Favorite verses: Gen. 1:1 -- Rev. 22:21 (Okay, if I have to pick: 1 Cor. 2:1-5)Favorite book: In the Bible? 1 Peter. Otherwise: Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler RoseFavorite movie: The Jesus FilmFavorite meal: Big B's ribs, also anything my wife makes.Strange Ability: I give myself haircuts.My Testimony: Jesus captured me first in 1963. I tried to get away but he tackled me again in 1964 and started teaching me integrity and real faith. In a 1968 crisis of the heart He showed me how to find peace in prayer. In 1969 He drove me in desperation to reading the Bible so I could find out if it really was about Him. He convinced me it was, and began fueling my soul and spirit with it daily. In 1972 He led me to marry Karen and begin learning to love like Jesus. In 1997 He showed His great mercy by rescuing the last of our three daughters from Satan's power. In 1999, He began to show me how spiritually arrogant I had become without knowing it. He began to opening my eyes and heart to His truth like never before. The awe of Him and His word is growing out of control to the present day.
Favorite verses: John 7:37-39; 1 John 4:7-12; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Psalm 23Favorite book: Mere Christianity by C.S. LewisFavorite movie: Raiders of the Lost ArkFavorite meal: Fish tacosStrange ability: I can speak YodaMy Testimony: I grew up with a strong Christian influence from my parents. They sent me to a Christian school from Kindergarten through 12th grade. I was always "the good kid," but my heart was really not in love with Jesus until midway through college. I don't know exactly when I became a Christ-follower, because I remember inviting Jesus into my heart when I was 5, I remember getting baptized when I was 10, and I remember rededicating my life when I was 13 at Hume Lake, but it wasn't until I was 20 that I became convinced that Jesus was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It wasn't until I saw a group of passionate followers of Jesus at the college group of EV Free church of Fresno, and became involved with them, that I truly realized that Jesus was the Savior of the world. I thank God for providing me with such awesome parents to guide me through this whole process.
Justin Francis
Worship Pastor
Favorite verses: Psalm 73:25-27, Colossians 3:1-3, Romans 8:1-4Favorite book: The Heart of the ArtistFavorite movie: Shawshank RedemptionFavorite meal: Oh that's so hard. Either a pastrami sandwich and a rootbeer or all-you-can-eat shrimp at Red Lobster.Strange ability: I can whistle higher than the pianoMy Testimony: Christ changed my life by helping me understand that there is nothing else I can do to be perfectly loved by Him and that is the only acceptance and approval I need. I've tried to grab for the things the world calls satisfying and came up dry. God has reshaped me and rebuilt me, much like the illustration in Jeremiah where God is likened to a potter and we are the clay, but it takes presenting myself to Him broken. I desperately need a master craftsman to fashion something beautiful and useful to the King.
Zoro Mer
Student Ministries Director
Favorite verses: Ephesians 2:8-10; Micah 6:8; Psalm 51; Romans 8:37-39Favorite book: Dear Mr. Henshaw, by Beverly ClearyFavorite movie: Dumb and DumberFavorite meal: Anything my wife cooksStrange ability: I can give directions to places by food landmarks and not streets :)My Testimony: I didn’t know it at the time but I was headed to a church outreach. Y.A.D.I.I. which stands for young adults, discussing important issues, it was a college ministry at Redeemer Covenant Church in Downey, California. I initially went for the free food and video games. I went and was intrested in the discussion about issues in today’s society and God, but why did I need God? Life was already going pretty good, or at least that’s what I thought. I was going to college, I had money, and I was able to party - what more did a 20 year old want or need? See I always knew that my buddy Josh was different. I remember him being made fun of, or even being pushed around. He never lost his cool and never retaliated when given the opportunity. It was all starting to make sense, maybe being a “Christian” and how Josh acted correlated some how? I went to this outreach for months and one night it all made sense. I got the biggest light bulb over my head ever. I recognized that the way life was going wasn’t okay, and I was a sinner and needed a Savior. Story to be continued....................

Duane Litz, Jr.
Middle School Pastor
Favorite verses: Currently, my favorite verses are Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 8:35-29, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 1 Peter 5:6, 1 John 2:1-2, 1 John 3:19-20, 1 Thessalonians 2:8 and Deuteronomy 30:11-14Favorite book: Till We Have FacesFavorite movie: BraveheartFavorite meal: Tortellini AlfredoStrange ability: Breaking my cell phones :(My testimony: Jesus saved me from my rebellious heart in high school. He repaired deep places of brokenness in my heart during college. He is refninig my arrogant heart through grad school. Jesus has been loving me and changing me all along.
Teri Elfelt
Director of Children's Ministries
Favorite verses: Romans 15:13; Ephesians 3:16-21Favorite book: All I need is Jesus, and a Good Pair of Jeans, by Susanna Foth AughtmonFavorite movie: Elf! Cracks me up, I could watch it anytime of the year, but it is a must around Christmas! “This is Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?” Ha!Favorite meal: My current favorite meal is cheese enchiladas with Spanish rice and black beans…smothered with lots of sour cream…mmmm, this is making me hungry! Yum!Strange ability: Hmmm, I can pick up lots of things with my feet (keys, shoes, dropped toys…) I guess this ability has come out since I’ve had a little one! Kinda sounds gross though, doesn’t it?My Testimony: I’m blessed in that I was young when the Lord caught a hold of my heart. I asked Jesus to be the Lord of my life when I was 5 years old (learning about Him at home and through my church…this is one of the HUGE reasons I have such a heart for children’s ministries!) Through my growing up years God has taken me through a journey of falling more in love with Him and allowing His love and grace to surround me! I have seen His heart for the world in missions trips in Highschool and College, and I have seen His power in transforming lives (restoring marriages, healing sick friends, being real in the storms of life, and in so many other ways) God has remained faithful and strong through all my days…He fills my heart with songs even when life is rocky. My husband and I struggled for years to have a child, then we rejoiced when a few years ago I became pregnant, however our souls were crushed when we lost that baby…but God remained there, his loving arms surrounding, His gentle truth continued to sing in our hearts. We praise God that just a few short months later we were blessed with another child who made it to full term and is our sweet, busy little Jace! Jace means “God is my salvation” and we know that He really is! We praise God for His unfailing loving-kindness and presence in our lives. I know He will continue to fill our hearts with hope and joy as we continue to trust Him with our lives.

