Staff
Brian Benson, Senior Pastor
Brian has been on staff with CVCC since 2003. He is a graduate of Biola University and Talbot School of Theology. Along with his love for this church, Brian particularly loves being involved in the lives of his boys, as well as all forms of professional sports. Brian and his wife, Gretchen, have been married since 1995 and have 4 sons - Andrew, Noah, Daniel and Joshua.
Brian Benson
Senior Pastor
Victor Wang, Executive Administrator
Hello everyone! My name is Victor Wang and it is my privilege to serve you as the executive administrator of CVCC. My wife Denise and I came to CVCC in 2002 and have been members for the last 18 years.
Before I joined the staff of CVCC in September, 2020, I worked as an attorney, management consultant and an entrepreneur. My desire is to apply the knowledge and skills I learned from those various roles to increase the impact and influence of the kingdom of God.
In my spare time, I teach business and law classes at California Baptist University, enjoy exercising with my wife, and walking our dog Cory.
My wife and I have one son, Josiah, who is a psychology major at Baylor University.
Victor Wang
Executive Administrator
Jeff Carter, Community Life Pastor
I’ve been on staff here at CVCC since March 2017. I was a theater major at UCLA and earned an M.Div. and Th.M. in theology at Talbot School of Theology. I’ve been married to Michelle since 1987 and we have 3 grown children: Brittany, Jeremiah, and Joseph. My passions include diving deeply into God’s Word, telling others about my Messiah, and helping people grow in their faith and see that there is so much more God has for them. I love the outdoors and spending time reading and hanging out with my family.
Jeff Carter
Community Life Pastor
Ken Elben, Family Ministry Pastor
Hi Everyone! I joined the CVCC Team in 2022 and I’m so excited to be here serving as the Family Ministry Pastor. I’m a California native and was born in Orange County and then moved to Fallbrook when I was in junior high. I graduated from Fallbrook Union High School and went to school for architecture upon graduation. I have been married to my beautiful wife, Joy, since 1997, she is the love of my life! I have an incredible son, Isaiah, who amazes me every day! I love to create and design just about anything. I received my BA in Pastoral Studies from San Diego Christian College and my MDIV from Bethel Theological Seminary.
My passion is to equip and shepherd all generations to pursue the purpose that Christ has for them. I have a calling to encourage, educate and enlighten families in their walk with Christ, deepen their understanding of a Biblical world view, foster growth in a Christian community, and to see the Great Commission lived out. My heart is to see families succeed and see them grow together in Christ! I want to build a “Sticky Faith!” As we build a faith that sticks together, we will see growth together, as we love and disciple each other in our walk with Christ. My prayer is that we surround our kids with adults and friends that point them to Jesus!”
I love spending time with my family, traveling, and anything and everything at the beach! My favorite food is Mexican food and Mediterranean food! I look forward to getting to know you and your family soon!
Ken Elben
Family ministry pastor
Tyler Greek, Worship Arts Director
Greekings!
It is a joy to walk alongside my fellow young adults as we seek to live lives fully devoted to the Gospel mission. Born and raised in southern California, my wife Victoria and I currently live in Costa Mesa, California. I am an outdoor enthusiast, a food connoisseur, and a baseball fanatic. Some might also say I play a mean game of ping pong.
Tyler Greek
Worship Arts director
Kelle Farrell, Women’s Ministry Director
I am pleased to be serving Chino Valley Community Church as the Women’s Ministries Director! I have been involved in our Women’s Ministry for over 30 years in a variety of ways. I desire to see women find their identity and value in Christ, through mentoring relationships, Bible Study and community with other believers. I believe the Gospel has the power to change us!
There were a number of years that I served as Children’s Director here at CVCC. I loved those kids and making sure they knew Jesus. I just “retired” in the last couple of years from worship teams-those years were some of the best times of my life!
I’ve been married to my husband Mike since July 1979. Together we served in the youth programs for high school. We took them several times on mission trips to Mexico. Missions are one of my heart beats. I’ve been able to go to not only Mexico, but Costa Rica, Canada and Hungary with our church.
Mike and I have two adult daughters, Rochelle and Brenda, who are both married to terrific men and both have 2 children.
Kelle Farrell
Women’s Ministry Director
Steven Bock, College Ministry Director
My passion is to study the Bible and share what I’ve learned with others around me. I’ve seen the power and reality of God and witnessed transformation through submission to Him and His Gospel. My hope is for the people in my life to catch a glimpse of it as well, so that they too will be transformed into lovers of God and lovers of people, with joy, peace, and faith.
I was saved when I was 22 on June 19th 2017, after witnessing the power and glory of God’s grace in my life through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as presented in the Holy Bible. I had recently graduated from SMU with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. I had also recently been hired as Assistant Operating Manager of C2C Industries, where I continue to work with my family in the metal manufacturing industry.
I was married to my lovely wife, Alexa, when I was 24 on March 21st 2020. She is my best friend and the love of my life. Together, we seek to grow closer in relationship to God and to each other. God has truly blessed me an amazing woman, who I’m honored to call my wife.
