MONTECITO COVENANT CHURCH STAFF
Mark Seversen, Lead Pastor
Mark joined the ministry staff as Lead Pastor in August 2021. Previously Mark served with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, followed by church planting and lead pastor roles. Most recently Mark served as our denomination’s Director of Missional Congregations helping churches engage globally in mutually beneficial intercultural partnerships. Mark, and his wife Beth Seversen have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and love adventure, travel, great books, playing cards, and seeing the world more clearly through the eyes of their kids.
Mark holds Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Trinity International University and is Ordained by the ECC.
Kirsten Burdick, Associate Pastor
Kirsten has served on staff at Montecito Covenant since the fall of 2018. She grew up in Santa Barbara and was confirmed at Montecito Covenant; in high school she became part of the youth group at Community Covenant in Goleta. Kirsten attended Westmont College for her undergraduate studies and then went on to earn her master of divinity at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago and later a certificate in spiritual direction. She was ordained in the Evangelical Covenant denomination in 2012. Kirsten has previously served in churches and colleges in the areas of spiritual formation and administration. She is married to Jaron; they met while both in seminary and together they have four young children.
Jaron Burdick, Associate Pastor of Children and Family Ministry
Jaron has served in a variety of ministry roles and contexts including as a solo pastor in Chicago, a college ministries pastor in Santa Barbara, and of course, a pastor of children's ministry. Jaron's prior experience as a children's theatre artist often finds its way into his work. Most recently Jaron served as the executive assistant to the provost at Westmont College. Jaron, and his wife Kirsten have four children. Jaron holds a Master of Divinity degree from North Park Theological Seminary and is Ordained by the ECC.
Beth Seversen, Welcome & Connection and Internship Coordinator
(PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is the former Associate Professor of Christian Ministries Studies and director of the Center for Christian Ministries and Practical Theology at North Park University in Chicago. Previously the Director of Evangelism for the Evangelical Covenant Church denomination, she also has served as associate pastor at churches near Kansas City and Milwaukee. Presently Beth is the Ambassador Warren Clark Fellow for Churches for Middle East Peace. She is the author of Not Done Yet: Reaching and Keeping Unchurched Emerging Adults (IVP Praxis).
Ruth Kovacs, Business Admin
Ruth has attended MCC for 34 years, and been on staff as Business Administrator for 15 years. She has raised her a daughter and son in Montecito, and now with her daughter married, she recently welcomed a grandson into the family. She is a graduate of Duke University after growing up in the Chicago area. She enjoys beach walks, family dinners, and visits to the Bay Area.
Ashley Baumann, Office/Facilities Admin
Ashley and her family moved here from Miami, Florida at the end of 2021, when Matt, her husband, took a job at Ridley Tree Cancer Center. Ashley and Matt have two children, Jackson and Charlotte. Ashley has extensive experience as an office administrator as well as a professional organizer. She and her family are enjoying Santa Barbara and all it has to offer.