Category: Be Inspired

Kernani Cheny is a bi-vocational pastor serving GCI’s congregation in Martinique, a French island between Saint Lucia and Dominica. Martinique is referred to as “a little bit of France in the French Caribbean Islands.” Kernani says that his first name is from his father, derived from the Hebrew word “hanini,” which is used three times in Scripture. It means “God is gracious.”

Kernani, who is now 40 years old, grew up attending GCI with his parents. “I grew up in Fort-de-France, the Martinique capital. After graduating from a university in France with a bachelor’s degree in electronics and robotics, I returned to Martinique and began teaching technology and computer science in a secondary school. I also served as the manager of a vocational training center in socio-cultural activities. It was an interesting experience: training people who work with children and teens. This job gave me opportunity to travel and to work on pedagogy and education with many people around the world.”

In 2000, Kernani married Juliette. “We don’t have children but God gave us love for all children.” In 2007, Kernani was commissioned with Charles Voyer to be the pastoral team for his congregation. At the time, Kernani was involved with the teens and young adults. He notes that Juliette’s personal ministy is in encouraging people.

When asked what he enjoys most about being a pastor, Kernani said, “GCI Martinique is a warm and wonderful church. I’m thankful to God for the diversity of experiences with children, teens, young and elderly people. I enjoy especially the brotherhood in the congregation.” About GCI, Kerani said that he loves that it really is an international family.

Kernani’s most memorable times in ministry have been at retreats with teens. When asked about his passion, Kernani said that one passion is pedagogy—the art and science of teaching. “But my greatest passion is teaching about Jesus—a message that is simple, deep, relational and transformational.”

Kernani says he feels closest to God, “during the night when I watch the stars in the sky—it’s so amazing and beautiful. I feel the majesty and the intimacy of God.”

Mike Horchak, senior pastor of GCI churches in New Orleans and Hammond, Louisiana, always has loved the outdoors. As a child, Mike spent a lot of time fishing, camping, ice-skating, sledding and bike riding in and around his home in Detroit, Michigan. “From age 11-14 I was a boy scout, attending summer and winter camps and completing a mile swim by age 13. By age 14 I had saved enough to buy a 10-speed bike. Over the next two years I took many long bike rides, the longest being 70 miles in one day. On one occasion I motor-paced behind a large truck, getting up to 38 mph for about a mile (OK if you don’t mind eating gravel!). Today I love deer hunting—a hobby I began in my 30s.”

In 1963, Mike started attending GCI at age 13. “My father had been exploring religion and came upon the Radio Church of God. He began attending, taking with him my brothers and me. My Catholic mother was not interested at first, but started attending later.” Sabbath-keeping created problems for Mike and his brothers, who all were involved in school activities on Friday evenings and Saturdays. “I played drums in the band and ran track—I dropped out of both when we began observing the Sabbath. Initially, I attended church with my parents because I had to, but as time went on, my own relationship with God began to develop. I stepped out in faith and as I did so, the Lord came through in remarkable, unmistakable ways.”

After graduating from high school, Mike attended junior college for a year while working in restaurants. “I love to cook, and seriously considered becoming a chef.”

Mike applied and was accepted to Ambassador College in 1969. “I met my wife Pam while at Ambassador in Pasadena. I had always wanted to marry a girl from the South and she caught my eye early in my freshman year. I was attracted to her sweet and bubbly personality. I won her heart. We graduated on Friday, June 1 and married on Sunday, June 3, 1973. We lived in California for two years then moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is Pam’s hometown. We lived there for the next nine years and I worked for a company that constructed and repaired utilities for municipalities. I helped in the local church speaking and visiting as my schedule permitted.”

Mike and Pam have been married for 40 years. “We have two children: Jeff is single, and a television sportscaster. His passion is sports so he has an ideal job. Our daughter Holly is a newlywed, just married three months ago. She and her husband, Deron Grafton, love children—he is an adapted physical education teacher for special needs children. Holly is employed as a nanny for a baby boy.”

Mike was ordained an elder in 1982. “In 1984, Mr. Tkach Sr. asked if I would go full time in pastoral ministry. After prayer and discussion with Pam, we decided to accept. We were sent to Memphis where I assisted Rowlen Tucker and then Mark Cardona until 1988 when I was sent to be the senior pastor in Clarksburg, West Virginia. I pastored there until 1994 when I was transferred to New Orleans. I have been pastoring in New Orleans ever since and pastoring also in Hammond, Louisiana since 1996.”

