Faculty
Faculty
Rick married his wife Annette in 1990 and they have 1 son, 4 daughters, 2 son-in-laws, and 3 grandsons. Rick began walking with the Lord as a teenager and has given his life to Christian ministry and education over the past 32 years. He has a passion to equip families with practical strategies to live out the gospel message and he loves partnering with parents to reach the heart of this emerging generation. Serving as the chief academic officer at Calvary Chapel University allows Rick to work with those who have a similar passion and he considers it a privilege to serve Christ with a team of people committed to equip the body of Christ in Biblical Truth and practical strategies. Rick values authenticity and simply seeks to love God and love others as he walks this journey called life. His life verse is “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths” Proverbs 3:5&6.
Education
Eastern Mennonite University BA with a K-8 teaching certification
Columbia International University MEd. in School Administration
Columbia International University PhD in Educational Leadership
Kathy has been a faculty member at CCU since 2011. She currently serves as the Chief Academic Officer for CCU. She also teaches a variety of courses at CCU including women’s ministry courses and general education courses. Kathy is married to Pastor Jimmy Morales and they serve the Body of Christ at Calvary Chapel Lone Mountain in Las Vegas, NV. Kathy is the Women’s Ministry Director at her church and loves teaching the Bible, counseling, and leadership development. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University (LU), a post-graduate degree as an Educational Specialist, and a Master’s degree in Business Management & Leadership all from LU. Kathy is grateful to God for the privilege of teaching at Calvary Chapel University. Her favorite scripture is Galatians 2:20: For I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Dr. Charles (Chuck) Allers has served as a faculty member at Calvary Chapel University since 2015. He also serves part time as an associate pastor at The San Diego Branch Church in San Diego, California. Prior to The Branch, he was on the pastoral staff at Horizon Christian Fellowship for 22 years, serving as the pastor at one of Horizon’s satellite churches in San Diego, and also as the principal of Horizon High School from 2002-2003 (400 students, 75 staff/faculty).
His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1983; a Master of Divinity degree from Azusa Pacific University in 1994; a Doctorate of Ministry from Azusa in 1999; and a PhD in Islamic Studies from The University of Wales Trinity Saint David in 2011. His PhD dissertation was published in 2013 (Peter Lang Publishers) and is entitled The Evolution of a Muslim Democrat: The Life of Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim.
Chuck has been a volunteer chaplain with the American Red Cross (ARC) in the Spiritual Care Assistance Office since 1999 and, since 2008, has been a volunteer chaplain for the federal government’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) for San Diego County. He also completed the Basic Course for Critical Incident Stress Management through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) in 1999.
Chuck has also served as a Professor of Ministry and Religion and Director of the Master of Divinity Program at Veritas Evangelical Seminary (Murrieta, CA) and as an Adjunct Professor at Azusa Pacific University’s Graduate School of Theology. He and his wife, Greta, live in San Diego, California.
Skip Heitzig is a native of southern California. Though raised in a religious home, Skip saw religion as a dead-end street with no answers. At 18, the Lord reached him with the Gospel through a Billy Graham TV Crusade. Skip studied under Chuck Smith at Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa until 1981, when he and his wife Lenya moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1982, he began a home Bible study which eventually grew into Calvary Church, a multisite congregation of over 15,000.
Skip reaches out to thousands across the nation and throughout the world through his multi-media ministry.
Skip also helps equip others for living according to God’s principles through his writings. Some of his books include The Bible from 30,000 Feet, You Can Understand the Book of Revelation, The Daily God Book, and How to Study the Bible and Enjoy It (revised). Skip holds a DD and PhD. in Philosophy Biblical and Theological Studies from Trinity Southwest University.
His son Nathan and daughter-in-law Janaé have made Skip and Lenya the proud grandparents of Seth Nathaniel and Kaydence Joy.
