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Pastor Alden Laird
Our senior pastor has now settled into the central valley after spending most of his life in Colorado. He planted a church in the Denver area (Northglenn Evangelical Free Church) where he was the senior pastor for 20 years. Alden then served 11 years as an associate pastor at LIFE Fellowship Church in Westminster , Colorado , where he was also the co-host of the national radio call-in program, “Return to the Word.” He continues to serve on the board of directors for the International Association of Biblical Counselors.
Pastor Alden loves to preach verse by verse (expository) and participate in one-to-one discipleship. He has an earned doctorate in biblical counseling with more than 12,000 hours of personal experience. He and his wife Sue have four children and nine grandchildren. Alden enjoys many outdoor activities, including camping, fishing, hiking, and golf, and a variety of other sports as well. If Alden were asked, “What is the love of your life?” he would say without hesitation, “The Lord Jesus Christ and His Word.” But he would hasten to add that he loves his ministry partner and wife Sue, his family and friends. Somewhere on the list he would include his dog “Piper” and favorite dessert – ice cream!
Pastor Dale Payne
Dale and Linda Payne have six children: Jonathan, Jennifer, Joshua, Julieann, James and Jeremiah.
They’re outdoor adventurers enjoying: rock climbing, fishing, camping, AND… ICE CREAM…
Favorite candy: Fudge
Dale currently serves as the Family Pastor. His wife Linda is a CPA who is currently specializing in being a Mom and Homeschool teacher.
Pastor David Jump
David Jump serves as Pastor for Worship and Missions. David is a native Visalian. He came to Christ at the age of nineteen. Soon after he joined the staff of Christian Service Corps in Washington, DC, one of the first short term mission agencies. From there he went on to earn his BA degree in Biblical Studies from Columbia International University in Columbia, S.C. After graduation in 1982 he relocated to Visalia and became involved in the ministries of Visalia Evangelical Free Church. As the church grew he was invited in 1999 to join the staff to help in the areas of worship and missions. He now directs our worship teams and is responsible for the planning of our worship services. He has also written many of the songs that are sung by our congregation. He also oversees the mission’s ministry of our church. Pastor David also helps out in the areas of teaching and counseling.
He is married to Debbie who is a gifted Bible teacher. They have three daughters.
Pastor John Polson – Pastor for Youth
johnp@vefc.net or rknight10aol.com
John has just recently joined our team as the Youth Pastor at VEFC. He served as a Christian School Bible Teacher and Discipleship/Worship Pastor at his previous church/school in Denver, Colorado. This is his ninth year of working in full-time youth ministry. When asked about his passion for young people, John said: “I love what I do, and I can’t get enough of the students I work with each week!” He also has a beautiful wife (Amy), and says he doesn’t think he could make it without her! One of his favorite quotes: “Since the most He could do was give His life for us (Jesus on the cross), the least we can do is live our lives for Him (every day!)!”
He’s a big sport guy. He luuuuvs football! He’ll play anytime and anywhere!
He also enjoys basketball, volleyball, softball and tennis. He likes to sing and play the guitar (especially worship). He also enjoys reading.
Most importantly, he’s very serious about working with young people and trying to make a difference in their lives!“Are you having as big of an impact on the culture as it is having on you?”
Pastor Ken Damko
Pastor Ken Damko oversees the “Prime Time” ministry to 60+ Senior Adults. He has grown up with the church, having been a member since 1980. Pastor Ken has served VEFC in many capacities during his years of ministry, including ushering, Missions Committee, children and adult Sunday school classes, Impact Group leader, Elder Board and Church Chairman.
Karen Damko – Children’s Ministry Director
Karen Damko is the Children’s Ministry Director for VEFC. She has had administrative experience overseeing the VEFC Ladies Bible Study since 1997. At one time she was the church secretary for two years and also worked as an assistant manager at a Christian bookstore. Being an elementary Sunday school teacher was a great joy for several years until her husband began an adult Sunday school class. She then helped him with that assignment since 1997. Karen is an organizer and loves to see the right people doing the right task in ministering to the Children’s Program.
Sue Laird – Administrative Assistant
Sue works alongside her husband Alden, our senior pastor, as an administrative assistant and personal secretary. She has been here since January of 2006 after having moved from Colorado where she enjoyed a similar position at their previous church. Sue is also the Director of Women’s Ministry at Visalia EV Free, and one of the lead counselors in our counseling ministry. She enjoys many aspects of working with the women in our church, including teaching, encouraging, mentoring, counseling, and planning a variety of activities throughout the year.
Sue has a background in education, having worked in the Tulare County school system for nearly 20 years as both a teacher and administrator. Some of her favorite hobbies include scrapbooking, creative writing, playing games, trying to learn Russian, and walking her dog “Piper.”
Her four children and three daughters-in-law continue to bring great joy into her life, as do her beautiful grandchildren – nine and counting! Because they are located around the world ( Colorado , Maryland , and Ukraine ), she loves to travel as well.
