderful relationships here. Later God used those people to help me rebuild my life. I became
involved in the Divorce Recovery program and Singles Ministry here, led small groups and made lifelong friends.
I was hired by the church in 1981 and worked in the business office. During my employment here, I have been
responsible for the church's liability insurance, the master calendar for three years, the Singles Ministry as an
assistant, correspondence for various pastors and administrators, and Congregational Life as the administrative
assistant for 16 years.
I met my husband Burt at a Single's Ministry dance, then danced three nights a week with friends and we're still
dancing today! We have five adult children, five granddaughters, and one grandson. We are truly blessed!
Michelle Cavinder
Director of the Learning Network and Women's Ministries
Learning Network Women's Ministry
Michelle Cavinder has been a part of the Crystal Cathedral family since she was 4 years old. She currently serves
as the Director of the Learning Network and Women's Ministries. Michelle has been on staff since 1992 when she was
the Administrative Assistant to the Minister of Christian Education and later was appointed Director of the Adult
Education program. In 1999 Michelle was called to be the Director of Women's Ministries and along with her husband
served as the Director of the Marriage and Parenting Ministry. In 2007 her duties expanded to include the Learning
Network, which is our adult education program.
Michelle serves on the Women's Ministry Advisory team for the denomination (Reformed Church in America) and has
done so since 2005. She is also the founder and director of the GEL (Growing Exceptional Ladies) program. This is
a program whereby high school girls mentor middle school girls at our Crystal Cathedral Academy and High School.
Michelle and her husband Bob have been married over 25 years and have 2 grown sons and one grown daughter.
Kristy Cavinder
Kristy is a graduate of Crystal Cathedral High School and is currently a junior majoring in Neuroscience at USC.
She continues to pursue her passion of dance by performing in "The Glory of Christmas" and loves developing the
curriculum for GEL with her mom.
Rhea Zakich
Author, Speaker and Workshop & Seminar Leader
Learning Network
Author, speaker, workshop and seminar leader and creator of the Ungame, the world's most popular communication game,
Rhea has been interviewed on more than 500 TV and radio programs and has addressed audiences throughout the United States
and Australia. Her dramatic story has appeared in every major newspaper and publication. The winner of many community
service awards, Rhea has been featured in Reader's Digest, People, Guideposts, Redbook, Today's Christian Woman and
Psychology for Living.
Rhea is gifted at the art of touching the human heart as she draws from her own unique experiences, blending humor with
simple but powerful insights. She speaks on a variety of subjects and customizes her talks to the occasion. Her enthusiastic
presentations encourage, enlighten, entertain and touch the heart of every age, leaving a lasting impression and she has led
hundreds of workshops and retreats for all denominations.
Rhea is a wife, mother and grandmother, and active at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California where she is an Elder
and a Bible Study Teacher for The Women's NetWork. Since 1986, Rhea has been a member of the Association of Christian Therapists,
a fellowship of health professionals and associates involved in physical, mental and spiritual health care professions, who are
committed to Jesus Christ and who use prayer in their practice
Debbie Lips
Coach and Program Coordinator
Debbie has been a member of The Crystal Cathedral since 2004. She stepped into "The Possibility Thinking Coaching Network",
and has taught coaching as well as coordinating the program. Debbie has a heart for teaching and encouraging.
Debbie has over 20 years experience teaching parenting. Initially she presented workshops for Toughlove International.
From that beginning, she started over 35 self help groups in Southern California. Debbie trained counselors and therapists
in the unique approach to reaching the "unreachable adolescent".
Then in 1995 she co-founded The Hope Institute, a successful counseling center for troubled adolescents, where she
specialized in guiding parents through their family's crisis.
"Coaching is a natural and exciting next step," said Mrs. Lips. Counseling deals with an individual's past and pain. Coaching
focuses on the individual's future… their dreams and goals.
Gudelia Ramirez
Pastor of Community Missions
Community Missions Ministry
As the Pastor of Community Missions, I have a passion to represent the Crystal Cathedral by bringing the message of hope
to our neighbors, offering a ministry that fosters respect and dignity regardless of ethnicity. With the help of volunteers,
I endeavor to build relationships with those in area schools, homeless shelters, halfway houses, Habitat for Humanity projects,
and other associations and community organizations in an attempt to bridge the gap between the church and culture. By building
relationships, the Community Missions team is able to identify the needs of our neighbors so that we can address those needs.
I was born in Mexico, immigrated to the U.S. in 1987, and became a U.S. citizen. My experience includes elementary school
teaching, a curriculum development, and teacher training. I received a Masters Degree in Pedagogy (Education) and have served
as a learning disabilities specialist and professor of educative investigation.
Because I've struggled with the English language for many years, it has given me a heart for others who struggle. This has
motivated me to become a Laubach English as a Second Language (ESL) tutor and tutor trainer as part of the Orange County
Literacy Committee. I believe that when students move to a new culture with new values and practices, it becomes overwhelming
to learn a new language. Our ESL volunteers embrace immigrants with the love of God, strive to restore their dignity, and equip
them to find better jobs build a healthy community as part of their new adventure.
To further my commitment to reaching our community with the good news of Jesus Christ, I have recently completed the
Commissioned Pastor coursework, and volunteer with the Huntington Beach Police Department and Fountain Valley School District.
Harold Shaw
Chairman of the Men's Steering Team
My family and I have been members of the Crystal Cathedral since 1982. Shortly thereafter my wife and I
taught the 1-6th grade Sunday school class for four years. My wife and I joined the Friendship Fellowship
class where I eventually became class leader. Also, I was honored to be President of The Jethros, an organization
that affected the direction and decisions for the growth of the Friendship Fellowship Class.
I am a Ministering Elder and also a graduate of the Crystal Cathedral MAT (Minister Associate Training) Program.
I have completed a one year leadership course under the teaching of Rev. Terry Nyhuis. I had the pleasure of joining
members of our congregation on mission trips to Swaziland and New Orleans after hurricane Katrina.
Currently, I am the chairman of the Men’s Steering Team and attend a Bible study program called the Band of Brothers
that focuses on the leadership of men in their family, home, community and church.
These twenty six years at the Crystal Cathedral have been a blessing for my family and me. We have grown so much under
the teaching and direction of great Christian men and women. My prayer has always been that God would help me to give
something back for the many blessings that I have received.
