Gold Canyon Staff
Dave Abbatacola - Senior Pastor
Dave joined the GCCC family the fall of 2004 after a several month search process. The Abbatacolas are originally from Illinois and had been serving at a church on the Illinois / Indiana border for ten years before being led to GCCC. Dave attended Trinity Evangelical University for his undergraduate and has his Masters from Moody Bible College. He has also been a featured speaker for other churches and camps. Dave is supported by his wife Jill and his four children, Jake, Jeremy, Adam and Emily.
Kris Watanabe - Youth/Children's Pastor
Kris joined GCCC in 2006 after attending for over five years. Kris grew up in sunny southern California and moved to Arizona over ten years ago with his wife Tracy. The Watanabes have attended Gold Canyon Community Church since it started in 2000. In 2002, they sold their house to move closer to church so they could be more involved. Kris and Tracy have been married for over 12 years and have two children, Ethan and Emma. Tracy currently works for the AJUSD District Office. Kris enjoys spending time with family, friends, his community, and youth. His interests include extreme sports, consumer reports, and mint chip ice cream.
Tai Navarres - Worship Pastor
Bio coming soon.
Bill Peppel - Office Manager
Bill joined the office staff in 2003 and runs the whole front office from taking your telephone calls to completing the Sunday service bulletin. Whatever needs doing at the church he probably has his hand involved somewhere in the process. He serves faithfully and with excellence, and has a true eye for detail. Excelling in the administrative areas, Bill has been a blessing to Dave and staff at the church since coming on-board.
Bill is originally from Minnesota and moved to Arizona in 2002. He has extensive background in business and administration.