Instructors

  ROCKY BRIDGES has served as an Elder for Abundant Life since 1999. Currently he is the chairman of the Leghorn Executive committee, which has the oversight of design, fund raising, construction, and transition into the new facility. He has been active in men's ministry as the Director of Men's Prayer. Since 1998 he has helped lead the weekly men's prayer. He has been a prayer warrior and lead intercessory prayer at his former church for 12 years. Rocky has taught a few workshops on effective prayer and enjoys disciplining others. He holds a Masters in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and until recently held management positions in large high tech companies such as Texas Instruments, Advanced Broadband, Intel and Stanford Telecom.
     
  LYDIA GARTRELL has served in and given leadership to many of ALCF's ministries since 1990, including teaching for Classes@ALCF. She has an interest and passion for the individuals and families of our church to grow spiritually, and especially to learn and practice godly financial stewardship. Her teaching gift has led her to instruct in these topics, as well as in the areas of the Lordship and deity of Jesus Christ, and praise and prayer. Lydia holds an MBA from Stanford Business School, and is certified as a Teacher and Counselor for Christian Financial Concept Training. Lydia works in the field of Construction and Project Management.
     
JOHN and VALORIE HAMACHEK have been married for 32 years. They both grew up in the Midwest, but have lived in Palo Alto since 1975. They have been members of ALCF for 3 years. John was a financial consultant and has worked with several ALCF couples as a budget coach. Valorie was a legal secretary before deciding to stay at home when her children were born. John and Valorie have two children, a daughter age 28 and a son age 23. John says, "We were well intentioned and loving parents, but with hindsight did not understand many important principles of effective parenting. It is our hope that the parenting principles in this course will be a blessing to parents with younger children."
  CORA HARPER is the Pastor of Biblical Counseling Ministry and part of the executive staff at ALCF. As one of the original 34 members of Abundant Life Chritian Fellowship since 1989, Cora has volunteered in a variety of ministries over the years and loves serving God and his people. She successfully completed and received certification as a Biblical Counselor from Sierra Pacific College and The American Association of Christian Counselors. She also completed training through the Center for Biblical Counseling and completed courses academically in the area of psychology. Cora has been married 29 years, has 4 children and 3 grandchildren.
      
  GERALDINE HILL is Director of Prayer and Visitation for ALCF, and also oversees the Ministries of Worship Warriors and Communion. God presented her with this spiritual assignment in 2000, but gifted and called her to serve Him and the Body of Christ in prayer many, many years before. Sister Hill has faithfully prayed and given leadership in forming many prayer events and prayer cell groups at ALCF for over 17 years. Her love for Jesus Christ and example in praying has ignited in numerous ALCF members the passion to pray with authority and praise God. Before becoming Director, Sister Hill completed a 21-year career in Library Science and Technology with the City of Daly City. She is one of the original 34 members of ALCF since 1989.
     
  TOM RECINE and his wife MARION have been members of the body of Christ for about 34 years. Tom was involved in Bible Study Fellowship for 28 years, spending the last 11 years as Area Advisor. Marion co-founded the Community Pregnancy Centers of Santa Clara County 26 years ago where she currently serves as a volunteer counselor and prayer chairman on the Board of Directors. Tom currently serves as the Board chair of the CPC. They are proud parents of 5 children and 15 grand children. Tom & Marion love to share God’s word to the lost and hurting people of this world, with a strong desire to help people grow and mature in the body of Christ.
      
  GREG SOWLE is Pastor of Adult Education at ALCF and oversees Classes@ALCF. He has been teaching with Classes@ALCF since it was founded and currently teaches the Leader Training class. He has avidly studied the Bible since he became a Christian over 20 years ago. He attended classes at Western Seminary, as well as numerous Christian seminars and retreats. In addition, Greg completed a study course in Israel / Palestine in 1999. Greg served as an assistant teacher at San Jose Christian College and Logos School of the Bible. Prior to joining the ALCF staff, he spent over 20 years in management and marketing for high-tech companies in the area.
      
  ERIC STEVENSON is an Executive Associate Pastor at ALCF.  Eric has been involved with Classes@ALCF since its inception in 1998.  Eric is the teacher of the Holy Spirit and His Gifts core course, and has taught courses on the book of Philippians and Eternal Security. Prior to these responsibilities, Eric was the Pastor of Ministry Involvement for 6 years.  This ministry helps members find a place of service within the church.  Eric has a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies from Trinity Theological Seminary. 
      
  ANDREA ALO is the ministry assistant for Classes@ALCF, Growth Groups, Singles, Men and OASIS ministries.  She has been an active member of ALCF since the Fall of 2004, serving in mulitple roles in the Worship Arts Ministry to include the Celebration Choir, ALCF's Praise & Worship team as well as participating in each year's Easter Productions. She also volunteers as an ALCF Video Announcer and is a member of the Leader Training Teaching Team. She is the proud mother of two boys and enjoys baking and traveling.