Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church welcomes new pastor Gunnar Tesdahl, whose passion for ministry and love for community will lead the congregation.

Tesdahl, hailing from Spokane, Wash., said he is eager to serve and build meaningful connections in the Santa Ynez Valley.

The new pastor is joined by his wife, Aimee, a licensed mental health counselor, and their two daughters, Kennedy, 3, and eight-month-old Brooklyn.

According to Tesdahl, he was called to faith as a high school student and soon after, sensed a call to ministry. He went on to study speech communication with a minor in music at Whitworth University, and later received a Master of Divinity from Knox Theological Seminary.

For the past 14 years, the pastor has served churches in youth and music ministry, preaching, and l

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