Pastor Joe was raised in Costa Mesa, California, and graduated from Newport Harbor High School. During his senior year, he received Christ through the persistent example and message of his mother, Doloris.
He attended Saddleback Community College and played baseball from 1984 to 1986, then received a scholarship to play at Vanguard University (then Southern California College) from 1986 to 1988. After a brief period of professional baseball in Mexico (1991–1992), he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Western Illinois University and a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Calvary Chapel Bible College. He later attended Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina, studying under apologist Dr. Norman Geisler, earning a Master of Arts and a Master of Divinity in apologetics.
In 1997, he began teaching theology and apologetics full-time at Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta (1997–2023). From 2005 to 2011, he also taught theology and ethics for Azusa Pacific University. In 1998, he met and married his wife Theresa while attending Calvary Chapel North Coast in Carlsbad, California. Their son, David, was born in 2002. David graduated from Great Oak High School and soon after from an Electrical Lineman trade school. David is now employed as an electrical substation apprentice throughout the southwestern United States.
Joe began doctoral studies in 2004 at the University of Wales, Lampeter (UK), focusing on the nature of God, receiving his PhD in 2011. In 2008 he was invited by Dr. Norman Geisler (1932–2019) to help establish Veritas International University (VIU), an accredited Christian seminary and university originally planted in Southern California and now located in Albuquerque, New Mexico (www.ves.edu). He currently serves as President and Professor of Theology and Apologetics. In addition to his roles as senior pastor of CCT (since January 1, 2021) and President of VIU (since 2008), Joe has authored, co-authored, or served as general editor of several books on Bible, theology, apologetics, and archaeology for publishers including B&H, Zondervan, VIU Press, and Harvest House. Among them are:
Biblical Clarity for Today's Issues (a series of books coming in 2028) A Visual Guide to Biblical Archaeology (coming in 2028) The Illustrated Chronological Guide to the Bible (coming in 2027) The Essential Chronological Guide to the Last Days (coming in 2027) A Visual Guide to Biblical Apologetics (2024) The Ultimate Infographic Guide to the Bible (2023) The Comprehensive Guide to Apologetics (2022) The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith (2021) The Harvest Handbook of Bible Lands (2020) The Attributes of God: An Evaluation of the ‘Open’ View of God (2020) The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible (2013) The Apologetics Study Bible for Students (2010, 2017) Vital Issues in the Inerrancy Debate (2015) Charts of Apologetics and Christian Evidences (2006) Living Loud: An Introduction to Apologetics for Students, Third Edition (2002, 2020)
Joe and Theresa share a passion for archaeology and the Bible, as well as for studying Scripture, Christian worship, beach activities, travel, cooking, and spectator sports. Above all, Joe enjoys equipping others and teaching the Bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, and book-by-book. 

Pastor Chad has been serving in ministry within the Calvary Chapel network of churches since 2000. He graduated Calvary Chapel Bible College in 2010 and began teaching there the following year. In addition to teaching at the Murrieta campus, Chad was on staff for the Conference Center from 2009 to 2021. In 2015 he was ordained by Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa to be one of the on-site pastors.

In 2009, Chad met Tamara and by April 2010 they were married by none other than Pastor Joe Holden himself. Today they live in Menifee where Tamara is a high school English teacher and Chad operates their construction and development company.

Chad and Tamara have a burden for at risk youth and people struggling with addictions. In 2014 they started a 501c3 non-profit known as Fully Restored Ministries. The ministry is geared to help people struggling with addictions to find freedom from that bondage through a relationship with Jesus Christ, and then to be practically prepared to become productive members of society once again.
In addition to the joy they receive in serving the Lord and His people, Chad and Tamara also enjoy sailing and experiencing God’s creation while out in the ocean.

Tamara has been serving alongside Chad since they began attending CCT, faithfully contributing in many areas including AV, hospitality, prayer, and children’s ministry. She is currently co-leading the women’s ministry alongside Sheri Morgan. Tamara has been a high school English teacher for over twenty years and uses her gifts and talents to bless the congregation. Her genuine love for the women of the church makes her a natural and fitting leader in the women’s ministry.

Pastor Dan was ordained in 2019 and has faithfully served in various areas of the church. This included pastoring the college and career ministry of young adults, shaping the faith of our Jr. high and high school youth, and is currently directing the men's ministry. In addition, pastor Dan also serves as Assistant Pastor and is on the CCT Board of Directors.

Pastor Dan also hosts and teaches the scriptures in his Sunday afternoon home group. He and his wife Sheri both serve in our hospitality ministry and occasionally in the children's ministry. 

Sheri has been attending CCT for several decades and faithfully serves alongside her husband (Pastor Dan) in various aspects of ministry, including hospitality, home groups, and children's ministry. She is approaching retirement from a more than 35 year career at UC Riverside as lead Network Administrator, while continuing network duties there on a limited basis. Sheri currently serves as the lead administrator overseeing the daily activities and business of the church, including overseeing the accounting department. 

Pastor Mark and his wife Andrea have been married since 2009 and have three precious children, Justus, Iris, and Leilani. He and his wife have been serving faithfully at CCT since 2021. Mark is the most recent addition to the pastoral staff, being ordained in 2026. His passion is to raise up and equip biblically faithful Junior High and High School youth to know Jesus personally through Bible study and fellowship. Andrea also serves on the worship team as a bass guitarist and provides vocals, as well as serving the youth with pastor Mark. They enjoy spending family time together with their children, Christian worship music, golf, fishing and Christian fellowship.

Pastor Dan attended Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta, CA from 1980-1982, then served as a missionary to England, Europe, Eastern Europe, and India.  He was ordained by Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa in 1987, then subsequently invited on staff at Calvary Chapel of Honolulu, Hawaii from 1990-2004 as worship pastor.  Pastor Dan taught courses at Calvary Chapel Bible College from 2004-2014 and served on staff with Calvary Chapel Bible Fellowship in Temecula, CA from 2006-2016.  Currently, he oversees the musical worship ministry here at Calvary Chapel Temecula.

Pastor Layne faithfully served our youth, men, and Board of Directors for many years.   He and his wife Claudette blessed the congregation for almost thirty years. He will be greatly missed, but we are confident we will be reunited with him in the presence of the Lord one day. We love you Pastor Layne.

Randi is a dedicated servant with a heart for ministry and a passion for supporting others through practical acts of service. She currently serves in various roles at her church, including assisting with office duties, bookkeeping, and accounting, overseeing the Connect Center and inventory supplies, and helping with setup and cleanup for services, events, and women’s Bible studies. Randi also oversees the nursery and serves as a teacher’s helper in children’s ministry, where her love for childcare and heart for young families shines.
Randi’s journey of faith began when a close friend introduced her to church and shared the gospel with her. After experiencing the loss of her boyfriend, her relationship with Christ deepened, and her faith grew stronger. Today, Randi continues to live out her calling by serving faithfully in many capacities, always with a spirit of humility and love.

Mary Van Riper grew up in Orange County, California. 
It was at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa that she met her husband Bill and were married in 1979. They have two adult children, Timothy and Steven. 
Over the years Mary has served in children’s ministries, on the worship team and in missions serving the community at large.  
For the past 20 years Mary has been an Educator to the special education community in Murrieta California. 
Mary became a chaplain to better serve the community and the Body of Christ.