Staff Directory
Pondo Vleisides, Senior Pastor [pondo@talegachurch.com]
phone: (949) 493-1980 x. 204
Pondo has served as pastor of Talega Life Church since January 2003. He took a leave from the Presbyterian Church, where he served on staff at San Clemente Presbyterian from 1995-2000, and Saint Peter’s By The Sea Presbyterian Church in Huntington Beach from 2000-2003. His wife, Perra, and two children, Andre (16) Nicki (13) are the heart of his ministry.
Pondo serves in the Congregational Care Counseling and Community Counseling ministry along with teaching. His studies have taken him into Fuller Theological Seminary and San Fransisco Theological Seminary, as he continues to work on his Masters of Theology. Pondo earned his Masters in Counseling in 1995, and is currently a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern with the State of California. Pondo is also working toward his license and continuing education to receive a license as a CADAC, Alcohol and Drug Counselor for the community. Pondo is a licensed Chaplain. His passion is to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ and through that love, leading to a personal connection to our Lord. Pondo loves to care for people and to fellowship amongst them. Fishing, golf, beach, listening to Andre play piano, and spending time with my family are his joys in life.
Life Verse: Galatians 2:20
Dan Moncton, Teaching Pastor & Worship Pastor [dan@talegachurch.com]
phone: (949) 493-1980 x.203
Pastor Dan came to the Lord at the age of 18, while living, surfing and going to college in Leucadia, California.
Pastor Dan began his ministry in 1981 at Little Country Church in Redding, CA. It was there where he became ordained. Pastor Dan has remained in the ministry for the last 27 years and has served in a variety of areas, from graphics to counseling, as a College & Career Pastor, an Assistant Pastor, a Care Pastor, an Outreach Pastor, a Music Pastor and as an Associate Pastor. He has had the privilege of ministering in 4 wonderful churches in California. First in Northern California at Little Country Church for 9 years, Ocean Hills Community Church in San Juan Capistrano for 11 years, he took 2 years off to do local and global outreach, Church on the Rock in San Juan Capistrano, Capistrano Valley Church for 4 ½ years, and now at Talega Life Church in San Clemente where he is the lead Teaching Pastor and Worship Pastor.
Music and evangelism has always been Dan’s passion, which has allowed him to record numerous tapes & CD’s, and minister in song throughout the Orient, Europe, and across the United States.
Pastor Dan resides in San Clemente with his wife, Debbie. They have 2 grown children and 1 granddaughter.
Luke Bright,Youth Pastor (luke@talegachurch.com)
phone: (949) 493-1980 x.206
Connie Knowlden, Preschool Director [connie@talegachurch.com]
phone: (949) 542-8680
Connie joined our staff in January 2009. She has worn many hats in her years working with youth and children. She founded, directed and served as a teacher at “Little Light Preschool” at Church of the Master in Mesa, Arizona. She then accepted the job as Director of Family Ministries where she organized Sunday School, mid-week worship, family camps and special events. She previously served as Family Ministry Director at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Downey, California, and she started her early childhood career at the San Clemente Presbyterian Church where she worked as an aide, teacher and Assistant Director for over 16 years.
For more information about our preschool, click here.
