DR. PHILLIP A. HOWARD
Senior Pastor/Founder
ext.111
phoward@valleybible.org

Dr. and Mrs. Howard came to the Hercules area in 1971 and began Valley Bible Church. Pastor Phil and Caroline, who is the Children’s Minister, have been married for 40+ years. They have three adult married daughters and ten grandchildren.

Pastor Howard has been a student of the Word since age 14, when he placed his faith in Christ Jesus. His Bachelor of Science was earned from Western Baptist College. He completed the core for the Masters of Divinity at San Francisco Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary. His Master’s degree was completed at Denver Baptist College and Seminary, and his doctorate was earned at Dallas Theological Seminary. His love for people comes through in his presentation of the Word as a practical guide for every day living. He has become known for his challenging, Bible-centered preaching and teaching. God has used His Word to transform a congregation as well as the life of His servants who handle His Word.

In addition to being a full-time pastor and the featured radio preacher for the weekly radio program, Truth for Today, he speaks at Bible conferences, church retreats, seminars, and ministers on the mission field worldwide.

TIMOTHY VAHLSTROM
Executive Pastor
ext. 111
tvahlstrom@valleybible.org

Tim was raised in Fresno, California and graduated from CSU, Fresno with degrees in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. He accepted Christ as his savior in 1962. After college, he went to work for PG&E and held many significant management & leadership positions over the next 36 years. Tim began attending Valley 26 years ago and is a Timothy Fellowship graduate. He has served in various ministries and roles including the Worship Ministry, as a Bible Study leader, AWANA leader and Commander, adult Sunday School teacher and as an Elder for nearly 15 years.

Tim married his beautiful wife Diana in 2003 and is the proud parent and stepparent to Kimberly Sigari (and her husband, Javad), Mark and Tiana Luaulu, and his 3-year-old twins Timmy and Carissa.  He is also grandparent to three wonderful boys, Javad, Kamran and Bijan. Tim is very excited to be able to serve his Lord and the people here of Valley Bible in this capacity and continues to say “this is a dream come true.”

DAVID HOWARD
Pastor of Congregational Care
ext. 119
dhoward@valleybible.org 

SHAWN GIESE
Pastor of Reach Out
ext. 156
sgiese@valleybible.org

Shawn has been actively involved at Valley for over 15 years and is married to Deborah, our Worship Ministries Director.  Their family includes Erika, Shania, Anthony and Bryan.  Shawn and Deborah consider their family a “modern one” with step-kids, biological kids, foster kids, and adopted kids.  Shawn has a BA in History from Fresno Pacific University and is in the process of earning a graduate degree in theology.  During the fifteen years at Valley, Shawn has taught in Children’s Ministry and Youth Ministry, where he gave direction to middle school for three years, and currently is teaching in the Bible Institute.  Shawn has also served 3+ years as deacon and was one of the key leaders instrumental for the implementation of Evangelism Explosion.

DAVID HURTADO
Pastor of Young Adults
ext. 124
dhurtado@valleybible.org

He much prefers to go by "Big Dave"...Students and parents also seem to enjoy calling him that rather than "Pastor Dave". Big Dave comes to us from Southern California even though he is a home grown product! After coming to know Christ at Valley when he was a freshman in high school, Big Dave went on to pursue a Bible Degree from The Master's College. He continued on to pursue a Seminary degree from Talbot Theological Seminary, while getting valued experience at a local church with middle school students. He is married to the love of his life Meredith and has two children: Audrey and Donovan. Hobbies: I am a die hard SF Giants and SF 49er’s fan. I love to fish. I like to golf and play basketball.

PAUL CRANDELL
Pastor of High School Ministries
ext. 121
pcrandell@valleybible.org

Paul graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY with his Masters of Divinity. He endured many hardships growing up, which has not only given him a heart to work with our youth, but helps him relate to them as well. Paul and his wife Lindsey have one daughter, Alexine ("Allie"), born in September 2009, and one son on the way.

GABRIEL LOPEZ
Pastor of Middle School Ministries
ext. 121
glopez@valleybible.org

Gabe is originally from Artesia, NM, but he and his family join us from Wylie, TX. He and his wife Jennifer have two sons Dominique and Jaeden, and one daughter Gabby. Their lives revolve around serving the Lord and being involved in the lives of youth. Gabe is working on his degree in religion through Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA and plans to graduate spring 2011. In his spare time, Gabe enjoys hanging out with friends and family for the occasional cookout, playing video games, and reading books. A "need-to-know" about Gabe is that he is a diehard Lakers fan and loves basketball.