A Man With a Vision

Senior Pastor John & Sharon Nelson - Pastor Nelson began his God-given ministry in the city of Riverbank in the late 1967, not long after he was converted to the Apostolic faith. He evangelized throughout the state of California and held one pastorate in the San Joaquin Valley as his ministry grew and matured. His ministerial success did not prevent him from hearing the voice of God and exploring an even higher plateau of ministry. This exploration would take him from the farmlands of central California to the urban expanse of Silicon Valley.

.....In 1979, John Nelson was led by God to shepherd a small congregation in the Evergreen area of East San Jose. This congregation numbered 11 faithful saints who were hungry for a pastor to lead them to authentic Apostolic revival. As Pastor Nelson genuinely nurtured this fledgling group, the Lord Jesus Christ sent revival to East Valley. Drug addicts, alcoholics, and other unregenerate types were converted to a new way of life. Most of the souls won in this early revival of East Valley's history are still faithful saints in the church today.

.....In 1983 the first real church building was completed allowing this congregation to move out of the three care garage they had previously called the church. In the 16 years since this construction, God has miraculously poured out his Spirit to the point that East Valley now has an 850 member congregation with ministries in three different languages. This growth, along with the voice of God, has prompted Bishop Nelson to lead the church through another building project. Finished in the summer of 2001, this 63,000 square-foot complex is one of the best churches in the bay area!

.....Pastor Nelson is a man of vision. This characteristic has not changed since he inherited East valley's 11-member congregation in 1979. His desire is to lead East Valley to an unprecedented level of Apostolic revival and to guide this church's ministry to meet spiritual needs throughout the entire Bay Area. He and his wife Sharon have three children: Shawn, Rodney, and Heidi. All three of their children are faithful Christians and are active participants in the various ministries of the church.

Along with his duties at East Valley, Pastor Nelson serves as Chairman of the Camp Meeting Committee of the Western District U.P.C.I. This is the largest conference gathering of Apostolic Pentecostals in the western United States.

Bishop Nelson also serves as the Western District section 9 presbyter. He is responsible for all United Pentecostal Churches from San Francisco down to Kings City. It is burden to work with new and seasoned pastors to become all that has called them to be.