Sunrise Rialto Staff
Jay Pankratz - Senior Pastor
Bio:
Dr. Jay Pankratz is the Senior Pastor of Sunrise Church in Rialto, California where he has been serving for over 20 years. During this time, the church has grown from a church of 400 worshippers to an average weekly attendance of more than 5,000. Jay’s articles have been published in Leadership magazine and Building Church Leaders, among others. He also conducts seminars to help church leaders. He is married to Carlotta, has two adult daughters, and six grandchildren.
Contact:
dgoolsby@sunrisechurch.org
Ministry Vision:
Ministry Vision: Making a difference in the life of a child for Jesus Christ through Bible teaching and relationship.
Interests:
Camping, reading Christian novels, spending time with my family and good friends.
Favorite Food:
In-N-Out hamburger, fried zucchini
Favorite TV Shows:
I Love Lucy, Everybody Loves Raymond, Amazing Race
Heroes:
My Mom
John Hill - Interim Campus Pastor (Wrightwood)
Contact:
jhill@sunrisechurch.org
Ministry Vision:
"Say what God wants said and do what God wants done..."
Interests:
Stuff that is interesting...
Favorite Music:
Anything that praises Jesus
Currently Reading:
The Official Field Manuel to High Impact Youth Ministry, by Ron Luce
Favorite Food:
Mexican Food and anything from a grill that used to say, "Moo"!
Favorite TV Shows:
Lakers basketball, Angels baseball, Falcons and Sooner football games...and Golf.
Favorite Movies:
Braveheart, The Patriot, The Passion, Shawshank Redemption, Legend of Bagger Vance, Signs, Magnificent Seven, Cool Hand Look...I could go on, but you get the idea... pretty much anything epic
Heroes:
Besides my Savior (of course): My wife and my mom.
Other:
I could write something here, but it would be much more fun if you took me golfing and I told you in person...
Contact:
ghooper@sunrisechurch.org
Ministry Vision:
The vision for Worship Arts at Sunrise Church is to celebrate the life transforming power of Jesus Christ through music and the creative arts, to create an atmosphere that invites people of every ethnicity to worship the Living God and to cultivate spiritual growth and character development in our team members.
Our ministry verse is Romans 12:1, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship."
Family:
Beautiful, talented, energetic, incredible and supportive wife, Ruth-14 years; Four fantastic children, Moriah-13, Judah-9, Rhema-4, Josiah-17 months
Interests:
I love to spend time with my wife and family. I love people and getting to know new people. I love watching a good movie with a big bowl of popcorn and a Diet Coke. I love learning about history. I love being a part of Sunrise Church.
Favorite Music:
Growing up I loved to listen to my uncles play jazz music in the Crusaders. I played classical piano, violin and viola music. I sang in gospel choirs in church and I performed in Broadway Productions in school. I loved great pop artists like Stevie Wonder, Sting, Michael Jackson, U2, Phil Collins and Whitney Houston among many many others. As I have grown up and as I am growing in my relationship with the Lord, I love listening to any music and lyrics that glorify the Lord. My favorite artists currently are: Israel Houghton, Chris Tomlin, Tommy Walker, Fernando Ortega, Mercy Me, Hillsongs, Natalie Grant, Salvador, CeCe Winans, Smokie Norful, Kirk Franklin and Sunrise Worship Arts of course.
Currently Reading:
Pure Praise by Dwayne Moore, To Know You More by Andy Park, The Worship God is Seeking by David Ruis, Joy Unspeakable by D. Martin Lloyd Jones, Desiring God by John Piper, Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado
Favorite Food:
Sushi & Chocolate Cake (Not necessarily together)
Favorite TV Shows:
Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), my family doesn't have regular access to mainstream television, however, if we did, I would watch: Lakers basketball games, So You Think You Can Dance, The Discovery Channel, The History Channel and almost anything on the Food Network.
Favorite Movies:
Singing in the Rain, It's A Wonderful Life, The Sound of Music, Ben-Hur, Braveheart, Rudy, The Star Wars Series, The Lord of The Rings Trilogy, Pride & Prejudice, and Anne of Green Gables (I know what you're thinking...)
Heroes:
Mark Handy, Richard Wurmbrand, Corrie Ten Boom, KP Yohannan, Billy Graham, Joni Eareckson Tada, George Washington Carver, and The Little Rock Nine
Other:
My life verse is Jeremiah 9:23-24, "This is what the Lord says: 'Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord.
Contact:
churtado@sunrisechurch.org
Ministry Vision:
We are committed to "Be One, Bring One, and Build One," motivating women to pursue a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, to grow towards maturity in Him, to fellowship with women of all ages, and to stimulate one another to love and good works, reaching out to the lost." - Ephesians 4:13 & Hebrews 10:24
Interests:
Ministry philosophy
Currently Reading:
Replenish: Leading from a Healthy Soul, Life's Healing Choices, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, 5 Levels of Leadership
Other:
I love to sit on the swing in my backyard and read
Kevin Ibanez - Student Ministries Pastor
Contact:
kibanez@sunrisechurch.org
Fun Facts About Kevin Ibanez, new Student Ministries Pastor ...
Kevin was born in New York City, but at the age of 3 he and his family moved to San Diego, CA where he grew up. His parents are both from Guatemala, Central America and emigrated to the US about 40 years ago and lived in NYC.
