As a church, we believe...
In the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit • Jesus became a human being, died for our sins, was raised the third day, ascended to the heavens, there to make intercessions for us always • The gospel is good news; that through Jesus, God’s kingdom is now • In baptism by immersion symbolizing personal willingness to follow Jesus with our entire lives • Discipleship is a life of learning from Jesus how transforming grace leads to abundant life • Church is a group of disciples committed to following Jesus together, serving as the body of Christ, living out what it means to be a part of the Kingdom of God • Spiritual gifts equip the people of God and build up the body of Christ • The Holy Scriptures are the inspired word of God and are central to the transformation of the individual believer and the growth of the Church in its outreach, nurture, and leadership development • The seventh-day Sabbath is a Holy day for communing with our God, remembering and celebrating His work of creation and redemption • In the literal, personal, and soon coming of Christ • Humanity by nature is mortal and eternal life is a gift of God through Christ • In the glorious resurrection of the dead at the second coming of Christ where everything will be made new and sin will be no more • In Christians embracing spiritual disciplines such as prayer, study, simplicity, solitude, service, healthful living, confession, meditation, worship, guidance, gratitude, community, and celebration.
Chico Adventist is a place to Belong, Grow & Serve as we live out Jesus’ love. As we live into that mission, here are some of our guiding values.
We are Christ-centered
We believe in following Jesus and living out what He taught is the path to everlasting life now. We surrender our lives to Him and seek to remain in Him through His Word, prayer, and community
We are Biblically grounded
We believe the Holy Spirit has spoken through the Bible and continues to speak through it to our hearts and minds. We encourage each believer to follow the Holy Spirit's leading as they apply it to their lives.
We worship God with all that we are
We celebrate with gratitude who God is, what He has done, and what He is doing in our lives and our world.
We are growing
We believe God is seeking to restore His image in each of us, and we will partner with God as He seeks to grow and transform us. We will disciple our members and raise our children to whole-heartedly love God and one another.
We love each other
Belonging, care, spiritual growth, and accountability all happen best with relationally connected believers laying down their lives for one another.
We are sons and daughters of God, which makes us family
We believe that while we are each unique and uniquely gifted, we are one. We will love and serve one another even if we disagree.
We welcome everyone
We want each person to feel accepted, safe, included, and loved.
We are spiritual contributors not spiritual consumers
The church does not exist for us. We are the church and we exist for the world.
We are present in our community
We seek to share the good news of Jesus in any way we can, finding those who don't know Jesus and showing them God's love.
Church Staff and Elders
Church Staff
Cherise Gardner: Lead Pastor
Pastor Cherise is a talkative, bookish, pickleball enthusiast who loves God and God’s people. Her life experiences, education, and mind for God’s Kingdom here on earth, all inform her ministry and enable her to reach others with humor, warmth, transparency, and strength.
Pastor Cherise is passionate about the power of the Gospel to transform lives. Her life is dedicated to living by example and encouraging men and women how to live up to their full potential in Christ.
Cherise married her college sweetheart Hugh Gardner who is the balancing factor in her ministry. Together they are raising their amazing daughter Katelyn. Outside of work, Cherise enjoys spending time with her family and their monster dog Miss Mia, going to amusement parks with her daughter Katelyn, singing aloud to Christian music in her car (the only time her singing is appreciated), and creating innovative prayer stations.
Douglas Barahona: Associate Pastor
Douglas was born in San Salvador, El Salvador, and migrated to the United States at the age of 7. He spent most of his life in Tacoma, Washington, where his teenage years were marked by gangs and drugs. God called him out of that lifestyle and into ministry to work with youth and serve those in the margins of society. In 2016, he earned his B.S. in Religion with an emphasis in pastoral care from Union College in Lincoln, NE, and in 2023, Pastor Doug graduated with his Masters in Divinity from the Seventh-Day Adventist Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, MI.
Pastor Doug married Natalie Bruzon, a digital communications professional from Orlando, Florida, in 2016 and they are expecting their first baby in the fall of 2023.
Together they enjoy traveling, going to lowrider shows, and trying different foods. Pastor Doug is a sneakerhead.
