
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.
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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.
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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.

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.
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).
Session Elders
The Session is composed of the pastor and elders who are elected by the congregation to serve terms on the board.
Dennis Hartman
Greg Millikan
Cherie Bonazzola
Rob Wolf
Jim Richards
Karin Aitken
Bill Gnekow
Board of Deacons
The Deacons each serve regions of our community, called parishes, as well as provide for various needs in the church.
Pam Gnekow
Vikki Angel
Debbie Jones
Pat Tieken
Jackie Gruendyke
Cindy Hartman
Mary Kestenbaum
Paul Kimes
Helen Kimes
Janan Massey
Sherry Gasch
Carol Donati
Rob Vander Veen
Anneke Vander Veen