Al Gascon
Senior Pastor
Hello everyone, my name is Pastor Al Gascon and welcome to CCV. For the first 23 years of my life I knew nothing of the Graces of God nor of the blood of the Lamb, and at one point I did not even believe that God existed. I was an atheist and believed only in the material world and things that could be seen. Yet despite all of this God chose to reveal himself to me in the form of a bodily miracle that changed my life forever. Feel free to ask me about it sometime because I love sharing that story. Ever since that day I knew that God was real and more importantly that he loved me and somehow noticed me. Since then I have been on a wonderful Journey serving him in whatever way he sees fit. Being the new Pastor at Christ's Church of the Valley is just one blessing upon many blessings that the almighty has bestowed upon me and my family.
Speaking of family, I have a beautiful wife, a wonderful daughter, and a wonderful baby boy who has not let me sleep since he’s been on this earth. When I'm not ministering side by side with my wife or taking my daughter to basketball practice I enjoy video games, basketball, running, and eating pizza, which strangely enough is also a part of my salvation story.
I can go on and on about all the wonderful things that the creator of all the Earth has done for me, but I’d rather swap God stories face to face than over a website introduction of who I am. What I will tell you is that my story is one of the many living proofs that God loves and desires for each and every living soul to know him and to be with him on that fateful day when the kingdom of heaven is given to the children of God. God had no reason to show me that he was real. God had no reason to call me out of darkness and to show me his mercy and love. Yet he did. If there's one thing I want you to take away from reading all of this is that God loves you. As it says in Psalm 37 “delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” I would even say that he transforms the desires of your heart and shows you that he should be the ultimate desire of your heart. You, your life, and your story matter. You matter to God and to Christ, and because of that you matter to me and to the church of CCV Bakersfield.
Grace and Peace, Pastor Al Gascon
I can go on and on about all the wonderful things that the creator of all the Earth has done for me, but I’d rather swap God stories face to face than over a website introduction of who I am. What I will tell you is that my story is one of the many living proofs that God loves and desires for each and every living soul to know him and to be with him on that fateful day when the kingdom of heaven is given to the children of God. God had no reason to show me that he was real. God had no reason to call me out of darkness and to show me his mercy and love. Yet he did. If there's one thing I want you to take away from reading all of this is that God loves you. As it says in Psalm 37 “delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” I would even say that he transforms the desires of your heart and shows you that he should be the ultimate desire of your heart. You, your life, and your story matter. You matter to God and to Christ, and because of that you matter to me and to the church of CCV Bakersfield.
Grace and Peace, Pastor Al Gascon
Sherry Morrison
Church Administator
Sherry has 20+ years of Church Administrator experience serving in Bakersfield as well as Southern California. She loves movies, chai tea lattes, and almost anything chocolate. She has been organizing mission trips to build houses in Mexico since her children were small and now enjoys taking her next-generation grandchildren on those trips as well. Sherry is married to Rick and they have three married children and nine grandchildren who are, of course, delightful and occupy much of their spare time.
Parker Habermehl
Student Ministries Pastor
Parker was born and raised in the great state of Texas alongside his three siblings. As a pastor's kid, Parker grew up traveling with his family to youth events and running around the halls as if it were his second home! In December of 2023, he graduated from Ozark Christian College, majoring in Biblical Communications and minoring in Organizational Leadership. Throughout his time in college, Parker worked two years for CIY and spent four months as a missionary living in Mexico City. In his time outside of work, Parker loves to play pickleball, explore coffee shops, play card games and spend time with family and friends! From one warm state to the next, Parker is thrilled to join the team here at CCV!
Aaron Perlman
Worship Director
Aaron may be known as the “man who never sleeps”! You can find him on your local television giving your morning forecast and anchoring the news on KBAK/KBFX Eyewitness News from 4:30 – 9 AM. Then from noon to 1 PM, when his duty on TV is over… he is off to radio co-hosting The Afternoon Joy Ride on 88.3 Life FM from 2 – 7 PM. In between all of that he finds time to work out at the gym and have worship practice with the band on Sundays. Most importantly… he is a husband to his wife Mindy. They love to hike in the Sierras as much as possible. A typical hike is a 10-day stretch from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney. Plus… they have four dogs Shiloh, Solomon, Jacob and Ezekiel.
Michelle Dingman
Children's Ministries Assistant
Michelle is a Bakersfield girl through and through. Born and raised here and enjoys the history of this small, yet big city. She is an outgoing person who loves to make new connections with people. Michelle has been married to her soul mate Brian for 22 years and counting. They have two fur babies, Brookie and Jersey. Michelle enjoys crafting, traveling, camping and off roading. In their spare time Brian and Michelle can often be found in their RV camping or finding a Jeep trail with their pups in tow. Michelle is excited to be joining the CCV team and cannot wait to see what God is up to next!
