Bishop Johnny Nelson
A Man With a Vision, the Founding Father of a Dream
Bishop Johnny Nelson (formerly Senior Pastor) 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 Bishop 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 1980 Bishop Nelson founded Kiddie Kountry Preschool to provide a safe, loving and Christ-centered environment for the young children of the Evergreen community...In 1983 the first real church building was completed allowing this congregation to move out of the three-car 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!
Bishop 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 grown children: Shawn, Rodney, and Heidi, and have been faithful participants in the work of the church.
In 1988, Bishop Nelson felt a burden for our young people and soon after founded East Valley Christian School. Today the school is a thriving community while providing a thoroughly Christ-centered, Bible-believing educational program to prepare students academically, physically, socially, and spiritually for service to God and country.
In 2009, Bishop and Sister Nelson celebrated 30 years of pastoral service here at East Valley Pentecostal Church. He was the founding father of a dream, bringing it to reality with tireless effort here at East Valley Pentecostal Church.
In February of 2010, this remarkable “Senior Pastor” was voted in as “Bishop” of East Valley and his son, Rodney Nelson, was voted in as our “Lead Pastor.” Soon after, Bishop Nelson felt it was time to retire after 31 years of faithful service to East Valley Pentecostal Church.
Today, although never too far away, Bishop and Sister Nelson are enjoying their retirement, and serving in whatever capacity they can to further the Work of God here at East Valley. The heart of a shepherd still beats within his soul today, as always. The church has much for which to be thankful today, because of the Nelson family.