Editor's Note: This is the last in a series focusing on candidates seeking one of two seats on the Murrieta Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees. The election is Nov. 8.

MURRIETA —— John Wells says he has a good Christian ministry, but as a leader who has influence over people and whose primary goal in life is helping families, he wants to do more.

To that end, Wells, pastor of the Temecula-based Mountain View Community Church, has decided to run for a seat on the Murrieta Valley Unified School District board of education.

Wells, 44, has lived in Murrieta for about 10 years with his wife and two children. He moved to the region in the mid-1990s and founded Mountain View Community Church after working as a police officer in San Diego for more than seven years.

"When I joined the department, I had already completed my Bible school training," Wells explained about transitioning from a police officer to pastor and moving his family.

"I knew going in that it was not going to be a lifetime career," he said. "I really believe God led me there for some very valuable training. Doing police work is very much like being a pastor. You are trying to protect good people from the evils of this world, and you're trying to help those who are choosing to live their lives contrary to God's commands."

Wells is running for one of two seats on the board, challenging seven other candidates: incumbent Kris Thomasian, attorney Richard Ackerman, small-business owner Robin Crist, small-business owner Jan Fletcher, teacher Jacqueline Hanny, market researcher Wyatt Haupt and educational research consultant Sheree Jederberg.

The other seat up for grabs belongs to Austin Linsley, who is not running for re-election.

Wells said that in order to continue on the path of leadership and to help young people, he has decided to seek a seat on the Murrieta school board.

Wells, who is black, said he does not want to single himself out because of the color of his skin, but said he does believe that he can bring diverse and unique perspectives to the board while at the same time being a consensus-builder.

"I really want the position not for any personal gain, but I think it can be the start of something really good for our city," Wells said. "This is becoming more and more of a diverse community. As the community changes, it also has to be aware and sensitive to the needs of the families that are moving here."

His goals, if elected, include creating a "round table" forum for students, teachers, district officials and parents where people can discuss matters affecting the community, he said.

He said he also believes he can bring harmony and teamwork to the dais, noting some acrimony among current Murrieta board members.

"I don't know how you can get anything done fighting," he said. "That's an issue."

And he said he also wants to focus on getting more seniors into four-year universities, and work with district officials to build more schools to meet the student population growth demands.

Although Wells said his children did not attend Murrieta schools —— they were home-schooled before attending Calvary Chapel Christian School in Murrieta —— he said it was a personal decision and sacrifice for his family and is not meant to disparage a public education.

"The big issue for us was always our kids' character," he said of home-schooling. "If you don't have integrity, respect and honor, you are not going to be a very good CEO."

To those who work with Wells at Mountain View, the pastor exemplifies those traits.

"He's a man of character," said Earl Totty, a church administrator. "He wants the best for the people of this community. He has a passion for the youth."

In the past in San Diego, Wells served as program director for the Camp Fire Boys and Girls program, a nonprofit youth organization that aims to build self-esteem and leadership skills.

He also taught elementary school students how to deal with peer pressure in the San Diego Unified School District, and more recently helped coach the track team and work as a campus supervisor at Vista Murrieta High School.

Lead pastor Scott Treadway of the Temecula-based Rancho Community Church, which has teamed up with Mountain View for events, called Wells "a tremendous man."

"He's a model in the community as one who serves others with compassion, grace and selflessness," Treadway said. "Public service on the school board will allow him to broaden his care for others, and schools will be a better place because of what he'll offer."

Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or jkabbany@californian.com.