Mike sees being a pastor as a “wonderful opportunity to love, serve and share in the lives of many people. To see the grace of Christ when people accept and believe and live in the love of Jesus is so wonderful! To experience people changing to live for Christ and begin to make a difference in the lives of others is most rewarding. My wife has also been a great blessing in my ministry. She has a passion for Jesus and has used her lovely singing voice to bring many into God’s presence in our worship services.”

When asked about his most memorable moments as a pastor, Mike referred to Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. “A majority of the families in our New Orleans congregation lost most of their physical possessions, including homes. The horrible devastation birthed a remarkable opportunity for ministry. I had the privilege of organizing work parties for missionaries in and out of our denomination and experiencing the miracles that occur when spirit-led Christians come together in love and unity to serve those in great need. I will always be grateful to have had a small part in restoring a city that needed love and hope in the aftermath of that great disaster.”

Speaking of GCI, Mike refers to, “the wonder and blessing of seeing God bring us (both young and old) through an amazing spiritual journey as he has furthered the work of the gospel, now leading us into growth through church planting. It’s a wonderful joy!”

When Mike talks about his passion, he talks about hunting and fishing, “experiencing the beauty of the creation God shares with us.” But his greatest passion is “knowing Jesus and making him known by helping others understand how much God loves them and has included them in his life forever.”

Asked when he feels closest to God, Mike said: “When I am able to spend time with my wife, children and others that I love. This gives me a feeling of closeness to God because the special people in my life are a great blessing from him. The triune God models the great importance of relationship with him and others. “I also feel drawn to God when I spend quiet time with him in the woods hunting or on a body of water fishing. Being surrounded by the beauty of his creation reinforces the reality that our awesome God is worthy of our worship.”

Tom Kennebeck, pastor of Northland Community Church, GCI’s congregation in Orr, Minnesota, grew up in Fountain City, Wisconsin, which Tom says is “a small town in southeastern Wisconsin nestled between towering limestone hills and the mighty Mississippi River. As the oldest of six boys I loved to play outdoors, fish and hunt with my grandpa.”

Tom became part of GCI/WCG in the early ’60s. “I grew up in a home where my Mom was a WCG member and my dad was Lutheran. I believe one of my mom’s favorite scriptures was Proverbs 22:6, ‘Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.’”

Tom remembers working on the Bible Correspondence Course when he was about 10. “I was in the upper bedroom reading about the story of Abraham and his son Isaac. It was at that point I yearned for a faith like Abraham’s. I wanted to know God better.” Tom was also interested in being part of “the one and only true church.” “I did not want to be on the wrong side with God. As I grew in faith along with my denomination, I discovered this ‘truth’ was not true after all, and I came to understand that our relationship with God is founded in Christ and Christ alone. I learned about the God who loves us, and everyone, unconditionally. The journey has been fascinatingly wonderful.”

During his sophomore year of high school, Tom’s dad accepted a job in central Florida. “It was in Florida that my mother and brothers were able to take turns going to a WCG congregation. After graduating from high school I was accepted to Ambassador College in Big Sandy in 1973. After my first semester as a sophomore I was involved in a serious bicycle accident during one of our training exercises. In the spring of that year I discontinued college and entered the work force. In 1989, I accepted a job in the maintenance department at Ambassador University and during that time was able to graduate with the class of 1995. I continued to work at Ambassador until 1999 when I was offered the job of facilities manager at our SEP camp in Orr, Minnesota. My wife and family moved there and then in 2002, when the camp was sold, we moved into the nearby town of Orr.”

Tom and Sandy met at a GCI church convention in Wisconsin Dells in 1978. “We got married in February 1979. We just celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary. We have two sons, Mitch (married to Simie Regnier) and Chris and a daughter Brandee (married to Ben Zacharias). We have 5 grandchildren: Esra and Zek from Mitch and Simie; Noah, Gavin and Lillie from Brandee and Ben.

Speaking of his wife Sandy, Tom says, “She is my best friend and the biggest supporter of what we are doing in ministry. She is a great planner and organizer. I believe her relationship with God is very transparent and true. I am so proud to be a part of her life and to have her a part of mine.”

At the close of the camp in Orr, Tom and Sandy said though they realized one chapter in their life was closing, their journey was to take another turn. “I felt a strong passion and I believe my wife and family supported the decision to remain in Orr. I believe it is not so much where we go, but that God is with us and doing his work in and through us wherever we are. Our relationship with the community grew; I became involved with a couple of the different denominations in town with a desire to serve in the church as a leader. My ties with GCI were strong because it is a part of our journey and I felt the strong desire to be a part of what God is doing with GCI. Our GCI district pastor visited us and we started a house church, which led to launching a GCI congregation in Orr in 2005.”

