Christ cares for his church through the officers he appoints. At Escondido OPC, our teaching elders and ruling elders serve together on the session in the shepherding and oversight of the congregation, with teaching elders laboring especially in the ministry of the Word. Our deacons serve the church through ministries of mercy and care.
Our Leaders
“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight...” 1 Peter 5:2
Zach Keele • Pastor
Zach grew up on a ranch in Crawford, Colorado. He attended Geneva College before receiving his Master of Divinity from Westminster Seminary California and was called to serve as pastor of Escondido OPC in 2006. Alongside his pastoral ministry, Zach has taught as an adjunct professor at Westminster Seminary California for many years and has published two books. His particular interests include the Old Testament and the world of the ancient Near East. Outside the study, Zach is also an enthusiastic cook and enjoys preparing meals from cuisines around the world.
Stephen Byrd • Pastor
Stephen grew up in the South and attended Liberty University before receiving his Master of Divinity from Westminster Seminary California. He was called to serve at Escondido OPC as an evangelist in 2025. His ministry includes preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and helping the congregation grow in its witness to those outside the church. He has a particular interest in evangelism, foreign missions, and historical theology; especially the ways local churches participate in Christ’s mission through faithful proclamation, prayer, and support of the global church.
Bruce Settergren • Ruling Elder
Bruce is retired after a 31-year career as a scientific programmer for a local defense contractor. He grew up hearing the gospel from his parents and has known the Christian faith from an early age. Bruce and his wife, Deborah, have four children and eleven possibly even cooler grandchildren. He has faithfully served EOPC as a ruling elder for many years.
DJ Goodwiler • Ruling Elder
DJ and his wife began attending Escondido OPC after moving to Escondido for school in 2008. He studied at Westminster Seminary California and San Diego State University and now works as a high school teacher. DJ was ordained as a ruling elder in 2020 and has a deep appreciation for the arts, from poetry and film to comics.
John Earnest • Ruling Elder
John has attended Escondido OPC since 2003 and was ordained as a ruling elder in 2006. He has a background in geological sciences and later earned a physics teaching credential. John recently retired from teaching physics at Mt. Carmel High School after 39 years and spends summers working as a lifeguard in La Jolla. He especially values the faithful preaching of the gospel at EOPC and Sunday naps.
Daniel Garcia • Ruling Elder
Daniel has been part of EOPC since 2014 and was installed as a ruling elder in 2024. He earned his M.Div. from Westminster Seminary California in 2017 and works as a business owner and security consultant. Outside of work and church life, he has a habit of collecting new hobbies and interests whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Josh Treesh • Deacon
Josh and his family have been part of EOPC since 2017, and he was ordained as a deacon in 2024. He is a prosthodontist and serves as a Captain in the United States Navy. Josh and his family enjoy baseball, dance, hiking, and thrift-store shopping, and when time allows he enjoy playing chess, biking, running, and fishing with his family.
Sam Phillips • Deacon
Sam has been a member of EOPC since 2023 and has served as a deacon since 2025, having previously been ordained at El Camino OPC in Goleta, California. He is currently a full-time student at Westminster Seminary California, preparing for pastoral ministry. Sam enjoys learning Italian, reading widely, especially poetry, and spending time with his wife, their two children, family, and friends.