Josh Luecht has served as a student pastor, associate and teaching pastor at Calvary Chapel Palm City, Florida since 2007. He holds a M.A. in Biblical Leadership from Calvary Chapel University. He is also a foster parent, musician and reading enthusiast. In his spare time he enjoys watching hockey and baseball, Star Wars, and hanging out with his wife. He has been married to Mary since 2012.
Brandon was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He asked Jesus into his heart at age 9, but didn’t really start living for Him fully until age 17. Since making that commitment to follow Christ in the summer of 1998, he’s never looked back. God has blessed Brandon with the amazing ability to travel the globe and see Him at work in all kinds of different places, primarily England for about four years. Later, he served as a United States Marine for four years and completed a deployment to Iraq as a Grunt/Infantry, and to the Persian Gulf as a Scout Sniper. He earned a Bachelor’s in Business from Vanguard University of Southern California and a Master’s in Christian and Classical Studies from Knox Theological Seminary in sunny South Florida. He is working on a obtaining a Master of Divinity to hopefully serve as a Navy Chaplain someday. All in God’s Timing! He has learned that the most important thing we can learn from studying His word, are not dates, themes or details, but to truly Know Christ. – 1 Corinthians 2:2
Christine Marsh is a co-founding team member of Calvary Chapel University. In 2000 Christine was instrumental in designing the curriculum, developing the infrastructure of CCU from legal set up, to finance, HR and overall operations. She has continued in that role throughout her time with CCU.
Christine is also a CCU faculty member, (her true love). She earned her BS at Arizona State University and her MA at Calvary Chapel University.
Christine has three wonderful children (Cade, Zack and Cally), as well as a delightful dog named Indy! She can be seen on many end times blogs, is a voracious student of eschatology and prophecy and is a well regarded speaker in her own right.
Bryan Fergus currently serves as Executive Pastor at CalvaryPHX in Phoenix, AZ as well as serving as the President of Mission Bible Institute.
Bryan has been in pastoral ministry for 32 years. He has also been teaching courses on the Bible, theology, ancient near eastern history and pastoral leadership at Christian universities and seminaries on three continents for the past 20 years. He is currently an Adjunct Professor of Biblical Literature and Pastoral Theology at Phoenix Seminary and a Professor of Biblical Studies at Mission Bible Institute. Bryan earned his Doctor of Ministry degree through Phoenix Seminary, writing a dissertation entitled The Intersection of Analytic Theology and Catechesis.
Bryan and his wife, Stacy, live in Phoenix with their five amazing kids.
Bryan Fergus Degrees
Bachelor of Arts in Church Growth and Preaching, Hope International University 1989
Master of Divinity, Phoenix Seminary 2001
Doctor of Ministry, Phoenix Seminary 2018
Jason Falzarano completed his Bachelor of Theology from Trinity Biblical University and also holds his Master of Theological Studies degree and a Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics from Veritas Evangelical Seminary. He is currently a professor in the Biblical Studies department at Calvary Chapel University.
Jason was ordained in 1999 by the Bible Fellowship Church denomination and served as a Youth Minister in one of its churches for three years. Upon leaving the BFC, he became the Assistant Pastor of Calvary Chapel New Brunswick in 2004. In 2007, Pastor Daniel Fusco ordained Jason and the Board of Elders promoted him to the position of Lead Pastor. He has been happily pastoring in New Jersey ever since.
Jason married his high school sweetheart, Lynda Ann Hall, in the Spring of 2000. They have one daughter, Jenna Marie, and one son, Joshua David. The Falzarano’s reside in beautiful North Brunswick, New Jersey.
In addition to pastoring and teaching, Jason has a deep passion for seeing college students trained and discipled to become effective leaders! He can often be found speaking at Cru meetings and other college style Christian ministries around New Jersey. Jason has recently began working on his Doctor of Ministry degree with the Antioch School of Church Planting and Leadership Development.
