Pastoral Staff

Dennis McGuire – Lead Pastor

Dennis is our Lead Pastor and oversees all areas pertaining to the ministry and mission of the church. Pastor “D” has a Bachelors Degree in Bible and Theology with a minor in Pastoral Care from William Jessup University and a Masters Degree in Ministry, with an emphasis in Leadership from Hope International University. Dennis has also studied at the Jack W. Hayford School of Pastoral Nurture and has served in full time ministry well over 20 years.

His ministry passions are teaching, leadership development, worship and missions. Dennis has been married to his lovely wife, Linda, for 30 years. Dennis loves to read, fish, trap shoot and watch college football in his free time.

 

Kim Pick – Assistant Pastor

(In Loving Memory: February 14, 1947 – January 7, 2012)

Kim surrendered his life to Jesus at the age of 23. After 32 years of teaching elementary and junior high school, in both public and private schools, the Lord led him into counseling ministry here at AFBC. Kim has his teaching credential and graduated from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education.

Kim has served on staff at AFBC as our Counseling/Mentoring Pastor since 2000. Kim’s deep faith, his love for Jesus, and his heart for hurting people, are an excellent combination to share God’s grace and love with others. Kim and his wife Sharon have three beautiful children and five grandchildren. Kim enjoys spending time with his family, rock collecting and fishing.

 

Joe Swartz – Assistant Pastor

Joe has lived in Humboldt County for over 12 years. Prior to that he lived in the Bay area where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Christian Education from William Jessup University. He is currently working on a Masters of Divinity Degree from Western Seminary. Joe’s ministry experience ranges all the way from being a Director of Preschool/Nursery and Children’s Church, to teaching Adult Sunday School, as well as providing marriage counseling. Joe’s passion is teaching and working with couples in the areas of marriage and raising children. Joe works full-time at PG&E and graciously volunteers his time at AFBC. Presently, Joe oversees our AWANA program here at AFBC. He and his wife, Kathy, have been married for 32 years and they have four children. Joe enjoys sports, especially football, kayaking with his wife, camping and riding motorcycles.

 

Brian Pilger – Worship Pastor

Brian has been making music for as long as he can remember, and has over ten years’ experience in worship ministry. Next to music, he is most passionate about seeing the Church grow in the realms of authenticity, creativity, discipleship and compassionate action.

Brian earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Humboldt State University, and in the years that followed, pursued a career in Social Work. During the week, in addition to his part-time job at AFBC, Brian works full-time for Humboldt County’s Social Services department, providing medical and food supplemental services for the area’s most underprivileged families.

Brian and his beautiful wife Lauren just welcomed their first child into the world, Judah Pilger, and are discovering the great blessing of being parents as they rejoice in this special addition to their family.

 

Daniel Gent – Director of College Ministries.

Daniel has spent most of his life in Humboldt County, growing up in Fortuna, one of twelve children. He is currently working on Bachelor’s Degrees in Environmental Resource Engineering and in Mathematics at Humboldt State University. Daniel has a variety of interests, but the vast majority of his free time is spent in the outdoors backpacking, hiking, kayaking, and camping. Much of his interest in the great outdoors was inherited from his family and developed while he was in Boy Scouts, in which he attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

When it comes to ministry, Daniel has a heart to see the college group as a training ground in which the students learn to walk, lead, and teach in evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, worship and prayer. Combined with this is a heart to see ministry outside the church, whether it be out on the streets of Arcata or reaching the nations for Christ.

 

 

Kristina Aultman – Nursery Director

Kristina was born and raised in the Central Valley area and moved to Arcata in 1992. Kristina and her husband Mark have 5 children combined and 1 very adorable granddaughter. Their two youngest children both attend Arcata Christian School. Kristina is also involved in AWANA teaching Cubbies (preschool age) and Sparks (Kindergarten – 2nd Grade).

Kristina has been on staff at AFBC since 2004. Besides her part- time job here at AFBC, she also works as a part-time Administrative Assistant at a local business. Kristina has a great heart for children and does a fantastic job taking care of, praying for, and ministering to our little ones.

Linda McGuire – Children’s Ministry Director

Linda was raised in a Christian family and grew up near Chico, California on a dairy farm. She was baptized when she was11 years old and has fond memories of her church life and growing up on the farm. Linda attended William Jessup University where she met and eventually married Pastor Dennis. Linda earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Theology with a  minor in Christian Education and an emphasis in Missions.

Linda has taught most of her professional career in private Christian schools ranging all the way from Kindergarten to Eighth grade. Most recently she worked as an Office Manager for 4 years at a Montessori preschool. Linda also served 15 years as the Children’s Christian Education Director at a church in Southern California where Dennis served as the Senior Pastor. Linda has strong people skills and her gifts are in the areas of administration, teaching, helps and leadership.

 

Support Staff

Wendy Dresser – Secretary	Jim Dimmick – Treasurer
India Nzila – Prayer Director	Eric Hicks – Facilities Manager
Jenni Magladry – Communications