Clark Vangilder
Assistant Pastor
Email: clark@calvarymaricopa.org

I was born at a very young age in Midwest City, Oklahoma, on July 23, 1967; the only son of proud parents Harold and Carmelle Vangilder. After nearly nine years growing up in the Midwest, the Vangilder clan moved west in search of a better life. Arriving in Tucson during the summer of 1976, we soon settled near Davis-Monthan Air Force base. "Dear old dad" commuted to Sierra Vista, Arizona to his job at Ft. Huachuca, while "mother-dear" finished her degree in education at the University of Arizona. Two years later, we all moved to Sierra Vista.

August 13, 1985 marked my entry into the United States Navy at the tender age of only 18. My destiny was to become a Naval Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator - which I fulfilled. My nearly six-year tour of duty included almost 2 years of schooling and 4 years onboard the U.S.S. Lewis & Clark (SSBN 644-Gold), a Poseidon-class ballistic missile submarine. I was honorably discharged from active duty on July 25, 1991.

On August 5, 1991 I moved to Phoenix, Arizona where I began my college experience at Grand Canyon University. During those 4.5 years, I was President of the Young Republicans, the Sophomore Class and eventually Student Body President. Additional activities included being a cheerleader and serving as Treasurer of the African American Alliance. I even made a few hundred dollars doing Elvis impersonations. The best of times on campus were found in leadership of a Bible Study named ICTHUS. If you translate back to Greek, you will obtain an acronym for Jesus-Christ-God-Son-Savior.

On December 12, 2001 my wife and I were blessed with a daughter named Noelle Shalom, and on August 4, 2004 we were blessed with our second daughter Isabella Ruth. Next to God and my wife, they are absolutely the best thing on the planet.

Married/Kids:  Gia (wife), and two daughters - Noelle and Isabella

Outdoor Activities:  Unbridled relaxation while watching other people exert themselves

Favorite Bible passage:  The book of Ruth

Hobbies:  Thinking about math or physics stuff, noodling on the guitar, unbridled relaxation

Books (other than the Bible):  The Case for (1) Christ, (2) Faith and (3) a Creator [by Lee Strobel]; Christian Apologetics [by Norman Geisler]; Plato's Republic; The Theory of Constraints [by Eliyahu Goldratt]

Breakfast Cereal:  brown sugar & maple oatmeal

Personal Motto:  If I can explain the peace that God has given me, then I'm the one who made it up.  God's peace always exceeds your own understanding.

Sports Teams: Whoever has the nicest uniform

Hero:  Ravi Zacharias

Favorite Foods:  Beans and cornbread, or ribeye steak

Singers/Bands:  Steven Curtis Chapman, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin

TV Shows:  Just about any science fiction and the Food Network

Something others would be surprised to know about you:  I've made money as an Elvis impersonator

Movies:  Star Wars, Star Trek, The Emperor's Club, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan

The greatest thing about Calvary:  The steady drumbeat of Grace and Truth