The Elders of Foothills Church are pleased to announce that Daren Fennell, one of our current elders, will be stepping into the role of Associate Pastor on February 1, 2024.

We are delighted to announce that, following heartfelt prayer and thoughtful consideration, Daren was offered and has accepted the position of Associate Pastor. Daren has been a valued part of our leadership team and member of our church family; his availability to fill this position is a divine provision from God. Many factors beyond control aligned in the timing and circumstances in making this transition possible.

Our leadership team anticipates God’s blessing as Daren assumes this role. With a wealth of qualifications, deep commitment to spiritual faithfulness, God's Word, outreach to the lost, and service to the body of Christ, Daren's leadership reflects God's special provision for our church family. We are confident that his role will be just what God wants for Foothills. Please join us in warmly welcoming Daren into this new role as we continue to grow together.

The Process

The Elders have planned to hire an associate pastor for the past year.  However, we were waiting for the right time to make that step. In September of last year, the Elders concluded it was the right time to begin the process. The plan was to hire someone as soon as possible but be willing to wait as long as necessary to find the right person.  The timeline was to prepare through the end of 2023 and launch a focused search beginning in 2024.

The prospect of Daren assuming the role of associate pastor was not initially a part of the plan, despite his involvement at Foothills and his previous tenure on the same Pastoral Staff as Pastor Roger. Providentially, God allowed this to become an option. As soon as it became apparent that Daren would be considered for this position, he stepped out of the discussions regarding the Associate Pastor position and this discussion continued with the remaining elders.

While Daren has excelled in his career, he has always maintained a desire to make an impact for the kingdom of God. This commitment has manifested in various ways, even during his tenure in the secular sphere.  At the same time, God placed a desire in Daren’s heart to move back into full-time ministry, though that choice brought with it some personal sacrifices on Daren’s part. Our leadership team is thrilled that God facilitated the logistical pathways and kindled Daren's willingness to serve in this capacity.

Though many if not all of you know Daren personally, we encourage you to explore his biography below. It's likely to reveal some new and insightful information about his journey.

Confident in Christ,

Jim Berg, Tom Cannavino, Roger Horning, Jordon Replogle, Eddie Sobrito, Justin Werth

About Daren Fennell

Daren grew up in Santa Clarita, CA as the middle child in a loving family of five. Having gone to church in the early years of his life, it wasn’t until the age of nineteen when he fully trusted Christ after a period of intense searching.

He began to invest in ministry immediately, both in a volunteer and vocational capacity. He would soon be teaching various bible studies and overseeing a youth outreach program in a low-income community. Also, he took several mission trips to needy parts of the world including Haiti where he built shelters after an earthquake, Canada where he helped host a large Christian youth gathering, and India where he taught several messages at a pastor’s conference for a few hundred pastors. 

His work experience consists of ten years on staff at a church in Santa Clarita overseeing the Christian Education department and Community Groups, six years teaching math and Bible at a private Christian school, and eight years as a Project Manager and Chief Operations Officer of an LA based software development company called Fishermen Labs. 

Having known Pastor Roger from his time in Santa Clarita, he began to visit Foothills Church very soon after moving into the Foothill Ranch area in 2021. The Bible-centered teaching, the focus on the gospel of Jesus, and the love for the glory of God drew him deeper into the life of the church. His involvement at Foothills has included co-leading the Welcome Team ministry, playing the drums for the worship team, and attending various men’s events and Bible studies. 

Over time, it became obvious to him that God is working at Foothills Church in a special way to build men, women, and children into mature and sanctified believers who serve one another. He can see that Jesus is building his church (Matthew 16:18) and is very excited to labor with the Lord to carry that out through his role as Associate Pastor.

Daren Fennell Fun Facts

Personal Facts and Background

• Born and raised in Santa Clarita, CA. 

• Has an older brother and younger sister. 

• Parents, sister and her family live in Montana where he visits often. His brother lives in Orlando, FL. 

• Grew up playing hockey. Go Kings Go! 

• Became a Christian at 19. 

• Lived in LA for 5 years before moving to OC in 2021. 

Education:

• Associate degree in mathematics.

• Various certificates in Project Management.

• Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from The Master’s University.

• Master of Divinity from The Master’s Seminary. 

Ministry Details and Experience (some roles concurrent) 

• Kids Club - 6 years leading a children’s outreach in a low-income community. 

• Ministry - 10 years overseeing Christian Education & Community Groups. 

• Teacher - 6 years as a Christian School Bible & Math Teacher. 

• Operations - 8 years as Project Manager & Chief Operating Officer of an LA based software development company called Fishermen Labs. 

Ministry Passions 

• Making Disciples - seeing and helping people look more like Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20, Colossians 1:28, Romans 8:29). 

• Apologetics - engaging those who are curious about Christ to help them trust him (1 Peter 3:15, Colossians 2:8). 

• Christian Education - providing resources for disciples to grow in the grace and truth of Christ (2 Peter 3:18, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:5). 

• Biblical Counseling - helping others navigate through challenging times with wisdom from the Scriptures (Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 24:6, Proverbs 20:5). 

Hobbies 

• Hockey

• Hiking 

• Backpacking

• Drumming 

• Architecture 

• Reading 

• Writing