Raymond van Pletsen, Senior Pastor
Becoming a Pastor was the last thing Raymond ever expected to happen. Born in South Africa, Raymond graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM) with the intention of spending his life working with youth in a camping and conference center. But along the way God led him to start a church in a suburb of Johannesburg and then to become the lead pastor in three churches in the USA. Raymond has two children: Mandy, who lives near Philadelphia with her husband Scott and their four children (Blake, Braeden, Kendall and Abigail) and Ryan, who lives on a trawler in Oceanside Harbor, California. Raymond’s passion is to teach the Bible and to cultivate the worship life of the church.
Cathrine Osthimer, Director of Family Ministry
Cathrine, Director of Family Ministry since 2010 and Office Administrator since 2015 is blessed to be part of growing God’s Kingdom by ministering to Children and their families through the Children’s Ministry programs, Vacation Bible School, and special events throughout the year here at Meadowlark Church. Cathrine holds a B.A. Degree from the School of Music and Dance at San Diego State University, earned her Multi-Subject Teaching Credential from Cal State University San Marcos in 2004, and is a substitute teacher for SMUSD. Cathrine, also a published artist, illustrated two Children’s books and enjoys sharing her passion for art and love of God with children of all ages and through the Children’s Ministry programs at Meadowlark Church. Cathrine’s husband John, also loves sharing his love of Christ by teaching Sunday School, participating in the Men’s Fellowship, and leading kids during our VBS summer program. John owns an operates All Trenches Filled, a Gas-line protection company full time and still makes time to support his family, the church, and the community volunteering for the local high school and on staff as Pole Vault coach for SMHS Track & Field Team along with Cathrine, who is assistant PV coach. Cathrine and John have three children. Their daughter Emily, studied journalism at Humboldt University and has served as Student Leader for Youth Ministry at Meadowlark, Audio/Visual Tech for Sunday Worship Services, and Outdoor Activities Director for the Vacation Bible School. Their oldest son John is a City Planning & Urban Development major at Cal Poly SLO and stays connected and involved with Meadowlark during breaks as a musician/bass guitarist on Worship Team, AV tech, and co-designer and production assistant for VBS. Joshua, a student/athlete at SMHS, also assists with AV at Meadowlark and on Youth Crew for VBS every summer. The Osthimer family have been part of the Meadowlark family since 2004 and feel blessed to have been nurtured by the intimate, Christ-centered, loving church family of Meadowlark.
cathrine@meadowlarkchurch.com
760-591-3636 VBS
Brian Aellig, Worship Leader
Brian has served as worship leader for various churches around San Diego County for over 20 years. He has been with Meadowlark Church since February 2020, leading the music for the Sunday morning services using his piano and vocal skills. He also plays keyboards and sings lead vocals and harmonies for a local cover band called Summit Drive. Brian has a bachelor’s degree in computer science and is still employed full time as a senior software engineer / program manager for WarpIV Technologies in San Diego. Brian also enjoys teaching piano, and coaching sports for his children. He has coached tennis, baseball, softball, basketball, and soccer. Brian and his wife Kari are blessed with four children: Brittany, Kenzie, Lindsay, and Josh. Kari teaches kindergarten at Heart Christian Academy, a local school that supports homeschooling families. Brian’s entire family have served on many of the worship teams that Brian has led over the years. Brittany received a bachelor’s degree in English from Liberty University in 2016 and is recently married. She lives in Vista with her new husband, Josh. Kenzie graduated from San Francisco State University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She currently lives in San Francisco. Lindsay attends Palomar College and will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in animal biology. Josh is a senior at Escondido Charter High School. Lindsay (vocals, guitar) and Josh (drums, bass guitar, keyboards) serve almost every Sunday morning on the Meadowlark worship team. Brian feels privileged to be a part of Meadowlark Church and looks forward to continuing his involvement with the growing Meadowlark Church family.
Garrison Grush, Youth Ministry Leader
Garrison is blessed to be leading the Youth Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm here at Meadowlark Church. Garrison also serves as AV Tech for Meadowlark Worship Team on Sunday services. Garrison and his new wife Skylar enjoy outdoor adventures together, traveling all over and even abroad, and serving Meadowlark Church community through volunteering with VBS summer programs and with the youth group as leaders for the yearly Winter Camp Youth Retreat experience up at Palomar Mountain.
Contact Garrison for more info about Salt & Light Youth Group via email: grushgarrison19@gmail.com