Pastor Gary Nelson

Raised in southern California for most of his life by a conservative family, Pastor Gary was raised in the Protestant church. However, it wasn't until he was sent to Vietnam that he met Jesus, when a good friend in the army led him in the prayer of salvation. Returning home to his wife, newly saved herself, Gary's life was forever changed as he recognized God had a calling on his life to be a pastor. He attended the Dallas Theological Seminary in Texas and Biola Christian College in California, while holding full time jobs and pastorate positions.

In 1988, God called Gary to be the senior pastor of a Calvary Chapel in Temecula Valley, CA. Over 20 years later, he still gets a kick out of watching God work, and is passionate about seeing those who are lost coming to the Lord. His greatest desire is to teach Christians how to pray and enjoy the Christian life at its fullest. When he's not at the church, he loves fixing up and cruising in his 57' Chevy Nomad, surfing, listening to his IPOD, and playing Solitaire. Gary and his wife Marcella have four grown children and 8 grandchildren.