Anthony Ahaev - Church Starting Group Interim Leader
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Tony's primary responsibilities are to formulate and implement strategies to start new ethnic/language churches. He also is responsible for recruiting and supervising office and field staff. Additionally he serves as a ministry resource consultant for CSBC Service Area 9, Orange County and San Diego Southern Baptist Associations.
Ahaev was born in Germany to Russian parents. He grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After immigrating to the United States, he was saved, baptized and licensed to preach at the Russian Baptist Church of Erie, PA and was ordained at the First Baptist Church of Winnfield, LA.
Ahaev has a bachelor of arts degree from Louisiana College, a master of divinity degree from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, and a doctor of ministry degree from California Graduate School of Theology. He also has an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and Odessa Theological Seminary. He is fluent in English, Russian and Spanish and has served as pastor of Anglo, Hispanic and Slavic churches.
He is married, has a daughter, son, and one grandson. He has served in this capacity since 1990.
Joshua Smith - African-American Church Starting Specialist
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Joshua Smith serves as African-American church starting specialist for California Southern Baptist Convention. His primary responsibilities are to formulate and implement strategies to start new African-American churches. He is also responsible for recruiting and supervising office staff and church starting strategists. Additionally, he serves as a ministry resource consultant for CSBC African-American churches throughout the state.
Joshua earned a bachelor’s degree at Jamaica Bible College, Mandeville, Jamaica; M. Div. and D. Min. Ed. degrees at Luther Rice Seminary/University; certificates in Clinical Pastoral Education from SBC Seminary Extension; and a Ph. D. (Doctor of Philosophy in General Education) at Capella University.
Prior to joining CSBC in January 2008, Joshua served as Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Hebrew History, and Applied Science at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, FL; and instructor of Old Testament and Eschatology at Bethlehem School of the Bible in Malvern, PA. He also served as professor of Old Testament and Principles and Practices of Bible Teaching at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary Contextualized Leadership Centers in Vacaville, CA.
Joshua and his wife Connie have three children.
Barbara's primary responsibility is to assist the leader of the Church Starting Group. She also is responsible for registering those attending the State Staff and DOM Conference and other Church Starting Group events. She has served California Southern Baptists since November 2002.
Vera's primary responsibility is to assist strategists of the Language Church Starting Team, directors of missions and pastors in starting new works. Vera has served California Southern Baptists since 1996.
FEBRUARY 2012 
