Leadership
Scott & Karen Hagan
senior pastors
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Scott and I were married in 1982 which means we're now at the 25 year mark!. We enjoy a great personal friendship and 4 fabulous children (1 beautiful daughter and 3 huge sons). We stepped right-in to full time ministry after getting married. It has included 6 1/2 years in San Jose as youth pastors at Bethel Church, 12 years as planter and pastors of Harvest Church in Elk Grove and 4 1/2 years in Michigan as pastors of a great church called Grand Rapids First Assembly of God. Now were back again in our passion as church planters here in Sacramento.
We love spending time with friends, family and going to sporting events! Whether its a Kings game or high school game, it never gets old. The goal we are most enthusiastic about is raising successful children that love the Lord and know how to live life to its fullest.
We love watching movies that make a compelling point. "The Count of Monte Cristo" "Pride and Prejudice" "Remember the Titans" are some the family favorites. A couple of little known facts about us is that Scott is directly related through his grandmother on his mom's side to former president Harry S. Truman. Karen is the first cousin of David Wilkerson who was renowned for the Movie "The Cross and the Switchblade" back in the early 70's.
We both love to travel and speak in any setting where we can share about the things God has put in our hearts. Scott has written three nationally published books including a new children's book. He also has served as an adjunct professor at North Central University in Minneapolis. Karen published this year an exciting new tool for teaching people how to pray the promises of the Bible called Dominion Cards (you can go to the resource page on the website to find out more about all these books and resources).
Our ministry passion is the local church. Our hope is to plant new churches and raise up young leaders who can stay on track for a lifetime. The kind of church that excites us most is the Church that looks like heaven! Unity was the highest hope of Jesus for the Church. "Lord, I pray they are one as we are one...that the world might believe." We want to see that prayer answered in our lifetime.
Darnisha & Scott Taylor
associate pastor of worship & creative arts
Scott and I married in 2006. We were raised in Michigan. But, we love warm weather. I graduated from Hope College, Holland, MI and continued studying at Western Michigan University. After college, I worked in Admissions, Student Development and Campus Ministries. I have been a pastor in the Assemblies of God for16 years. I released an album in 2000 and had the opportunity to travel and minister in music. I served with Ben Patterson at Westmont College in Santa Barbara as Director of Music and Worship. Just prior to serving at Mars Hill, I was Associate Pastor of Worship and Creative Arts at Grand Rapids First Assembly of God. Scott has a unique gift to share his experience. He graduated from Davenport University and served as Executive Vice President of Tayco Industries. He served in ministry at Bethel Pentecostal Church with Bishop William Abney as well as serving Dove Award winner, Marvin Sapp. He’s a master scuba diver and has pursued a captain’s license.
We have a passion to make a difference through Biblical, practical ministry. We feel that God has given us experience and creativity and we are excited about this opportunity to be used for His glory.
Josh & Wendy Guerrero
student net pastor
Wendy and I were married in July of 2004 and we have one little furry child that fits in Wendy’s purse, his name is Oliver, yep he is our yorkie terrier. Wendy was born and raised in Oakland, and she is currently in school studying to be a RN. She loves spending her time with friends, family, students and me. We typically love to chill, stroll around the city, shop, ride bikes, play with Oliver and eat sushi! Wendy and I are big baseball fans, I am a Giants fan, and Wendy is an A’s fan, but it’s all good because we know it’s all about the orange and black!
I stay very busy building and developing the young ministry of Tribes. I love students, seeing them enhance in God, and bringing the truth of Christ to this young generation. It is such an incredible reward for us. I also love to rock and travel around with my band “Steadfast”. Typically I am either youth pastoring, or playing and writing music. Don’t ask about kids we will let you know, but we are excited for that next adventure.
Daniel Herrera
student net pastor
On the brink of turning 23, I can honestly say with full joy that I’m more excited than ever about what God is actively doing only in my life! I just graduated from Trinity Life Bible College with my BA in June 2006 and I’m currently working on my 2nd BA in Graphic Design at Sac City. I just bought a townhouse about 2 minutes away from Arco Arena, the home of one of my greatest rivals the Sacramento Kings. That’s right, I’m a LAKERS fan and proud of it! You can add the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to my favorite teams as well. I love baseball but I love music even more. A significant part of my heart lies with my band Steadfast as we travel & create a form of worship in a new, fresh and vibrant way!
