With the retirement of Rev. Dr. Cathy Northrup, the Community Church of the Verdes has welcomed a new leader: Rev. Steve Beard, a seasoned pastor with 27 years of experience in ministry.
A San Diego native, Beard began his pastoral journey in youth ministry, including work with the Christian outreach organization Young Life, before earning his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1998. For the past 14 years, he has served as lead pastor at Mountain View Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale, a congregation he described in a farewell letter as “one of the greatest privileges of my life.”
A longtime mentor and teacher, Beard enjoys home gatherings and small group meetings that provide space for meaningful conversation, spiritual growth and deeper connections within the church community. He has a particular passion for speaking on the works of C.S. Lewis, drawing on the author’s timeless insights to inspire and challenge others in their faith.
