Pastor  Jim Walden was born just outside of Boston, MA into a pastor's home. As a little boy, Jim sensed the Lord's call on his life to full-time pastoral ministry. His grandfather, father, two uncles and his brother all have followed the Lord into full-time Christian ministry. After living in Massachusetts, Ohio, Michigan and upstate New York, Jim attended Judson University in Elgin, IL where he received a B.A and then received his Master's of Divinity from Northern Seminary in Lombard, IL. 

Following seminary, Jim served on staff of the First Baptist Church of Pontiac, IL for three years when the Lord called him to start Rolling Hills Community Church in Kansas City, MO.  In 1994, Jim married his love, Diona Loomis and one year later, Gabriel was born to them. Late in the spring of 2008, the First Baptist Church of Big Bear Lake, CA called Jim to be their Senior Pastor. 

Outside of Diona and Gabe, Jim's loves include passionate teaching of the Word of God, evangelism and leadership training. Jim is also is an avid basketball player and gets a kick out of chasing a little white ball around a golf course. You may contact Pastor Jim at his email: jim@bigbearbaptist.org

'Pastor Bud' as he is affectionately known to us, accepted the Lord as Savior in 1947. He married Diana in June of 1951, as is the father of three sons, grandfather of seven and great-grandfather to five! Some say he is a GREAT grandfather period!
Bud has over 40 years of ministry experience; working with youths, singles and adults. One of Bud's greatest joys is "Ministering to people and bringing them to a place of understanding of God and His Word. You may contact Pastor Bud at his email: buddiana@charter.net

Pastor Luke comes to us all the way from Omaha, NE with a few stops along the way. After growing up in Omaha, Luke moved to Chicago where he attended Moody Bible Institute, earning a bachelor's in Youth Ministry and Bible. While in Chicago he also joined the youth staff of The Moody Church, where he ministered as a part of the youth staff from 2003 to 2007. Luke then began work on a Master's of Divinty at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School but sensed God leading him in a new direction--one that carried him all the way to sunny California and accepted the call to be the High School Pastor at Sunrise Church in Rialto until coming up to join our team here at First Baptist. 

While not exactly a mountain man (he is known for his love of wearing his rainbow sandals and shorts whenever he gets the chance), he has come to enjoy the tightknit community of Big Bear inspite of the 3 feet of snow that fell the month after he moved here. And while that snow puts a damper on his love affair with flip flops, it hasn't been able to get away of his love of discipling students and pointing them to Jesus.  You may contact Pastor Luke at his email: luke@bigbearbaptist.com

Steve was born and raised in Southern California. His life was dramatically changed when he became a Christian 32 years ago. Leaving a life pursuit as a singer songwriter in the rock music genre, he put down the guitar and picked up the Bible. It would be a year later, when the Lord would call him to the ministry of worship and use his musical ability to serve Jesus. Throughout his Christian journey, Steve has been a Worship Minister, Youth Group Leader, Teaching Pastor and has organized and been involved in community outreach. He is finishing a B.A. degree from Trinity Bible College and Seminary in Indiana. His major is in Biblical Theology with a concentration in Christian Philosophy and Apologetics.  

Steve joined the staff at First Baptist Church Big Bear Valley as Worship Pastor in October 2011. He and his wife Gayle reside in Highland and have two boys, Lee and Aaron.  As well as leading the congregation to the throne of Jesus in praise and worship; Steve loves to study and teach God's Word, read Christian fiction, mentor younger men in the faith, surf, hike, play basketball and sip on hazelnut iced coffee.  You may contact Pastor Steve at his email: apologiaseven@yahoo.com