CHERYL DEGREE

Cheryl has dubbed herself a native Californian! As the youngest of seven children, Cheryl was born in San Francisco and raised in East Palo Alto. She grew up in the church, and though she accepted the Lord at age 18, Cheryl wholeheartedly committed her life to Christ at age 28. She and her husband, Alfred, have attended ALCF since 1996. Since that time, she has served in ministry as a volunteer and on staff for over 20 years in various roles. Cheryl’s desire is to use her spiritual gifts and the call on her life to serve individuals who need an encouraging word or a helping hand. She currently serves as the Director of Justice and Compassion which includes outreach through community partners, as well as Chaplaincy, Jail/Prison, and Homeless ministries. While she loves to study ancient civilizations, Cheryl is passionate about studying God's Word and creating memorable moments for her husband, five children, 15 grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Cheryl’s flair and heart for creativity is evident in her handmade jewelry, painting, sewing and cooking.

PASTOR ARCHELLE FUNNIE

Archelle was born and raised in the Overbook section of Philadelphia as one of four siblings. Archelle was raised Catholic and received a parochial school education. Shortly after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications and Economics from the University of Pittsburgh, he moved to San Jose, CA in 1981. It was during that same year that Archelle accepted Christ at a Billy Graham Crusade. Afterwards, Mother Owens, the mother of a good friend, provided Archelle with loving, spiritual guidance which eventually inspired him to go deeper and obtain an Associate Degree in Biblical Studies. Professionally, Archelle worked in Product Management in the semiconductor industry and is a licensed Realtor. Archelle began attending ALCF in 1995 and became an Elder in 1997. Beyond overseeing ALCF’s Business Operations and Ministries, Archelle enjoys theater arts, traveling, and cooking. He has been married to his wife, Monique, since 1988.

MONIQUE FUNNIE

As a “military brat,” Monique relocated many times and attended 12 schools throughout childhood. She was born in La Chapelle, France and has lived in California since 1971. Monique remembers praying “The Sinner's Prayer” around the age of nine during Vacation Bible School. At the age of 23, God used a believer named Thelma Briley to get her back on track while attending FIDM in Southern California. Monique received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Minor in English from San Jose State University. Considering herself a lifelong learner, she also holds certificates in Biblical Studies, Fashion Design, and Graphic Design and Visual Communication. Monique has attended ALCF since 1995 and has been on staff since 2006. She currently serves as Director of Communications. Monique has been married to Archelle Funnié since 1988. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to Gospel and 70s music, aqua aerobics, interior styling, travel, eating out, and spa dates.

NANCY HALL

Nancy was born in San Francisco, adopted at birth and grew up in Petaluma. At the age of nine, she went to Bible Camp where she invited the Lord into her heart. At the age of 21, Nancy opened a hair salon in Mountain View and worked as a cosmetologist for 16 years. At the age of 30, she renewed her commitment to Christ and began evangelizing. She married her husband, Tobey, in 1992 and they began attending ALCF the following year. In 2000, she began working for ALCF as an Administrator for the Evangelism, Outreach and Recovery Ministries. Nancy also volunteered in the Prayer, Convalescent Home, Prison and Kids’ Club ministries. She currently serves as an Administrator for a number of ministries. Nancy and Tobey have an adult son and daughter. She loves cycling with her husband, gardening, painting, fishing, canoeing, and dogs. 

GERALDINE HILL

Geraldine Hill, aka “Sister Hill,” was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She was raised Catholic and received a parochial education through the 9th grade. After graduating from Phyllis Wheatley High School with honors, she earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts from St. Phillips College.

Sister Hill gave her life to Christ at the age of 10 while attending a summer youth camp. She later married Oscar Hill and they had six children. Her husband’s pastoral assignment brought her and their three, teenage children to California in 1977. Sister Hill worked part-time as a Librarian for the Daly City Library and retired with 20 years of service.

Sister Hill is a founding member of ALCF and joined the staff in 2001 as the Director of Prayer and Visitation where she leads a team of prayer counselors and intercessors that visit the sick and pray for the needs of our congregation, as well as three weekly ZOOM prayer meetings. Early during her tenure, she took advantage of classes offered through our Institute of Biblical Studies, distance learning at Saddleback College, and local and out-of-state seminars and meetings related to prayer. Sister Hill is a member of The National Association Of Church Prayer Leaders and has taught the popular class: "Becoming A Prayer Warrior," several times.

In 2006, she became legally blind for 18 months after which God miraculously restored her sight. During that season, she didn’t let her disability hinder her from her assignment to “Know Jesus And Make Him Known.”

In her spare time, Sister Hill enjoys raising African Violets, as well as sitting down with a good book over a cup of tea.

