Pastor John

John was born and raised in Torrance California, a die-hard Dodger fan, attended Calvary Chapel Bible where he met his beautiful wife and finished his degree in Ministry from Crossroads Bible College here in Rochester, MN. John has been involved in Student Ministries since arriving at Calvary in 2011. He loves playing any kind of board game, any sport and finding any excuse to meet up with people. He can’t sing very well so don’t be surprised if he’s blasting worship as you pass his office so you can’t hear him sing. John and Sara have three children — Myah, Naomi, and Jojo.

Roles at Calvary

John’s primary focus is encouraging the youth at Calvary in their walk with Christ and come alongside parents as they disciple their student(s). Every week in the school year students gather for youth group for a time of worship, teaching through God’s word and discussion time in a small group setting to go over the lesson and to build relationships with other students. John also facilitates Lifeguards which takes place after youth group for those students interested to diving a little deeper into scripture and what it means to follow Christ even in tough situations. Mission trips, retreats, Sunday school, Bible studies and other events are all leveraged and designed to help students live out their faith and challenge them to grow.

Person Who Impacted You the Most

I have to start with my mom. Raising my siblings and I as a single parent was challenging, and I have all the respect in the world for my mom. She modeled to me what sacrificed looked like. My grandfather modeled to me what a servant looks like. You could find him cooking, cleaning, mending, and generally serving anyone that walked through his front door. I never heard him grumble. He loved people well through his actions. Lastly, my beautiful wife. She has shown me what unconditional love looks like. She’s seen the worst of me, put up with my shenanigans and keeps loving me. She has been my best friend and constant companion. These three have been pillars in my faith journey and have been living examples of Christ-like love in my life.

Biggest Passion in Ministry

I want people to see and experience God for all that He is. “…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” I don’t know of a greater help offered to mankind. Pointing people to this hope and assurance brings me great joy.

Defining Moment in Your Walk With God

Being absolutely broke: There was a time in my life where I went to grab a clean diaper for my baby girl and my wife informed me we didn’t have a dime to spare in order to purchase diapers. I remember feeling like such a failure, I broke down weeping at such a poor father (literally and figuratively) I had become. I couldn’t even manage to provide the basic necessities for my own family. Long story short, in the mail that very day was a check from a previous job I completed months ago. I remember seeing God’s provision in the mailbox that day, that moment is when I realized God provides all that I need exactly when I need it. He will always be faithful!

Interesting fact

Ever seen the movie Unbroken? I went to the same high school as Louis Zamperini, the protagonist. In fact, my high school is the school they filmed Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Beverly Hills 90210. I remember watching them film during class.