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Alex
Villa - Facilities Coordinator
Alex has been at YC since July 2004. He has been happily married
to his beautiful bride Laura for five years and is a proud papa
of three beautiful children, and expecting number 4 in February
2006. Alex and Laura came to Christ in March 1999 and started attending
YC in the summer of 99. Alex's passion is to grow in his depth and
knowledge of Jesus Christ and to boldly lead his family to live
out a biblical worldview. When Alex isn't working he spends time
reading and spending time with his family.
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Belicia
Green - Women's Ministries and Special Events
Biography coming soon.
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Christyna
Baker - Jr. High/Young Women's Pastor
Christyna is the middle of three children and was born in Merced
and raised in Madera. She graduated from Fresno Pacific University
with a BA in Christian Ministries and is currently pursuing her
Masters degree. After graduating in ’97 Christyna served as
youth pastor in Oregon for one year before moving into full time
missions work. Christyna spent five years in Minnesota where she
worked with Reign Ministries, a mission organization as RSI Coordinator.
The summer missions program, Royal Servants International allowed
Christyna to travel to over 18 countries, with high school and college
students, spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and allowing students
to discover their God given potential.
Christyna joined YC in January ‘05
feeling God’s calling to our church. She served on volunteer
staff with our Jr High & High School ministry before joining
full time staff in May ‘05. In 2006, Christyna was able to
focus her attention on our Jr High ministry, believing she was created
in her mother’s womb to work with Jr Highers. A few of her
favorite things are hanging out in a local coffee shop, going to
a student’s game (showing off her cheering abilities), going
to movies, and hanging out with her family. Her greatest dream is
to become a NASCAR driver and enjoys watching Monday night football
and Survivor. You will often find Christyna wearing one of
her many pairs of flip flops, even in the winter months. Christyna’s
passion is to walk along side students; bringing them one step closer
in their walk with Christ, in hopes that they will fall more in
love with Jesus daily.
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Dan
Horst - Associate Pastor of Care Ministries
Dan has been a pastor at Yosemite Church for nearly 11 years and is
currently our Men’s Ministry Pastor. Although originally from
Southern California, Oregon was his home for 17 years before moving
to Merced in 1993. In Portland, he attended Judson Baptist College,
co-owned/operated a successful Employment Agency and served as the
Men’s Pastor on staff at Easthill Four Square Church in Gresham,
OR.
Dan’s
passion is to see people know life through Jesus Christ, to make
right choices in their walk and connect them to others in small
groups. Dan oversees Celebrate Recovery Ministries, Men's Ministries
and is Pastor of our Care Ministries, as well as providing Pastoral
Counseling within the church. He is active in our community, as
well. Among other things, he is a part of CISM (Critical Incident
Stress Management) which serves our Police/Fire Department and Ambulance
workers and he also serves on the Merced Area Christian Counselors
Board. Some of Dan's greatest rewards and blessings come from the
relationships he’s established in the Ministry Teams he shepherds.
Dan and his
wife Maureen have two teenage daughters, Sarah & Grace who are his
pride and joy. When he can, Dan loves to fish, golf, play basketball
and spend relaxing times with family & friends.
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Doyle
Pease - Productions Duplication Technician
Doyle Pease started attending YC in 1991 and is volunteering in a
variety of areas. Born in Bonnie Blue, Virginia on January 23,
1936, he attended St. Charles High School and enlisted in the Air
Force. After 26 years of active service, Doyle retired as an
Administrative Supervisor and Senior Master Sergeant. After
retiring, Doyle attended Merced College.
Doyle came to YC because his grandson, Branden, was dedicated with
his daughter Sharon. Since then Doyle has volunteered on a variety
of teams:
* Production Team, creating CD's and DVD's every Wednesday.
* Usher and Greeter
* Celebrate Recovery
* Maintenance Team
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Heather
Ferrari - Administrative
Assistant to Men's Care, First Impressions, Hospital Visitation
and Missions
Biography coming soon.
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Jason
Archuleta - Director of High School and College Ministries
Biography coming soon.
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Jeff
Leis - Senior Pastor
Originally from Colorado, Pastor Jeff graduated from Multnomah Bible
College in Portland. He graduated in 1982 with a B.S. in Biblical
Studies. He then served as an Intern Pastor at Easthill Church in
Gresham, Oregon where he soon became Pastor of College and Career
ministries. He also oversaw the student ministries of Jr. and Sr.
High and co-led Marriage Enrichment. Pastor Jeff moved to California
in 1989 and began attending YC before becoming Senior Pastor. Jeff
has many specific goals but his aim is to model to his family, friends
and fellowship a man who is in the process of submitting himself
to God and His purposes. Jeff and his wife Debbie have two children,
Kacy and Kyle. Jeff enjoys collecting oak antique furniture and
doing the needed restoration. He also loves supporting his kids
by coaching soccer, which he plays as well. His dream is to enjoy
a lifelong marriage that thrives, to be intimately close to his
children and to have a small cluster of very close friends. He would
also like to see and experience a church that is having a powerful
and sustained impact on the community for Christ.
