OUR PASTOR

Born and raised in Oakland California, it was 1980 and at the age of twenty-seven that Art gave his life to Jesus Christ. After years of many meaningless pursuits, Art surrendered his will to the will of God and was set free to follow Jesus. While employed as a butcher for the Lucky's corporation and attending various Foursquare churches, he continued to grow in the grace of God while getting himself grounded in the truths of the Bible. In 1989, Art began attending Calvary Chapel Amador County and entered into an aspect of the grace of God he had never before experienced. It was there, under George Stathos' leadership, that he was called into full time ministry, interestingly enough, Pastor George often included prayer for Valley Springs as a focus for the month. For several years, Art was content serving the people in Amador, in various ways and had no desire to leave.

In 1996, while at Amador as an assisting pastor, Art was prompted by the Lord to move to Costa Mesa and enter the Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa School of Ministry. It was during his two years there that he furthered his biblical studies under pastor Chuck Smith and yielded to God's call as a pastor.

In 1997, as Art was praying about where to venture out and serve the Lord, a certain evening shaped the future for Calvary Chapel Valley Springs. While having dinner with a family from this area a prophecy was given that, "they would in deed be coming to Valley Springs to begin ministry." His response was; "that's fine but the Lord hasn't spoken to me yet!" Months after that evening the Lord began to break Art's heart for this community as several families had been praying for years for something of God's Spirit to begin. In response to those prayers, Art and his wife, Sherry, came to Valley Springs for another visit and pray over the decision. One summer afternoon as a handful of families were gathered for prayer and the reading of God's word, the Lord gave them this confirmation from the scriptures, "Blessed is the man whose heart is set on a pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Bacca, they make it a place of Springs." (Ps. 84: 5-6 NIV) The words "Valley Springs" were clearly and distinctly from the Lord.

Art and his lovely wife, Sherry, are parents to five girls and one son. They are grandparents to twelve grandchildren and two on the way, they are blessed by them all. Art & Sherry are committed to teaching the Word of God, loving the people of God, and reaching the lost, they are in awe at what God continues to do through C.C.V.S. and would love to have you come visit our fellowship at any time.