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 Grace Fellowship Church in Lansing. David first served as a youth pastor and became the senior pastor at GFC in 1998. David attended Trinity Evangelical for his undergraduate and has his Masters from Moody Bible College. He has also been a featured speaker for other churches and camps. To those in Gold Canyon, Dave says: "The Abbatacola family is looking forward to worshipping with you and serving alongside you!" 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 almost 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 ten years and have two children, ages five and one. Tracy is a school teacher at Peralta Trail. Kris enjoys spending time with family, friends, his community, and youth. His interests include extreme sports, consumer reports, and mint chip ice cream. He looks forward to serving the youth at GCCC full time. 

 

Bill Peppel - Office Manager
Bill Peppel is Gold Canyon Community Church's office manager, handling everything from phone calls to the bulletins to cleaning! 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, Chris and the church since coming on-board last year.

Bill is originally from Minnesota and moved to Gold Canyon a few years ago. He has extensive background in business and administration.

 

 

 

Bob Bender - Interim Worship Leader

I'm a regular guy (happily married with five sons) who loves to show people that music at church can be fun, loud, energetic, authentic, and enthusiastic. I'm talkin' guitars with the amps up to 11, thumping bass, and gut-rattling drums, but all for the purpose of helping people connect with the Living God who created them and wants to change their lives forever...

 

 

 

Be sure to visit the church office to say "Hi!" and enjoy one of the many treats Bill always stocks in our candy bowl!