LANA HILL

Lana Hill is a transplant to the Bay Area. Born in Houston, TX, and raised in New Orleans, LA, and Atlanta, GA, Lana equally loves the Bay and her southern roots. Lana received a Bachelor of Science in Hannah and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University in 2005. After recruiting for over 10 years, Lana started her own Career Coaching business in 2016. Lana was raised Catholic and gave her life to Christ in 2009. The same year, Lana met her husband, Michael Hill, in Atlanta, and their journey brought them to San Jose in 2016. In 2018, she and her family, including their two children, joined ALCF. In 2019, Lana began serving in ALCF Kids—from Nursery all the way up to Elementary. As she steps into her new role as the Director of ALCF Kids, Lana's hope is to pour into God's children, and leave them thirsty and hungry for more knowledge about our God every Sunday.

PASTOR JASON JOHNSON

Jason is a native of Northern California. After a short detour to the Pacific Northwest (Go Hawks!) he found himself back in CA. He served in Men's ministry for 14 years where God grew and developed him as he taught Bible studies, led prayer groups, counseled, developed conferences and workshops, and had the privilege of leading hundreds of men in the pursuit of God to become better husbands, fathers, and disciples passionate about becoming more like Christ. He has worked professionally as a Systems & Network Engineer and IT Manager, a Chaplain in Kaiser's Clinical Pastoral Education Program, and an Adjunct Professor. He has also served on the Board of Directors of BASS, a church equipping conference in the Bay Area. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Bible & Theology from William Jessup University, Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Education (ABD) from George Fox University. Jason and his bride, Latasha, make their home in the East Bay with their children. His primary passions outside of his family and ministry are writing, traveling, eating everything set before him, and reading one book a month—all subjects welcome!

JOE LILLEY

Joe has lived in the South Bay since he was a teenager. He and his wife, Cassandra, have lived and worked in Mountain View since they married in 1996. They first attended ALCF in 2004 and have been attempting to play a more active role after too many years of having to dust the Bible off. Joe is humbled to be a part of ALCF’s mission to “Know Jesus and Make Him Known.”

PATTY LOK

Patty grew up in Asia and went to private, Catholic schools until high school. She accepted the message of the Gospel during her last year at San Jose State University through her two, loving Christian classmates. She joined the staff at ALCF in 2005. She met her husband, Ben, at her home church fellowship. They have an adult son and daughter. Outside of work, Patty enjoys swimming, playing the Guzheng, spending time with family, and mission trips that have taken her to Stockton, Arizona, China, Macau, and Kenya.

PASTOR SHARON ORTIZ

Sharon was born in Korea and raised in San Francisco. She graduated from Lowell High School, then went to UC Davis where she majored in English and minored in Communications. She has completed coursework toward a Master of Divinity at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. She served as a Youth Pastor before entering her most important ministry of being a stay-at-home mom. Sharon met Jesus personally while worshiping to the hymn, “Yes, Jesus Loves Me” during Vacation Bible School at the age of eight years old. She has been and will continue to grow into this faith and work it out for a lifetime. Sharon and her husband, Carlos, and their three beautiful children reside in the East Bay. In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys a good book, a good meal, a great cup of coffee, jigsaw puzzles, being in the kitchen, and being with her family in nature.

PASTOR VALARIE SAUNDERS

Valarie Saunders has been a member of ALCF since 1996. Over the years, she has served as a Coordinator of Prayer Counselors and Baptism, lead Praise and Worship, served as a Biblical Counselor, and was Co-Director of Net Care. In addition, she also enjoys visiting the sick and shut in. Evangelism is her passion! Valarie has taught apologetics classes and spoken to most of the groups at ALCF to provide them with tools to reach the unsaved. Valarie was raised Catholic and invited Christ into her life in her twenties. Once the Lord came into her life, she never looked back. Valarie started knocking on doors to talk to people about Jesus. The only thing she knew with certainty back then, was that the way to Eternal Life was through Jesus Christ.Valarie graduated from seminary with a Masters degree in Apologetics and Counter Cults under Dr. Norman Geisler, one of the premiere apologists in the country. Valarie had her own dental practice in San Jose after graduating from UCSF with a Doctorate in Dentistry. Growing up, Valarie lived in Germany and graduated from high school in Japan. Having been to 45 countries, she enjoys studying God’s word, of course traveling and spending time with family and friends.

JUNIOR TAGATA

Tagata was born in American Samoa and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Tagata grew up singing in children's choirs and tinkered with the piano and other musical instruments, and he became more serious about music after he committed his life to Jesus. Tagata serves as Music Director for a few churches in the Bay Area. He has recorded three CD projects: “No Ordinary Man” (2001), ”La Vi'ia Oe (in his native Samoan language) (2007), and “Tree Of Mercy” (2016). In addition to leading worship, Tagata also produces, arranges, consults, voice coaches, directs and writes music. Tagata is married to his beautiful and lovely wife Sharon Ameperosa, and together they have three boys: Ishmael, Anthony and Tau. They reside in his beloved hometown of South San Francisco.

DONALD WATANABE, JR.

Donald has been serving as ALCF’s IT Director for 4 years. He is the husband of an amazing wife and father of two wonderful children. When not out and about with the family, he likes to spend his free time fishing at local ponds. He is fascinated with information technology and enjoys learning about all of the newest developments in the field. He thanks God everyday for all of the blessings He has put in his life.