2021 Recognition 50 Years Ordained
Ron Bailey
Ron was born in Laconia, New Hampshire. He gave his heart to Jesus at 6 years old when his mom shared the salvation story using the Wordless Book. Ron graduated from Central Bible College in 1968. He immediately became pastor at Allison Park Assembly of God in Pennsylvania, where he served twenty-three years. During that time, Ron met Linda. They were married in 1973. Ron also served many ministries in Pennsylvania, including Teen Challenge, Cornerstone Television, Western Pennsylvania Bible Institute, and district committees. In 1991, he moved to California and pastored South Bay Christian Center and South Bay Christian School. The school grew to over 400 students. In 1997 Ron was elected Presbyter of the South Bay Section for two years. He also served 4 years as a Chaplain for the Mountain View Police Department. Additionally, Ron served on the Board of Trustees at Bethany University for 15 years and chaired the Finance Committee. In 2012, Ron became pastor at New Beginnings in Los Baños, where he and his wife Linda currently serve.
Michael Ciociola
Michael was born in New Haven, CT. He gave his heart to Jesus during a VBS at age seven. God called Michael into ministry when he was twelve. Michael's pastor nurtured Michael in his calling: he asked Michael to lead the CA's (youth) and took Michael with him on ministry trips to New York. Michael attended Central Bible College, where he met and married Dona (Ordained in 2016). Michael also attended Hartford Seminary. He served as Lead Pastor in Connecticut and Illinois and worked with an evangelistic ministry based in Florida. In 1991 Michael came to the NCN District to follow Pastor Marvin Long at Calvary Christian Center in Yuba City. "Pastor C" has served in Yuba City for 40 years, and counting! In 1997 he was elected as Butte Section Presbyter, and in 2013 elected to be Executive Presbyter. Michael has been involved in ministry and friendship with many luminaries including, Richard Dortch, Richard Dobbins, Dave Roever, and John Ashcroft. Michael has a calling to minister to our military and serves as Auxiliary Chaplain and honorary "Wing Commander" at Beale AFB. He also serves as Civil Air Patrol and Law Enforcement Chaplain. He has traveled to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait to minister to our troops. Calvary Christian Center has developed extensive ministry programs for servicemen. They are also internationally known for their "A Grateful Nation Remembers" Memorial Day ministry.
James Davis
Jim and his twin, Maydell Victoria, were born in San Francisco and grew up in the East Bay. As a youth, Jim felt a longing for (and doubt about) God. At one point he decided, “God is just a myth. A fairytale.” However, in 1955, while serving in the US Air Force, he visited First Assembly of God in Big Spring, Texas. There he recognized that the person he was denying was the one he needed, Jesus. Returning to Oakland, Jim attended Calvary Temple. His pastor recognized God’s call on Jim’s life and encouraged him to attend Bethany Bible College. There, Jim served as the Student Body President and pastored Felton Assembly of God for a summer. He graduated with the highest honors in 1961. Later he was the Bethany Camp Director. After returning to the East Bay, Jim served as a staff pastor in various churches. Jim invested 20 years in teaching Vacation Bible School for the 4th and 5th graders. At Bethel Temple in Hayward, Jim held services on skid row for 7 years. Jim also worked as a Probation Officer / Investigator for Alameda. God gave him favor as he led a Christian Camp for Juvenile Hall. Jim and Faye (the best helpmate!) have been married 64 years with 2 sons and 4 grandsons. Jim is currently writing a series of articles called “Consider This Today.”
Harold Johnson
Harold was born in Pasadena, where he gave his life to Jesus at 6 years old. In 1963 Harold was on his way to accept a managerial position with McKay Markets when the Lord asked him, "Are you going to work for them or for me?" Harold chose wisely. Harold earned his BA from Bethany Bible College in 1969. Harold met Mary on a Bethany ministry team: she sang, he spoke. They married in 1967. The Johnsons pastored in Idaho, Oregon, and Northern California. While in Live Oak, Harold built the facilities that the church is using today. At Twin View Church (now Hillside Church) they started the "Feed the Kids" program for "at-risk kids." As many as 200 children were bused to the church for a hot meal and ministry on Wed nights. Harold was the head chef and the Federal Food Bank provided whatever food the church requested. They ran the ministry for 15 years. Harold served 6 years on the District Resolutions Committee. He was elected Presbyter for Sacramento Valley from 1997-1998 and then elected as Executive Presbyter in 1999 – 2013. Harold has worked with construction teams throughout the NCN District, Venezuela, and Belize. He is a regular camp speaker and frequently serves as an Interim Pastor for the NCN District. Mary is also Ordained and two of their sons are in the ministry today.
Dr. Stephen Lim
Stephen was born in Bakersfield. He gave his heart to Jesus in Sunday School. Perhaps this was prophetic--much of Steven's future ministry would be in Christian Education. He earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from UC Berkeley, an M.Div., and a D.Min. at Fuller Theological Seminary. Stephen spent 5 years pastoring in Los Angeles before transferring to the NCN District in 1973. Stephen was elected as the pastor for Chinese Christian Center (now Full Life Christian Center) in San Francisco and served there for 27 years. Stephen was effective at ministering to both the Chinese and English-speaking communities. In 1986 they dedicated their new facilities, which both church and community would use. Stephen served on several committees and boards: Bethany Board of Trustees (1989-1972), Christian Education Representative (1983), Revisions Committee (1985-1988), and a District Presbyter for the Peninsula Section (1989-1993). In 2000, Stephen was asked to join the faculty at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary where he served as a Professor, He was eventually promoted to the position of Academic Dean, and ultimately retiring as Professor Emeritus. He has 100 published articles and has written 2 academic books. Stephen also taught in Hong Kong, Canada, the Philippines, Tanzania, and Singapore. Stephen and his wife, Yen-Sha (also Ordained) married in 1970 after meeting at Chinese Christian Center during a summer internship.
Dr. Peter Vourliotis
Peter was born in Athens, Greece during the German occupation. His mother made his bed in the kitchen sink to protect him from falling bombs! As an early teen, Peter had decided to become an architect to avoid being poor like his parents, but God had different plans. At 16 the Lord said, “I will have you build lives, not buildings.” In 1967 Peter came to the US to attend Bethany College with the maximum amount of money someone could take out of Greece: $10. In Bethany’s prayer room, the Lord showed Peter a vision of him ministering to the Greeks. In 1969 Peter was elected as the Pastor of Oakland Greek Assembly, where he has served for 54 years. . . and counting! Peter continued his education, receiving an M Div. from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary and a D Min. from Fuller Theological Seminary. Peter has ministered to Greek groups on the West Coast, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and more. He launched a Greek Radio Broadcast that is heard in North America, Europe, and Australia. Peter has been faithfully reaching and teaching the Greeks that being a Christian is not a hereditary privilege but a personal choice and relationship with Jesus. Many are in ministry today: including Pastors George and Shari Argyropoulos (Associate Pastors), Pastor Katerini (President of churches in Greece), Pastor Mentis (Greek ministry in AZ.), and more.