I’m thankful for the many brothers and sisters in Christ in my life, who have encouraged and strengthened my faith.
I’m thankful for Chino Valley Community Church, who has given me this opportunity to walk alongside college-aged students as I seek to encourage and strengthen their faith and passion to pursue Christ.
Steven Bock
college Ministry director
Sammy Rios, High School Ministry Director
I was born into a Christian home and raised with God-fearing parents and a dad who was a bi-vocational pastor. I grew up with a personal relationship with God having accepted the gift of salvation at the early age of 4. God has led me through some difficult seasons but has always proven His faithfulness. I moved into Chino Hills back in 2007 and met my future bride Alex not too long after here at CVCC! In His sovereign timing God has given us a precious little girl named Olivia. I am now also in a bi-vocational ministry like my dad. God has led me to lead the Jr. high ministry after 7 years in the high school ministry. Alex and I also own a home inspection company that we love seeing how God uses for His glory.
Sammy Rios
High School ministry director
Chad Bishop
Jr High ministry director
Andrew Benson, 56M Director
I have grown up at CVCC my whole life, but was recently hired as the 5th and 6th grade director in March of 2020. I am a graduate from Biola University and am currently a student at Rosemead School of Psychology. I am passionate about the gospel and what the saving grace of Jesus means for all who believe in God. I believe that the 5th and 6th grade years are formative to a person's worldview and faith, and I am dedicated to ensuring these students grow in love and in their foundation with Jesus Christ.
Andrew Benson
56 Ministry Director
Rena Gonzales, Children’s Ministry Director
My family and I started attending CVCC in 2010. I immediately fell in love and became a faithful volunteer in Early Childhood Ministry. I looooved working with the little’s and it melted my heart when they didn’t want to leave at the end of class. I was hooked!
In October 2019, I had the privilege to become part of staff as the EC Coordinator. I know it’s an honor to serve the Lord as a leader over Early Childhood Ministry. My goal is to partner with parents in helping your little understand how much Jesus loves them.
I enjoy spending lots of time with my family and friends. I love sunny breezy days, road trips, delicious food and planning a party.
My favorite person in the entire world is my niece, Mia. My very old dog Milo faithfully fulfills his life purpose as my cuddle bug.
Rena Gonzales
Children’s Ministry Director
SuSAnNE RAMIREZ
early childhood coordinator
Jenny Lyn, Finance Director
Hi everyone, my name is Jenny Lyn. I moved to Chino Hills in 2015 and started attending CVCC since the summer of 2017. I accepted Christ into my heart in high school and was baptized during college time. I attended Urbana in 2000. I have been married to my husband Kenneth since 2005 and have two beautiful girls, Stephanie and Amanda. Life has not been easy and has thrown a lot of curve balls; each and every time I had to lean more on God. Although not everything went smoothly all of the time, this has made me stronger and more reliant on the Holy Spirit to guide me.
I studied Liberal studies at Cal State Northridge and what got me started in the finance world was working part-time in a CPA firm. Ever since, I excelled and got more interested in numbers. Besides numbers, I like spending time with my family and friends, organizing and planning activities especially vacations within the last 3 years. I have picked up running as a hobby and challenge. I speak fluent Spanish as I was raised in Panama.
God has been orchestrating every part of my life from how I came to this country and placed His servants into my life and led me to Christ. He also led me to my husband, and how I dealt with the unexpected death of my father in 2009 and how God led me to CVCC and to this position. God’s blueprint has been there every step of the way.
Jenny Lyn
Finance Director
Helen Hegle, Administrative Assistant
I was born and raised in the Philippines. After completing my college education in Business Management at Silliman University I came to California where I met my husband, Steve. We have been married since 1996 and have been blessed with two sons, Christian and Matthew. I joined the CVCC staff in 2005 and continue to serve as a part-time administrative assistant. Spending time in God’s word, reading, dancing, & family hikes are some of the things I enjoy doing. My grandmother’s legacy is to love God first, and the unconditional love for family. Her daily life was a strong testimony of her unwavering faith & deep love for God and I strive to keep that alive in my life. We have a big family, we treasure our time spent together for every, and any, occasion and love one another for who we are. So I consider it a blessing to be a part of another big, loving family that is CVCC. A family that is my privilege love & serve.
helen hegle
finance assistant
Hello everyone! My family and I have been attending Chino Valley Community Church since November 2019. I have found this to be such a loving church where my family has felt right at home. I thank God for the community we have been blessed with and want to be able to reciprocate the love of Jesus to all who come through our doors.
Family: I love my family! I have been married to Orlando since August 2001 and God has blessed us with three precious girls along the way: Abigail, Keilah and Roxana. We enjoy family meals, traveling, road trips and hiking. We also enjoy spending time with people!
Work: I was hired on to be the Director of Engagement and Connections in July of 2022. I am super excited to work alongside staff to get everyone plugged into a discipleship vehicle. My goal is to get to know each one of you! I figure, if we are saved, we’ll get to know each other in heaven but let’s start on this side of heaven!