Tom has grown to love being a pastor. “What I like the most is working with people, sharing the love and life of who we are in Christ. I like relational reconciliation and counseling couples for marriage. I enjoy coming to see people become excited about God and how God involves them in his life and ministry.”

Speaking about GCI, Tom says, “What I enjoy most about being part of GCI are the friendships and the incredible journey we have been on. I appreciate the wonderful HQ staff and leadership.”

When asked about his passion, Tom said, “I’ve always liked to travel. I remember taking trips out west with my family at a young age. Shortly after my bicycle accident, several months of therapy and a lot of encouragement and help from a friend, I decided to embark on a 2,000+ miles bicycle road trip, from Texas to Wisconsin Dells to my home, which was north of Orlando. I was six weeks on the road with many flat tires, broken spokes and a lot of sunshine and beautiful sunsets. I met a lot of nice people, slept in some peculiar places and had a lot of time to think. It is during times like that when I feel closest to God. I’ve come to understand that life is a journey, sharing with one another the life and love of our triune God.”

The newspaper article below tells about Walter Deptula, pastor of GCI’s congregation in Nacogdoches, Texas. Walter attended Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, in the early ’60s where he first began tuning pianos. (Note: click on the article to enlarge it.)

Roger Abels, senior pastor of GCI’s congregation in Fort Wayne, Indiana, grew up in the village of Papillion about 20 miles southwest of Omaha, Nebraska. “I had always taken religion seriously” Roger shared. He enrolled in Midland Lutheran College with the anticipation of entering ministry. “After two years of college, it became clear that the Lutheran synod I had grown up in was becoming increasingly liberal. It was at this time that I began listening to The World Tomorrow broadcast and was immediately impressed that this was a denomination that took both the Scriptures and Christian living seriously.”

Roger left that college and transferred to Ambassador College in 1969. “For the next 45 years I have been blessed to do what I have always loved doing—teaching the word of God.”

Before becoming interested in pastoral ministry, Roger had another interest. “I grew up with a passion for playing baseball. It was the magnet that drew our family closer. I had been scouted by several major league teams, but lost interest after deciding to become a pastor while in college.”

Roger found out that desiring to be a pastor in the Lutheran college, and desiring to be a pastor in Ambassador College were two different things. “I transferred to Ambassador College at a time when ‘wanting to be a minister’ was almost a disqualification. Fortunately I kept a low profile and became a pastor after graduating from Ambassador College in 1972. I first pastored in Philadelphia, then Chicago and Louisville, Kentucky. I have pastored in Fort Wayne for the past 24 years.” Roger recently announced that he will be retiring from employed pastoral ministry this coming June.

While in college, Roger met Donna Lynn May. They have now been married for 42 years. “I would summarize by saying that I definitely got the better end of the deal! For most of our married life Donna devoted herself to staying home with the children. She began painting portraits, landscapes and still-lifes while we lived in Kentucky, and many of her paintings are in various hospitals and courtrooms in Louisville.”

Roger and Donna have three children, Jessica (married to Travis McClure), Courtney (married to Mark Harmon) and Travis (single). “Both daughters are in education and our son edits and produces movie trailers in Los Angeles and New York. We also have five young grandchildren: Ella, Oliver, Owen, Josie and Charlotte.

Roger shares what he enjoys most about being a pastor: “Over the years I have seen Christians struggle in their personal relationship with God—legalism, guilt, the ‘health and wealth’ gospel, etc. My greatest delight has been helping members break through these barriers and enjoy a relationship with God filled with peace, joy and meaning. Paul framed it as being ‘helpers of your joy,’ (2 Corinthians 1:24).” Roger continues: “Whatever gift I have for speaking to people’s hearts has grown out of wrestling with my own struggles.”

When asked about the most memorable moments as a pastor, Roger refers to times when he “preached to some 10,000 people at various feast sites, particularly about the victory we have in Christ.”

Speaking about GCI, Roger says, “Our spiritual journey has been unique and historic. It has been a remarkable experience to have participated with Christ in what he has done in bringing our denomination from the fringe of Christianity into the center of the fold.”

Roger says his passion is “reading (particularly theology and early American history), gardening, photography and sports.” He says he feels closest to God, “in the late evening on quiet walks or while singing worship songs when no one else is around—when only God could enjoy such out-of-tune and off-key singing with mangled lyrics!”