Tiffany Stark
Administrative Assistant
Tiffany is a born and raised Bakersfield girl! She attended California State University of Sacramento and earned her BA in Liberal Studies and completed the teaching credential program. During her time in Sacramento, she met her husband, Bill, now married 17 years. After teaching for 7 years, she decided to stay at home with their 3 girls. Tiffany and her husband now run a small retail business from home. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her husband & family, playing games, watching her girls dance, teaching tap, and serving on the worship team.
Travis King
Facility Assistant & Grill Manager
Travis has attended CCV for over 20 years. When he is not working in the office, he enjoys hiking in the great outdoors and experiencing the exciting thrills of rollercoasters. Travis is the favorite uncle to three nephews and two nieces. His other accomplishments include graduating from Taft College and California State University Bakersfield with an Associates in Art and a Bachelors in Studio Art.
Kelley Allen
Welcome Team Coordinator
Kelley is a people person who loves change. She is a third generation San Joaquin Valley girl raised in Lemoore, CA who loves trying new things. Kelley regularly lives out the adage that, “a stranger is just a friend she hasn’t met yet!” Her hobbies are gardening, pilates, bowling & knitting. She loves God’s creation and can often be found outdoors & spending time with her fur babies. Kelley has been married to John Little for 24 years, who patiently supports her endeavors.
Renee Zeiders
Involvement Coordinator
Renee has enjoyed serving in the church for most of her life, loves Christ and His people. She has attended CCV since 1983, volunteering in various ministries. Renee is married to her husband Bill & they have 3 adult sons and daughters-in-law. She enjoys hospitality, spending time with family & friends, cooking, baking & gardening.
Veronica Hernandez
Worship Assistant
Worship has been a part of Veronica’s life for over 25 years. She has been playing the piano since she was 9 years old. She believes that through worship lives can be changed and restored. Veronica is married to Santiago and they have 3 awesome kids, Elijah, Sydney, and Sofia.
Bill Stark
Sound Director
Bill was born and raised in the Sacramento area until he met his wife, Tiffany, who let him know they would be raising their family in her hometown of Bakersfield! Bill has 4 girls, yes that’s right…4 and his first grandchild, it's a boy! He has his own custom woodworking business as well as helps Tiffany run a small retail business from home. In Bill’s spare time he enjoys spending time with family, playing games, serving in the StudentLife ministry, and a game of golf here and there.
Meet our leadership.
Marty Allen
Elder
Marty has attended CCV for 20 years. He enjoys watching hockey (The Junior Condors as well as in his own house) and hanging out with his peeps.
Brian Andrews
Elder
Brian has attended CCV for over 23 years and enjoys spending time with his family, listening to 80s music, and working out.
David Gonzalez
Elder
David has been a member of CCV since 2021. He loves spending time with family, reading about church history, and spending time outdoors. He is also a HUGE fan of college football.
Santiago Hernandez
Elder
Santiago has been attending CCV since 2017. He loves spending time with my family, enjoys the outdoors, and playing drums at church. Santiago has been playing drums in a worship band since he was 15. He has been serving the people of California as a CHP Officer for 15 years now. And, as of today, I have 5 years, 10 months, and 20 days, until retirement...but who's counting.
Rick Morrison
Elder
Rick enjoys playing and singing on the worship team, NASCAR, Children's Ministry and his role as the "Grandpa Taxi" for his grandchildren. He's been a member of CCV for 15 years.
David Poon
Elder
David has been attending CCV since 2015
and enjoys serving at CCV in the grill, as a lead usher, in the children's ministry and helping out where needed. David enjoys camping, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family. He has been married to his wife Lauren for almost 25 years and they have 3 young adults that attend CCV.
and enjoys serving at CCV in the grill, as a lead usher, in the children's ministry and helping out where needed. David enjoys camping, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family. He has been married to his wife Lauren for almost 25 years and they have 3 young adults that attend CCV.
Bill Stark
Elder
Bill has been attending CCV since 2017. He serves as the Sound Director on Sundays and volunteers with the youth. Bill enjoys woodworking and watching football.
Bill Zeiders
Elder
Bill has been an Elder at CCV periodically for over 30 years and enjoys apologetics, history, and science. He loves his family and likes to teach, “fix and improve things”, fish, hunt and do volunteer work with non-profit