THE LEAD COUPLE
Lead Pastor:
Weston Mumford
Weston Mumford is the lead pastor of Garden City Church. Weston and Esther met in the Bethel Seminary library in 2015. From their very first date, Weston knew they would get married. They live in La Mesa with their 3-year-old daughter, Sophia, and almost 1-year-old son, Elijah.
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Jesus rescued Weston when he was 19 out of a life of drugs and suicidal ideation. Shortly after, Weston went on a few overseas mission trips where he saw God move powerfully and caught a glimpse of what living missionally could look like. In 2012, he felt called to attend Bible college to prepare for a life of ministry. He graduated in 2015 with a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Horizon University. During this time, he served in his first formal ministry position as the Youth Pastor at a small Church. Weston continued in education and received his M.Div. from Bethel Seminary. After serving at another church for three years, overseeing the college and youth ministries, Weston began to intern at Neighbors Church with Pastor Dan Braga. In 2020, Weston and Dan began talking and praying about the prospect of Weston being sent out to plant. Neighbors Church, in combination with The Christian and Missionary Alliance, are sending Weston to plant Garden City Church.
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Weston is a S.D. native who has a heart for the broken and lost. He loves reading, drumming, road trips, cooking, and gardening, in which he is also a certified regenerative farmer.
Esther Mumford
Esther grew up as a PK and understands the unique struggles of the family calling to pastoral ministry. She graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor in Cognitive Science. While in college, she served in KCCC (now known as Cru). During those years, Esther grew in her practice of spiritual disciplines, learned of the importance of having a spiritual mentor, and discovered her love of building relationships in the body of Christ both in churches and on the mission field. Esther graduated from Bethel Seminary in 2017 with her Master in Mental Health Counseling. Esther has worked in a supervisory position and as a therapist at UPAC for over 7 years. She counsels individuals with drug and alcohol addictions and mental health impairments. She has a special love for those in prison and trying to get right while on probation.
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Esther also loves eating, binge reading, playing jigsaw puzzles, making things with her hands, window shopping, learning about different cultures, and playing with her children.