Todd’s parents began attending the WCG church in Peoria, Illinois in 1965 when Todd was three months old. They had been listening to Herbert Armstrong on radio and reading The Plain Truth magazine for years.

Todd and his family lived in Davenport when he was young. He grew up a “south paw” when teachers were still trying to turn left-handed kids into a right-handed kids. “Because my parents were ‘enlightened,’ and also because I finally got a sympathetic teacher in the second grade, they failed to change me into a righty.”

Todd said he drifted around a lot regarding his beliefs during high school. “About a year after I graduated from high school I decided that I had drifted around long enough. Though I had never stopped attending church, I hadn’t really committed myself. In that brief period after high school, I witnessed several people who were close to me abandoning church altogether as they spiraled out of control. It was a wake-up call to follow God’s path and not man’s. I was baptized at my parents’ house as they looked on, greatly relieved.”

It was shortly after this that Todd moved to Southern California. “I spent five years in San Diego trying to pursue an education, hoping eventually to attend Ambassador College in Pasadena. I got pretty thoroughly sidetracked just trying to earn a living. Eventually I moved back to Davenport and paid off all my California debts before finally getting accepted at Ambassador in Big Sandy. After completing my degree there and becoming a staff member for two years, the University closed in 1997. I looked for work in east Texas and Dallas but eventually moved back to Davenport to care for my father who was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Todd was attending the GCI congregation in Davenport when he became part of its pastoral team. “I was commissioned along with John Anderson and Dana Loter in 2008 by Karl Reinagel. Our pastor John Bailey retired that year and moved from the area.”

Todd said being a pastor fits in with his natural gifts. “I’m a fairly open, friendly, straightforward kind of guy. Most people get to know me quickly.” He loves that being a pastor keeps him in God’s word. “I’m constantly on a learning curve. I know that I’ll never know it all; there will always be a new revelation just around the corner.” What he loves about GCI is that it’s “an organization that is also learning constantly. We are not afraid to make changes when they become clear to us.”

When asked about his most memorable moment as a pastor, Todd said, “Thus far, the most memorable moment was baptizing my nephew. It was an absolutely clear and beautiful day and I couldn’t see a thing for the tears in my eyes.”

Todd said he feels closest to God, “when I’m alone and have shut off all the media around me and can begin a serious conversation with the Father. Usually after spending time in the Word.”

Cecil Pulley, pastor of GCI’s congregation in Bermuda, grew up in Bermuda’s Pembroke Parish where he attended Bermuda Technical Institute, majoring in building construction. After high school, he worked as a draftsman in a local architecture firm. Then in 1968, Cecil began watching The World Tomorrow telecast. He was fascinated by the presenter’s boldness in sharing his views concerning Bible prophecy and the gospel. Later, Cecil began reading the Plain Truth and other WCG literature. In 1970, he attended his first WCG church meeting when Caribbean regional director Stan Bass visited Bermuda. About a year later, Stan returned and Cecil was baptized.

Sometime later, Cecil moved to Boston to study architecture. There he was able to regularly attend WCG church services. The pastor encouraged Cecil to apply for Ambassador College. He did and was accepted to attend in Pasadena. About his experience, Cecil said this: “Attending Ambassador was tremendously uplifting. On my first day, I met and had breakfast with a young lady from San Francisco named Senior Grundy who would later become my wife. We were married in 1974 and graduated in 1976. After graduation, we moved to Bermuda and began serving in the local church.” The couple will celebrate their 40th anniversary later this year.

Cecil and Senior have one child, a son named Seth—their “miracle baby,” who was born three months early weighing only two pounds. Today, Seth is a healthy 185 pounds and nearly six feet tall. Cecil says that one of his most memorable moments as a pastor (and father) was baptizing Seth.

Cecil was ordained by Stan Bass in 1979 and became the full-time pastor of the Bermuda congregation in 1983 when the previous pastor transferred to another Caribbean island. Cecil says that one of the things he loves most about being a pastor is, “working with God’s people and helping them deal with life’s many issues. To watch the power of God’s love transforming peoples’ lives is awesome!” He notes that what he has enjoyed most about his time in GCI is, “the opportunity to participate in the journey from legalism to grace. Though it has been challenging, it has been gratifying to see where God has brought us, giving us a wonderful new relationship with our Triune God. I also love the camaraderie we all share as ministers of Jesus Christ.”