Mary Jo Lauderdale: Member Care Pastor
Mary Jo Lauderdale has served in the Chico Church since 2002 as secretary, elder, women’s ministries leader, and member care pastor.
Throughout her journey, God has impressed her to continue His plan for her life and to have faith and trust in the words of Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Today, it is her desire to challenge members and friends to have joy in who they are and to become all that God has created them to be.
Mary Jo believes that no matter what your personal history may be, God is always leaping ahead to guide and forge the way to help you reach your full potential in HIM. And truly His plan is always supreme! Mary Jo is a widow, almond farmer and director of the Congo Widow’s Mission Project. Helping widows and orphans with goats, wells, churches, and educational materials in the DRC.
Two children of her own call her mom, plus a few more she enjoys and loves. She has three grands and two great grands. A pupper named Chelsea, three cats and several strays. Mary Jo, loves to hear people’s stories and have folks for dinner in her home.
Rocio Skemp: Office Manager/Clerk
Rocio Skemp, pronounced roh-SEE-oh, has been faithfully serving the Chico Church for almost ten years now. As the Office Manager/Clerk, Rocio ensures smooth operations, addresses concerns, and manages tasks efficiently at the church.
One of Rocio's greatest passions is facilitating connections between the community and our Church. She believes that the church should be a welcoming and inclusive place where individuals from all walks of life can come together.
Rocio finds immense comfort in the words of Romans 8:34-39, which she holds close to her heart. This passage serves as a constant reminder that nothing in this world can separate us from the unending and unconditional love of our Heavenly Father.
When Rocio finds herself with free time, you can often find her enjoying the great outdoors with her partner in crime, Andrew, and their two-year-old child. She always welcomes an invitation for coffee and a good book.
Richard Kannenberg: Lead Elder
Richard Kannenberg, the Lead Elder of the Chico Adventist Church, is a man whose life has been shaped by the values instilled in him during his upbringing on a farm in North Dakota. From humble beginnings, Richard's journey has taken many unexpected turns, leading him to where he is today.
After completing his education, Richard graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He then pursued further specialization and became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, dedicating an impressive 42 years of his life to the field.
However, Richard's life has not been without its challenges. His first wife of 50 years succumbed to a terminal illness. Following his retirement, Richard made the decision to move to Chico, it was here that he met and married Betty, 11 years ago.
Away from his church and professional commitments, Richard finds joy in good music, traveling, and ATV riding. But perhaps one of Richard's most appreciated pastimes is sharing stories within the framework of Jesus. Through his narrative abilities, he weaves together tales that uplift, inspire, and demonstrate the love of Christ.
As the Lead Elder of Chico Adventist Church, he continues to dedicate himself to serving God and his fellow church members with humility, compassion, and a relentless spirit.
Phyllis Hanks: Lead Elder
When she was close to retirement, Phyllis was asked what she planned to do. She said she planned to volunteer, write a “family devotional,” and do woodcarving. She volunteers at church and for Butte Hospice, writes some devotionals for the church newsletter as well as working on writing a devotional book for her family. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Lowell, in the workshop. She and her husband have three children and four grandsons.
Her life goal is to live out her God-given identity in Christ.
Chris Kam: Creative Ministries Director
For the past 20 years, Chris has been writing his employee bios in the third person.
Throughout these two decades, Chris has taken the lead in coordinating a variety of creative and music ministries. From summer camps to churches and universities, Chris has brought his passion for igniting the creative drives in people.
Chris strongly believes that everyone has a spark within them, a unique gift waiting to be unleashed. With this conviction, he tirelessly works to help individuals recognize and nurture their talents, empowering them to share their sparks with the world around them.
Rather than spending time writing about his accomplishments, Chris would much prefer to fill each moment with the invitation to come and witness the exciting experiences awaiting. He longs to welcome people to explore the transformative encounters that are in store for them.
Church Elders
Jim Logan
Richard Kannenberg
Jerry Waters
Hugh Gardner
Ron Hivale
Randy Moon
Gene Eddlemon
Mary Jo Lauderdale
Suzie Willhite
La Freeda Thomas
Phyllis Hanks