Church Staff

Normally a smaller church (50-200) runs with one paid staff and lots of "volunteers". Big Bear Christian Center is a debt-free congregation which employs a Sr. Pastor, Associate Pastor and a Church Administrator/Youth Pastor.

Our "unpaid staff" are more than volunteers due to the commitment toward tasks that expand the Kingdom of God.

Arloa Gundred is our Director of Prayer, our Board of Directors oversee facilities and finances, while Elders oversee the spiritual framework of community within our cell-based ministry.

Married to Peggy for 30 years, with 4 grown children, Pastor Jeff Tunnell is now a grandparent to 4. Starting in 1984 as bi-vocational, and moving to full-time one year later, he has served Big Bear Christian Center for 24 years. Prior to this he served the church in various capacities from the time of his conversion in 1970. He is a Big Bear High School graduate and has lived in Big Bear since 1968. His style is relational and encouraging, this comes through in his preaching. As a leader, he holds his staff in high esteem and readily confesses that without them, the work would be very difficult indeed. Having transitioned the local church to Cell-based ministry during the last decade, he is forming a ministry that empowers leaders to reach their community via small groups meeting everyday, all over the Big Bear Valley .

Dr. Michael Erickson has been in ministry since 1975. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from California Graduate School of Theology. Since 1992 he has been the Associate Pastor of Big Bear Christian Center in Big Bear City California. During the last five years he has helped transition the church from program-driven to cell-driven. Over the last three years he has been coached by Joel Comiskey of Cell Church Solutions. Through cells in the last four years he has ministered to the recovery community seeing amazing results in salvations and discipleship. He has added author to his list of credentials, writing; Recovery Cells: Small Groups for People in Recovery. He and his wife Trish oversee thirty churches in the Kirinyaga district of Kenya. Dr. Erickson has ministered in Kenya, Tanzania, Ukraine, Norway, Guatemala and Mexico.

Ed Breyer recommitted his heart to Jesus while still attending Big Bear High School and spent the remainder of his time there sharing his testimony with others. He has been involved in ministry to young people for over 10 years. His ministry started by leading worship for the youth group he attended. His current responsibilities are leading worship, Youth Lighthouse District cell coaching and administration. He's been faithfully leading CY for 6 years and is overwhelmed by the amazing student leadership he has been able to help "bring up" in the Lord. Ed has been married to his wife Oona since 2001 and have one child.