Several years ago, Cecil led the design and construction of the congregation’s own church building. He calls it a “two-year labor of love,” noting that “we have a first-class facility, which serves our members and local community. There is a nursery school on the premises, which serves area children. My passion is to share the love of God with people in the community, providing them with hope.”

Cecil notes that the times when he feels closest to God are, “occasions in the evening when I can sit on my front porch and gaze up at the stars and commune with my Creator one-on-one, remembering David’s words, ‘The heavens declare the glory of God: the skies proclaim the work of his hands.’”

“I’m a history nut,” says Ron Felling, pastor of Grace Fellowship, GCI’s church in Tontitown, Arkansas. “I’ve been a historical re-enactor for the French and Indian War (think “Last of the Mohicans”) for the past 20 years. Dagworthy’s company of the Maryland forces made me their unit chaplain. I’ve learned to sew my own outfits [see picture below]. Seeing what their life was like and how God helped them, helps me see how he can help me too. I love seeing his mighty hand at work in people’s lives.”

Ron grew up in Indiana and was active in scouting. “The Boy Scouts made a huge difference in my life. We had an awesome scoutmaster, Otto Jonas, who took us on camp-outs every month, rain or shine. He taught me that I am here to make a difference in the lives of others. Because of him, my Mom and Dad, and many others, I rose to the rank of Eagle Scout.”

It was in 1973 that Ron became part of WCG/GCI. “I was drawn to the WCG after I met a family who attended the Hammond, Indiana congregation. They made me feel like I was part of their family. They adopted me you might say. I attended that congregation until I left for Big Sandy in 1975. I knew I wanted to serve in the ministry, even when we were told that was not the way it worked.”

After graduation from Ambassador College, Ron worked in the Personal Correspondence Department at WCG headquarters, providing encouragement and insight to hundreds of people who wrote asking for direction and help. In 1990, Ron was sent to pastor the Indianapolis and Terra Haute, Indiana congregations.

Ron and his wife Barbara have been married for six years. “She had been my friend for many years, but I was not willing to take another chance on failure after going through a divorce. So for quite a long time I just told myself no. But then my father died of cancer and when I was at the airport waiting to fly to Indiana, Barbara called me and was so compassionate and encouraging and loving that I found the courage to tell her how I truly felt. Now she is more than a friend—she is my wife too. She rescued me.”

Ron and Barbara pastor the Tontitown, Arkansas congregation, which meets just outside of Springdale. “We are a little country congregation. We love the Lord and are growing slowly but surely. Barbara serves as our worship leader—a calling for which she is particularly gifted.”

Ron said he loves to see others step up into ministry and grow. His most memorable moment was the preaching his father’s funeral. “At first I wasn’t sure what I was going to say, but the Holy Spirit was right on time. Surrounded by people I had grown up with, I told them about our Savior Jesus; that he is someone we can trust and not to be afraid.”

Ron shares the following story about how his involvement with re-enactments gives him opportunity to share the gospel: “After going through a divorce, I was discouraged, and was wondering what to do next. I was at one of our French and Indian re-enactments with my son Aaron who was seven at the time. It was a Sunday morning and the French, English and Indians were all there on parade with flags flying and fife and drums playing. It made me think: Our Lord Jesus goes before us just like the banners fluttering past me. I found myself praying, “Lord, wherever you lead me I will follow. If you open a door for me to speak to your glory, I will walk through it. Please allow me to serve you.”

“It was at that very moment that I heard my name being called, so I looked to see who it could be. Across the parade ground the officers were waving for me to come to them. This was very out of the ordinary, but I ran over to them. When I got there they asked me, “Can you provide us with a worship service today? Our regular guy, the priest from Canada, just let us know he can’t make it.”

“After my prayer I could only say, ‘Yes I can, when would you like it?’ So they looked at the ground a bit and then said, ‘Well, how about in five minutes?’ ‘No problem sir, where do you want it?’ One of them said, ‘How about at the foot of the cross?’ The French had erected one all those years ago. That was almost too much for me.”

“When the officers asked, ‘Is there anything we can help you with?’ I said I could use a Bible since I knew I couldn’t get to mine and be back in time. So off I dashed towards the cross, and on my way I ran into three women wanting to know where I was headed. ‘We are going to have a worship service in about five minutes, and they are going to expect to take communion. Why don’t we all take it together?’

“The women dashed off to get the bread and wine and the plate and cup for our communion service. When I got to the cross, there was a fellow with a red blanket and table and I was feeling so overwhelmed in seeing that God had all the details taken care of.

