PASTORAL TEAM
Hello! Born and raised in Boulder County, Colorado, I now live in Livermore. Before pastoring, I worked as a plumber's apprentice (which might explain something of my focus on us being apprentices of Jesus). My wife and I moved to the Tri-valley in October of 2009 to join the pastoral team of VCC. I became the lead pastor in 2015. My wife (Marla) and I have three kids: a 11-year-old boy, a 9-year-old girl, and a 7-year-old girl. I am a bit of a book nerd, so talk of Tolkien, Lewis, Dostoevsky, Eliot, O'Connor, Peterson and others are likely to happen at some point! In my opinion, theology should have some poetry to it. Jesus is beautiful to me. He is my great joy and only hope.
Heath Hardesty
Lead Pastor
As a Bay Area native, it's a joy to serve at VCC! My wife Jennifer and I have been married for 31 years, and we met while I was on staff with Cru at Sacramento State. I hold degrees from UC Santa Barbara and Western Seminary and have served in various pastoral roles before joining VCC in 2022. Our son Zach recently graduated from Vanguard University with a degree in History & Political Science. We also share our home with Ruby, our Red Fox Labrador. As a family, we love hiking, beach walks, and cheering on the San Francisco Giants.
Bryan Hardwick
Executive Pastor
Born and raised in Tucson, AZ I now live in Livermore with my wife Lilian and two kids Grace and Micah! Before I jumped into Pastoral ministry I served seven years in the United States Army and finished my undergraduate degree in Psychology at Colorado Christian University. I am currently completing my Master's degree at Western Seminary in Leadership and Theology. Going on 10 years in pastoral ministry I have served in a variety of roles from Family Pastor, Associate Pastor, Small Groups Pastor, Church Planting Resident, and Teaching Pastor. In addition, I'm a big sports fanatic and love going to San Francisco Giants games with my family. I'm also a pretty big nerd when it comes to theology, one of the most life-giving practices for me is sipping on really good coffee and reading a Theology book. I also oversee Inklings Coffee and Tea our local outreach to the city, that provides artisan coffee and opportunities for missional engagement with the community.
Joe Jewell
Outreach Pastor
I started working in youth ministry fresh out of high school, thinking that it would be a fun summer job, and now, 10 years later, I still consider it to be a fun (all year long) job. I consider it to be a profound privilege to follow Jesus alongside students. I lives in Pleasanton with my wife Jill and two kids, Brynlee and Brooks.
Jake Lemmer
Student Ministry Pastor
When I was a child my family would periodically attend VCC and, too shy for Sunday School, I would sit in the pews utterly confused. I made my first attempt to follow Jesus in 7th grade after earning the nickname 'sinner boy' at camp. I felt an unexpected urge to preach while in South Africa at 19 in '07 and somehow ended up back at VCC as a pastor in '14. My high school sweetheart Brittany and I have 3 kids: Levi, Avila, and Banks. I graduated from aka survived Fuller Seminary in 2019 and now spend my time reading (mostly Lewis and Tolkien) and leading our family and care ministries. My family's not-guilty pleasures are Mr. Pickles sandwiches and Giants baseball.
Dane Olney
Community Care Pastor
MINISTRY TEAM
Hi! I was born and raised in the Southern California mountains of Big Bear Lake and moved to Pleasanton in the summer of 2024. I went to California Baptist University graduating with my degree in Health Science to become a Physician's Assistant. That is until the Lord had other plans and I was called into the Kids Ministry. Working with kids and having the opportunity of partnering with parents to grow their understanding of Jesus, establish their faith from an early age, and have a ton of fun are just a few of the things I am blessed with to be able to do.
As a Christian, I believe that joy is a gift meant to be shared, and life is too short not to be a little silly along the way! Working with kids lets me reflect God’s love through laughter, play, and creating a space where both learning and joy can flourish.
In my spare time you can find me baking, perfecting my sourdough recipe, playing board games, doing puzzles, hiking, or anything outdoors!
Kaelee Haggerty
VCC Kids Director
I am the proud husband of Alison & papa to Alex, Dezirae, Caetlyn, Abigail & Wesley. We currently live in Discovery Bay but I was born in Des Moines, IA and came to California by way of Kentucky where I grew up with parents in ministry. I love music...(making it and producing it), love being able to serve our family here with my technical skills and love creating an excitement and desire in others to use God given talents and desires to serve Him and our church community.
John Heyer
Technical Director
Hi! I was born and raised in Arizona and moved to the beautiful Tri Valley in January 2020 so that we could start a new adventure with VCC. My husband, Joe, and I have two kids who are our favorite gifts from God. For fun, I like to hike, explore new places, eat delicious food, and most of all, read.
I am honored to work with the Family Ministries team in two roles that allow me to combine my love for serving families, children, and people of all ages with disabilities. I am passionate about connecting others to community resources and serving them in practical ways to help them flourish in the life God has given them.
Lilian Jewell
Disability Director & Family Ministry Coordinator
I am a Pleasanton native and grew up at VCC. I have a desire to see middle school students' lives shaped by the message of Jesus. I believe that the Bible is good news for people at every life stage, especially in middle school. I am honored to be where God has currently placed me and I am so excited to see what God will do in the Tri-Valley through VCC. When I am not speaking or running games at Refuge, you can find me reading, playing spikeball, or going on adventures around the Bay Area with my friends and family!
