Pastor Peter Schalembier came to Porterville in October of 1998 as the church Youth Pastor. He became the Lead Pastor of the church two years later. Peter studied theology through Global University and has been ordained with the Assemblies of God for 27 years. He loves the Word of God. He has a passion for training the believers to become mature in Christ and for reaching the lost. He grew up in Bruges, Belgium and married Cindy who was in Belgium as a missionary. They have four adult children. Peter also loves soccer – especially the English Premiere League – as well as movies and watching bicycle races, such as the Tour de France.
Pastor Cindy is the wife of Pastor Peter, the Lead Pastor. She is our Worship Leader, and it is her passion to bring people into the presence of God through worship. She is also the leader of our Women’s Ministry and loves to lead the ladies in prayer. She graduated from Bethany University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and from Southeastern University with a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning. She currently works as an elementary school teacher. Besides having four children, Cindy and Peter have three grandsons whom they love to spend time with. Cindy also loves to watch the Home and Garden Channel and Korean dramas and enjoys traveling and learning foreign languages.
Pastor Jenna Hulsey has been with Porterville First Assembly of God since 2007, and she became the Children’s Pastor in January 2016. She and Ron have been married for 24 years, and they have three children. Jenna has enjoyed working with children since she was a teenager. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Cal State University, Bakersfield. Although she planned to become an elementary school teacher, the Lord had a better plan and Jenna has enjoyed a fulfilling career as a homeschool mom and Children’s Pastor. Jenna enjoys training and competing in jiu-jitsu along with her family, as well as teaching kids’ classes.
Steve & Teresa Carrillo are a devoted couple with a shared passion for faith and community. Married for two years, they’ve spent the last five years at First Assembly, teaching Sunday School and now Youth Pastors for the Youth Group. Since 2016, they’ve hosted a thriving in-home Bible study, welcoming seekers and believers alike. They also reach outside the walls of the church with an online ministry. Steve also shares his insights as a guest preacher at Porterville First Assembly and Church on the Hill on the Tule River Indian Reservation, spreading the message of love and faith for Jesus Christ.
Cherie Snodgrass became our Church Secretary in the Spring of 2021. She has been a part of Porterville First Assembly of God for nearly 40 years and has served in several of the church’s ministries: puppet ministry; Sunday School teacher; clown ministry; and Girls Ministries teacher, coordinator, and sectional leader. She holds Associates degrees in Information Systems, English, and Computer Graphics/Web Design. Besides serving as our church secretary, Cherie also enjoys writing and traveling.