“The commander showed up with a King James Bible out of the fort’s museum, and people start to show up—about 300 of them. A lady asked me, ‘I have only taken communion when a priest was here. What do you think about me taking it today?’ I told her, ‘We are going to hear about Jesus today, and why he gave the communion service to the church. When its time for communion if the Holy Spirit shows you its OK, then go ahead. After the service she came back to tell me he showed her that it was just the right thing to do. Everyone, including children, took communion. It was a glorious time in the Lord’s presence. We went on to hold a similar service each year after that. God is so encouraging isn’t he?”

Ron says he feels closest to God, “When I see the stars at night and I talk to God about how my hand is in his and how awesome it is to know that he did all this just so I would know I can put my trust in him.”

Sonny Parsons, who grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, pastors GCI’s congregations in Big Sandy, Texas and Texarkana, Arkansas.

Sonny has a long history of community service. “I always enjoyed serving others. While in high school as an Eagle Scout I helped start one of the first camps for mentally challenged children in Mississippi and served for seven summers with the program. While working as a school administrator and educator, I served for 20 years in the summers as waterfront director or counselor at a Boy Scout camp. As an adult, I attended the National Boy Scout Camping School and served on the faculty in the aquatic section. For the past 25 years I have served with the Big Sandy Volunteer Fire Department as a firefighter and paramedic. I also have served as captain of Emergency Medical Services.”

Sonny credits his parents with giving him a heart for serving others. “They instilled in me a commitment to always treat others like you would like to be treated and help care for those less fortunate. As a child I always wanted to obey God and ‘do what was right.’”

In 1964, while a premed student at Mississippi State University (MSU), Sonny was part of a group of 15-20 students who started listening to The World Tomorrow broadcast. “Many of those students became WCG ministers or Ambassador College faculty.”

Sonny met his wife Jane in high school. “She was a sophomore and I was a junior. We dated for five years and married in 1964 during my senior year at MSU. We have been married for nearly 49 years.” While a married senior at MSU, Jane earned her what Sonny calls a PHT (“Putting Hubby Through”) degree! “Earlier, she had earned a business college degree and now worked to help me finish school. When we first started dating, she passed me a note that was signed with the letters MTYLTT which stands for More Than Yesterday Less Than Tomorrow. She had those letters engraved inside my wedding ring. They speak of our love for each other and our love for God that should be more than yesterday but less than tomorrow. In our wedding service, Jane had a song sung from the book of Ruth with the words, “Where ever thou goest, I will go.” Little did she know that I would drag her all over this earth. But she has always been there by my side.”

Sonny and Jane have had two children: Todd, who died in 2006, and Amy who has served as a flight medic and now is a supervisor with Mother Francis Hospital and Champion EMS. Todd had two girls, Amanda and Alison who live in California. Amy has three children: Treston, who just completed four years in the Air Force; Tory, who is in nursing school; and Tyler, who is finishing her second year in college. They also have one great grandchild, Hadyn, who is Amanda’s daughter.

Sonny has always felt that being prepared and seeking counsel is important. “Upon finishing college, I wrote the Letter Answering Department in Pasadena and asked what field they would recommend. Given my background, they recommended teaching and suggested I read Proverbs 3:5-6. With that passage of Scripture in mind, I prayed. The answer came unexpectedly when a man I had never met asked if I would like to teach school and be his assistant principal! I learned then to take the promise in that passage quite seriously.”

Sonny says that, “trusting God in that way has helped prepare me for life. As Director of YES (Youth Employment Services) with the Jackson, Mississippi public school system, I was asked to develop a career development program for seven school districts. I used godly principles in doing so. I told this to the National Director of Career Education in Washington when he asked why the program was so successful. I was then named as a consultant to the US Office of Education and the project was chosen as a National Exemplary Program in Career Development in the US for young people. Only seven were chosen from the nation, and a book was written about it. This helped prepare me for the development of MPEC, (Mail Processing Extension Center) at Ambassador during the 80s and 90s.”

While working at Ambassador in Big Sandy, Sonny was asked to enter vocational ministry. “Richard Rice, the director of the US ministry, asked Jane and me to move to the San Antonio area where we pastored churches in San Antonio, Uvalde, Corpus Christi and Victoria for seven years. We then asked to return to Big Sandy since our children and grandchildren lived there. In 2002, we were assigned to pastor the Big Sandy and Texarkana churches. We’ve been doing so for almost 12 years.” Sonny says that his most memorable moment as a pastor was baptizing three of his grandchildren.