Carolyn Eckert is the Jr./Sr. High School Vice Principal of Academics at Calvary Christian Academy in Philadelphia. Carolyn earned a B.S. in Elementary Education & B.S. in Bible at Philadelphia College of Bible, M.Ed. in Educational Technology at Rosemont College, and Ed.D. in School Administration at Calvary Chapel University. She has worked as a classroom teacher at CCA for seven years in a variety of middle school settings before becoming a vice principal. Carolyn has served as CCA’s vice principal for 19 years. A significant component of her job responsibilities at CCA is oversight of curriculum, scheduling, and accreditation. Carolyn works collaboratively with her teachers to make sure that their course descriptions and curriculum guides clearly express the school’s mission and objectives and are in line with accreditation standards. In her free time, Carolyn likes to write, run, and read, but never all three at the same time. She has two parents, three brothers, three sister-in-laws, and nieces and nephews that she adores.
My name is Vernon L. Czelusniak, Ph.D and I am a retired U. S. Coast Guard officer with 20-plus years of experience in training and development and instructional design. Additionally, I have been involved in ministry for more than 15 years.
While serving in the Coast Guard, I acquired my GED, Associates Degree and Bachelors in Human Resources Administration with a Minor in Computer Science from St. Leo University. In 1986, I developed and managed the first learning center in the U. S. Coast Guard. A year later, I represented the U. S. Coast Guard as the Chairman of the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) Advisory Panel (DESAP). Prior to my retirement in 1994, I graduated with distinction with a Master of Science in Human Resources Development and Adult Education from Florida International University.
After retirement from the U. S. Coast Guard, I acquired my Ph.D in Computing Technologies in Education from Nova Southeastern University. In 1998, I was hired as Dean of Information Technology, promoted to Campus Director and then President of the American InterContinental University Ft. Lauderdale Campus.
I have taught online in the Masters of Instructional Design for the University of Phoenix, American InterContinental University Online, in the School of Business for Florida International University, and I have been a Core Faculty in the Instructional Design for Online Learning Program in the School of Education at Capella University for the past eight years.
My goals have always been to help propel education further by maximizing on instructional strategies that enhance the online learning experience of today’s learners. I have a passion to see how media and technology are integrated to enhance the learning environments. Additionally, I would like to provide my academic expertise and experience in how technologies can further enhance learning for globally displaced learners.
I am interested in the following Christian Topic areas::
Christian Education
Instructional Design and Curriculum & Instruction
Biblical Counseling
Biblical Church Planting and Leadership
Christian Education Administration
Research Interests:
Technology and Media
Virtual Worlds (Second Life (Doc Adamley)
Mobile Technology
Media Delivery
Collaboration Tools (Facebook, Wiki’s, Blogs)
Accelerated Learning Techniques; Mindmapping/Concept Mapping; Instructional Design and Rapid Prototyping
On a personal note, I have been married to my beautiful wife, Nury, for 38 years. We have two children – John and Stacy, who are both married. I have an amazing son-in-law, Rudy, and daughter-in-law, Jessie. My daughter has one boy, Rudy, and a girl, Megan. My son has three boys: John Matthew, Gavin Lucas, Christian and a beautiful girl – Sophia Isabella, for a total of six grandchildren.
I have served in the following ministry positions:
Minister / Elder
Pastor Care – Hospital Visitations, Funerals (English/ Spanish), Weddings, Baptisms
Biblical Counselor
Oversaw Volunteers (500+) Ministry
Oversaw all Biblical Education Courses / Programs Ministry
Oversaw New Believers Ministry
Lead Married Couples Small Groups (5 years)
Served as Human Resources Director
I enjoy serving in my church, playing various instruments, traveling, teaching online, playing with my six grandchildren, and riding motorcycles and road bicycles.