Brett Johnson
Middle School Director
Hello! I was born and raised in Pleasanton and have been attending VCC since 2010. After serving as a middle school leader for a few years, I started working as the Student Ministry Associate in 2020! I have so enjoyed this opportunity to worship alongside our students at Refuge and Anchored as we all learn how truly beautiful Jesus is. When I am not in the Hall, I enjoy being outdoors, coaching cheerleading at Amador, and spending time with family!
Fiona McHugh
Student Ministry Associate
I was born and raised in Pleasanton. I’ve been a part of VCC my whole life. I grew up in the children’s ministry and went to Refuge and Anchored. It is such a gift to work in the middle school ministry alongside some of my closest friends (who have strangely become my coworkers). I believe the love of Jesus Christ is not just good news, but it is good news to students in the painful grind of middle school. God has invited us to taste the sweetness of new life in Christ and it is quite a privilege to deliver that news to middle school students who need to hear that they are loved just as much as anyone else. When I am not at church, you can find me reading or downtown serving ice cream at the Meadowlark Dairy.
Kyle Newman
Middle School Associate
OPERATIONS TEAM
Born and raised a Michiganer, I've been part of the VCC family for over 25 years. Volunteering as a receptionist, deacon, Sunday preschool teacher and greeter. On April Fool's Day 2015 God blessed me with the privilege of coming on staff.
Outside of VCC, I've served in BSF leadership since 1998 and the Tri-valley as a CERT member.
I'm a movie buff who believes that great films need to be experienced in a real theater.
Denise Garcia
Operations Director
I am a California native, growing up in So. Cal and moved to the Bay Area 30 years ago. My husband Michael and I have been married 28 years. We have 2 children, our son Copeland is 25 and currently is the Maintenance Intern here at VCC. Our daughter Annaka is 24 and lives in Seattle, WA. I am a graduate of Cal State San Bernardino with a degree in Business Administration /Accounting. I have been attending VCC for 14 years and been a part of Women’s Ministry Bible Study and served as a Benevolence Deacon - which led to me being asked to join the VCC staff as Assistant Treasurer.
In my free time I love to run, hike, walk and just about anything outdoors enjoying all that God created.
Lisa Green
Treasurer Assistant
I was born and raised in one of the main southern cities in China, Guangzhou. My journey with our Lord started when I was granted a visa to pursue my graduate study at the University of Arizona. I became a Christian during my study at the university. Under HIS grace and guidance, I finished my degree, and moved to the Bay Area with my husband, Jia. While raising our two daughters here, I served at church as a Children’s Sunday school teacher for more than 20 years. I also served as a Children’s Sunday school coordinator for several years. Currently I am a youth leader at the Chinese Church in Christ in Pleasanton. I experienced God’s grace, provision and blessing abundantly, especially during the three close contacts with death. I always remind myself it is not a coincidence that I am still alive. I know I could not stop serving HIM. I worked in the field of accounting in a company in Livermore before I joined VCC. It is beyond my thinking that I will be offered a position at a church. But, after many days and nights of persistently praying and anxiously waiting, my Lord showed me the way and my dream came true! Our Lord is good. Our Lord is great! It is always a privilege to serve HIM. I am humbled and honored to work for our brothers, sisters and families at VCC. I am looking forward to serving our Lord together with you in many months to come!
Jan Jian
Finance & Human Resources Administrator
Howdy! I'm a California native. Born in San Jose, but have lived the majority of my life in the Central Valley. I love Jesus, and try to serve Him faithfully in all areas of my life. I am married to my amazing wife Christina. We have one child together, Urija Daniel Lopez. When I am not at VCC, you can find me working for the Lord at my home church, or you can find me lifting weights at the gym! I truly love working at VCC and I wholeheartedly support our mission of "Making, Maturing, and Mobilizing apprentices of Jesus"!
Daniel Lopez
Facility Maintenance Manager
As the founder of Shining Light Preschool in 1999, I have been truly blessed by the relationships I have developed with teachers & SLP families. Shining Light is a great place for your child to spend their preschool years learning and growing — all the while getting to know (and trust!) a great big God who loves an itty-bitty me!
The Lord has done great things for us… and we are glad!
– Psalm 126:3
Kelly McIntosh
Shining Light Preschool Director & Operations Admin
Greetings! I am a local who has moved more times than I can count, but have finally moved back to my roots to be closer to family in Pleasanton. I am a wife to Marcus and a Mom to Koehn and Liana who keep me in the loop of all things teen life.
I love to bring a smile to anyone’s face, sip coffee in the sunshine, and ride a bike on a paved trail. I enjoy gardening, traveling, and being in God’s creation.
Alisha Meazzo
Front Office Admin
Hi Everyone! I am a bay area native who has been blessed with serving at VCC for 17 years. Before providing computer and network support at VCC, I taught high school music and science. I hold an AA in Music, a BA Music (bass performance) and a MA in Media Development. In my personal time, I enjoy vacationing with my wife, Heidi and making music with my friends.
Danny Min
Network & IT Director
Andrew Pardini
Maintenance Technician