Pastor Melanie has been a member of CCF since 1989. She met her husband, Ron at CCF and they married in 1992. They have two sons, one daughter-in-law, two daughters and one handsome grandson. Before Melanie joined the CCF staff in 1999, she had a career in sales and marketing for the hospitality industry. She is currently the City & World Missions Pastor and oversees all areas of outreach ministry both locally and globally. Her heart is to be the hands and feet of Jesus no matter where we are. Although, you will hear her mention that she left part of her heart in Africa. Melanie is also a student at Fuller Theological Seminary obtaining her Master of Arts degree in Intercultural Studies with an emphasis on Leadership and International Development. Her passion is to equip and empower people by providing opportunities to be “Jesus” outside the walls of CCF.
I was born in Ft. Worth, Texas while my Dad was attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I grew up in the Baptist church with my Dad holding different pastoral roles. I accepted the Lord when I was in the first grade and was baptized in a little country church in Memphis, TN.
Growing up in the church, I knew at a very young age that God had a plan for my life. When I was 12 years old, I attended Indian Village Camp at Forest Falls, CA. I clearly remember sitting on a rock during devotional time and the Lord telling me to "love the world". I had no idea what that would mean for my life. My early twenties were rough years for me but the Lord never let me go.
I rededicated my life at age 28 at a Calvary Chapel and God put me back on the right path. The heart God gave me to "love the world" for Him began to flourish at that point. I got a job transfer two years later and ended up in Rancho Cucamonga, CA and found a new church, Cucamonga Christian Fellowship. This is where my journey with God picked up speed and I haven't been the same since!
I have been involved in ministry since I was very young. The last 18 years at CCF I have led cell groups, women's ministry, special events, intercessory team, community emergency response coordination and more.
My main focus for the past 12 years has been city and world missions. This includes local outreach such as partnerships with Child Protective Services, Canning Hunger and the Red Cross as well as coordinating the local projects CCF participates in. Globally, my focus is to support and care for CCF's International Staff and our Free Methodist Missionaries supported by our southern CA conference. Coordinating and leading short term mission teams, overseeing international projects, directing the City & World Missions Committee are also included.
I am also back in school at Fuller Theological Seminary earning a Master of Arts degree in Intercultural Studies with emphasis on International Development and Leadership. That's it in a nut shell!