PASTORAL STAFF
DIRECTORS
SUPPORT STAFF
ELDERS, DEACONS, DEACONESSES
STEVE HORTEN
IVAN KUIPERS
CARL LODICO
DAN PETERSON
BEN RUSSEL
DAVID WITT
DAVE YARGER
VIRGIL COOMBS
DAVID GOOD
CECELIA AGUNDEZ
DEBRA BENNET-ARTHUR
MARTHA BROWN
KATHY LAMPARTER
MARAL MOFFIT
JEANINE PETERSON
SHELLIE SERNA
LAURIE SHULTZ
We believe . . .
Engaging our community to see lives transformed by Jesus
This is the never ending...not gonna achieve it in this lifetime...mission of Verde Community Church. God has called us to make disciples that make disciples Matthew 28:18-19
At Verde we specifically see our church accomplishing this mission in 3 ways...It’s our vision.
To guide this mission and vision we have several “community values” that help us stay on track.
A Community for All: “We are better together”
We believe life-change happens best in the context of relationship. For that reason, we will put people before programs, even sacrificing personal preferences in order to share the love of Christ. It’s all about Jesus: We are all imperfect people learning how to be in relationship with Jesus and each other.
A Community of Disciples: “Everyone plays a part”
No one stands on the sideline and watches. Each person has yielded to Christ as Lord, following Him and bearing fruit. We serve each other in Jesus name as we make disciples who make disciples. It’s all about Jesus: He made disciples and told us to do the same.
A Community of Grace: “The Gospel changes everything”
We will serve our community with grace and love and be a community that strives not for perfection, but for transparency. We will meet people with grace and love as we speak God’s truth into their lives. It’s all about Jesus: God’s gift of Jesus is our model, motivation, and ministry focus.
A Community of Truth: “We stand on God’s word”
We live by the inspired Word of God and will seek to model our lives after Jesus Christ as living sacrifices to God. Our teaching will be biblically accurate, culturally relevant, and offered with sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. It’s all about Jesus: A vital relationship with Jesus is revealed here.
Senior Pastor
carl@verdecc.com
928.634.3645
Carl was born in Chicago, Illinois, but grew up in his hometown of Whittier, California. He attended California State University, Long Beach, and Multnomah Biblical Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He has been at Verde since April of 2014. He and his wife, Maria, have five children; the family is Italian… so they love loud, embrace life and have lots of fun!
What is your favorite book?
The Bible is on the top of the list. However, I love to read books by pastors, missionaries and Christian scholars who have humbly walked the journey of life and ministry far, far ahead of me. I’ve got lots to learn and they’ve got lots of practical and encouraging life lessons!
What or who is your most influential book or author?
Surprise-the Bible! Paul, David, John, Moses. They inspire me with the nitty-gritty of how they encounter God and give us some of the most amazing and epic stories of all time! I love the book of Ruth, too… it’s the romantic in me.
What is your favorite food?
Being from the central coast of California, I love tri-tip beef steak grilled and barbecued to perfection along with a side of grilled onions, asparagus, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, baked beans, garden salad, and garlic bread. This, of course, would be followed by dessert… banana cream pie.
What is something most people wouldn’t know about you?
My first job out of college was working as a Sales Manager for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. As a result of record tires sales, my wife and I won a flight aboard the Goodyear blimp.
What is the most exciting thing for you to see God do in the lives of people?
I find it exciting when people find life in Jesus and embrace the journey with people they love!
Worship Pastor
david@verdecc.com
928.634.3645
David was born in Phoenix, AZ. David has been married to Amy (his far better half) since 1999; they have been blessed with many, many great kids: Ben (2002), Kalei (2004), Micah (2006), Abigail (2008), Levi (2010), Evelyn (2012) and Josiah (2014). His family is “a whole lot of love. We are getting to the point where we will all have to wear the same color to spot one another in a crowd. You may see us counting heads whenever we are getting ready to go somewhere. Mostly, we love learning to walk with Jesus together!” David received his Bachelors in Bible and Music from Grand Canyon University. He has been at Verde since October of 2008, after ministering in Houston, TX and Richmond, VA.