Don Welch has been a follower of Jesus for 51 years! Growing up Don ran tour boats through the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan as part of his family’s tourism business. It is a harsh, cold winter with not a lot of people around, but in that small-town Don encountered Christ during the Jesus Movement in the early 70’s! Don has split his career between ministry and teaching serving as a Senior Pastor and High School History teacher. He is an elder at Calvary Chapel Palm City, Florida Don holds a M.A. in Biblical Leadership from Calvary Chapel University. In his spare time he enjoys boating, professional wrestling and Detroit sports. Don and Ruth have been married since 1982
Brenda is the Women’s Ministry Director at Reliance Church in Temecula and has been a Pastor’s wife and served in Ministry since 1992. She travels and speaks at retreats, conferences, and women’s events and for the past few years has had to opportunity to teach at the Calvary Chapel West Coast Pastor’s Wives Conference. Additionally, she teaches courses in Proverbs 31 and Women’s Ministry for the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta, California. Brenda has been married to Ted since 1985 and together they have three adult children and eight amazing grandchildren. She resides in Temecula, California.
Jeffery Martin
Since August 2020, I have been serving as the Executive Director of Meno Life, a Residential Recovery Program. I also have recently graduated with a Masters in Human Services / Addiction Counseling from Regent University.
I am passionate about creating the physical, emotional, and spiritual space needed for men and women to overcome any or all obstacles keeping them from maturing into the people they have been created by God to be – fruitful and free. I believe a powerful yet simple way to accomplish this is by establishing residential communities in which like-minded people are forced to use tools and to practice the life-skills needed for this fruitful and free life. Becoming fluent in the use of authenticity, humility, confession, etc. as tools for growth and maturity is the goal in this type of space. Learning to pay attention to yourself through a biopsychosocial lens is the best way to move out of our particular pathologies and disorders and into the “more than enough” life we all so desperately desire. This excites me and this is what I am preparing myself for.
In addition, I am certified as a life coach, experienced as a pastor, equipped with a Bachelors degree in Graphic Design, I bring an unusual spectrum of knowledge and experiences whether working with an individual, a team or an organization. As a founder of both a graphic design company and a church, I’m intimately familiar with what it takes to get something started and am at ease helping others do the same even when all the pieces have yet to be discovered.
I am a good communicator in a variety of formats including public speaking, small group facilitation, one-on-one, and visually (through the use of sound graphic design and typography principles).
I believe people can do far more together than they ever can alone. I believe every conversation has the potential to be transformational. I believe helping a person discover the answer to a problem is far more helpful than telling a person the answer, that a discovered answer lasts for a life time while a told answer is quickly forgotten.
I am passionate about communicating what seems complicated in powerfully simple ways.
Eric is the pastor of Reach Church in Jacksonville, Florida. He was saved in Jr. High at at Calvary Chapel Camp after hearing Pastor Jim Gallagher speak. He is a CCU graduate. And now we are grateful to be adding him to our growing team of faculty here at CCU!
David Reynolds is the Senior Pastor of Engage Calvary in College Station, Texas. He has been in ministry for 25 years, almost 15 years as Senior Pastor and over 10 years as Worship Pastor at Calvary Austin. Much of this time was spent in bi-vocational ministry. David also works as a Business Coordinator at Texas A&M University. David graduated from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) in 1989 with a B.A. in Psychology. He received a M.A. in Biblical Studies from Calvary Chapel University in 2018. David came to Christ while in college, and soon began playing guitar in a Christian rock band. It was not long after this time that he met his wife, Heather. They eventually started another band, and for several years did concerts in Austin and around Texas. Their heart was to share Christ through the songs they had written, and the testimony of what God had done in their lives. Outside of ministry, David enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, swimming, biking, and playing the guitar. David and Heather have been married for over 31 years and have two adult daughters.
Rick’s personal mission is to assist as many as he can in developing an intimate, personal, and “way of life” relationship with God. His spiritual gifts are in administration, counseling, and teaching. He currently serves as the Administrative Pastor of Branch Church.
Rick served in the Marine Corps from 2005 to 2009. He then went on to complete a Bachelor of Science degree from Azusa Pacific University in organizational leadership, followed by a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Bethel Seminary San Diego. During his educational years he worked in the banking, education, and government industries.
He currently resides in San Diego with his wife Courtney, and their two children Kendrick and Vincent.
