Meet the Staff
Tim Spivey
Vice President for Spiritual Life
Tim Spivey (’97, MS ’00, MDiv ’00) oversees the Hub for Spiritual Life and also serves on the University’s Steering Team. With more than 3 decades of ministry experience, he started his professional ministry career at the University Church of Christ at Pepperdine as a campus and worship minister. Spivey teaches as an adjunct professor in the Seaver College Religion and Philosophy Division and has deep ties to Pepperdine as both an alumnus and a parent.
He served as senior minister of vibrant and thriving churches including the North County Church of Christ in Escondido, California, and the Highland Oaks Church of Christ in Dallas, Texas. He was the founding and senior pastor of New Vintage Church in Escondido, California which he planted in 2010 along with several others.
Spivey holds three degrees from the University, including a bachelor’s degree in religion, a master’s degree in ministry, and a master of divinity. He earned a doctor of ministry from Abilene Christian University.
Jeff Walling
Director, Youth Leadership Initiative
For more than 20 years, Jeff Walling has been speaking before thousands each year in inspirational and motivational workshops and seminars across the globe. Having preached for some of the largest churches in the country, he is regularly called on to keynote for youth conferences.
Prior to joining Pepperdine, Walling served as the preaching minister of the Providence Road Church of Christ in Charlotte, North Carolina since 1997. He also served churches in Orange County, California, for over 20 years.
Jeff serves as Pepperdine's Director of the Youth Leadership Initiative, working to raise up the next generation of young Christian leaders. Jeff and his wife Cathryn have three married sons: Taylor and Courtney, with children Finn and Imogen; Riley and Megan; Spencer and Gabby.
Rachel Higgins
Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership Initiative
Rachel Higgins grew up in the small town of Camas, Washington. While a Pacific Northwest local at heart, Malibu has become a second home to her. She graduated from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor's degree in Communication and Nonprofit Management. As a student, Rachel sang in Pepperdine's Christian A cappella group, Won by One.
Rachel serves as the Program Coordinator for the Youth Leadership Initiative and is passionate about raising up the next generation of Christian Leaders.
Liz Schmidt
Manager, Church Relations
Liz Schmidt serves as Manager for Church Relations, supporting the team’s Harbor initiatives and their effective execution. Schmidt is a Los Angeles area native and comes from a family of ministry in both Spanish and English contexts. She graduated from Pepperdine University in three years with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Great Books. Schmidt and her husband Adam married in August 2024.
Noah Argota
Executive Assistant to the VP for Spiritual Life
