I was born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1965 and became a resident of Southern Nevada in 1972 when my father moved our family to Las Vegas. This was back when the population of Las Vegas was just under 100,000. I recall that back in my high school days, in the early 80’s, I took a summer job in Pahrump installing air conditioners for Roger’s Mobile Home Service. This was when Comstock Park was beginning to set up its first group of modular homes in the valley. If you would have told me that in the future I would have the privilege of planting a church in the Pahrump Valley and standing bedside as my previous employer Roger prayed a prayer of repentance as he lay in his bed dying of cancer, I would have told you that you were out of your mind. I wasn't even a Christian back then.
I didn't accept Christ to be my Lord and Savior until September of 1986. It was at that time that God delivered me from an immoral lifestyle filled with drugs and alcohol. That way of life left me empty and on the verge of suicide. After committing my life to Jesus, I knew that God had a plan for my life and that one day I would be a pastor. I had no idea as to when or where this would take place.
Those years leading up to January of 2000 were years of God molding and shaping my character as well as the character of my wonderful wife Maria and four children for the calling He had on our lives. I am thankful to have been a part of a church where the pastors taught the Word of God. One particular pastor and his wife took time to personally disciple my wife and I and give us the opportunity to step out in faith. This is where we got to see what God could do with a couple of ordinary people. Our heart’s cry was “Here we are, send us”.
It has been 23 years now, and counting, since that first Pahrump Bible study began. They haven’t been the easiest years of my life but they have been the most rewarding. The thing I love most about serving Christ in the Pahrump Valley is the wonderful people God has brought to our church. I never would have imagined what a joy it would be to serve the Lord alongside so many great men and women. I can’t see myself being anywhere else. I just love to see how God takes messed up lives, restores them, and uses them in amazing ways. Our motto is: “Come as you are and allow God to do the work of restoration needed in your life".
He did a work in my life and I am confident that He can do it in yours too. All you need to do is ask Him.
Blessings,
Pastor John Gundacker