As part of his pastoral ministry, Sonny has been actively involved in the community. “I love serving others, and have had the opportunity to serve as Big Sandy’s Mayor, the President of the Ministerial Alliance and member of the boards of the Community Development Corporation, the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce.”

Sonny has earned five academic degrees: an AA and BA in Theology, a BA in Sociology, and MEd and EdS degrees in School Administration.

Sonny says that one of his greatest joys in ministry is “seeing transformation take place in people’s lives as they believe in and accept Jesus Christ and realize that they are under grace.” He loves that GCI has helped him understand “the awesomeness of Trinitarian theology.” Sonny says that his passion is to “become more and more like Jesus.” Other passions include family and “developing lasting friendships and relationships.”

Asked when he feels closest to God, Sonny replied, “When in prayer or when I see his hand at work in events or when I witness lives being transformed.”

During most of his formative years, Mat worked on a farm. “Starting about age 12, I worked on a truck farm, raising vegetables for a hardworking Christian couple whose children had moved away to the city to work. When I was about 16, I helped manage the farm because the owners were getting up in years. They paid for the seed, the equipment and fuel, and I provided or paid for the labor costs. We split the proceeds. I hired my friends from high school to do some of the work.

I learned to operate about every kind of farm equipment they had and learned how to market tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, beans, sweet corn, cantaloupe, watermelons, squash and other produce to the grocery stores. People also came to the farm to buy produce and when we couldn’t sell it fast enough, we filled up the pickup and sold it beside the highway. It was a practical introduction to a lot of hard work and business for which I am grateful.”

Mat also worked at home. “My mom operated a small café during my high school years in the first level of our house, which was an old hotel built in 1888. My brothers and I learned to cook and wash dishes. Knowing how to motivate teenage boys, my mom would say ‘As soon as the dishes are done, you can have whatever you want to eat.’ I once asked her if she ever made any money with the café. She said ‘No, but I fed four teenage boys.’”

Mat has been in WCG/GCI most of his life. “My parents were baptized in the icy Clark Fork River in northern Montana in 1963. I was two years old. My parents became interested through the church’s media and my mother was miraculously healed of a serious illness not long after they became members.”

During high school Mat became interested in Ambassador College. “I was active in YOU and through the basketball program I visited both Ambassador College campuses for tournaments. My parents and our pastor encouraged me to go to Ambassador after high school and it seemed natural to do so. At the time I was personally more interested in becoming a chiropractor and had applied to Palmer College in Iowa. However, I decided to go to Ambassador in Pasadena where my brother Tim already lived.”

Transitioning from farm to city was not easy. “I nearly left college after a few weeks. I learned that I needed more money than I had first thought and I did not like the city crowds. The smog, which was thick at the time, caused me to have severe headaches. Also, I did not like the fact that I had to give speeches. When I called my parents to tell them I was coming back to South Dakota, they and the pastor encouraged me to stick it out another month and the congregation sent me enough money to get through the first semester. So I gritted my teeth and stayed.”

It proved to be a good decision. Mat survived his first few speeches and started a job on the Ambassador landscaping crew. “Because it was like farm work and because my boss was encouraging, I began to feel better, but I still felt out of place, though I stayed. I called home and had my parents sell my horse to cover my second-semester tuition.”

Mat transferred to the Big Sandy Ambassador campus in 1981. “I was chosen as one of the ‘leaders’ in the sophomore class to go help with reopening the Big Sandy campus. I learned that ‘leadership’ in Big Sandy that year meant working the graveyard shift on security and eliminating varmints like copperheads and armadillos from the property. These critters had used the vacant campus as home for a while and had to be pushed back into the surrounding ‘jungle.’ Because it was more rural and relaxed in some ways, I thrived there. I was baptized in Lake Loma that year.”

While in Big Sandy, Mat became interested in cycling, which would lead to participating on staff at “SEP On Wheels” held in New Zealand. “I still enjoy cycling today in the hills around Glendora—mostly on my mountain bike.”

Mat returned to Pasadena to finish his BA degree. “I became involved in community outreach during that time and began organizing tutors and tutoring children who had been abandoned by or otherwise had lost their parents. Through this experience, I experienced God’s heart for children and the joy of seeing children succeed, even in difficult circumstances. I am a strong supporter of GCI’s Generations Ministries camps and missions because I see the tremendous value in helping kids see who they are in Jesus.”

