Our Leadership
Scott Gessford, Pastor
Newly appointed July 1, 2023, Pastor Scott comes to us from the Federated Church of Orland. He also served the Tehama United Methodist Ministries, a cooperative parish that includes Red Bluff, Los Molinos, Cone, and El Camino United Methodist Churches. Prior to becoming a pastor, Scott served the Arbuckle and Williams United Methodist Churches as a Certified Lay Minister. He brings to ministry a strong commitment to prayer, a passion for preaching, a love of teaching, a heart for mission and a focus to equip lay people for their ministry.
Scott has been married to Clara for over 30 years. Clara works for the Pierce Unified School District in Arbuckle. They have three adult children and four grandchildren. Email
Neal Neuenburg - Pastor Emeritus, Pastor of Visitation
Pastor Neal served as our pastor for thirteen years. Now retired, he leads this vital ministry to newcomers, those hospitalized and others who wish a visit. Neal loves to connect with people. He is an encourager. His passion is to help people connect to Jesus and one another. Neal is a spiritual coach or mentor to those who wish to grow in their walk with Jesus.
He is married to Fran, and they have three adult children with spouses and two grandsons. He can talk about most anything: Jesus, church, relationships, sports, news, or what's happening? If you would like to talk or visit, you may call him at (530) 343-1879. Email
Clark Minor, Music Director
Clark has directed church music since 1980, serving churches in Chico, Redding and Paradise. He served as Music Director at Aldersgate from 2006-2018 and returned in 2020. His passion is for the church to experience the fullness of God's presence through joyful, heartfelt and intimate worship.
He has led worship for conferences and retreats throughout the region, and is a published worship song composer. He has directed church choirs and worship teams, led seeker-intensive music programs and taught vocal training workshops.
He holds a Master's Degree in music from California State University, Chico and studied piano for over twenty-five years. He performed as a semiprofessional concert artist from 1980-1992. His classical piano performances, original music on CD and commercial digital landscape photography are all available online.
He has been a music department lecturer at California State University, Chico and a music department faculty member at Butte Community College. He performs as an accompanist for the choral department at CSU, Chico, and plays piano on occasion for the Chico Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
His love of the outdoors is reflected in his hobbies: windsurfing, mountain biking, hiking and landscape photography.
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