About Life Bible Fellowship Church

Family

Finding hope in Jesus

We are a Christian church in Upland California focusing on studying God’s Word, Connecting with others, Serving our community, and Sharing the hope of Jesus with others.

We believe you don’t have to be perfect to come here, and you don’t have to have it all together. At LBF Church there are people from all walks of life trying to grow closer to God.

Mission & Vision

We’re focused on Jesus. This is how we plan to pursue Him.

What we believe

Learn what our church believes, stands for, and preaches. Read about our beliefs here.

Contact LBF

Address, phone number, email, and other ways to contact Life Bible Fellowship Church.

Join Us This Sunday

Get info about the church & a one-time reminder about visiting for the next Sunday service.

Elders

  • Dan Franklin

    Lead Pastor, Elder

    A California native, Dan has a bachelor’s in Biblical Studies from The Master’s College and a Master of Divinity from Multnomah Biblical Seminary. He has been on staff at LBF as the Pastor of Teaching since 2011. Married to Karina, they have three young boys – Matthew, Jack, and David. Besides his family, Dan is also passionate about seeing people overcome significant obstacles and embrace Jesus to find his calling for their lives. His favorite past times include reading, watching movies, playing tennis, riding his bike, and watching baseball and basketball.

    danfranklin@lbfchurch.com

  • Troy Spilman

    Executive Pastor, Elder

    After growing up in the Bay Area, Troy received his BA in Santa Barbara and later completed his Master’s in Christian Ministry. Troy began pastoral ministry three weeks before marrying Heidi in 1997. They have three children: Caedon, Ariel, and Tate. Troy joined the LBF team as the Serving Pastor in 2017 and transitioned to the XP (Executive Pastor) role in 2022. He has a passion for seeing people built up in the faith in the local community and around the globe. Favorite pastimes include exploring different cultures, hiking with his family, and having movie nights with his wife

    troy@lbfchurch.com

  • Loren Van Woudenberg

    Elder

    Loren and his wife Diane are native Californians and have been married for 53 years. They have attended LBF since 2018. The have three married children, nine grandkids, and three great-grandkids. Loren taught high school for eleven years and has been in full-time ministry for 39 years until he retired. His passion is teaching in Life Kids (K-3), facilitating a LIFE Group, and seeing people become fruitful and fulfilled as they use their gifts.
  • Dalton Sweaney

    Elder

    Dalton and his family have been members at LBF since 2013. He and his wife, Ally, were born and raised in the Upland area and feel a strong connection to this community. Dalton and Ally lead a life group with other young families and have a passion for focusing on Christ-centered marriages and parenting that points towards Christ. Dalton owns a small business in the Claremont Village and coaches soccer for a local college.
  • Kevin Theilacker

    Elder

    Kevin and his wife Amber have been married 34 years. Along with their adopted children, Aubrey and Peyton, they have been members of LBF Church since 2016. He has been teaching elementary music in Fontana Unified School District for over 32 years. Kevin enjoys playing keyboard and piano on Sundays with the worship team. He says: “There is no sound more holy and beautiful than the voices of our church family joining the praise of heaven with all of the saints of God at His very throne. Soli Deo Gloria!”

Pastors

  • Dan Franklin

    Lead Pastor, Elder

    A California native, Dan has a bachelor’s in Biblical Studies from The Master’s College and a Master of Divinity from Multnomah Biblical Seminary. He has been on staff at LBF as the Pastor of Teaching since 2011. Married to Karina, they have three young boys – Matthew, Jack, and David. Besides his family, Dan is also passionate about seeing people overcome significant obstacles and embrace Jesus to find his calling for their lives. His favorite past times include reading, watching movies, playing tennis, riding his bike, and watching baseball and basketball.

    danfranklin@lbfchurch.com

  • Troy Spilman

    Executive Pastor, Elder

    After growing up in the Bay Area, Troy received his BA in Santa Barbara and later completed his Master’s in Christian Ministry. Troy began pastoral ministry three weeks before marrying Heidi in 1997. They have three children: Caedon, Ariel, and Tate. Troy joined the LBF team as the Serving Pastor in 2017 and transitioned to the XP (Executive Pastor) role in 2022. He has a passion for seeing people built up in the faith in the local community and around the globe. Favorite pastimes include exploring different cultures, hiking with his family, and having movie nights with his wife

    troy@lbfchurch.com

  • Laurie Baiz

    LIFEkids Pastor

    Born in San Dimas and raised in Glendora, Laurie is a local who also attended school locally. She has an AA in Liberal Arts from Citrus College and a BFA from Cal State Fullerton. After 5-and-a-half years of dating, Laurie married her husband, Michael, in 1999. They have two children and together their family has been attending LBF Church since 2006. Laurie is passionate about teaching in fun and creative ways. She also loves to organize and plan events, and then watch them transpire.

    laurie@lbfchurch.com

  • Andy Watson

    Worship Pastor

    Raised in a Christian home, Andy accepted Jesus as his personal savior when he was 16 and began leading worship soon after. During his senior year of high school he knew God was calling him to full-time ministry. Andy is passionate about God’s call for us to care for the orphan, as well as sharing the truth of the gospel in musically creative ways. His favorite artists and musical influences are Delirious, Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, Jesus Culture, Hillsong United, and Phil Wickham.

    andywatson@lbfchurch.com

  • Summer Brown

    Women's Pastor

    Summer would say that she is a California girl in spirit and in lifestyle, but her heart belongs to the nations. She and her husband Greg spent eight years serving the Lord together in a global capacity in Europe, where they welcomed their son Kodiak. She is passionate about gathering and connecting women and bringing them in unity to the feet of Jesus. If there is food, ridiculous games, laughter, dark chocolate, and deep conversations… you can count Summer in!