Besides his job in landscaping, Mat worked in the Ambassador Auditorium. This turned into a full-time job after graduation. “I supervised the ushers, parking attendants, concessions areas at various times, and later served as a foreman and house manager.”

During this time Mat started working with the budget for the areas he supervised. “As part of that job, I worked for Herbert Armstrong, organizing and serving luncheons and dinners at his home where I met many interesting people including Nancy Reagan, Queen Sirikit of Thailand, Prince Philip from the UK, Anwar Sadat from Egypt and several world-renowned performing artists. Although I appreciated these opportunities, I became personally troubled seeing how Mr. Armstrong and some around him handled the finances. I was so troubled that I nearly left my employment. I had no idea at the time that I would have influence in this area later as church treasurer. It reminds me that God has a plan for us all.”

It was while working at the Ambassador Auditorium that Mat met Pam, whom he calls “the most important person in my life.” Mat and Pam were married in Indianapolis where her family was living at the time. “We were married in 1988—25 years ago. We initially had a 5-year plan for just the two of us to be together before having children. This turned into a 5-month plan when Pam got pregnant.

Our son Mathew was born in 1989 and our daughter Jessica in 1991 (see their pictures at left). Both have now graduated from college. Mathew is a financial consultant and Jessica is finishing her teaching credential, hoping to teach early elementary school children. We are very proud of them. Both love God and are working in areas where they are gifted. Family is such a blessing.”

Mat started working with WCG pastor general and president, Joseph Tkach, Sr. “He invited me to work for him as a project coordinator and to do the president’s budget. While working with Mr. Tkach, I helped organize senior dinners at the campuses in Pasadena and Big Sandy. I also served as a steward on the church’s airplane on the weekends when Mr Tkach visited churches. I still have the flight uniform (if only it still fit!).”

While working for Mr. Tkach, Mat entered graduate school. “I could not afford it, so Pam and I worked another job managing property, but it still wasn’t enough for a young family to live on. I asked Mr. Tkach if the church would help pay for me to finish an MBA. He told me if I could show him how I would use what I was learning to serve the church, that he would help pay for it. During that month I renegotiated discounts with existing vendors, which saved more than twice the amount of my complete tuition. After I showed him this, he agreed to help. Looking back I really appreciate that challenge.”

When Mr. Tkach Sr. died in 1995, Bernie Schnippert asked Mat to work with him as assistant treasurer and Joseph Tkach Jr. asked him to serve on the church board. “I worked with Bernie for about 10 years during some very challenging times. Our doctrinal changes led to a dramatic decline in income over several years and forced the sale of many of our church properties, including the camp in Minnesota, both college campuses and many other assets. This proved to be a challenging real-world education in finance, real estate and business administration. I would never wish to repeat those years, but, as they say, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. During that time, Bernie carried a heavy burden and served as my mentor. When Ralph Helge retired, Bernie took on the role of the church’s general legal counsel and I was appointed church treasurer in 2005.”

When asked what he enjoys most about being church treasurer, Mat said, “I don’t always enjoy this job because I see both tremendous need and scarcity of resources and feel personal angst about this tension. However, seeing money well spent corporately and by individuals makes me happy. Other things that I see as treasurer that make my heart smile is generosity of spirit and generosity of possessions by people who are helping others. I especially enjoy when resources are well spent for the gospel so that others can understand who they are in Christ and be connected, elevated and energized through this experience. When the light goes on in a young person’s eyes I feel tremendous joy. What a privilege to participate in this adventure! I think money is well spent for the gospel when it is used to help others see their true worth in Christ.

“I have so many good friends in GCI, my family and I feel like we are part of a worldwide family. I also enjoy the foundation of sound theology, which allows us both to feel God’s love and to share it freely with all of God’s children, whether they know Christ lives in them or not.”

Mat’s passion is “seeing young people discover who they are in Christ and view their future from this perspective. I love to see young people learn to handle their finances responsibly. I also enjoy being outdoors in God’s creation, hiking, biking, fishing, camping, meditating. I have climbed Mt Whitney a couple times and several other mountains in Southern California. I think a rainy day outside in the mountains is better than most good days in an office. I am told by my children that I have a stern appearance and for whatever reason I have been placed in a job where I often have to say “no” to people. Those who know me well, understand that under the stern appearance, I care deeply for people. God certainly has a sense of humor.”

When asked if he had a final thought, Mat said, “I am blessed to work with some of the nicest people on this earth every day. If members are ever in Glendora, I invite them to stop by and meet some of these folks who serve them every day.”