Our Leadership
Pastor Todd, Kara, Ashley and Timothy Parish
Pastor Todd and Kara Parish both asked Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior in early childhood. They first met in Sunday School when they were in junior high and have been involved in many ministries together since youth. Their faith is very real and practical knowing what it is like to struggle personally to be conformed to the image of Christ. Their greatest delight is being faithful to God and have found God’s pattern in Jesus to be a perfect model to build a home and life upon. Todd joined the United States Air Force out of high school and spent the next twenty years serving the military and our Lord around the globe. He and Kara have been married over twenty-five years and have been very active in Christian ministries. Todd holds a Master of Arts Degree in Christian Ministry from Wayland Baptist University and loves to preach, teach, and share in God’s Word. Kara and Todd continue to minister together at Desert Valley Christian Fellowship in Tucson and love to “do life” with other followers of Jesus.
Pastor Richard and Pam Sempel
Pastor Richard Sempel is a Teaching Pastor in Desert Valley Christian Fellowship, Marana AZ where he serves with his wife Pam.
His testimony is one of God’s redemption and love saying. “I was indeed a product of my environment growing up in my South Central Los Angeles neighborhood. I lived a roller coaster lifestyle, a stint in the Navy that took me to many places including Viet Nam, returning to work as a Police Officer, Delivery Truck Driver, alcoholic and drug abuser. In 1969 I teetered on the edge of a life ending drug overdose. It was then that I cried out and surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. I am a man truly delivered from the pit of hell. Since then I have spent over thirty years ministering in prisons, nursing homes, half-way houses and my local church. It is my desire to pass on that precious gift of Christ which I have received and to encourage, challenge and train others to exercise their God-given gifts for the glory of God.
Pastor Richard and Pam diligently work alongside Todd and Kara in administering and shepherding the people and resources of DVCF. Todd looks to him as his right hand man and recommends you try Pam’s delicious cooking. 🙂
Governing Elders Gene and Sue Balsamo
Gene and Sue Balsamo love serving the Christian body wherever they are needed. Gene is a governing elder in the church holds a small group in his home, teaches Bible studies and serves alongside Sue in many servant based and compassionate ministries. They have a great desire to continue growing in the LORD and working with DVCF pastors to bring glory, honor and praise to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Gene and Sue came to Marana, Arizona in 2012 after spending their entire lives living on Long Island, New York. Gene came to the LORD in 1985 and Sue followed some years later.
They want you to know, “Jesus is the only way, the only truth and the LIFE.”
Governing Elders Ray and Lisa McClellan
Ray and Lisa McClellan have been married almost thirty years and have two grown children. Lisa asked the Lord into her life at the age of 11 and Ray at 25. Over the last 20+ years Ray and Lisa have been growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. God transformed their lives, marriage, and purpose for living.
Today Lisa serves in compassionate ministries and directs programs aimed at blessing our local schools with supplies, gifts, and encouragement to the teachers and students. Ray is a governing elder in the church and supports a wide variety of activities, including men’s ministries, set-up/tear-down, people care, and pastoral support. Ray and Lisa are a great example of the transformation found in Christ.