    summer@lbfchurch.com

  • Jeff Taylor

    Student Ministries Pastor

    Jeff and his wife, Laura, have three children, who he loves to spend time with and is passionate about raising them to love God, to know how special he has made them, and to love people without reservation. In fact, Jeff desires to help all people see how real God is and how much He loves us, bringing their understanding of God to a deeper more personal level in practical ways.

    jeff@lbfchurch.com

  • Phil Shahbaz

    Community Life Pastor

    Phil has been on staff at LBF Church since 2008, but prior to that worked as the Director of Student Success at Azusa Pacific University. Phil is the guy that can help get you involved here at LBF Church. He is responsible for the LIFEgroup Program and Assimilation Ministry. He also programs many family and connecting events for our church community throughout the year. Phil and his wife, Amy, have 3 sons and 1 daughter, and live Glendora, CA.

    phil@lbfchurch.com

Staff

  • Kiki Hahs

    Pastoral Assistant

    Kiki was the first person in her family to get a formal education. She was eventually led to get an LVN degree, graduating with honors at 53 years old. Before she was able to land her first job, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After successfully beating cancer, the opportunity to work at LBF Church opened and she couldn’t turn it down. What a blessing it is to work with a great staff and be a part of the LBF Church family! Married, with two daughters and three grandchildren, she and her husband Greg and have a collection of vintage cars they enjoy sharing with others.
  • Garrett Gerhart

    Communications Director

    Garrett has been serving in church ministry since 2003. After receiving a BA in Church Ministry from Hope International University, he was called to Youth Ministry for many years. As a Youth Pastor Garrett got a first-hand look at the implications of the most significant shift in communication in 100 years. This led to an MA in Communications with research into the effects of social media on the Church. He is passionate about how and what LBF Church communicates to its community. He and his wife Stacey have been married since 2007 and have two daughters, Lucy and Adeline.

    garrett@lbfchurch.com

  • Kathy Godoy

    LIFEkids Assistant

    Having lived in Upland her whole life, Kathy has attended LBF Church since 2009 and joined the staff in September 2014. Kathy graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University in December 2014. Shortly after, she married her high school sweetheart, Ryan. She loves traveling and spending time with her husband and kids.
  • Shauntel Raymond

    LIFEcare Coordinator

    Shauntel grew up in Glendora, California. She and her husband Chad have three children and have been coming to LBF Church for 15 years, where she says, “It’s such a joy to come to a place where the leaders and elders have a such a passion for the word and for God’s truth and the people. We all have a story and I love being able to meet new people and see how God is at work in their lives and what he has in store for their future.”
  • Nichole Landon

    Graphic Designer

    Nichole grew up in the countryside north of Paso Robles, CA. She attended Biola University to study studio arts with an emphasis in design. After graduating she went on to work at LBF Church in 2020 as the graphic designer. She enjoys doing ceramics, drawing, swimming, reading books and spending lots of time with friends and family.
  • Ryan Godoy

    Video Coordinator

    Born and raised right here in Upland, Ryan graduated with his bachelor’s in Communication at Cal Poly Pomona. Passionate about film-making, Ryan has been on staff as LBF’s Video Coordinator since 2012. He and his wife, Kathy, were married in 2014.
  • John Eltiste

    Men's Ministry Coordinator, Facilities Specialist

    John is a local boy growing up in Ontario. He and his wife Natalie have been married for 26 years. They have two adult children Zach and Kaitlin. John and Natalie lived in San Antonio for nine years, where they were part of a church plant and different ministries. They have been attending LBF Church since returning to CA. John has a passion for people and is looking forward to seeing how the Lord uses him here at LBF Church.
  • Lea Lee

    Programs Coordinator

    Hailing from Vincennes, Indiana, Lea attained a Bachelor’s in graphic design and fine art through Vincennes University and Indiana State University. After stumbling upon LBF Church through our website and attending Meet LBF, they quickly made LBF Church their home. Lea is passionate about the Bible, books, food, and musicals.
  • Ryan Yount

    Repairs and Maintenance

    Measure twice, cut once.
  • Tyler Townley

    Sound Engineer, Assistant Video Coordinator

    Tyler runs sound every Sunday at Life Bible Fellowship Church and also helped install much of the lighting and video equipment that makes the campus look and sound great. He’s a valuable part of the staff team. Say hi to Tyler in the sound booth on Sunday mornings!
  • Kim Cooke

    Outreach Coordinator/Sunday LIFEkids Coordinator

    Kim proudly says she’s from Chicago, though her family relocated to Rancho Cucamonga, California when she was just two years old. She and her husband, Darrin, still live there and have been members of LBF Church since 1996. They have three adult daughters – Payton, Taylor, and Lacey. Kim is happiest when camping at the beach with her family or watching a Bears game.
  • Kristen Shores

    Financial Admin

    Kristen grew up in Sunland, California. She and her husband, Rich, have been married for 28 years. After spending 18 years in Washington and Arizona they settled here in Upland. Life Bible Fellowship was the second church they visited and have called it home for 9 years. Kristen did a lot of volunteer work over the years at LBF before coming on staff. She loves to spend time with family and friends, reading and playing in the dirt (also known as gardening).
  • Tim Longo

    Youth Small Groups Coordinator

    Tim and his family have attended LBF Church since 2002. He has a passionate heart about leading Junior high and High schoolers and seeing their lives transformed through the love and compassion of Jesus. He is also passionate about helping drill clean water wells throughout the world. Some say that his interest in motorcycles is something he should seek help for. He maintains it’s just a healthy interest.