Senior Pastor John Tolle came to LightHouse Christian Fellowship in March 1993, leaving his position as a member of the Executive Pastoral Team and Director of Single Adult and College Ministries at The Church on the Way in Van Nuys, California. He brought with him more than two decades of experience in pastoral ministry, both as a youth pastor and regional director overseeing eighty youth ministries. He also served as a national consultant for the Foursquare Churches.

Pastor John began his college career on a full athletic scholarship to a local university. After one year he walked away from his scholarship to enroll in Bible College. A year in Bible College, however, convinced him that the ministry was not for him, but as he was considering a scholarship to another, more prestigious university, a friend helped him determine the call of God on his life. He then enrolled at L.I.F.E. Bible College, graduating in 1973 with his Bachelors Degree in Theology. He has completed post-graduate studies in Cell Group Ministry at Regent University and has done additional studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is an avid reader, continually striving to be current and knowledgeable in a wide variety of sources, from business journals to commentaries.

Shortly after Pastor John’s arrival to The LightHouse fifteen years ago, God gave him a vision of the church being a “lighthouse to the community.” God’s message in the vision was one of responsibility.  Would he, would the church, accept the responsibility of evangelism and discipling the Conejo Valley?

Pastor’s heart for the mission field is apparent. His first experience was at the age of four when his parents, missionaries Allen and Roxie Tolle, took their three sons to Central America for six years. He now ministers internationally, traveling yearly to countries such as Cuba, Cambodia, Indonesia, Israel, Kenya and the Philippines to teach pastors, lead teams or join with other organizations in ministerial outreaches.  His heart is that of giving to missions and missionaries around the world and locally. Additionally, the church supports numerous orphanages, missionaries and churches. For this ministry, he coined the phrase “Get a vision, get a life” based on Proverbs 29:18, Ephesians 1:17-19, and Philippians 3:12-14. 

As a pastor and shepherd, he desires to see every man and woman who attends The LightHouse come into a personal knowledge of what it is to serve God in spirit and in truth. He is a gifted teacher, motivator and leader. His love for Jesus, combined with his knowledge of and love for God’s Word, surrounds the people he serves with an atmosphere of love and gives his messages generational relevance and appeal.

More recently, God has blessed Pastor John with increasing influence in the community and within the Foursquare denomination. Locally, he meets with other neighboring pastors to pray for the revival of our community, and it has been said of our church that we are a church that PRAYS, which is a testimony to Pastor John and his faithfulness. Denominationally Pastor John serves on the International Board of Directors for the Church of the Foursquare Gospel, the Foursquare Missions Committee, the Foursquare Executive Council, and the Foursquare Cabinet.

Pastor John and Rosemary, his lovely wife of 31 years, reside in the Thousand Oaks area. They have four adult children: Rachel, Jonathan, Samuel and Candice and one granddaughter.

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