Aloha! Education is one of my greatest passions. Be it a traditional degree, vocational study, or on-the-job training, I wholeheartedly believe in lifelong learning. What a privilege to have the freedom to partner and teach with Calvary Chapel University. And it’s a blessing to come alongside students and see how God will use their academic journey.
I was born and raised in Hawaiʻi. Now, with three boys, my husband and I get to bring them up in the islands too. When our family has a free moment, we often find ourselves at the beach to catch waves or explore the tidepools. It is a humbling opportunity to parent for Christ as I think He hopes to shape us just as much as He’s given us the responsibility to raise our children. So as beautiful as Hawaiʻi is, we aim to raise our sons to be Heaven-minded and mission-oriented. And it is a daily reminder for us to stay focused on the main thing–Christ.
Hello. My name is Autumn and I am excited to join the CCU family. I finished my masters from CCU in Biblical Studies and Counseling last spring 2020. I am currently a 4th grade teacher as well in Colorado. I have a daughter, Madison who is almost 13 and two stepsons ages 15 and 19. We enjoy doing things as a family such as traveling, going to movies, and camping. I am excited to mentor other students in growing closer to the Lord through the courses at CCU.
I arrived in Europe as a single missionary in 1998 and met my wife, Maria, a fellow-missionary, in 2000. During these years, we have had the privilege to live in the United Kingdom, Romania, and Italy, while serving in different capacities throughout Europe. Many of these years have focused on pastoral, discipleship, and teaching ministries. In 2016, when pastoring a church in Italy, I realized my own need to grow in the calling of a Biblical Counselor. More than ever I encountered the need to effectively use God’s Word to help others. This led to my pursuit to earn a doctorate in counseling from Liberty University and to become a Certified Biblical Counselor with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). This also led to an awareness of the need to train and equip other pastors and church leaders with sound biblical truths. Today, my wife, three teenage kids, and I are based in Southwest England. In addition to co-laboring in a local church plant, we are committed to Biblical Counseling through training and helping others in missional contexts.
Personal Experience
I am truly humbled to be a part of the faculty at Calvary Chapel University! It is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of what God is doing in our school! I began my teaching career 20 years ago when God called me to homeschool my children. Homeschooling created within me a love for education, and that led to my pursuit of higher education.
My husband and I live near Houston, TX with six of our eight kids. We also have three grandbabies close to us, so we’re really blessed. We serve in various ministries at our church (Calvary Chapel Houston), and we just want to follow God’s direction for our life. My goal as a faculty member is to serve students and help them achieve their academic goals.
Education
Doctor of Education, Curriculum Development, Liberty University (in progress)
Master of Education (Leadership specialization), Wayland Baptist University, 2018
Bachelor of Business Administration, Capella University, 2009
Coming Soon
Kristie Gallagher grew up at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa she met her husband Jim in the high school group and they have been married 32 years. They have four grown sons. Together they have served the Lord in youth ministry, in missions and at CCVB. Along with raising her children and assisting her husband Kristie oversees the women’s ministry. She received her Master’s degree from CCU in 2020. Kristie’s greatest desire is to both grow in Christ and see others grow in and serve the Lord.
Wife, Melanie. Three Children:
Currently pastor and director of publishing at Calvary Chapel of Albuquerque,
Veritas Evangelical Seminary, Santa Ana, California.
Oxford Graduate School, Dayton, TN (www.oxnetedu.org)
500 Oxford Drive, Dayton, TN 37321
St. Alcuin’s House Anglican Seminary, Oxford Education Network, Wolsley Hall
Trinity Seminary/Canterbury Christchurch, Canterbury, England.
Stanislaus University, Turlock, California.
Ohlone College, Fremont, CA
Associates of Arts (A. A), Liberal Studies
I am the Executive Pastor of Rise City Church in Lakeside California, a suburb of San Diego. My wife Julie and I have been married 13 years and are originally from the Chicago area, until moving West to help launch Rise City 8 years ago. We have 4 children (Keira 12, Kellen 10, Karsyn 8, and Kamri 5) and recently added our dog Kooper to the mix.
