Elder candidates
Members will vote on budget and elder candidates in the
Congregational Budget Meeting on May 31st in both services.
Congregational Budget Meeting on May 31st in both services.
Elder Candidate: Rick Haydon
Rick was born and raised in Oxnard, California and grew up in a Catholic household. He attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through 12th grade and that’s where his faith in Jesus Christ began. His walk with Christ has always played an important part in his life, and over the last thirty years, he has grown deeper in his faith.
Rick and his wife, Cherri, have three adult children, and have called GBC their home church for almost 15 years. Rick is a former City Manager, having managed both the cities of Santa Maria and Solvang. He’s a former Citizen of the Year (in Santa Maria) and currently works as a management consultant to local governments. Rick has a reputation of being a servant leader and a man of faith and integrity. Over the years he has served on many local and statewide boards and committees, including the local chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Rick has been routinely attending the Thursday morning Men’s Bible study, and he, as an Elder, plans to faithfully lead with humility, discernment, and a servant’s heart.
Rick and his wife, Cherri, have three adult children, and have called GBC their home church for almost 15 years. Rick is a former City Manager, having managed both the cities of Santa Maria and Solvang. He’s a former Citizen of the Year (in Santa Maria) and currently works as a management consultant to local governments. Rick has a reputation of being a servant leader and a man of faith and integrity. Over the years he has served on many local and statewide boards and committees, including the local chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Rick has been routinely attending the Thursday morning Men’s Bible study, and he, as an Elder, plans to faithfully lead with humility, discernment, and a servant’s heart.
Elder Candidate: Charlie Hogue
Thank you for taking the time to read my introduction as a fellow heir with Christ, a member of GBC, and a candidate for elder. I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to meeting you in person soon.
I was born in 1954 and spent my first twelve years in Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans. My family then moved to Southern California, where I lived until attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo—what I still jokingly refer to as the “good” Cal Poly, as my wife attended Cal Poly Pomona.
I earned a BS in Agricultural Engineering and later an MA in Mathematics from Long Beach State. I began my career as an engineer in the San Joaquin Valley until God, in His grace, brought about both redemption in my life and a redirection of my vocation into teaching.
My teaching career has come full circle. I began with a one-year position teaching Land Surveying at Cal Poly SLO, then spent 32 years teaching mathematics at Pasadena City College, including four years serving as Dean of Mathematics and Computer Science. Since retiring, I have returned to Cal Poly SLO and have taught some mathematics classes part-time.
My wife, Kathleen, and I have made Avila Beach our permanent home since 2020 and have been attending GBC since the days when services were held on the patio. During the COVID lockdown, we were both able to continue teaching remotely—Kathleen also as a mathematics professor—and found life here to be such a blessing that we chose not to return to Los Angeles. Between us, we have five grown, independent children, two grandchildren, and, Lord willing, more to come.
Growing up, my family attended a Methodist church in Louisiana, but after moving to California, we became what is often called “CEO” attenders—Christmas and Easter only. At age 30, I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior and was baptized, following an invitation from a friend to join a Bible study on the book of John. That same summer, God opened a new door for me with an opportunity to teach at Cal Poly. Since then, teaching young adults—seeking to be a Christ-centered influence—has been my life’s mission field and greatest joy. Yes, even though most think they hate math!
Prior to moving to Avila, Kathleen and I attended Rocky Peak Church in Chatsworth, where we both participated in and hosted life groups for young adults and adults. We deeply value the mission of Grace Bible Church to build a community of mature Christ followers who live, love, and serve like our Lord Jesus Christ. One vision I have is to help strengthen that community through life groups that support and connect young adults, singles, couples, and families—encouraging one another as we live out our faith together here on the Central Coast, as an addition to the many other ministries here at Grace Bible Church.
If called, I will sincerely and humbly serve Christ, the pastors and staff, and each of you.
I was born in 1954 and spent my first twelve years in Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans. My family then moved to Southern California, where I lived until attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo—what I still jokingly refer to as the “good” Cal Poly, as my wife attended Cal Poly Pomona.
I earned a BS in Agricultural Engineering and later an MA in Mathematics from Long Beach State. I began my career as an engineer in the San Joaquin Valley until God, in His grace, brought about both redemption in my life and a redirection of my vocation into teaching.
My teaching career has come full circle. I began with a one-year position teaching Land Surveying at Cal Poly SLO, then spent 32 years teaching mathematics at Pasadena City College, including four years serving as Dean of Mathematics and Computer Science. Since retiring, I have returned to Cal Poly SLO and have taught some mathematics classes part-time.
My wife, Kathleen, and I have made Avila Beach our permanent home since 2020 and have been attending GBC since the days when services were held on the patio. During the COVID lockdown, we were both able to continue teaching remotely—Kathleen also as a mathematics professor—and found life here to be such a blessing that we chose not to return to Los Angeles. Between us, we have five grown, independent children, two grandchildren, and, Lord willing, more to come.
Growing up, my family attended a Methodist church in Louisiana, but after moving to California, we became what is often called “CEO” attenders—Christmas and Easter only. At age 30, I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior and was baptized, following an invitation from a friend to join a Bible study on the book of John. That same summer, God opened a new door for me with an opportunity to teach at Cal Poly. Since then, teaching young adults—seeking to be a Christ-centered influence—has been my life’s mission field and greatest joy. Yes, even though most think they hate math!
Prior to moving to Avila, Kathleen and I attended Rocky Peak Church in Chatsworth, where we both participated in and hosted life groups for young adults and adults. We deeply value the mission of Grace Bible Church to build a community of mature Christ followers who live, love, and serve like our Lord Jesus Christ. One vision I have is to help strengthen that community through life groups that support and connect young adults, singles, couples, and families—encouraging one another as we live out our faith together here on the Central Coast, as an addition to the many other ministries here at Grace Bible Church.
If called, I will sincerely and humbly serve Christ, the pastors and staff, and each of you.