Pastor Al was born and raised in San Diego California. He had a religious upbringing in the catholic church, but mere religion ultimately couldn't save him, and eventually as an adult he struggled with anger, addiction and depression. At this time of his life, he knew he needed help, he knew he needed God, but he just wasn't yet willing to surrender to Jesus.

Al and his wife Elaine welcomed two children, Deborah in 1985 and Ryan in 1989 during this time, and all the while God was waiting for Al to finally give up his life and submit to the kingship of Christ.

It was in 1989, at a Men's Conference in Anaheim that Al finally made the life changing decision to surrender his life to Jesus Christ. This began a radical transformation in Al as he experienced the brand new life that he was given in Christ. Al would often share his joy in his new life through his life verse, 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.”

As a new creation, he was so blessed to find Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego, where he started this new walk and new life in Christ, under Pastor Mike Macintosh.

With lives now fully surrendered to Jesus, Al and Elaine told the Lord that they would follow Him whenever and wherever He led them. In 1990, their commitment to that promise moved them to Vancouver, Washington and closer to Elaine’s family. Upon walking into Calvary Chapel in Ridgefield in 1990, they immediately found their church home, where Al faithfully served as Assistant Pastor under Pastors Denny Martinez and Daniel Gettemy.

Eventually Al and Elaine followed the Lord's call north to Longview Washington to plant a new church. Out of this obedience, Calvary Chapel Longview was born, hosting its first Sunday service in 2001 in a small rental on Commerce Avenue.

On May 15th 2023, Jesus called his servant home. For 22 years Pastor Al shepherded the people of God in Longview with grace and humility. He was passionate about making God known in our city even as Al came to know God more fully himself. He embodied our motto: "Loving God, Loving Others", and preaching God's Word and sharing the good news of the gospel were the heart and focus of his ministry.

There's no question that Pastor Al has left behind a legacy of grace and love, and we at Calvary Longview are confident that when he entered into glory he was greeted by a smiling Jesus, who told him "well done, my good and faithful servant". We now work to honor his legacy by Knowing God and making Him known, Loving God and loving others, preaching the Word, and relentlessly following after the call of Christ. We'll see you soon, Pastor Al.