Voyagers Bible Church sits on Tarocco Road in Irvine, a couple of turns off the I-5 in the heart of Orange County. On Sunday mornings the parking lot fills with families, students, and longtime friends heading into a single, hour-long worship gathering that aims to be theologically rich and warmly approachable. The church describes itself as a gospel-centered community called to take and make refuge, and its rhythms of worship, teaching, small groups, and outreach are designed to make that vision tangible week by week.
Sundays at 10 a.m. in Irvine
The Sunday service begins at 10:00 a.m. and runs about seventy minutes. It is a full gathering of the whole church family: a time of contemporary worship led by a band, a few announcements, a sermon from God's Word, and moments of prayer, communion, and fellowship woven through the morning. Coffee and donuts are available before the service, and newcomers are welcome to come as they are. Most people wear jeans and a t-shirt, though the dress code stops at whatever makes a guest comfortable.
The address is 1 Tarocco, Irvine, CA 92618, and the church office can be reached at 949.857.5007. Anyone planning a first visit is invited to fill out a short newcomer form so the team can be ready to greet them and help with kids' check-in.
A Modern, Blended Sound
Worship is led by a full band and is intentionally contemporary, with new songs mixed in alongside meaningful ones from the past. The church's own words describe the approach this way: the entire congregation is the choir, and the goal is to glorify God with the fruit of lips that confess His name while building one another up in faith. The music ministry has produced a handful of projects over the years, including Impossible Things, Held, Rise, The Gift, and For Your Love.
Joe Arant, a lifelong Orange County native, serves as Worship Pastor. Tyler Levesque leads the media and production side, overseeing the Front-of-House audio, the live broadcast mix, lyric slides, and camera work. Those interested in serving on the Worship Team (musicians and vocalists) or the Production Team (audio, slides, camera) can apply directly through the church.
Voyagers Kids, from Nursery through Fifth Grade
Children's Ministry runs during every Sunday service and is led by Children's Pastor Davis Gastelum and Children's Director Amie Parra, who holds a Master's in Bible Exposition from Talbot. The nursery, for infants through one year, is staffed by background-checked volunteers and provides safe play, prayer, and intentional care. Preschoolers (ages two through kindergarten) experience worship, hands-on Bible lessons, and engaging activities. Elementary students in first through fifth grade take part in high-energy worship, interactive teaching, and small group discussions.
First-time families stop at the check-in station to register and receive a secure tag for pickup; returning families use self-check-in stations. All volunteers are background-checked, and children are released only to authorized adults with a matching tag. Beyond Sunday morning, R.O.C.K. meets on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. in The Cove, packing in games, worship, Bible lessons, and small group time for first through fifth graders.
Junior High and High School
Junior High Ministry, led by Pastor Aaron Cardinio, gathers sixth through eighth graders on Sunday mornings from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m. and on Wednesday evenings from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. during the school year. The Wednesday rhythm combines high-energy games with spiritually focused small groups. A reading wall in the Junior High room offers curated parenting books, and the church produces a parenting podcast called Dance Like This.
High School Ministry, pastored by John Sagherian (M.A., Talbot School of Theology), meets at the same Sunday morning window, with Wednesday nights set aside for Discipleship Groups where students dig into Scripture and grow alongside trusted leaders. Both ministries rely on teams of adult volunteers who serve as mentors and friends, and both welcome new students at any point in the year.
Home Groups Across South Orange County
Small group life at Voyagers happens in homes. Home Groups meet throughout South Orange County, from Tustin down to San Juan Capistrano, organized by life stage and shared interests. The church's philosophy is that real life change happens in a setting where there is prayer, Scripture, encouragement, laughter, tears, and fun, and a place where everyone knows your name. Anyone looking for a group is encouraged to register online; if no existing group fits, the church will help start one.
One-on-One Discipleship
For those wanting a more focused approach, the Disciple-Making ministry uses a one-on-one model (a kind of personal trainer for the faith) alongside the Operation Timothy curriculum. Volunteers walk through a structured, reproducible framework designed to help believers grow and then disciple others in turn. Michael Risley, who has been part of Voyagers for many years and previously served as Executive Pastor, leads this effort as Discipleship Deacon.
Men, Women, and Lifeline
Men's Ministry, led by Deacon Brittan Burns, meets for a regular weekly Bible study where men dig into Scripture, apply it to daily life, and build friendships. A multi-week book study through Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together is offered in the Fireside Room on Sunday mornings from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m., with coffee and donuts before the group breaks into smaller discussions.
Women's Ministry, led by Deacon Cheryl Evans, is built around three main expressions. A community Bible Study through Engaging God's Word: Genesis from Community Bible Study meets on Tuesday mornings (9:00 to 11:30 a.m.) and Tuesday evenings (6:45 to 8:30 p.m.). MomCo, a Wednesday-evening gathering for moms, runs from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Lifeline pairs women seeking support with spiritually mature sisters for prayer, encouragement, and companionship through life's seasons.
ESL, Local Outreach, and Global Missions
English as a Second Language classes meet every Friday from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. at the church, free of charge, with basic, beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The program runs September through May and partners with South Coast Literacy. Deacon Jim Gustafson has led ESL for many years.
Local Outreach partners with other churches and organizations to feed the hungry, support families in need, and serve neighbors facing hardship. Globally, Voyagers builds long-term relationships with indigenous communities living out the gospel in their own contexts, supporting ministry partners and offering opportunities for prayer, events, and mission trips. Deacon Jim Walton leads Global Missions.
What Voyagers Believes
The Statement of Faith, downloadable from the church, centers on the historic evangelical doctrines of the faith. Voyagers affirms one God eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, His sinless life, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, and promised return; the full deity of the Holy Spirit and His work of regeneration, indwelling, gifting, and sanctification; and the Bible as the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone, and those who believe are eternally secure.
The church practices two ordinances: believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper. It is governed by biblically qualified elders and pastors supported by deacons. On marriage and human identity, the Statement affirms marriage as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, the goodness of male and female as God's creative design, and the sacredness of all human life from conception.
A Team of Pastors, Elders, and Deacons
Day-to-day ministry is carried out by a staff that includes Pastors Davis Gastelum (Children's), Aaron Cardinio (Junior High), John Sagherian (High School), Joe Arant (Worship), and Mark Vanlandingham (Counseling & Care); Directors Amie Parra (Children's), Tyler Levesque (Media & Communications), and Kristen Opre (Ministry Engagement); and Skylar Machnikowski, who coordinates student worship and administration. Five elders (Michael Parra, Brian Bayless, Stephen Jardon, Brent Sandberg, and Robert Godfrey) provide spiritual oversight, and a deacon team leads specific ministries across men, women, global missions, ESL, and discipleship.
Generosity and Giving
Voyagers frames giving as worship rather than charity, anchored in 2 Corinthians 9 and the call to give regularly, generously, and sacrificially. Giving is supported in three ways: offering boxes at Sunday services, mailed gifts to the church address, or online through Pushpay.
Plan a Visit
Visitors who want a little extra help can fill out the newcomer form online before arriving. The team uses it to streamline kids' check-in, follow up with a welcome, and answer any questions about programs for the whole family. Sunday mornings are designed to feel unhurried: a donut and a coffee before the service, a place for every member of the family from the nursery through the high school room, and a community that takes the long view of what it means to follow Jesus together.