I love being a Pastor and I love being a Pastor at Abundant Life. My wife and I have spent 36 years with this church family. I’d say we’re attached! I love being Pastor, but I love being a family man even more.

After 36 years of marriage to Sandra, it only gets better and better. She’s a recently retired audiologist by day and dances a mean West Coast Swing when we grace the ballroom together after hours.

Our daughter Laura and her husband Anthony are pastors living in Manteca. My son Erik, and his wife Elise, live close by in San Jose where he works as a barber.  Our youngest is Audrey–she and her husband, Kyle, round out our crew. In addition to a great bunch of kids, we are blessed by our grandchildren. Grand parenting is where it’s at!

Here are a few insights into my passions and quirks:

• Still pull out the Ben-Gay to play on an over-50s soccer team. When I’m not playing, I love coaching the beautiful game.
• Baseball memorabilia is my passion, and I’ve toured over half the US baseball stadiums with my son.
• Did anyone say, “LET’S GO OAKLAND?” God has decorated His throne room in green and gold. Look it up!
• Enjoy singing, playing sax and guitar—but NOT at the same time.
• I have fun with golf and photography. I said fun, not quality.
• Visited almost all of our 50 states and 20 countries, but who’s counting.
• Absolutely love ice cream.

God can use anyone – even a mechanical engineer turned worship pastor on Sundays.  I love music. I played clarinet and sax from grade school through high school, but felt that would be the end once I went to college to focus on my studies. But God planted visions of leading worship even at that time, although it seemed way too far from reality.

I really believed my passion for music would be limited to what I played through the stereo. I am thankful that God has so much more in store for us than we realize. In 2001, I picked up a guitar and never looked back. By 2004 the Lord had me leading our worship team at Abundant Life where He transformed my simple interest into a life-giving passion. Amazing!

My greatest support team is my wife Melissa, and my two awesome, teenaged kids who love Jesus! And lately, I’ve been upping my culinary skills, so watch out Bobby Flay!

We’ve called Abundant Life our home for over 30 years, helping to serve others in a variety of positions. Today we serve as care pastors, focusing a dedicated team to care for the physical and spiritual needs of our Abundant Life attendees.

After we met at Abundant Life Church in 1991, we tied the knot and the rest is history. Over the years, we have raised our three kids here and have grown together with our church community. I guess you’d say that Abundant Life is pretty much family to us!

In our other duties, Pastor Jim works as an electrical engineer for a global energy consulting firm and serves as a Church Elder. Pastor LeeAnn oversees the church office and directs the global missions department.

While neither of us is a daredevil by nature, Jim will do almost anything once – including skydiving and bungee jumping. In our downtime, you’ll find Jim seeking the thrill of a great soccer game while LeeAnn finds her adventure behind a good book.

I’m a homegrown guy. I’ve been a part of Abundant Life since I was 10 years old – growing up in the ministries and learning the value of serving in them.

Before working at the church full-time, I spent 10+ years in childcare at the YMCA. I guess I’ve always had a passion for developing and serving people. Whether it’s fun & games or simply having a heartfelt conversation over coffee.

I believe the key to successful generational ministry is not to segregate children from youth to young adults, but to see the stages of life streaming together. Each generation should look forward and learning the truth from the generation ahead. At the same time, they should reach back to teach the generation behind them. That’s generational discipleship!

I’m a blessed man to be married to my best friend, Faith. She’s an amazing woman who loves God and loves people. As a professionally trained ballerina she currently uses her creative gifts to invest in our young people, with a special heart for teenaged girls.

I love cooking, and absolutely love to love people through a good meal! I’m truly blessed to love and invest in people for a living.

I was born in Taiwan but raised in Florida where I graduated from the University of Florida with a dual degree in Piano Performance and Nutrition Science specializing in Dietetics.

With more than 12 years of experience in a mega-church youth ministry setting, I am passionate about equipping healthy and vibrant families. I am married to Jonathan, an engineer here in the South Bay. Together we have two children–Gabriel is now in youth group while Elise loves joining in ALAG’s children’s ministry programs.

I’m living the ultimate “repurpose driven life.” King David spent his early years as a hunter only to have his skills with a slingshot repurposed later. That’s me.

For over 25 years I worked in large global advertising firms as a Creative Director – and dragon slayer. I started my journey on Madison Avenue in New York City riding subways and working on brand development for AMEX, Bristol-Myers, Revlon, Mercedes-Benz, and Proctor & Gamble.

Ten years in, I took a detour to Silicon Valley going from edible chips to the other kind – running an agency for IBM, Hitachi, and Intel, and later running the creative org at PayPal.

Along the way I learned a little about strategic planning, building cross-functional teams, communication plans, and goal alignment. All useful tools repurposed in the hands of our Savior.

Oh, something personal? I’m an honorary Italian after being married to my lovely Italian wife for 40 years. My four gorgeous daughters have encouraged me to dye my hair every color but black – and I have. I’ve never been a fan of small mammals. I’ll eat anything called a taco. And I still love Julie Andrews – so what!

