Rancho Del Rey Church
Staff & Leaders

Jonathan (JC) Cooper
Pastor

Jonathan (JC) Cooper is the Senior Pastor at RdR Church. As a follower of Jesus Christ, JC has been blessed to serve and lead God’s people at RdR since July 2014. JC is married to his wife Jocelyn of 5 years, and is a proud father of Uriah (4), Ezekiel (3), Gracelyn (1), and Levi (3 months). The Cooper Family lives in Oceanside, CA and enjoys spending time together at local beaches/parks and travel yearly to beautiful Eugene, Oregon. Pastor JC has been with RdR Church since 2007 and began as an attendee of RdR. JC began serving in the youth ministry and usher/greeter ministry, which is also when he began discipleship with former Senior Pastor and Church planter Matthew Tague. Over the next 7 years JC grew in his personal relationship with Jesus, served in almost every ministry at RdR, and worked diligently in the study of God’s Word. After completing a required Doctrinal and Ordination Statement to the board of Elders at RdR Church, JC was ordained as Pastor in June 2013. Prior to becoming Senior Pastor JC served as both the Associate pastor and Youth Pastor; and also took out the trash. JC is a native to Carlsbad, CA and attended Elementary, Jr. High, and High School in the Carlsbad School District. After receiving a full-ride scholarship to play football at Villanova University (PA), JC graduated with a degree in Communications with an emphasis in broadcasting. Prior to his calling as a Pastor JC worked for the San Diego Chargers in public relations, as a Sports Anchor for an ABC Affiliate in Colorado, a Special Education PE teacher in Carlsbad, a night security guard at the La Costa Resort, and as a Business Planning Analyst at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. God has his own timing and plans, and JC believes his work and relationship experience are a blessing to him in his role as a Pastor. God often refers to his leaders as shepherds. JC believes a pastor’s calling is to serve, love, teach, equip, protect, and live life with the people God has provided him temporary stewardship over. As a shepherd leader, JC seeks to love people with the joy of Jesus and desires to provide biblical teaching, godly wisdom and counsel, and encouragement for their daily lives. As JC continues to Pastor RdR Church Paul’s letter to the Ephesians remains at the forefront of his heart and mind: When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. – Ephesians 3:14-19