I am a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary (MA Theological Studies) and most recently Northern Seminary (Dr. of Ministry in New Testament Context). Along with my current role in ministry, I have also served as both a youth and worship pastor, as well as an adjunct professor in the Bible department of San Diego Christian College. My hobbies include reading very nerdy books, wishing I had more time for hobbies while driving my kids somewhere, and occasionally shaking my fist at the sky while yelling, “why did we just buy a dog!”
Chris Jennings grew up in northern Virginia during the 1960’s – 1970’s. He came to know Jesus in July of 1974 at the age of 17, after a period of searching. Chris received a BA in Secondary Education and Deaf Education from Flagler College in St Augustine, Florida. He also received a Master of Divinity from Columbia International University in 1989. Chris has been married to Donna since 1989, and they have two adult children, Josh and Christine. He has been the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Cape Coral since 1997. Chris is especially blessed when he is able to communicate the love of Jesus and His Word to others.
Dr. Renzema began his Christian Service as a charter member of the Continental Singers as a singer, soloist and tour director. He also was a member of a professional Christian music group called the Spurrlows. Then he worked for Youth For Christ as city-wide director of their Campus Life program in Portland Oregon. He worked as music director and worship leader for various churches for 65 years, including worship leader for Menifee Calvary Chapel in California which became Revival Church. He currently attends The Bridge Church in Murrieta California and has for 10 years. He sang on their worship team up until COVID.
Dr. Renzema spent his young adult years concentrating on reading and understanding scripture. In 1990 he went back to school at the University of La Verne in La Verne, California. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in about two years and graduated cum laude as a member of Psi Chi, the national honor society for studies in Psychology. He obtained departmental honors and presented his senior research project at the Western Psychological Association convention in Portland, Oregon in 1992.
Dr. Renzema chose to go to a secular school for his education so he could use his earlier grounding in Biblical studies to help him understand the way psychology leads Christians away from the truths of scripture. He later earned a masters degree in Counseling Psychology from California Baptist University in Riverside, California. He was then hired as a supervisor with Riverside County, California Child Protective Services and worked there for 12 years. During that time Dr. Renzema completed the requirements and became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. He has now held that license for 19 years. During these processes Dr. Renzema has always made the principals taught in scripture as the final authority for what he believed and as the guidance for his counseling.
In 1992 Dr. Renzema’s first marriage ended after 24 years at the choice of his first wife. Dr. Renzema then became a single parent of two teenagers for four years. In 1995 he was introduced by close Christian friends to his current wife, Rhonda. She had left her first marriage after 22 years of repeated unfaithfulness. Dr. Renzema and Rhonda have now been married for 26 years. They have seven children in common but none that they share between them. They have 31 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Dr. Renzema returned to school in 2008 and earned a doctorate degree in counseling from Capella University. It should be emphasized that during all of his educational experiences, everything he learned was judged as true or not according to the principals taught in scripture.
Dr. Renzema has taught at Azusa Pacific University and at Calvary Chapel Bible College, with acclaim.
Dr. Hall was a university professor in Indiana for 18 years. During that time, she taught
undergraduate and graduate courses in reading, language arts, and children’s literature for
elementary preservice teachers. For each of those courses, she supervised a practicum in the
schools. She also taught an introduction to exceptional needs and content reading for
secondary preservice teachers. In addition to her teaching, she coordinated student teaching.
As a professor on tenure track, she presented at conferences and published in professional
journals until she became a full professor. During this time, she used her school breaks to work
with missionaries in schools in Haiti, Puerto Rico, Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile, and Peru.
Before she earned her doctorate and began her university teaching, she taught elementary and
worked with homeschooling families. After moving to Florida, she taught high school English at
Calvary Christian Academy for one year. Then she went with a group of teachers from CCA to
be the ESE Specialist at a startup charter school in Pompano Beach. The last three years she
was the Academic Dean at Trinity Christian Academy in Lake Worth, Florida.
