NOTE: To leave a voicemail for anyone on staff, call (949) 494-6191 and leave a message on extension 200.
Jeff Tacklind – Lead Pastor
Jeff has been serving in pastoral ministry at Church by the Sea for over 18 years…initially as youth pastor, then assistant pastor, and more recently as lead Pastor. Jeff’s role is primarily oversight of the teaching team and men’s ministry, as well as the management and development of the church staff. Jeff also serves on the elder board. In between all that he enjoys surfing, reading, and attempting to solve the world’s problems over good coffee. Jeff, and his wife, Patty, have three children.
Jeff attended seminary at Talbot for his MA in Philosophy of Religion, and finished his DMin at George Fox University. His dissertation was written on a humble epistemology (theory of knowledge) for the church.
You can reach Jeff at jeff@lagunaefc.org
Greg Sowle – Executive Pastor
Greg has been serving in ministry for over fifteen years and teaching Scripture for over thirty years. Prior to Church by the Sea, he served for over ten years as the adult education pastor at a large and unusually diverse congregation in the Bay Area. He has a Masters in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and leads the Tuesday night Men’s Bible study. He served three years on the elder board at Church by the Sea.
Greg and his wife Michelle live in Laguna Niguel. They both love to mountain bike and Greg is also an avid hiker. Their daughters both live in SoCal.
You can reach Greg at greg@lagunaefc.org
Toby Scott – Children’s Pastor
Toby has been an active member of Church by the Sea since 2002. She has served on the prayer ministry team, in women’s ministry as a teacher and, is on the Sunday teaching team. After graduating from Pepperdine University Toby worked as an elementary school teacher and then as a preschool teacher. She loves being around kids and teaching them to love Jesus with all their heart! Her vision for the children is that they would know God (not just know about Him), love Him with all their heart, mind and strength; and that they would walk with Him all the days of their lives. Toby and her husband Rick met in high school. Their twins grew up in this church and in Laguna Beach.
You can reach Toby at toby@lagunaefc.org
Travis Noe – Youth Pastor
Travis has been serving in the Youth Ministry at Church by the Sea for three years, recently leaving his job in the corporate world to step into the Youth Pastor role full-time. He has served in Youth Ministry at several churches, and has a passion to engage middle & high school students with the Truth of the Gospel, fostering a deepening connection amongst each other and with Christ.
Now residing in Laguna Beach, he enjoys playing hockey, competing in triathlons, surfing, hiking, camping, and reading in his free time.
You can reach Travis at travis@lagunaefc.org
Philly Briggs — Worship Pastor
Philly has been at Church by the Sea since February 2024. With experience in various church leadership roles since 2010, she holds a degree in Interpersonal Communication and a minor in Biblical Studies from Biola University. She is passionate about creating a worship environment where all feel permission to connect with God exactly as they are. That is the kind of worshipper the Father seeks: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. She leads with the conviction that worship should be authentic, spirit-led, reverent, and sacrificial. When she isn’t singing, she enjoys hiking, reading, traveling, and hanging out with her friends!
You can reach Philly at philly@lagunaefc.org