What is your favorite book?
Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning comes to mind. It is a great reminder of the relentless grace of God.
What or who is your most influential book or author?
Henri Nouwen and A.W. Tozer are two of my favorites. I love the passion and heart of their writings. I also love the mystics.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food would have to be Amy’s (my wife) chicken enchiladas. They are de- (wait for it) licious!
What is something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I was born on the same date as my older brother two years later. Mom always had good timing.
What is the most exciting thing for you to see God do in the lives of people?
I love to see people finding peace and rest in the love and grace of God. And seeing people worship God with abandon and gratitude.
Women's Ministry Director
cindy@verdecc.com
928.634.3645
Cindy was born and raised in Cottonwood and has been a part of Verde her whole life. She graduated from the Verde Bible Institute right here at Verde. She describes her family as “absolutely wild and fun, adventurous!”
What is your favorite book?
Don’t really have one.
What or who is your most influential book or author?
“Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby was a very influential book many years ago. More recent is “The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “The Prodigal Son” by Henri Nouwen and “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence.
What is your favorite food?
Mexican
What is something most people wouldn’t know about you?
According to doctors, after a serious illness in high school I would not be able to have children (I have two! I also became a grandma for the second time in August of 2014.)
What is the most exciting thing for you to see God do in the lives of people?
I love to see God transform lives and then bring about the restoration of marriages, relationships with parents and children and friendships. God continues to be faithful to do the transforming work!
Administrator, Verde Valley Christian School
ben@myvcacademy.com
928.634.8113
Ben is originally from Benton, Pennsylvania and graduated from Northern Arizona University. He and wife (Ali) and family (Ryan, Silas, Micah, Josie, and Molly) have been at Verde since 2001. When asked what his family is like, Ben says, “Maybe a quick story will describe us better than I could. Our family recently had the opportunity to accompany my wife to a nursing conference in Los Angeles. We pulled up to a rather luxurious hotel, dotted with vehicles I have only seen in pictures, in our dented green mini-van after a long hot drive. As the valet came to take my keys, he shared that the bellmen would take our luggage up. Since Walmart bags, boogie boards, strollers, and school backpacks aren’t typically mentioned in the luggage arena, I let him know that we would need significantly more time than average to empty the contents of our vehicle onto their pristine pavement. He wasn’t sure what to do. After a few brief conversations with other staff members, he came back and pointed to an empty space for us to use as a staging area. Fifteen minutes later we finished straining the limits of the luggage cart and the seven of us began the arduous task of moving our herd towards the 23rd floor. In the end, we had a splendid adventure. We saw the Library, the Science Center and even the beach. I must admit, however, that I have a new appreciation for lodging that promises nothing more than simply leaving a light on for you.”
What is your favorite book?
Two books that have really impacted me in the last few years are “Celebration of Discipline” by Richard Foster and “Fasting” by Jentezen Franklin.
What or who is your most influential book or author?
I love C.S. Lewis.
What is your favorite food?
Steak with mushroom sauce and garlic mashed potatoes.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I grew up on a small farm in PA and I’m a fan of snakes. I caught and released eight rattlesnakes from our previous home in Clarkdale (or I caught one rattlesnake eight times from our home in Clarkdale…). The most interesting story was when our kiddos were younger and Ali walked out the front door to smack a rug against the fence. As she looked over she found a rattler sunning himself next to her on the column. They were both surprised and unhappy after the interaction and she ran shrieking around to the back of the house. The kids were wondering what could cause such a fun reaction from mom (since they had never been able to achieve that specific tone in her voice) and began filing out the open front door to see what all the fuss was about. She quickly ran in the back door to find them all looking around out the front door and yelled for them to get back inside. Seconds later I received an emergency call at school and came home on my white horse to save the day (at least this is my recollection of the events).
