Leadership
Neil R. Anderson - Director
Neil is an ordained pastor with over 20 years of leadership experience in pastoral and non-profit contexts. He is honored to serve as founding Director of the Thrive Ministry Leadership Residency (est. 2018) program for Thrive Lonsdale, as a pastor to pastors with Standing Stone Ministry, and as a ministry partner and executive board member of Souleader Resources.
Experience breeds empathy. Having encountered a full share of the joys, heartaches, successes, and failures of ministry, Neil's heart beats for pastors and Christian leaders. His calling is to support, mentor, and coach those on the front lines of ministry in 1-on-1 and small group/team settings. He seeks to facilitate environments where leaders have space to rest, reflect, listen and share, and where the Spirit has room to do His work of deep renewal, growth, and transformation.
Neil is a graduate of Biola University and Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, CA, and has worked as a pastor, teacher, missionary, and ministry director in various churches and non-profits. He formerly served 10 years as Lead Pastor of Coast Bible Church in San Juan Capistrano, CA.
Casey is by far Neil's better half—his college sweetheart and bride of 20 years! She is a gifted and beloved yoga instructor (Ancient Path Yoga) who teaches locally at multiple studios. Casey brings tremendous joy, love, spiritual wisdom and insight to our program, and serves as a regular mentor, hostess, and group facilitator.
Bennett, Mallory, and Amelia round out the Anderson home. Their loving and playful spirit is a reminder that life and ministry cannot be done apart from family. Together, the Andersons enjoy reading, traveling, coffee & quiet mornings on the deck, hiking the Smokies, bicycling the greenways, downtown music & festivals, Taco Tuesdays, Sabbath Sundays, and family movie nights.
