 |
Brett Gilchrist - Lead PastorI grew up in a solid Christian home, my parents explaining the gospel to me early. I understood my sin and my need for forgiveness and placed my faith in Jesus at about the age of 5. I did my best to walk with Jesus growing up, but when I went to college, I got more serious about knowing the Bible and hence knowing more about God. I got involved with Campus Crusade for Christ, learned to share my faith, study the Bible and lead other guys in a Bible Study. My faith began to grow and develop and I sensed God could maybe use me in ministry. 30+ years later I have no regrets serving the Lord in ministry, it has been an unbelievable blessing.
Currently Reading:Radical - David PlattBonhoffer - Metaxis Resolve - Bob Welch Favorite Music:Currently my Pandora & Spotify is churning out a lot of Mark Knopfler, Bill Withers, Lyle Lovett, Emmy Lou Harris and Diana KrallEmail me |
 |
Kambiz Mirsepassi - Executive PastorI was raised as a non practicing Muslim in Iran. I always believed in God but I did not know who God was. After I moved to the United States, I started learning about Christianity. I met my wife in 1982 and started going to church with her family. In 1983 I attended a Billy Graham Crusade in Sacramento CA. The need of Jesus in my life was explained in a simple and practical way that night, and that is were I started my journey with Christ and never looked back.My wife and I have been married for almost 30 years. We have three children; Laila, Eric and Hannah.
|
 |
Justin Ubel - Associate Pastor of WorshipI grew up in a great family where I came to know the love of Jesus and place my faith in him at a young age. But my understanding of what that entailed to follow Christ really began to grow while spending summers working at Camp Harlow as a counselor and staff member. That experience of serving helped me understand and pursue my calling into Christian ministry (instead of computer science) at George Fox University. After serving at churches in Salem and Portland, I now have the privilege of being one the pastors to my own parents at University Fellowship.Currently Reading:Reconciling all Things - Emmanuel Katongole & Chris RiceUnspoken Sermons - George MacDonald Surprised by Hope - NT Wright Favorite Music:All Sons & DaughtersDavid Crowder Band Mumford & Sons Civil Wars Switchfoot Coldplay Counting Crows James Taylor (My kids could probably identify all of the above) Email me |
 |
Ashley Gilchrist - Children's Ministry DirectorI acknowledged that sin was an issue for me that I couldn't fix when I was 5 and accepted Jesus as my Savior. I grew in my knowledge and love of the Lord as I grew in my home and my church, however it wasn't until I was 18 and headed off to college that I really understood that God wanted to use my life for His will. It's been an adventure realizing what His will is, but today I'm blessed that it's serving on staff at University Fellowship, partnering with parents to help young kids discover Jesus like I did.Currently Reading:Gods and Kings - Lynn Austin A Short History of Nearly Everything - Bill Bryson Deep and Wide - Andy Stanley I always have some Louis L'Amour or Zane Gray western started Favorite Music:Currently I'm playing a lot of Pasty Cline, Mumford and Sons, Coldplay, Mindy Smith and Chris Rice's Hymns Project Email me |
 |
Sol Rexius - Associate Pastor of College MinistryI first recognized my need for Jesus at the age of 4. Through my teen years I was generally a good guy, but not exactly a radical Christian. I was involved, not committed. Then in college some trials and challenges came along that drove me into the Word of God to look for answers, and I began to learn more about Jesus and grow in my faith. Through the process of writing God's Word on my heart, he totally messed up my life - in a good way. At that point, I felt God leading me toward vocational ministry. After college I got 3 years of pastoral training from Western Seminary in Portland, OR. I started ministering here at UFC in September of 2011. Lizzy and I were married in July of 2011. We have no children yet, but we do have a spoiled gold-fish.Currently Reading:Man Overboard - Sinclair Ferguson Switch - Chip and Dan Heath Favorite Music:DC Talk Boyz 2 Men Michael Jackson Ben Rector Brandon Heath Email me |
 |
Dave Williams-Associate Pastor of Youth MinistriesMy life story is impossible to communicate in a paragraph--my full story is posted under "stories"--and frankly sort of unbelievable. All that to say after bouncing around between abusive adoptive parents and failing foster parents, I was adopted by my heavenly Father when I believed in His Son Jesus at the age of 19. I love bringing the message of hope to kids in our community and discipling kids at UFC.I was married in 2003 to Cynthia and have a daughter named Grace and a son named Jack. We live out of town a ways but love living in the woods. For us, hiking in the backcountry is an ideal vacation. We have fallen in love with our church and enjoy being a part of what God is doing here. Email me |
 |
Jesse Aguero- Associate Pastor, Discipleship + Small GroupsI grew up in a loving family in Sacramento, but did not attend church as a child. I was a good kid and had a basic belief in God. My family began attending church when I was in middle school, but it wasn't until freshman year at a Young Life summer camp in Colorado, that I really put my faith in Jesus as my Lord and savior. It took many years and a few discipleship relationships after that for me to really understand what it means to follow Jesus. I have been richly blessed with great family and friends and men who love the Lord to come alongside me. Amy and I met junior year at U of O. We married in October of 2000. We have a son, Cohen, and a daughter, Aune.Currently Reading:Gospel Centered Discipleship Radical - David Platt Life Truth"To Him [be glory] who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine." - Ephesians 3:20
Email me |