Just ask. When it comes to back office info I know what makes things tick around here. With over 20 years of experience in multitasking, I keep people posted on finances, HR, IT, and other things from A-Z. If it helps us to stay on track—I’m there.

But beyond a perfect balance sheet—my focus is on people. I have served in a variety of ministries here at Abundant Life, including leading youth group for middle-schoolers and heading up women’s Bible study groups and retreats.

My association with Abundant Life doesn’t end after hours. My husband Daren oversees the facilities at Abundant Life, my son Steve and his wife Faith lead Rooted Student Ministries and our daughter, Kiani, works for the on-campus preschool. Meanwhile, our son, Nick, and his wife, Rebecca, serve at a church in Morgan Hill.

As far as a family passion goes, it’s all about Disneyland! I’ve got all the stats—just ask.

I’m currently the Director for Village Little Preschool located on the church campus. I’ve had a long-time love for childcare as a Sr. Program Director at the YMCA in the Silicon Valley for nearly 20 years. By God’s grace, overseeing nine childcare centers has prepared me to bring my best to a Christ-centered environment at Village Little.

Since 1994, my wife and I have been rooted into Abundant Life, and along the way we’ve grown and now have our own three children. My wife, Becki is not only the world’s best mom, she’s also an elementary school teacher in San Jose. For us, caring for kids was just meant to be.

Visit the Village Little Preschool Website for more information.

I know the phrase, “cleanliness is next to Godliness” isn’t found hidden anywhere in the Scriptures, but when it comes to maintenance, I’m into spotless facilities and manicured landscapes. After doing my ministry for over 20 years, Godly pride starts to take over. I love my work.

Pride in my work pales in comparison to pride for my family. I have three grown children serving at Abundant Life. Even my wife, Julie, works as an Administrative Support Director here. Now that’s Abundant “Guillickson” Life!

Unbeknownst to most Abundant Life congregants, the Joy of the Lord Ministries (JOTL), our Christ-centered recovery meeting has met each Monday in Kirkish Hall since 1997.

We understand that addiction can be analogous to being pregnant; over time it just shows more. As the Director of ALAG’s recovery ministry with 30+ years of recovered experience, I am committed to helping you and yours find that elusive capacity of grace that can set you free.

If we cannot help you, we have many referrals and resources to share with you on your journey to wholeness. You are both safe and welcome here, and your inquiries are always held anonymous. Please take us up on this invitation if you qualify. We may be the answer to what your life saving prayer looks like.

Robert and Claudia grew up in Romania where they were married and started their lives in church ministry of all kinds. After graduating from Bible School, they discovered their mutual desire to impact lives through teaching God’s Word.

After arriving in the US, they planted a church in the Sacramento area and continued helping with another church plant in the Bay Area. Shortly after, we were blessed to have them join us here at Abundant Life Church.

Both have working careers, but their true passion is centered on building the Kingdom of God. Close behind is their passion for their 10-year-old son and Claudia’s mother who lives with them – along with Luke, their canine member.

The Pungarus are an active bunch, who love to fish – and that includes their dog. They all enjoy cooking – Robert, Claudia, her mom, and even their son are in the kitchen. Everyone but Luke is a chef. When they’re not entertaining at home, they’re outdoors hiking, biking, and camping.

In everything, Robert and Claudia go for the gusto. For Valentine’s Day they volunteered to help at a local Christian concert, as an anniversary activity they enrolled in a Master’s Degree program to boost their education, and for birthday celebrations, a good time is finding a place to sleep in the woods. In short, they’ll find any reason to celebrate in the most unusual way they can.

As Robert and Claudia put it, “With God at the center, we know nothing is impossible.”

Deanna is Bay Area native who grew up in Daly City with a passion for music her whole life! Her hobbies include songwriting, singing, and just about anything related to making music. Speaking of passions, Deanna is excited to serve people and has a love for ministry planning. Today, Deanna is working as the administrator for Rooted Student Youth Ministries here at Abundant Life – which in her words, “I treasure deeply!”

After attending Abundant Life in December 2021, Alexis and her family made ALAG their home. With a heart for worship, she began serving weekly as a percussionist on the worship team. In February 2022 Alexis met her piano-playing fiancé Brandon. Together, she and Brandon have served Abundant Life’s Children and Youth Ministries, as well as lead a Bible study for young adults.

Alexis joined the Abundant Life staff in February 2024 as the Children’s Ministry Administrator, where she enjoys creating a space for kids to grow in faith and leading them in worship.

Jordan is a native of Cupertino and has been calling Abundant Life her home Church for over 25 years. As the Missions Director, she has a heart for supporting missionaries around the world in foreign countries as well as here in the Bay Area. 

Outside of her role with the Missions department, Jordan works full time teaching preschool students, training in Krav Maga with her dad, traveling, and drinking plenty of coffee.