I stay extremely active and busy envisioning and investing into the lives of our students here at Tribes. One of the greatest joys I have is seeing a student tap into the fullness of God’s power & love in a real, personal and intimate way!
Kathy & Ben Cannon
pastor of family & community
Ben and I were born on opposite sides of the country, lived on opposite sides of the globe, yet somehow managed to meet and marry in the middle of the country. It’s been seven years since he borrowed my ski coat in college, five years since we said “I do,” and I still haven’t managed to calm any of the goofy-ness out of my best friend and husband. We have two boys, Pike (a shepherd-husky) and Machiatto (a pug) and can’t wait to add the two-legged variety of kids to the mix. Ben is a manager for Starbucks and keeps the office stocked, while I continue to drink a double tall half-caf nonfat no-whip caramel-sauce-on-top toffee-nut latte. In our off time we’re either relaxing at home (me reading, Ben checking the football/basketball/soccer/rugby/cricket scores), at a game or…big surprise…at Starbucks. I am incredibly impatient for Christmas to arrive each year as it means the best part of my year—travel time with our extended families.
After working in many different areas of church ministry, my heart is to help everyone at Mars feel like they’re grounded in God and part of our family. I work with the other pastors as well as small group leaders, champion mentors, new believers, and Bible study teachers to make sure we are authentic in our relationships and real in our teachings.
Inez Bayardo
children's pastor
I have been in full-time vocational ministry for over 7 years. Growing up (not too far from here, in Stockton CA) I always knew that I would be in vocational ministry but I never imagined that I would be a Children's Pastor. Through a series of what seemed like "insignificant" events I ended up working in Children's Ministry. Looking back, I can completely see God's hand orchestrating it all, and there's nothing else I would rather do than work with kids and help others who work with kids. Each year, I feel like my passion and heart for kids only grows stronger, along with a passion to help others who work with kids. I don't know what God has for me in years to come, but I do believe that wherever I go and whatever I do I will have some connection with kids. I truly enjoy kids - they never cease to amaze me, they keep me feeling like a kid, and they make me laugh. ! I also truly enjoy spending time with my family (playing games with my two nephews is a favorite pastime of mine, and watching my adorable little niece!), friends and a double tall sugar free vanilla soy latte at Starbucks!
Gary & Melissa Moore
director of project turnaround
Melissa and I have just celebrated 10 years of being married and deeply in love with each other. Being 29 and Melissa 28, we have two boys Isaac (7) and William (4). Melissa was born and raised in Sacramento and is currently a Survey Drafter. My roots are not so easily explained as I have lived in 25 or so different places. I am in college for my bachelor’s degree and have about 1 year left give or take. Moving back to Sacramento from Texas to join Pastor Scott and Karen in May of 2005, we are blessed greatly by the Mars Hill Family. For the first time in our marriage I am “Mr. Mom” I am experiencing all the challenges and rewards of doing what my wife has done for many years, and let me say to all my brothers out there it isn’t easy! All due respect to Michael Keaton this isn’t Hollywood. We love spending time together as a family and a couple I can truly say we are Best friends as well as husband and wife. We love to relax and watch a good movie, or just talk. We both have a passion for Project Turnaround.
Josh & Lisa Bueno
mars hill internship director
My GORGEOUS wife Lisa and I have been married 13 years. We met 18 years
ago in a youth group and have been best friends ever since. We were both born and raised in Sacramento, we have two beautiful daughters, Gabriella (12) and Faith (1), and a mini Schnauzer named Charlie. We have served in student ministries for the past 13 years. Lisa currently works as a Surgical Assistant for Mercy General Hospital. Outside of Mars Hill Interns I currently work for the Juvenile Justice Chaplaincy were I mentor and life coach incarcerated juveniles and teenagers within the Folsom/Cordova School District who struggle with substance abuse. Music/Media is my love, raising leaders is my passion. Inventions I'm thankful for: Mac, Starbucks, TiVo, PSP, and U2.
Neva Swinson
urgent care chaplain
Oh my goodness 2008 is just flying by!!! As we approach our first building, I can't help but rejoice in the things God has done. God continues to stretch and grow me into the person he wants me to be. I want to bring honor to Him in all that I do so I accept the struggle as the process of staying right where God has me, in line for His will in my life. I love serving the Mars Hill family. I've changed some how I pray and look at my life. I always wanted to make a difference in everything I set my hand to. I'm learning that I'd rather have God make a difference in everything he allows me to handle. The economy and gas prices make me concerned for our community and I pray for creative ways to minister to the needs of our church family. I continue to learn to "Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding, in all my ways acknowledge Him and He will direct my path."
