About Us
Pastor Chris Brown
Pastor Chris is a Southern California native, growing up in the suburbs of Los Angeles. He moved to Chicago to earn his Masters Degree in Divinity at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, graduating in 2014. He and his wife, Livier, moved from Chicago to Solvang when he was called as the new pastor of Bethania Church.
Pastor Chris loves the roots of Bethania and the Danish heritage this church carries with it. He also has a passion for reaching out to unchurched and post-modern folks to try and create spaces that are more authentic to their experiences. With his passion for ministry, commitment to social justice and emphasis on community, the traditions that continue to live on are able to meet with the journey forward into a world that is seeking new meaning in what it is to be the Church today.
Phone: (805) 688-4637
Email: pastor@bethanialutheran.net
Kristyl Downey
Kristyl Downey hails from the historic reaches of New England. She moved to Santa Barbara for graduate school and after graduation began working at Bethania as an administrative assistant. She’s learned the ropes of the church well becoming one of its greatest resources and has developed a deep love for the community and mission of Bethania.
Phone: (805) 688-4637
Email: bethanialutheranch@gmail.com
Lola Gonzalez
Lola Gonzales, the Director of Bethania Preschool and After School brings a profound knowledge of early childhood development along with a deep and committed passion for our preschoolers and afterschool kids. She began as director in 2021.
Phone: (805) 688-7077
Email: bethaniaps@verizon.net