What is the most exciting thing for you to see God do in the lives of people?
The Verde Valley Christian School has given me an opportunity to have an up-close view of how the Lord captures the hearts and minds of our children. I love watching the excitement of a student who understands what it is to accept Jesus as his/her savior and has made that decision. Kids are so open and honest with their cares and concerns. Their faith and belief is so strong. When God becomes real, they come to him with an excited expectation that he will do great things in their lives, and in the lives of their families. Jesus’ call to come and receive the kingdom like a little child takes on such meaning for me as I get to watch how our students enter in to their relationship with him.
928.634.3645
Joyce Gerlach - Monday Receptionist
I was born in Oregon City, Oregon and grew up in north central South Dakota on a farm. I did not attend college. My husband, Burt, and I have been members of Verde since 1997. We have been married 55 years and have 2 children and 6 grandchildren, 1 grand son-in-law and 1 great granddaughter.
What is your favorite book?
I don't have a favorite book or author. However, my goal this year is reading the King James study Bible from cover to cover.
What is your favorite food?
Hmm my favorite food that is a tough one. Pizza, German food, ice cream, nuts etc. absolutely NO mushrooms.
What is something most people wouldn't know about you?
Something some people may not know about me is that I spent my first 12 years of life on a farm without plumbing and very little heat.
What is the most exciting thing for you to see God do in the lives of people?
I love talking to people and hear their story of how God worked in their lives and got them to where they are today.
Join us for worship at one of our two Sunday morning services. 8:30am or 10:30am
In the building or online!
Choose a ministry below to let us know where you are interested in serving at Verde Community Church!
Food trucks galore, Door Prizes, Live Christmas Band, Kids Crafts, Face Painting, Hayrides, Bounce House, Bungee Run, Holiday Photo Booth, Free Christmas Stocking filled with goodies for the first 250 kids (12 and younger). Whew....what a day this is going to be!
We are partnering with Old Town Mission...to provide families in need with backpacks filled with school supplies for students in our community. You can help by donating new backpacks and school supplies such as glue sticks, crayons, #2 pencils, composition books, markers, hand sanitizers, kleenex, ruled notebook paper, pencil sharpeners, and sharpies.
Looking for connection? Need a group to share life with? New to town and don't know where to start?
Been here for a while and just looking for friends?
Join with the women of Verde Community for bible study, fellowship, and connection!
Light refreshments served. 5-6:30 pm in the Verde Cafe. Everyone is welcome!
Save the date for House of Ruth's annual Walk for Life on Friday, September 27, 2019 from 5 PM to 8 PM at Verde Community Church in Cottonwood, AZ. You are invited to "light the night" by participating in House of Ruth's 30th Walk for Life. In honor of our 30th walk, we will be hosting our very first nighttime GLOW Walk for Life.
Welcome our new Student Pastor Colby Freeman and his wife Savannah!
Colby is from a small town directly south of Atlanta, Georgia. While he has spent the majority of his life in the southeastern region of the United States, the thought of living in Arizona came with little hesitation.
Colby alongside his bride Savannah got married on June 22, 2019 and joined the team at Verde immediately after. He graduated from Point University (formerly known as Atlanta Christian College) in May of 2018 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biblical Studies & Preaching. He also received his Master’s Degree in Strategic Ministry in May of 2019 from Point and was a part of a prestigious residential program at Christ’s Church of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona.
Welcome Colby and Savannah! May God bless your ministry here at Verde!
If you want to know more about Verde, understand why we talk about Jesus all the time or are looking to join the church…then STEP 1 is for you.
Come take your first step with Verde!
9th-12th Graders join us for Hume Lake on June 8-15. This is the event of the summer so don’t miss out!
Verde Serve is coming soon! On Saturday, April 6 we will join with Verde Valley Christian Church to serve our community in Jesus name. Our special emphasis for this Verde Serve will be our local schools! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our area.
