Pastoral Staff
IANN SCHONKEN (LEAD PASTOR)
In 1988, Iann came to the United States from his country of birth, South Africa, to complete his college education. During this time, he served as an associate pastor in Ridgecrest, CA. After receiving his Master's degree in Religion (Church Leadership), he went on to assist various evangelistic ministries in over a decade of ministry, administration, traveling, speaking and consultation.
In 1996, Iann went full-time on the road as a traveling and crusade evangelist.
From 2002-2006, he assisted Pastor Benny Perez in launching a church plant in Las Vegas, NV. Recently, he co-authored "myPrayerPartner: A Systematic Approach to Prayer," and created The School of Prayer with his brother, Dr. Johann Schonken.
Iann has over twenty years of ministry experience and ministers the Word with great boldness and compassion, with signs and wonders following. Iann Schonken became Lead Pastor at Family Fellowship in October 2006.
MELODI SCHONKEN (CHILDREN'S PASTOR)
A native Californian, Melodi grew up in a pastor’s home and had a loving example of dedicated and balanced Christian parents. She started working in children’s ministry when she was 12 years as a pre-school Sunday School teacher. At that time, she “caught the vision,” and her heart continued to grow for ministry to children and their families.
After High School, she attended Vanguard University of Southern California. During that time she worked as an intern in the Children’s Department at South Coast Community Church (which is now Mariner’s Church) in Irvine, CA. She worked as a Resident’s Assistant in the girls dorm and was involved in many outreaches to Mexico, inner city Long Beach and the Middle East.
She met her husband, Pastor Iann Schonken, who was a student there. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science, Psychology, she received her California Teacher’s Credential and taught as a public school teacher for ten years. She went on to receive her Masters in Education at the University of Phoenix in 2002.
Melodi has traveled with her husband in evangelistic work, ministered in the U.S. and Brazil, and was also the Crusade Coordinator for Tim Storey Ministries. She is currently serving as the KIDZ Pastor here at Family Fellowship Church. She has a heart for the children and their families in this area.
She is also Director/Facilitator of the Women’s Ministries at FFC, and is finding that God is anointing her “for such a time as this” to lovingly lead and connect women to fulfill the calling of God on their lives.
Melodi ...
- Helped build a church building in Norway from the ground up.
- Won a trip for two to Switzerland.
- Worked on an archeology dig in Israel.
- Became engaged to her husband in South Africa.
- She has one brother who works at Fort Knox Gold Mine in Alaska (and no, he is not allowed to take home samples).
- She has a weakness for ice cream and a good cup of coffee.
- Her favorite scripture verse is Jeremiah 29:11-13.
RON PORRAS (WORSHIP PASTOR)
Ron has over 25 years experience in leading worship and has worked in churches from 125 to 5,000 members. Through his worship ministry he has been in concert with Ron Kenoly, Darlene Zschech, Clint Brown and Yolanda Adams. He has directed community choirs including special events with Evander Holyfield, and the Women of Faith Conference at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. He has led worship in conferences with Coach Bill McCartney of Promise Keepers, Dr. Morris Cerullo, and Bishop Joseph Garlington. Prior to coming to Oceanside, Pastor Ron served as Worship Pastor for Benny Perez at the Church at South Las Vegas, a growing church of 3,000 members.
Worship is our response to God for all that He is doing in our lives. Our goal is to lead our church into the presence of God through a variety of musical styles and expressions. At Family Fellowship we strive to celebrate those differences. We are always looking for people with talent and a desire to lead worship through instrument, voice, or service in our media department, if you are interested please click here.
SHELDON BROWN (YOUTH PASTOR & CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER)
Sheldon Brown joined the Marine Corps at the age of 17 in 1981 and served his country for nine years. During this time, Sheldon accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior in January of 1986. In December of 1987, he married his beautiful wife Naomi and began an outreach ministry in a gang community in Oceanside, CA.
He served and led in many various ministries which included evangelism, home bible studies, youth and children ministries, and military outreaches aboard Camp Pendleton, CA. Sheldon began working for the U.S. Postal Service in 1994 as a letter-carrier and supervisor, where he would stay for the next 11 years.
During this time he attended the University of Phoenix where he pursued a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management until the Lord redirected him into ministry. In 2000, he received his Certificate of Ordination as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Recently, he has completed his credential certification as a Minister through the Assemblies of God.
Sheldon joined the staff at Family Fellowship in 2005 as the Chief Operations Officer and became its Youth Pastor in 2008.
DR. ALLEN BRECKENRIDGE (CHURCH COUNSELOR)
Dr. Breckenridge serves as family counselor here at Family Fellowship and has many years of experience and education in the ministry:
- B.S., M.A., M.Div., and D.Min.
- 25 Years Pastoral Counseling
- 19 Years Military Chaplain
- Counselor to Diverse Religious Backgrounds
- Referrals from Commanders, Psychologists, Chaplains and Pastors
- Major Counseling Role during Desert Shield/Desert Storm
- Led Sharing and Coping Groups Continuously for 16 Years
- Trained Leaders for Facilitating Small Groups
- State Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
DON & MARY SMITH (SENIORS & MISSIONS PASTORS)
Don & Mary serve the Senior Adult community at Family Fellowship Church by providing leadership for a variety of ministries. With Senior Adults enjoying many fruitful, healthy years, the Smiths address a broad range of needs.
They also serve as Missions Pastors, having a rich background in pastoral ministry and church planting for nearly four decades in Japan as Assemblies of God Missionaries.
Mary is a native Californian, from Long Beach. Don is a “Tarheel,” from North Carolina. They have four adult children.