Senior Pastor

Stephen Hammond

 Pastor Stephen Hammond is the Senior Pastor of Bethel Community Church where he has served since December of 1995.  He is the Presbyter of the Merced Section of the Pentecostal Church of God, Central California District.  Pastor Steve is also a Planning Commissioner for the city of Los Banos and a chaplain for the Los Banos Police Department and Los Banos Memorial Hospital as well as President on the board for the Los Banos Rescue Mission.  Pastor Hammond is a firm believer in being actively involved in our community.  Pastor Steve resides in Los Banos with his wife of 18 years, Terri and his 3 children; Joshua Hammond, Armond Henderson and Ashley Brown.

Associate Pastor

Women’s Pastoral Care

Brenda Smith

Pastor Brenda is happily married to her husband Harvey, of 40 years.  They are both natives of Los Banos.  The Lord has blessed them with 2 children and 4 grandchildren.  Her daughter Alaina is our Children’s Pastor.  Brenda is currently the Associate Pastor and Director of Pastoral Care for Women at Bethel CC.  She has been with us for 12 years and looks forward to many more years of ministry in Los Banos.

Children’s Pastor

Alaina Rauh

 Pastor Alaina has been married to her husband Jon for 20 years.  They have a 19 year old son, Jonathon, and a 14 year old daughter, Bonnie.  Alaina has been on staff with us as a credentialed minister since 2002 and is currently working toward her Child Development degree.  Pastor Alaina believes that the children are not only the, “church of tomorrow,” but a part of the church of today.  Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.”  One of her objectives as Children’s Pastor here at Bethel CC is to change the way the church views children, and change the way the children view the church.

Assistant Pastor

Youth & Young Adults

Henry Flores

Pastor Henry is a lifelong resident of Los Banos.  He and his wife Kim were high school sweethearts and have been married for 13 years.  They have 4 children; Henry J. is 12, Jenna is 9, Skylar is 7 and Jaiden just turned 1 in October.  Henry and his family have been members of BCC for 8 years.  Pastor Henry was saved and filled with the Holy Spirit in 1988 at the age of 14.  Just months after being saved, he heard the call of God,  and served in prison ministry at the age of 15.  He and his wife started their very first youth ministry 12 years ago, and they have thoroughly enjoyed it ever since.  Pastor Henry has been the youth pastor at BCC for 5 years and the young adults pastor for a year and a half.  Pastor Henry has his Bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance, and  sits on the advisory board here at BCC as well as serves as an assistant pastor.  Pastor Henry has a great passion to see the youth and young adults  in our city and worldwide, fired up and sold out for Jesus, and believes he is called to BCC for that purpose!

Assistant Pastor

 Men’s Care

Scott Ash

 Pastor Scott was raised in the Central Valley and was married when he was 21.  He has 3 children.  His son Matthew is in Bible College in North Carolina.  He was saved and filled with the Holy Spirit at 16.  He felt called to preach at 18.  He and his wife Kathy pastored in Hollister, Ca. for 3 years and in 1991 they moved back to Santa Nella and became the Senior Pastors of Santa Nella Christian Center where they pastored for 8 years.  In 2001 he left Santa Nella Christian Center and visited a couple of churches until God called him to Bethel CC.  He serves as an Assistant Pastor and is the Director of the Kingsmen Ministry.  Pastor Scott looks forward to working with us to fulfill God’s purpose for us in Los Banos.

Assistant Pastor

Evangelism

 Derek Buchanan

 Pastor Derek serves BCC as the Evangelism Pastor.  He also is the Program Director for the Los Banos Rescue Mission.  He has been on staff at Bethel for 1 ½ years.  His heart and passion is to help those in need in our community.  Derek is currently pursuing his BA Degree in Non-Profit Administration to better prepare himself for his future ministry.

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Assistant Pastor

Missions Director

 Ashley Brown

Pastor Ashley has gone through Masters Commission for three years, one of those years being an intern and has earned her AA degree in Biblical Studies. Ashley just recently returned from a short term missions trip to Ethiopia with IMPACT ministries. She currently serves in the youth and praise and worship ministries and assists in administration at Bethel. Pastor Ashley also serves as the Merced  Sectional Youth Director for the PCG and is the current Missions Director at BCC.  Pastor Ashley has a heart for reaching the lost in underdeveloped countries and is currently training for active ministry on the missions field.

Assistant Pastor

 Intercessory Prayer

Chandra Lewis   

Pastor Chandra moved to Los Banos 41 years ago, where she met her beloved husband Fred who is a native Los Banosan.  They have been happily married for 33 years and are blessed to have a daughter, Michelle and 2 beautiful grandchildren.  Chandra was saved and filled with the holy spirit at the age of 15.  Chandra has always felt an overwhelming conviction to lay hands on and pray for those in need.  She firmly believes that  when someone has a need that Jesus has all the answers; and when we join together to petition the great mighty Savior that He will honor our prayers.   James 5:14-15 “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.”  Pastor Chandra leads our intercessory prayer ministry, and feels God has placed her exactly where she is purposed to be at Bethel!