our staff
Incoming 2026 Interim Pastor, Dr. Dave Gudgel,
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Meet Dr. Dave Gudgel, Incoming 2026 Interim Pastor (video)
Born and raised in California, Dave Gudgel has called Fresno, Sacramento, Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, Agoura Hills, Phoenix, Mountain View, and now Merced “home.” In 2021, Dave stepped down from his Lead Pastor role at Bridges Community Church in Los Altos, CA, after shepherding that congregation for eleven years. Dave’s 40 years of Lead Pastor ministry began at Agoura Bible Fellowship, a church in the northwest Los Angeles area, where he pastored for twenty-two years. Then Dave became the Senior Pastor of Bethany Bible Church in Phoenix, AZ for seven years. Over the past thirtyfive-plus years, Dave has also taught seminars for Walk Thru the Bible Ministries. Dave earned a B.A. degree in Sociology from Westmont College, a Master of Divinity from Talbot Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Western Seminary. As an author, Dave has written a number of books, including Before You Live Together, Before You Get Engaged, Before You Leave Home, Enjoy Your Marriage More, and Bible StoryBoards. Dave loves to play golf and to travel. His favorite book is The Master Plan of Evangelism. He and his wife Bernice are in their forty-ninth year of marriage. God has blessed them with two sons, one daughter, two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, and eleven precious grandchildren. Their entire family now lives within five minutes of each other and can often be found at the Gudgel Homestead along with their goats, chickens, dogs, cats, bunnies, flower farm, and Dave and Bernice’s Barn.
Transitional Pastor Ministry Description
This is a Record of Understanding between Transitional Lead Pastor Dave Gudgel and the Mariners Church of Half Moon Bay. The plan is for Pastor Dave to serve Mariners Church beginning January 14, 2026. Lord willing, Pastor Dave will serve in this transitional role until a new Lead Pastor is installed and begins his ministry at Mariners. Dave’s Transitional Lead Pastor position is a 15-hour-a-week role that does not have the potential of becoming a permanent call to Mariners Church Half Moon Bay. In that this will be a part-time position, Pastor Dave will not be expected or able to do all that a full-time Lead Pastor would do. So the focus of his ministry at Mariners will be on…
• Preaching at the Sunday morning services two times a month. Dave will also work with Brenna Davis and the Steering Team to schedule other pastors, teachers, applicants, and candidates to preach on the Sundays that Dave is not preaching.
• Chairing the “Steering Team” who will guide the Mariners family toward ongoing and future ministry impact.
• Serving in an advisory role to the Lead Pastor Discovery Team.
• Supporting the Mariners staff through meetings, prayer, counsel, fellowship etc.
• Keeping in-person office hours during two weeks of each month on Thursdays and Fridays. These days and hours may fluctuate depending on meetings, appointments, or other ministry needs.
• Being available to the Mariners’ family when needs come up that are beyond what staff, elders, and members of the congregation can provide. This may include counseling, conflict resolution, prayer, encouragement, and the like.
Retiring Lead Pastor, Dr. Paul Richardson
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Dear Mariners Church Family,
I HOPE you keep growing in your love for Jesus and for each other.
I HOPE you love those on the Coastside who don’t know Jesus; and love them enough to do what it takes to bring them to faith.
I HOPE Mariners changes as new people, pastors, and seasons come. It’s gonna get different around here–Embrace the change and be part of it.
I HOPE your next pastor stays for 37 ½ years. If not, he’s nuts to not want to be with all of you.
THANK YOU for letting me be your pastor.
THANK YOU for letting me witness your love for God and His Son, Jesus.
THANK YOU for loving each other.
Lisa and I are going to take a little break from coming to give Dave, our Transitional Pastor, some room to breathe. Of course we’ll be back.
And I write this next phrase with tears in my eyes (as God has been so good in letting me serve here… ):
I’ve LOVED being your pastor.
Paul
Brenna Davis, Managing Director
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My husband and I married and moved to Half Moon Bay in 2008. We immediately made Mariners our church family and began serving. My gratitude and love for our church family grew as we embarked on a long journey to start a family. We had so much love, prayer and support as we struggled to have a child. Our prayers were answered when we welcomed our daughter into the world in 2014. Throughout the years I have been blessed to be a part of several ministries, and I had the honor of launching our New Wave First Fruits endeavor in Central Mexico. I joined the staff in 2023 as Director, and it has been a blessing to serve in this capacity
Matt Kang, Youth Pastor
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I have the incredible privilege of serving as the Youth Pastor at Mariners Church, where my heart and passion lie in raising up the next generation to know, love, and serve Jesus. My journey in ministry has been shaped by a deep desire to see young people transformed by the gospel and equipped to live out their faith in every area of life.
Originally from the Bay Area, I pursued my undergraduate studies at UC Santa Cruz and am currently finishing my Master of Divinity at Gateway Seminary. It brings me great joy to serve in the place I call home, sharing the hope of Christ with the youth in our community.
When I’m not leading youth events or Bible studies, you’ll likely find me enjoying combat sports or immersed in music—two of my personal passions. I’m excited to see how God is working in the lives of young people and look forward to continuing this journey alongside them as we grow in faith together.
Taylor Duncan, Children's Director
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Hi I’m Taylor! I have the amazing privilege of being the Children’s Director here, where I get to share Jesus with all kids from birth through elementary school, helping them to know and grow in their relationship with Him.
I was raised in Half Moon Bay and at Mariners! This church family has helped shape both my faith and my passion for sharing Jesus, especially with students of all ages! The staff and volunteers who invested in me while I was growing up here made a lasting impact on my life and now I’m so grateful for the opportunity to play a part in the next generation’s growth in their relationship with Jesus!
Betty Barmore, Family Ministries Administrator
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Hi, I’m Betty, and I’ve been part of the Mariners family for over 25 years. I serve as the Family Ministries Administrator, and it’s such a joy to support our church ministries behind the scenes. I also have the amazing privilege of leading worship each week. Praising the Lord is one of my greatest passions as well as serving our children’s ministry. Warren and I have been blessed to raise our 5 beautiful daughters here at Mariners Church and in this sweet community of Half Moon Bay. Mariners is home to us all. All of my girls have served in various ministries, you may have seen some of them singing with me on Sunday. I love serving on mission trips, day camps, and creative ministry projects by using the gifts God has given me to serve Him. I feel so blessed and grateful to serve you in any way and most of all, I love being a part of the Mariners Church family!
Mark Heath, Worship Leader
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Mark is a long-time resident of Half Moon Bay is also known as Dr. Mark, one of the town’s local chiropractors. His heart for worship and love for people is very apparent. He has been volunteering as a worship leader at Mariners for over 20 years. Mark, and his wife Kathy, are committed to our community by being involved in many activities. When not leading Mariners in worship, he goes to see and root for the SF Giants, runs and cycles.
Emma Lodge, Office Manager
My husband and I moved to California in October 2015 after my husband accepted a job offer here. Although we truly love the ocean and hoped we could live here, we knew we needed to find a church family and discovered Mariners! We were made to feel very welcome and decided to make it our home church.
I joined staff in March 2017, initially serving Youth and Children as their Administrator and then moving into an Office Management position in April 2022. God has been so faithful to us both and loved us through the change in country, culture and job. He has provided all that we have needed when we have needed it.