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Jenny
Lynn Reali - Administrative Assistant
Biography coming soon. |
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John
Hummel - Celebrate Recovery Ministry
Jon is an incredible asset to YC and we are thrilled to have
him on-staff and available to assist the congregation in a variety
of needs. Born in Fresno, CA and attended Orosi
High School, College of the Sequoias and Sacramento State, Jon is
familiar with the Central Valley. In 1973, Jon started working with
PG&E and in 1995 Started attending YC. Jon started working
with Celebrate Recovery in 2002 and is currently serving as Ministry
Leader of Celebrate Recovery. He is available for counseling
appointments and is assisting in a variety of Small Group 12-Step
programs. Jon resides in Mariposa with his wife Leslie and son Ian.
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Marifel
Herland - Ministry Assistant
Biography coming soon. |
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Mary
Vedo - Administrative Assistant to Senior Pastor
Mary has been at Yosemite Church since October of 1989 and has served
as a volunteer Administrative Assistant to Pastor Jeff since July
of 1998. She was born and raised in Colusa, CA and graduated from
San Jose State in 1993 with a major in Biological Science. She earned
a Specialty Certification in Blood Banking and after working in
San Jose for ten years, she moved to Merced in 1974 where she was
manager of the Merced County Blood Bank for 22 years. She retired
in November of 1996 and began volunteering at YC. Mary's passion
is Crown Financial Ministries because it changed her life and she
wants others to experience the joy of financial freedom and contentment
through faithful stewardship. Mary's mother has lived with her for
the past 28 years. She has one brother and enjoys spending time
with him and his family, especially vacations to Cabo San Lucas.
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Michelle
Perez - Receptionist
Biography coming soon.
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Mike
Stevens - Office Assistant/Next Step
Biography coming soon.
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Nancy
Whittaker - First Impressions Coordinator
Nancy has been at YC since 1988. Nancy grew up in New Jersey. She
graduated from Greir School in Tyrone, PA in 1951. Nancy graduated
from Skidmore College with a BSN in 1955. She married Douglas Whittaker
in 1957 and moved to San Francisco. Doug and Nancy had three children;
Debbie, Greg, and Pam. In 1960, Nancy, Doug and Debbie moved to
San Mateo where Greg was born. In 1964, Doug's job with the Crocker
Anglo Bank moved them to Merced where Pam was born. Nancy and family
were active in the Episcopalian Church for years. Nancy was a full-time
mom until Pam entered Kindergarten at which she resumed her career
in nursing. Nancy's husband, Doug, passed away in 1980. During Greg's
high school years, he became very passionate in his relationship
with the Lord and was re-baptized at Lake Yosemite by the pastor
at Four Square Church. Nancy began attending the Four Square church
with her son. In 1988, Nancy was invited to hear a teaching of God's
Word. She was later re-baptized at Yosemite Church by Jack Parker,
with her family and friends as witnesses. In a short time, Nancy
began working with the Jr. And Sr. High School children at YC and
became part of the Helps and Hospitality Team. She felt a strong
need to work with the kids to use her spiritual God given gifts.
In the late 70's, Nancy began the Intensive Care Training for Physicians
and Nurses through Stanford University and designed and opened the
Critical Care Unit at Mercy Hospital and Merced Community Medical
Center. Nancy set up and taught and trained the EMT 1 Class at Merced
College, followed by the EMT II class at the Community Medical Center.
Nancy is now semi-retired from nursing and is coordinator for the
First Impressions Team at Yosemite Church. Nancy followed Jeff's
dream of developing YC into a community of grace where Christ is
at the heart of all we do, through relationships. She loves hearing
his dreams and how they are being fulfilled. Nancy has 3 children,
10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and two dogs. She loves
having them together for fun and fellowship. She enjoys theatre
and is a 49'er fan. Nancy loves YC and loves serving the Lord.
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Polly
Alterman - Finance & First Impressions Coordinator
Polly has been at YC since 1986. She hopes to see each person at
YC realize their own giftedness and use their gift to further the
kingdom of God. Polly has earned a Bachelor of Science from Cal
Poly and has also worked in banking for 20 years. To unwind, Polly
enjoys golf or just relaxing with a good book.
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Spence
Boelter - Pastor to the Next Generation
Pastor Spence joined our staff in January, 2006 and serves as YC’s
Next Generation Pastor, overseeing ministry to children and students
from birth through college. He comes to YC after a 13 year season
of ministry in Portland, OR and brings with him a passion for reaching
the entire family for Christ. Pastor Spence received his masters
in Christian ministry from Western Seminary and recently completed
his doctorate in adolescent development and family ministry at Fuller
Seminary. He considers it a privilege to serve God’s church
here at YC and looks forward to many great seasons of life-sharing
ministry with us.
In addition to being passionate about
serving Christ and the family, Spence considers his marriage and
children his top priorities. He and his wife Jenny have been married
over fifteen years and have two children, Benjamin and Hannah Jo.
Together they enjoy sunny days in Merced, hikes in Yosemite, and,
most of all, days on the lake. Spence is a competitive-level waterskier,
spending as much time on the water 'chasing buoys' as he can. He
has already brought that passion for watersports to our ministry
at YC, leading us to host our first 'Boat Rally' in the summer of
'06. Call him up anytime you want a boat ride (even in the winter!)
He is also a huge fan of U2, Donald Miller, John Eldredge, and Starbucks
(you'll often find him studying God's Word in our local coffee shop
or at UC Merced). You can subscribe to Spence's weekly e-newsletter
on our Student Ministries web page. |
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Dr.
Tino Ballesteros - Executive Pastor
Biography coming soon.
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