Kimberley Mer
Elementary Coordinator
Favorite verse: 1 Corinthians 13:5-8Favorite book: With two young boys and another arriving in September 2011, it has to be Love You Forever and Goodnight Moon. Favorite movie: I can't pick just one! My top three are Shawshank Redemption, Wizard of Oz, and As Good As It Gets.Favorite meal: Does ice cream count? :)Strange ability: The Elementary Kids seem to love that I still have some flexibility from the days I used to dance!My Testimony: I had gone to church with friends and had accepted Christ at a young age. However, it wasn't until I met a guy named Zoro (now my husband) at CSUF that I realized there was more to being a Christian than simply professing it. Zoro challenged me to develop a relationship with Jesus and really came alongside me to learn how to deepen, grow and rely on Him for everything. This has become so valuable as I strive to be more like Him in my roles as a wife, mom and Elementary Coordinator.
Sandi Thompson
Early Childhood Coordinator
Favorite verses: I have had many throughout the years, but my all time favorite is Joshua 1:9.Favorite book: My favorite genre is historical fiction. I enjoy Francine Rivers and Frank Peretti.Favorite movie: Roman Holiday and the Bourne seriesFavorite meal: Anything with chicken or cornStrange ability: I didn’t know I had a strange ability, but I was told to write that I am Mrs. Claus :)My testimony: I was blessed with amazing Christian parents and all my siblings are still dedicated to our Lord. I do remember, when I was in second grade, that I realized that I needed to make a personal commitment to follow our Lord. I can’t imagine living my life without Him.
Dan Kamwesa
Missions Coordinator
COMING SOON!
Luke Payne
Media Coordinator
COMING SOON!
Anita Burton
Office Coordinator
Favorite verses: Deut. 6:5, Hab. 3:17-19, Prov. 3:5-6, Col. 1:9-14Favorite movie: The Princess Bride and the IncrediblesFavorite meal: It's a toss-up between: Angel hair pasta, tomatoes, basil and garlic with grilled chicken OR Indian food: chicken curry, basmati rice, naan and bhindi (okra).Strange ability: Tossing pizza crusts in the air when making homemade pizza. My kids crack up. My Testimony: I am so grateful to have had a great solid upbringing and a godly Christian parents. I was born in Africa where my folks were missionaries in Nigeria. We left west Africa when I was just 4 so I consider myselft only part-missionary kid. I made the decision to ask the Christ into my heart when I was 7 but frequently struggled with udnerstanding the assurance of salvation and what really happens to us after death. I remember wanting to go to heaven but it was such a hard concept to understand (and still is). Children's and youth ministries at church were very instrumental in my growth and knowledge of the Lord, as well as, the impact of older goldy women in my life. Following high school graduation, I was able to take part in a short term missions trip originally planned for one month but extended to six months. I learned to toally depend on God, deepend my understanding of the Holy Spirit and completely surrendered my life to however God would direct me. While studying at a Bible college in Canada, I discovered that what I learned in class what just a tip of the ice burg of the depth and breadth of what there really was know about God's Word. Learning again total dependence on the Lord, I graduated after 4 years and returned to California when I met my amazing husband at church. God has blessed us with 5 children, twins and triplets, and I find myself once again learning to totally rely on the Lord for guidance in parenting our kids.

Elise Hamel
Worship Ministry Assistant, Wedding Coordinator
Favorite verses: Jeremiah 29:11Favorite book: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne or anything by Ted DekkerFavorite movie: Return to MeFavorite meal: Chicken Caesar SaladStrange ability: I can type 98wpm with 95% accuracy.My Testimony: I grew up in a Christian home, with Christian parents and grandparents and extended family. I feel like I never didn't know that I was a sinner, that Jesus died on the cross to save me from my sins and that I need to accept that forgiveness and put Him as my Lord and Savior to get to heaven but I think I took my faith as my own, rather than riding on my parent's coattails, when I was 12 years old. My mom became very ill and almost died and I found myself turning to God more in prayer and reliance during that time in a more personal way than ever before. Since then God has brought numerous situations into my life to refine me as a person striving to follow Him, whether it be through my marriage, my family, my ministry or my job (which very often overlap). Never before have I been more aware of my sinful nature and my need for His sacrifice to cover it than I have recently and I so grateful now that when God looks at me, He doesn't see my sin, but Christ's sacrifice covering me.
Bob Miller
Facilities Manager
Hiro Goto
Sound Technician
Rick Rendon
Facilities