OUR LEADERSHIP

Lead Pastor: Skip Preston
Dr. Gabby Navarro-Preston

Pastor Skip Has lived in Costa Rica since 2012, following God’s call to move here as a full-time missionary. Prior to moving to Costa Rica, Skip served as the Senior Pastor of a Church in Lansing, Michigan for 13 years and he served as a youth pastor and a pastoral assistant prior to doing formal studies in Seminary and planting the church he pastored in Michigan. In 2015 he moved from Alajuela to Guanacaste to start a mission base and internship program. That eventually led to him founding Mission Activation Charity in 2018 where Skip continues serving as the President and Executive Director. Pastor Skip is the founding and lead pastor of Activation Church, which he planted as an ARC church plant in January of 2024.

After Skip was widowed, God brought Gabby and him into each other’s lives. Gabby is a native Costa Rican who has also lived, studied, and/or worked in 6 different countries. They were married on December 29, 2020. Gabby has her PhD. in Education with a minor in Women’s Studies from New Mexico State University, where she also taught for 5 years. After working for five years at the National Women’s Institution of the Costa Rican government where she helped create policies to protect and empower girls and women, she is currently the Community Program Outreach Director for Mission Activation Charity where she is overseeing and developing various community education and empowerment programs for children, youth, adults and seniors from vulnerable communities in Carrillo, Guanacaste and beyond.

Pastor Allen was born and raised in the suburbs of Seattle, WA. He pursued his undergraduate studies at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. Following his passion for ministry, he attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, and was ordained in 1984. Pastor Allen began his pastoral career serving as an associate pastor in Casper, WY, and later in Gig Harbor, WA. In 1989, he took on the role of lead pastor at First Lutheran Community Church in Port Orchard, WA, where he faithfully served for 20 years.

In 2009, Pastor Allen relocated to Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica, where he founded the non-denominational Celebration Community Church. His dedication to fostering a welcoming community was evident in his leadership and pastoral care. Captivated by the vision and mission of Activation Church, Pastor Allen joined their staff and merged his congregation with the new church prior to its launch in January of 2024. His pastoral responsibilities at Activation Church include overseeing small group ministry, etc.

Pastor Allen is a proud father of two sons, both of whom are family doctors in California, and he cherishes his time with his only grandson. A sports enthusiast, he enjoys playing tennis and basketball, and he leads the church’s pickleball program, promoting health and fellowship within the community.