New pastor at Valley Bible Church

With the departure of long-time pastor Mike Polley, Valley Bible Church has been looking for a new pastor the past few months. After a careful search, the church has found its next leader: Carlos Jerez and his family.

Jerez gave his first message as pastor Sunday to a packed sanctuary. The atmosphere was electric with the anticipation of a new journey to take flight. Deacon Mike Enns said, "We are excited to open this new chapter, and we are thankful to have Pastor Carlos and his family here to begin this journey with us."

Jerez said that he is excited to be a part of the Valley Bible family, and he is looking forward to building a relationship that will continue to grow stronger.

Pastor Jerez studied at Masters University, where he received a BA and majored in Biblical Studies. Jerez then attended Masters Seminary and received a Masters in Divinity in Biblical Studies.

Before coming to Shafter, Pastor Jerez was the lead pastor at First Family Church in Bondurant, Iowa. Jennifer Garza, Valley Bible Church secretary said, "We are so excited to meet his family and have them as a part of our family."

Before their morning service, Valley Bible Church holds a coffee fellowship time to socialize together.

The Praise Team led the attendees in a rousing praise and worship time filled with hymns and modern worship songs. Pastor Jerez then encouraged the members begin this journey with him as they start looking into the different ways that Jesus showed his followers that He was and is the only way to righteousness. Jerez told the congregation of the times throughout the Bible in which it was shown how humans fall short of glory without the mercy and power of God.

Pastor Jerez grew up in Southern California and he said that he is very happy to get back to his California roots. Pastor Jerez is joined in this adventure with his wife, Sheryl, and their children Hannah, Joel, Elena and Caleb.

There was a potluck following the service to welcome the family to the church.