She began working with Calvary Chapel University when she was teaching at CCA. She
worked on curriculum for three years before CCU moved its onsite location, and Dr. Hall moved
north of Ft. Lauderdale. She is excited to again be working with CCU in academics. It is
amazing how God has worked to develop CCU into the exciting and impactful university that it is
today.
A native of north central New Jersey, Pastor Mark Nigro has spent the last 30 years serving the Lord around the world. After being part of a church-planting team in Serbia in the mid-‘90s, Mark returned to the US in 1997 with his wife, Renata to serve as missions pastor at Calvary Chapel Old Bridge. In 2001 the Lord led them to Italy, where Mark initially served as assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel Montebelluna before planting and pastoring Calvary Chapel Treviso from 2005 – 2013. Following their tenure in Italy, they returned to the US and Mark served both as the Director of Operations at Calvary Chapel Bible College and as associate pastor for Cross Culture Ministries. Since 2020, the Nigro family resides in Howell, NJ where Mark serves as Executive Pastor with Cornerstone Church. A musician, writer and motorcycle enthusiast, Mark has a BA in Theology from South African Theological Seminary, and a MA in Executive Leadership from Liberty University. Mark and Renata are proud parents to their son Luka (17) and daughter Matea (15).
Collin was saved as a young child in a Baptist church’s VBS but it was not until he became an
adult that his spiritual life began growing. When he asked his wife out for their first date, she
suggested they go to church at Calvary Chapel. It was there that Collin’s spiritual life began to
develop. Eventually, this would lead Collin away from corporate America and into Bible
College, then Seminary, and eventually the ministry.
Now, Collin is the lead pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Calvary Chapel in southeast Pennsylvania.
He is also the lead teacher of Light the Way, a syndicated radio ministry southeastern PA. He
authored two books, holds a BA and MA in Biblical Studies, an MBA, a Juris Master of
compliance law, and a Doctorate in Theology.
In addition to the ministry, Collin is a husband and father. He enjoys spending time with his
family, gardening, woodworking, riding his Harley Davidson, and other outdoor activities. He
volunteers with his local fire department, serves as one of the township auditors where he
lives, and as the president of Sons of Thunder Motorcycle Club – a faith-based motorcycle club
dedicated to providing a Christlike influence in the MC culture.
Collin has served with CCU since 2020, teaching and designing several courses, and previously
with other Bible Colleges.
Tabitha felt called to ministry and teaching as a teen, and the Lord has allowed her to serve in many areas. She was saved at age 4 1/2 when she heard the gospel given in a children’s ministry training class. She attended CCBC Murrieta from 1999-2000, later receiving her Bachelor of Science in Religion from Liberty University in 2012 and her Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling from Calvary Chapel University in 2019. She is Certified with IABC. Ministry experience includes Stateside and Overseas Missions, Children’s/Youth Ministry Director, Biblical Counseling, Professor, Speaker, and College Internship Director. In 2021, she and her husband Jamie created Edify KidMin, a mission to serve the Local Church through Children’s Ministry Workshops—training, encouraging, and equipping the church to reach boys and girls with the gospel. All glory to God! She is blessed to teach and minister with CCU.
JoAnna Teslovich graduated from California Area High School, obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education from California University of PA, her Masters in Special Education from Waynesburg University and earned a PhD-ED – Doctor of Philosophy in Education from National University in April of 2023. JoAnna is the assistant principal at Calvary Chapel since fall of 2022.
JoAnna has held numerous teaching positions such as, alternative ed, middle school special education, high school life skills, kindergarten teacher, high school special education cyber, and seventh grade math cyber. JoAnna enjoys dancing and teaching dance in the evenings. She also enjoys helping with choreography for the school musicals
Most importantly JoAnna is a wife to Tyler Teslovich and a mom to Owen, Dominic, Cody and Clayton.
