Leadership
The heart behind Epic Leadership Center — a husband and wife team dedicated to seeing Ventura's youth flourish.
"I grew up in Ventura without a lot of resources — but I had people who believed in me. That's what EPIC is about. We show up, we believe in these kids, and we refuse to give up on them."
Raised in Ventura, Rafael saw firsthand the difference a caring adult can make in a young person's life. After years of community outreach and youth ministry, he and his wife Lorisa founded Epic Leadership Center to provide the structured support Ventura's underserved youth desperately needed.
Rafael leads with a pastor's heart and a community organizer's grit. He believes that transformative change happens through relationships — not programs — and that every young person has a leader inside them waiting to be awakened.
When he's not working with youth, Rafael serves as lead pastor at New Season Church of Ventura and spends time with his family, investing in the same community he grew up in.
"Every child deserves to know they are seen, valued, and capable of amazing things. That's not just our mission — it's our calling."
Lorisa brings warmth, vision, and tireless energy to Epic Leadership Center. Her background in education and youth development shapes the program's holistic approach — addressing not just academic needs but the social, emotional, and spiritual well-being of every child.
As co-pastor of New Season Church, Lorisa oversees the mentorship and life coaching programs, ensuring that every volunteer and mentor is equipped to make a lasting impact. Her heart for families drives the organization's commitment to walking alongside parents as well as children.
Lorisa believes that the key to breaking cycles of poverty and hardship is love — consistent, unconditional, action-oriented love. She lives that belief every day.
Epic Leadership Center operates as an independent 501(c)(3). New Season Church's pastoral team provides leadership and spiritual covering for the program.
Service Time: Sundays at 10:00 AM
Address: 500 High Point Dr., Ventura, CA
Website: newseasonvta.org
New Season Church
Ventura, CA