Meet the Staff

Pastor/Head of Staff: Rev. Dave Carpenter

The Reverend Dave Carpenter attended Tufts University in Boston and graduated from Eastern College in Philadelphia. Dave obtained his M.Div. at Princeton Theological Seminary. During seminary, Dave was involved in Young Life and spent a year-long internship in South Africa when apartheid laws were dismantled. Dave was privileged to work with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the South African Council of Churches, and a host of reconciliation ministries.

From 1991 to 1997 Dave served as the Associate for Youth, Children and Families at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Westlake Village, CA. From 1997 to 2002 he served as  Pastor of Singles and Church Life Ministries at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston. After marrying, Dave took a 16-month honeymoon to 45 countries, meeting with churches and mission organizations before assuming his position in 2004 as Pastor/Head of Staff at Presbyterian Church in Morristown, NJ. With a collaborative style of leadership, Dave helped the congregation develop contemporary worship, strengthen youth and small group ministries, and attract younger and more diverse members.

Mission and service are Dave’s first loves. Dave believes the church should be a place where believers are connected in community, fed and equipped for ministry, and then sent out -- daring to give expression to their faith in ways that touch the lives of others. Through Dave’s work in such places as Africa, Northern Ireland, Croatia, Mexico and American inner cities, he has learned the value of “hands on” ministry and has seen faith ignited as people venture out to touch a world in need.

In their free time, Dave and his wife, Yvette, can be found traveling, kayaking, hiking, reading, kickboxing, or wandering with their golden retriever, Zanzibar. Changing from a career in elementary education, Yvette has completed her credentials for a career in nursing.

Since the birth of their daughter, Ryan, in 2007, Dave’s top priority outside work has been to rush home as fast as humanly possible, change into comfortable clothes, flop onto the floor with Ryan, and, in Dave’s words, “get lost in new worlds I never could never imagined.”

Associate Pastor: Rev. Dr. Roché Vermaak, Ph.D.

While growing up in South Africa, Roché came to faith when he was just six years old. His journey of faith continued, and as a junior God called him to ministry. He enrolled in the University of Pretoria's Theology program and met Kobie. Roché graduated with a B.A. in Theology, followed by a post Bachelor's degree in Greek, a M.Div degree (valedictorian), a M.Th with a specialization in New Testament Studies, and a Ph.D in church polity (all cum laude) from the University of Pretoria.  His dissertation was on the gay and lesbian ordination and same-gender marriage debates in the PC(USA).  Roché's continuous training and studies have fueled his passion for teaching and preaching.

He started ministry as the youth pastor of a 1,200 member suburban church, then pastor/head of staff of a 750 member inner-city church, and lastly serving for five years as one of five co-pastors at a 2,800 member church in suburban Pretoria, South Africa. In all three congregations his focus and love was Children, Youth and Christian Education ministries. However, God had other plans and Roché and his wife took a leap of faith and immigrated to the USA in 2001 where he served as solo pastor in Brawley, CA. They moved to BPC in June 2005. 

Roché's wife, Kobie (pronounced "Kwibie"), and he have been married for 21 years and have two children, Cara and Leo. They love adventure and experiencing new environments and cultures, and inherited the travel bug from their parents. Kobie, also a native South African, is the Minister of Faith Formation and Innovation at West Hollywood Presbyterian Church and is a Candidate ready to receive a call.

Roché says "I'm passionate about Jesus Christ and about life - my family, work, teaching, preaching, my friends. I love seeing people grow into their faith and their ministries. BPC has stretched my faith and theology. I have found a faith community that reflects my values of inclusiveness and welcoming. And, I love specializing in Christian Education."

Roché's hobbies include golf, snowboarding, reading, traveling and camping.

Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries: Amy Klinkovsky

A lifelong Presbyterian, Amy left a 12-year career in higher education marketing and communications at Texas A&M University to move to Los Angeles and attend San Francisco Theological Seminary/Southern California where she just completed her first year of study. In Texas, Amy was an active youth advisor and a deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Bryan, the church whose care she is under during the seminary process. She also served as the adult co-moderator for two-and-a-half years for the Presbyterian Youth Connection Council in the Presbytery of New Covenant and participated in the Presbyterian Youth Triennium in 2001, 2004 and 2007 as a sponsor, Presbytery coordinator and small group leader, respectively.