Calvary's Leaders
Liz Gold
Reach Global Missions Director
What do you do at Calvary?
I serve full time on the pastoral staff as Calvary’s Missions Director. My responsibility is to oversee all of the ministry that encompasses REACH Global, which includes: Selection and care of missionaries (candidates, current, and retired); partnership projects; Global Short Term teams; International ministries; give vision to the church in reaching the lost (Missions Conferences, literature, world religion classes, faith promise giving); encourage other church mission leaders and individuals in reaching their full missions potential; and participate in all pastoral staff requested assignments.
How did you come to Calvary and how long have you been here?
We were transplants from Emmanuel Faith Community Church in Escondido when we arrived at Calvary in 1983. This was the church they recommended and the only one we tried out. The first year we were here I had a wonderful time participating in the Tuesday morning women’s Bible study. We also served seven years in the children’s ministries preschool on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. I was hired here on April 15, 1985 as the Secretary, and then Assistant Director, for the Preschool. In 1992, I began working in the church offices. I started serving officially as Calvary’s Missions Director in 1994.
What is your educational background and training?
Ninety percent of my training and experience as a Missions Director has been on the job! I attended secular colleges (Palomar, Santa Ana, and UCLA) and have taken Bible courses at Western Seminary, as well as a variety of mission related classes and seminars by audit and online. With the training and experience received over the years, I have been a seminar speaker for several missions conferences (ACMC, Friends, EVFree, etc.); written and published three handbooks that are specific to: missionary care, the role of a missions pastor, and missions conferences (two have been used by mission agencies as online tools and parts of another have been used in a missions study); and endorsed a mission book written by a prominent missions leader. In addition, I serve on the Board of DualReach and the Advisory Board of InterAct Ministries, both mission agencies. In October 2010, I participated as a delegate at the Lausanne Congress III in Cape Town, South Africa, one of 400 United States participants out of 4,000 from around the world, invited following a nomination process. My gift is networking and using it to our advantage here at Calvary. I am a true believer in allowing God to use us as His tool and then watch Him work.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Dearborn, Michigan and lived there until 1962. From there we moved to Lompoc, CA for 6 months; Abilene, TX for a year; Bay St. Louis, Waveland, and Gulfport, Mississippi for three years, and then moved to California in 1966, first to San Ysidro for a year and then to Escondido until 1983. From Dearborn to Abilene I actually attended seven schools in one school year. But, from 1967 through high school we lived in the same house in Escondido. We sort of lived in the country and we actually were able to raise three cows and had two large Collie dogs. So I would give Escondido the thumbs up for “where I was raised”.
Tell us about your family...
Our immediate family consists of my husband, Roger who is an Historian, teaching World History at Banning High School in Wilmington, CA. He is an amazing man with a phenomenal, brilliant mind. He is also one of the kindest and most loving people I know. Our son, Tim is a film editor and has done some terrific film work. One of his films was at the Newport Beach Film Festival and we got to go a see it on the big screen. There is nothing like seeing your son’s name that big going across the screen – Tim Gold, Editor. We have a beautiful daughter, Anna, who is an artist and family quick wit – she does amazing art work and she also has a quick sense of humor and makes us laugh. She is also an amazing writer. All of her College English teachers wanted her to write – but she got her degree in Fine Arts, Sculpture. Today she serves as Calvary’s Graphic Designer and Visual Arts Coordinator.
Tell us how you "popped the question," or how it was popped to you.
Roger asked me to marry him on our third date. He had to wait another four months before I said yes, and then we went together to pick out my ring. When he gave me my ring in early December 1979, he just tossed the box to me saying, “You know what’s in it already.” But when I opened the box it was empty! So I gave it back to him. Later that evening, we went out for a nice dinner and then he got down on one knee and asked me again, this time with the ring in the box. I said yes. We were married April 26, 1980.
What is your favorite memory from your time at Calvary Church?
There are so many. Those that focus around my family would be seeing our children baptized by Pastor Fred Morse in Samsvick Chapel when they were very young. Also both of them have been involved singing – either in musicals or leading worship. Another favorite was seeing missionary, Caroyln Kodear Coburn getting married in Fellowship Hall. She served for three terms as a SIM missionary to Africa and Bangladesh, finally coming back to the states to begin a new life. God blessed her with a husband when she was in her 50’s and included in that a new grandchild and children from his family, as he was widowed. It was one of the happiest weddings I ever have attended.
Who have been the biggest spiritual influencers in your life?
My mother and my husband. Both brought me closer to the Lord. My mom was an amazing Christian woman who led a hard life, but taught me about the Savior from my childhood. My husband has showed me unconditional love throughout our marriage and by doing so helped me to understand how God loves us. They both were and are my biggest champions too.
Favorite place you’ve been in the world and where do you want to go next?
Two places - Sulawesi, Indonesia and Boracay, Philippines. These islands in Asia are absolutely beautiful, but tropical and very hot. Since part of my role is visiting our missionaries, my next stop in the order of things should be Central and South America. But personally, I’d like to go visit my cousins in Kentucky and maybe do some traveling in that area as I haven’t seen a lot of the South, except as a child living in Mississippi.
When I can't be found at Calvary,
I can be found at home with my hubby. If we go away for a short trip it will almost always be San Diego. We both love it there - Downtown at the harbor or watching a game at Petco Park – especially if the Cubs happen to be playing.
Hidden Talent?
I sing and I do free hand Calligraphy. I’m also considered a good cook, but I think that depends on who is eating my creations!
What do you count as the greatest invention of the last 100 years?
The “word processor” computer and printer. I can remember when typing a letter required perfection or lots of “white out”. I even remember ditto machines! Younger people, who have never experienced life without a computer, have no idea how much time and energy was wasted retyping letters, etc.. And with the computer came email – which made contacting missionaries in the remotest parts of the earth a snap, cheaper than a phone, and quicker than a letter by post.
On what reality show would you most want to be a contestant?
Project Runway – yes, I even sew a little. But I’d rather be a judge of the Designer (contestants) and say “One day you’re in and the next day you’re out.” And finally, “You have won this challenge!”