Growing up in San Diego until the age of 18, of course he is a San Diego Chargers' and Padres' fan; his American League baseball team is the Angels and his pro basketball team is the World Champion Lakers!
He and his wife Andria met and graduated from USC in L.A. They've been married 12 years. They have four children: Joshua who's 10, twin boys, James and Jacob who are 9, and Jasmin who is 5. So naturally they are a a Trojan Family and love to go to football games - Fight on! They also have 1 dog named Mijo whom they rescued ... he's from Rialto!
He's currently attending Fuller Seminary in Pasadena and working on his Master's in Youth and Family Ministry.
He taught 4th, 5th and 6th grades for Rialto Unified School District for 9 years (1997-2007), the last 5 of those years at Rialto Middle School where he taught English/ESL and Social Studies.
He's been a youth pastor for 10 years, 7 of those at what is now Sunrise Mission in Rialto.
He's traveled to Mexico City, Spain and Kazakhstan on Missionary/Ministry Trips. His favorite foods are Mexican, Italian and he loves Sushi.
Kevin loves to read the Bible and books on ministry, watch good movies, travel and learn about new cultures and people. His passion is to reach, serve and equip our youth and their families as well as youth leaders and help them grow closer to Jesus. He loves traveling, camping, hiking, barbecuing and throwing the football around in the backyard with his wife and kids.
Contact:
kknight@sunrisechurch.org
Ministry Vision:
Galatians 2:20 says "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." My vision is to see people by faith, come into a personal relationship Jesus Christ. My passion is to see all believers spiritually transformed by the daily application of God’s word into their lives. I yearn for God's healing power to reconcile and restore broken relationships, especially the ones that occur in marriages and families. Lastly, my vision and goal is to be the best steward of all of the human and financial resources that God has entrusted to me.
Interests:
My family is such a blessing to my life!!! I enjoy spending time with my wife Toni at the beach…having devotions and taking walks along the shore. My three children, my son-in-law and two grandsons bring me a tremendous amount of joy. In my spare time I like to golf, play basketball, workout at the gym and tinker with my 56 Chevy.
Favorite Food:
Without a question…Italian, Italian, and Italian. My favorite meal is Toni's lasagna made with steak, green beans with bacon and freshly baked warm pepperoni rolls. If you have never tried a pepperoni roll you’re missing out!!!
Contact:
alucero@sunrisechurch.org
Ministry Vision:
See the ethnic diversity of the body of Christ reflected in the local church.
Interests:
Coaching pastors and church leaders on reaching their immigrant community with the gospel.
Other:
Check out my e-zine UnityInChristMagazine.com covering topics related to multi-ethnic, multi-cultural local church ministry. Please click here.
Contact:
spetitfils@sunrisechurch.org
Ministry Vision:
To use my gifts to the glory of God, in obedience to the Word of God, to facilitate God's work.
Interests:
Running, reading, multimedia/web production, guitar playing, and spending time with my wife and children (plus two grandchildren). You may visit my website and blog bibletruth.org.
Favorite Music:
Casting Crowns, Downhere, and most Christian Rock. I love the Sunrise Worship Band!
Favorite Food:
You would laugh if I told you, but I eat it nearly everyday (no, not manna).
Heroes:
R. C. Sproul, J. I. Packer, and Pastor John Piper.
Contact:
mstrommen@sunrisechurch.org
Ministry Vision:
To lead children to Christ and help them develop a solid foundation. To help them grow spiritually and consistently in Christ.
Favorite Music:
Jeremy Camp, Hawk Nelson, Kutless
Favorite Food:
Pasta and Bread
Contact:
avaladez@sunrisechurch.org
Art Valadez oversees Outreach, Assimilation, Spiritual Growth, Volunteer Ministry Placement, Membership, Missions, Immigration Assistance, Pastoral Care, Satellite Campuses, the Deacon Council, and the Spanish Ministry. He also helps to coordinate other ministries and often teaches in the weekend worship services. He loves to spend time with his wife, daughter and three sons. He enjoys books on church health, church growth, and leadership. He also enjoys riding his motorcycle, playing basketball and learning to surf. Art has served in pastoral ministry for over twenty five years as a Youth Director, Associate Pastor, Church Planter and Senior Pastor.
Contact:
svaladez@sunrisechurch.org
Ministry Vision:
Keep the computers computing, the printers printing, the videos playing and the music loud.
Currently Reading:
“Simply Strategic Volunteers: Empowering People” by Tony Morgan and Tim Stevens
Favorite Food:
Food that's free, food that's fast, or food that's fattening. Combine all three for bonus points.
Favorite TV Shows:
Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe; Survivorman; Top Gear; Psych; The Big Bang Theory
Favorite Movies:
Tombstone, Ghostbusters, For a Few Dollars More
Heroes:
The guy who invented the Slinky
Contact:
gzavala@sunrisechurch.org
Ministry Vision:
Be one, Bring one, and Build one
Interests:
Kingdom Growth
Favorite Music:
All kind of music, classical, rock, traditional, etc
Currently Reading:
Right with God by Ronald D. Mehl and Written in Stone by Philip Graham Ryken.
Favorite Food:
Chinese food
Favorite TV Shows:
National Geographic: Explorer. Science Channel: Beyond Tomorrow and How it's made
Favorite Movies:
Nausica, Lord of the Rings, Color Purple
Heroes:
Bible: Caleb, David, Barnabas. History: Napoleon