Kene Panas: Lead Pastor

Favorite Verse: "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." 1 John 4:18​

Why? I am drawn to this verse because my father passed away when I was seven. Growing up I was afraid to love because I might be hurt again. I was very careful not to get too close to people. I found myself living in fear. However, when Jesus came into my life, I had a whole new understanding of love. Love was not meant to held back, but meant to be given.

Hobbies: I love to write, study, go on mini vacations and watch the Pittsburgh Steelers, the greatest team ever!  

kene@fvccf.com 

Favorite Verse: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Why? This verse is a perfect summary of the Christian gospel. God loved us in our sin before we ever did anything right. Christ died for the ungodly, the sinner. This is a unique love that only God can truly display. Through him, we can share this love with others.

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Hobbies:  I enjoy playing basketball, football, guitar, bass, and board games. I also love to listen to music, watch the Lakers, and watch movies!   

nathanael@fvccf.com

Favorite Verse: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 28    

Why? This verse is a comfort for me to know that if I stay on God’s path even the bad things that happen in my life can turn out good. My bad hand is an example. Although my disability has kept me from doing some things I would like to do I can truly say it has been one of the biggest blessing in my life in that it paid my way through college and gave me a career in engineering for 31 years.  

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Hobbies: Flying radio controlled model airplanes and ham radio. I have enjoyed both hobbies over the years and it has given me some great opportunities to minister to several people in those hobbies. 

darrell@fvccf.com

Favorite Verse: "For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." John 1:16  

Why: I keep coming back to this verse since it shows that Jesus not only gives us some grace, but grace upon grace meaning it never runs out!  Each day I need grace, and it motivates me to respond to God in worship, not because I have to, but all because of the grace of Jesus.  

Hobbies: I love spending time with my wife and son, trying new recipes together, reading with a good cup of coffee, and of course playing music!

zachary@fvccf.com

Favorite Verse: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;   your works are wonderful,   I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

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Why? Actually, I love the whole chapter as it talks about how well God knows us and how precious we all are in His sight. I am secure in knowing that God, my creator, knows me deeply, (even better than I know myself) and He is always there for me, even when I mess up. 

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Hobbies: I love family time with my husband and two boys. I enjoy traveling to new places, as well as visiting my favorite places such as Santa Monica, Palm Springs and Cabo. I love visiting my family in Minnesota during the Christmas season. I also enjoy the sun, laying out at the pool or beach, thrift shopping, learning about other cultures, helping people, organizing and watching a good movie. 

machele@fvccf.com 

Favorite verse: Luke 10:27:  "And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
 

Why: This verse is the entirety of the Law summed up. All God really wants from us is to love Him with our entire being, while also loving our neighbors as ourselves. Frederick Buechner wrote, "To love ones neighbor as one's self means to also love one's self as one's neighbor. That means to give one's self the same understanding they would for their neighbor who is in trouble." We must love ourselves before we can love others fully.

Hobbies: Going to coffee and Boba shops, reading comics and books, video games, photography, swimming, watching movies, listening to and playing music.

daniel@fvccf.com