Calvary Chapel Santa Cruz
Staff & Leaders

Matt Valencia

Husband to DeAnna; Dad to Rebekah, Matthew, Josiah, Elisha and Abigail; and now Pastor of Calvary Chapel Santa Cruz. Matt “grew up” in ministry at Calvary Chapel West Covina under Pastor Raul Ries. He graduated from Azusa Pacific where he met his wife, DeAnna. He then taught and coached at a public high school when the Lord began to call him to the ministry of a pastor. Matt served as an assistant pastor for Don McClure at CC San Jose and then moved on from CCSJ to work as a teacher/principal of a school for students incarcerated for drugs and alcohol. In 2001, the Lord led him to begin a new and fresh work, planting Calvary Chapel Gilroy where he pastored until 2012 when he came to Santa Cruz to minister. Matt is passionate about Jesus, equipping the saints, his family, and 49ers football. Ministry keeps him desperate and humbled since he is always in over his head.