Our Team

Meet our pastor, staff, and church officers who provide servant leadership for our church family.

Senior Pastor

Gunnar Tesdahl

Pastor Gunnar joined SYVPC in May 2025, bringing a deep passion for God’s Word and a heart to serve the church and reach the community. Raised in Spokane, WA in a Christian home, Gunnar first sensed God’s call to ministry in high school after coming to faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He holds a degree in Speech Communication with a minor in music from Whitworth University and completed his Master of Divinity at Knox Theological Seminary. He was ordained into the ministry at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Gig Harbor, WA.

Gunnar is married to his beloved wife Aimee, who holds a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and works as a mental health counselor. They are blessed with two beautiful daughters, Kennedy and Brooklyn.

Gunnar and his family are excited to seek God’s leading as they join the Santa Ynez Valley community and look forward to what God has in store for the Pres.

Email Pastor Gunnar

Ministry Staff

The staff at the Pres want to help you get plugged into ministry! Please reach out with any questions or how we can support you in your walk with Jesus.

Worship Director

Alan Satchwell

Alan has been faithfully serving SYVPC since 1997, playing a key role in leading worship and overseeing the church’s media ministry. In addition to leading worship on the stage each Sunday morning, Alan supports the church’s vibrant music ministry and helps orchestrate inspiring worship experiences for our church family.

Email: alan@syvpc.org

Phone: 805-688-6323 ext. 200

Children's Ministry Director

Ruthy Gallo

Ruthy oversees our children's ministry program at SYVPC. She brings a passion for kids and families to know Jesus and grow as participants in his family, the church. Ruthy leads our Sunday School programs at church for nursery through 5th grade, as well as special activities during the week like the Thursday night Kids Rock program and the community outreach Mom’s Day Out.

Email: ruthy@syvpc.org

Phone: 805-688-6323 ext. 400

Office Manager

Autumn van der Linden

Since joining the church, Autumn has taken on key organizational and administrative role. Additionally, she stepped up to revive and host the annual Solvang Christmas Nativity Pageant at the church after its hiatus. Her dedication reflects her heart for our community and her faith in Jesus, making her an integral part of the church’s mission and outreach.

Email: autumn@syvpc.org

Phone: 805-688-6323

Church Officers

SYVPC is led by a team of elders– the servant leaders of the church– who form a board called the Session that seeks to discern the mind of Christ together and oversee the vision and ministry of the church (1 Peter 5:1-4). Under the Session, our deacons–the lead servants of the church– are commissioned to care for the felt needs of our church family (Acts 6:1-6).