Hello my name is Pastor Ivan Kirk (PI).
Let me share a little about myself. I graduated from Western with a M.Div. in 2015 after seven long but very enjoyable years! It took that long because four days prior to starting my studies at Western, I became the full-time pastor at Good Shepherd Community Church (GSCC) while being employed full-time as a computer engineer!. My life focus is two-fold: 1) Helping Christians inside and outside the church to understand that believing the gospel should result in living the gospel; and 2) Sharing with non-Christians that the gospel is God’s invitation to become members of His family regardless of their past!
I have served on the Western Seminary Alumni Council and my role was to help create a network where Western alumni can equip and encourage one another outside of our local churches to fulfill our mandate to be faithful disciples of Jesus who faithfully make disciples. I chair & co-lead on several faith-based ministry boards helping to transform lives with the Word of God; developing godly leaders; and fostering multicultural integration within the Church as part of the Kingdom of God mandate (Mt.28:19-20).
I am married to my beautiful wife (Marcia Oliva), who is also my best friend. We have shared twenty-four years growing together with thirteen of those years ministering at GSCC together. Together we have six sons Ivan II (Ayesha), Ian Kirk, Jeremy (Loreli), Ryan, Alex (Gabrielle), Isaiah (Stephanie) and four grandchildren: Imery, Iyana, Nikoli, and Kimora.
Fun facts: We both love fast things (cars, motorcycles, planes, etc.). I am a life-long learner and avid reader studying many areas of life. A former bodybuilder, martial artist and personal trainer. Our family loves visiting Hawaii and everyone is creative in wide variety of ways! I could go on – but what we would really like is to share stories and lives with you personally!
Looking forward to it!
– PI