Calvary's Leaders
Jon Eshleman
What do you do at Calvary?
I strive to love God with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind. And, I strive to love my neighbor as myself. I am the college pastor at Calvary and I work to care for college students and point them towards Jesus.
How did you come to Calvary and how long have you been here?
Today I came to Calvary by way of my Toyota Tacoma, and I have been here for about 7 hours. I came to be a part of Calvary Church through Paul Gates and Eric Wakeling. Paul and Eric formerly worked together and Paul and I also worked together. Paul was the catalyst that formed the bond. All that to say, I started working at Calvary in September of 2009.
What is your educational background and training?
I went to public school most of my life up through high school. I received a BA from Westmont College with a double major in Communication Studies and Philosophy. I attended graduate school at Georgetown University and received a cross disciplinary degree in Communication, Culture, and Technology. During my time at graduate school I had the opportunity to live with the former chaplain of Westmont College, Bart Tarman, and I received a great deal of discipleship during those two years. Most recently I have begun studies at Fuller Theological Seminary and I plan to restart courses in January of 2010. My wife and I also spent close to a year living in South America as missionaries which was a great time of training for both of us.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in San Bernardino, CA. I was raised mostly in Laguna Niguel, CA. But some fun facts. I spent 1 year of my life, age 1-2 living on Roosevelt Island just off Manhattan Island in New York. I went to kindergarten at the International School of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Other than those two moves, I was mostly in South Orange County.
Tell us about your family...
I am the husband of the hottest, most amazing, intelligent, godly, sweet, cooking-master, fun-loving, gorgeous woman in the world named Anna! She amazes me with her love and compassion on a daily basis. I am deeply in love with her and so grateful to God for her. We were married in October of 2006.
Tell us how you "popped the question," or how it was popped to you.
This could take a while. I saved tons of stuff from throughout our 10 month relationship (e.g. text messages, voice mails, movie tickets, cards, pictures, etc.) and compiled my first and likely last scrapbook. I then brought Anna down to the beach (Strands Point, Dana Point, CA) and we sat on the rocks looking at the ocean in the same place where we had our first date (but had not returned since until this day that I proposed). I gave her the scrapbook as we sat on the rocks, she cried as she read all of the text messages and voice mails that I had typed out. At the end was a picture of us on the beach at a friends wedding. It said, "Thanks for the last 10 months, I can't wait to see what's coming next!" With tears in her eyes she said, "I don't know what to say, Babe." I said, "Well, I don't know what you're going to say to this then." Then I got out of my chair and got on one knee and she started freaking out. I had very few words to say. "Anna Jeannine Rock, I love you so much (this was the first time she heard me say those words) and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. (At this point I pulled the engagement ring out of my pocket) Will you marry me?" She said, "YES!" I had her best friend's husband secretly taking pictures of the whole event. Her best friend then ran over to us and celebrated with us on the beach along with her husband who took some more pictures. We left the beach and went back to my truck where I had asked a friend to leave a bouquet of lilies and some wedding magazines on the seat while we were on the beach. I opened her car door and there they were waiting! Perfect. We then went back to my house so I could change for dinner. I had earlier gone to her house to get 3 nice outfits and all of her toiletries. So she arrived at my house and was able to change into something nice for dinner (she had no idea that the proposal was coming). We went to dinner at Ti Amo in Laguna Beach. It was a great Italian dinner together overlooking the ocean. Afterwards, we drove to my parents house where I had a surprise engagement party planned with all of her close friends and family as well as my close friends and family. We toasted, watched a slide-show of the engagement and celebrated with friends. It was a spectacular day! I love my wife!
What is your favorite memory from your time at Calvary Church?
Well, I have been here for about a month now, so let's see. I guess I'll have to go with the staff retreat to Hume Lake. That was a great time of getting to know a lot of the staff and just a nice time of relaxation. And coming in 2nd place in the frisbee golf tournament with Doug Brown was pretty sweet too!
Who have been the biggest spiritual influencers in your life?
My mom and dad have always pointed me towards Jesus. I also have to list my wonderful wife Anna, Bart & Linda Tarman, Russ & Janet Landreth, Chris Pritchett, Roy Schenkenberger, Jeremy Clements, Dan Patterson, Barry Brown, Dick Foth, Doug Coe, Jovanni Tricerri, Chris Bouma, Eric Lucy, George Hulse, Boogie Rose, Paul Gates, and a number of various authors.
Favorite place you’ve been in the world and where do you want to go next?
This is a tough one. I have many favorites. Most beautiful lush scenery and mountains....probably New Zealand. Most beautiful tropical place...probably Mauritius. Most fun culturally, probably Rome. Most fun with the wife...Sayulita, Mexico. Where I want to go next is a tossup. It's between a surf boat trip to Indonesia with my guy friends or a trip with Anna to Chinquaterra, Italy (the Amalfi coast). I love to travel, but my favorite place in the world is Salt Creek beach to surf and just relax with my wife and watch a sunset (it also helps that I was married on this beach).
When I can't be found at Calvary, I can be found...
at the beach. Usually I am surfing at Salt Creek in Dana Point. If I'm not there, I with my lovely wife possibly walking around Costco or hanging out at Starbucks or a friends house.
Hidden Talent?
I am a talented surfer, but that talent is not quite that hidden. I am an almost unbeatable Boggle player. I love the game. I am also a fair Cribbage player as well.
What do you count as the greatest invention of the last 100 years?
I would have to say the iPhone. First of all, the phone by itself is included in that which is amazing. It also includes the internet, which is just phenomenal. I can read books on it, play games on it, use it as a coaster if need be. The thing does just about anything I need it to do. It is a remarkable invention.
On what reality show would you most want to be a contestant?
Hmmm....I think I would like to be on the show Extreme Makeover, Home Edition. First, I would need to buy a home though. But once we have a home, then I want to be on that show! Hey-O! Brand new awesome house with amazing appliances and all the amenities. I guess you're not really a contestant on the show, but I'd still like to be on it! If I had to be a contestant, I guess I'd go with The Amazing Race.