About Peter Dunn

At an evening fellowship service, while Peter was still in college, he crystallized his commitment to full-time ministry. The worship leader stood up and said, “We will stay and worship until the last person leaves.” Many hours later, only three remained, Peter being one of these. As he prayed for his own discernment towards the path that God had set for him, he received the verse that would form his full-time call;

I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit; out of the mud and mire.

He set my feet on a rock; and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth; a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the Lord; and put their trust in him.

Psalm 40:1-3

Peter grew up at Malibu Presbyterian Church, where his family were active members. He completed high school at Oaks Christian in Westlake Village. Sports were a big part of his life growing up and he played baseball for Azusa Pacific University, where he was a pitcher. He completed his undergraduate work in pre-law at APU. Peter earned his master’s degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. While at Fuller, he interned as a youth pastor for a new church plant in Watts through World Impact and lived in South Central LA during this time. Saint Andrew’s maintains an active partnership with this church.

While at Fuller, Peter met his wife Katie, who grew up in Fresno. Katie received her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and has developed a business as a professional counselor.  

After graduating from Fuller, Peter began his ministry as the Youth Pastor at Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Redondo Beach. He and Katie married six months later. Peter completed his Doctorate of Ministry degree from George Fox University in 2024. His dissertation focused on spiritual formation, creating a framework to empower emerging leaders for effective ministry.

Peter has a number of interesting connections with SBPC and our local community:

• He is an active member of The Fellowship Community under the current leadership of Mike McClenahan.  
• His grandfather, upon completing his service in WW2, moved to Solana Beach to become a PE teacher at Earl Warren Middle School.  
• Peter’s uncle is a past mayor of Encinitas, and his sister and her family have lived in San Marcos for many years. 

Katie and Peter have two children: Glory, who is six and in first grade, and Remington, who is ten, and in 4th grade. Their active lives outside school include roller skates, soccer balls, surfboards, and karate uniforms. 

We invite you to warmly welcome Peter and his family into our community. Your support and prayers will be invaluable as he and his family transition into this new ministry calling.

The Church In-Between.

Raising Up Leaders in the Liminal Context at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.

This is Peter’s doctoral dissertation from Portland Seminary at George Fox University, reflecting his deep focus on spiritual formation as it is applied to Church leadership and Ministry transformation. 

Finding Homes for the Homeless

This is a PC(USA) article highlighting Peter’s ongoing leadership in our denomination and his innovative voice in the Presbytery of the Pacific regarding the evolving perspective on outreach to the unhoused and models of partnership for the prosperity of our cities.