Education: I earned my Bachelors of Science in Child Development as well as a Master’s in Education at Cal State Fullerton. I was a classroom teacher for many years and then the Lord called me to full time mommy ministry, which I thoroughly enjoyed. When my kids were of age to go to school, they went to a public charter school. After the school shut down, the Lord led us to begin our homeschooling journey. Homeschooling has its ups and downs but knowing that we are doing the will of God, we take it one day at a time.
Growing up: I was born in El Salvador but have been raised in California since the age of 2. The Lord called our family to himself in the early to mid 80’s. I have seen the power of our Mighty God work in and through our family as he saved us and restored our broken home. I am confident that God is still in the business of miracles and wants to work in your life too!
Patty Plascencia
Dir. of Engagement & Connections
Scott Harwood, Facility Manager
I joined the CVCC staff in August 2018. Before that I was a Project Coordinator/Manager for an equipment/construction company. My wife, Janine and I have been attending CVCC for 18 years and where I accepted Christ as my Savior during Easter 2000. I enjoy playing all kinds of sports, as well as serving in Children’s Ministry. Janine and I have been married since 1989, and have 2 sons, Kevin and Bryan.
Scott Harwood
Facility Manager
Jamie Ignatius, Ministry Support Administrator
I’ve been attending Chino Valley Community Church with my family since 2005, and I love being part of this incredible church family. I was homeschooled through high school, and then attended California Baptist University where I received my BA in English in 2013. I’ve served in many different areas at CVCC, including children’s ministries and events like Sports Camp and VBS, and I joined the worship team shortly after high school. That ministry has been my passion ever since, and after taking a year to study abroad in Ireland and get my MA in English, I returned and joined the CVCC staff in the summer of 2019 as the Worship Arts Assistant.
Later that year, I met my (now) husband Peter through a dating app. Our initial conversation was about the proper ranking of the Star Wars films. In April of 2021 I stepped into a full time role at CVCC as the Ministry Support Administrator and am thoroughly enjoying the administrative and communicative duties of that role. I still very much enjoy being part of the worship team here, and when I'm not at church I might be at Disneyland with my husband or at home baking or playing nerdy games.
Jamie Ignatius
Ministry Support Administrator
Mariana Rangel, Ministry Support Assistant
Mariana Rangel
Ministry Support Assistant
Joy elben
Graphic Design/Social media specialist
Hello Everyone! I grew up in San Diego and graduated from Biola University with my degree in nursing. Brian and I met in chemistry class at Biola University and we were married in 1995. After having our first child, I quickly decided I wanted to retire from being a nurse and do what I’d always wanted to do- be a full time mom. The Lord has blessed us with four wonderful boys, and I am so thankful for each one of them!
I’ve always felt that my role at the church was to support Brian and to do my best to raise my children to love Jesus. My greatest hope is that each one of them will accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and live their lives serving Him. Now that our youngest is in junior high, I have started working part time as the Senior Pastor’s assistant and have enjoyed every minute of being in the office and interacting with the faithful at CVCC.
My family and I have lived in Chino Hills and have attended CVCC since November of 2003. I love being involved in Eagles Loft adult fellowship class and I look forward to volunteering during Sports Camp and VBS each summer. What a blessing that my children have all grown up in the ministries of this church and now serve within them! I feel so extremely thankful to be part of a church that has loved us so well.
I was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica until I moved to California with my mom and sister in 2013 at the tender age of 13. I was raised in a Christian household in a Christian country where we were able to learn more about God and fellowship in schools, as well. I moved straight into American high school which was culture shock in itself, graduated from Ayala in 2017, and then UC Irvine in 2021 with a BA in Anthropology. Life, in a new country, has thrown us many curve balls but God has shown up every single time. As a result of this, I have become an avid church goer at CVCC and am committed to the Lord.
I joined my Mom’s home care business, AACE Home Care Inc, as an Admin Assistant in 2019 and when I graduated college, was promoted to Office Manager in a full time position. Our hours are flexible, so when given the chance to join the staff as a Ministry Support Assistant in September 2023 at CVCC, I jumped at the opportunity. I am so happy to be able to be a part of two fulfilling jobs, where I help to make an impact on people’s lives. In my spare time I enjoy travelling, sampling various types of cuisine, hiking and practicing MMA.
Rebecca Miller
Ministry support assistant
Gretchen Benson
Assistant to the Senior Pastor
Hi everyone, my name is Josiah Wang. I was born and raised here in Southern California. CVCC is my home church. I have been part of the CVCC family since 2007, the year I was baptized.
I graduated from Baylor University with degrees in Film and Digital Media and Psychology. While at Baylor, I was part of Baylor Vision, Baylor Athletic’s award-winning sports video department. I also was the cinematographer on a few short films and one of those was selected for the Texas A&M Aggie Cinema Short Film Festival.
I am glad I have the opportunity to serve God and my CVCC family by doing what I love to do.
I enjoy reading – and have tried writing – comic books and consuming other visual media. I currently live in Chino Hills with my parents and I love it.