2008 continues to see change and growth in my own family. My daughter Rachel and her husband Corey have two daughters, McKenzie just turned 5 and Madison (our miracle) just celebrated her first birthday on July 3rd. My son is now Pastor Steve, as he and his wife Nicole and they children, Taylor and Jordan have moved to Grinnell Iowa to pastor 1st Assembly of God in Grinnell. They are very blessed to be there in Iowa.
My mom and dad are 88 and 90 respectly and will be celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary later this year. My mom's favorite hymn says it all, about how they have lived their life, "Trust and Obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to Trust and Obey".
My foster daughter Malika is raising two more of my grandchildren, Milous and Tim. Malika is on staff at Salvation Army in Grand Rapids, MI. I’m very proud of all my children.
Darlene & Carl Winther
stewardship & administration
I married Carl, my best friend in 1989. We both had gone through a failed marriage; we both had two small children and been Christians for about four years. I first met Carl when I was a teenager, but it was the Lord’s perfect timing that brought us together over a decade later into a life committed to Him and to each other.
Together we raised daughter’s Nicole and Leslie and two sons, Mathew and Ryan. We celebrate our kids and four grandchildren who are the light of our lives. To fill our empty nest we read, bike ride, and play with our dog, Beau. We like getting together with friends, our small group and taking a monthly trip in our motor home.
I have been in ministry for 22 years, spending nearly 14 years at Harvest Church. Carl is semi-retired from Sacramento City College where he has taught for 35+ years. Now he teaches part-time, and studies photography for fun.
We love teaching the couples class, prayer and my passion – stewardship. My calling is in church administration, ministering with sincere purpose and most importantly giving glory to God as we worship him with all that we have. We are BLESSED!!
Roger Bain
pastor-in-residence
I am originally from Miami, FL, then Kentucky, and then Ohio, and now Sacramento. It’s been an exciting journey with the Lord. My favorite thing in the world is Jesus. I love to see people find their purpose and destiny that God has planned for their lives. People usually think that I’m a very serious person when they meet me, but in actuality I love to laugh and joke and do nothing but enjoy life. One thing I know is that my life has been powerfully impacted by Jesus Christ. I just want to be one of the messengers with an invitation to the world from Jesus that says “Come and be with me.” For the past several years I’ve had a desire to Pastor and now God has allowed me to take some significant steps toward that desire in being apart of our Church Planting Residence. I’m now praying for the Lord to plant me in a city like a seed; that sprouts leaves and then bares good fruit. I thank the Lord for the opportunity that he has given me here at Mars Hill, a chance to be a seed in the Lord’s hand.
Sharen & Roy Long
pastor-in-residence
Roy and I are high school sweethearts, married 38years. We have three grown, married kids, three granddaughters, and a dog “Bear Bear” who loves Jesus. When we aren’t running in all directions, we try to have some fun! Roy works strange shifts making your electricity and I run back and forth to Bethany University every week, majoring in Church Leadership. We like new restaurants, Lake Tahoe, TV series, “24,” all new Starbucks drinks, all kinds of worship music, and great books that inspire. We also love that Delta breeze in the summer, outdoor barbeques, the pool on a hot summer night, first snowfall, redwoods and walking by the ocean. We love everything about Mars Hill Church, most of all the people. It’s our honor to serve and love this wonderful family. We are anticipating great things as we all listen and obey God’s leading.
Alton & Lori Findlaytor
pastor-in-residence
We are blessed to be part of the Mars Hill family and excited to see what the Lord has in store for the future. I was born in Jamaica (Ya Man), and came to the States when I was twelve years old. I joined the military and was stationed at Travis AFB where I met and married my lovely bride of twenty years, Lori. After we got out of the military we decided to stay in the lovely town of Vacaville where we have lived for the past twenty years. We are happily married and have four wonderful children, ranging in age from seventeen to eight years old. We enjoy traveling and have been on multiple missions trips from East Africa to West Africa. We have worked in many different areas of ministry, from babies/nursery, children, youth, men and women's ministries, to married couples. Lori's biggest ministry has been taking care of our home, raising our children, and home schooling for the past twelve years. I love to play and coach soccer, and Lori loves to read while I play soccer. Recently, the Lord has put a passion in our hearts to plant a church in our hometown of Vacaville. We are looking forward to this adventure with God and where He will take us.
