Lead Pastor Seach

Our church is prayerfully entering into a season of transition as we prepare for the future leadership of our congregation. A Succession Planning Team has been formed to guide this process of transitioning to a new Lead Pastor. This team is committed to seeking God’s direction, listening to the needs of our church family, and ensuring a thoughtful and Spirit-led approach to identifying and supporting the next Lead Pastor of Yosemite Church. With prayer at the center, we invite you to walk with us in the journey of faith and trust in God’s provision.

Dear Yosemite Church Search Committee,

It is with a grateful heart that I submit my application for the Lead Pastor position at Yosemite Church. For over twenty years, I have had the privilege of serving in pastoral ministry with the Assemblies of God, walking alongside people through both the joys and challenges of their faith. Each season of ministry has deepened my love for the local church and strengthened my desire to see people grow in their relationship with Jesus.

Throughout my ministry journey, I have served in a variety of contexts, from large established churches to new church plants. In each setting, I’ve learned the importance of servant leadership, collaboration, and clarity of vision. Whether serving under seasoned leaders or leading teams myself, my focus has always been on cultivating healthy ministry environments where people and leaders can thrive.

My calling has always centered on helping people take their next step with Jesus. As a Children’s Pastor, I focused on curriculum and measured success by the spiritual steps I saw them taking. In my current role as Pastor of Discipleship, my reach has expanded to encompass all ages, developing pathways, classes, and groups that meet people where they are and help them become who God designed them to be.

After speaking with Jeff Lawry, one of the things that excites me most about Yosemite Church is your heart for small groups. I firmly believe that spiritual growth happens in circles, not in rows; true discipleship moves us from information to transformation. The corporate gathering of believers is vital, but lasting change takes root when authentic relationships develop.

I am drawn to Yosemite Church’s commitment to reaching people where they are and helping them take their next step with Christ. It would be an honor to serve alongside your team in continuing to build a culture that reflects your mission and to guide the church into its next season of health, growth, and Kingdom impact.

Thank you for including my name among the qualified candidates you are prayerfully considering for this role. Regardless of the outcome, I am deeply grateful to have been part of this process and will continue to pray for Yosemite Church as you seek God’s direction for the next chapter of your ministry.

I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience and vision align with the heart and direction of Yosemite Church.

Thank you!

Jason Briesacher

Check out a few past sermons by Jason Briesacher

+ Update (as of 3/26/26)

Beginning in April 2025, our church prayerfully entered a season of transition, seeking to identify a successor to Pastor Jeff, a person who is gifted by God to lead Yosemite Church as its Lead Pastor. With much prayer and diligent effort, the Succession Planning Team recommended to the Council that Jason Briesacher be nominated for Lead Pastor of Yosemite Church.

Pastor Jason grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from the University of Arizona. He is also an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and currently serves as the Discipleship Pastor at the People’s Church in Fresno.

With over twenty years of experience as a pastor, Jason is passionate about helping the next generation discover who Jesus is and guiding people of all ages to take their next step in faith. His background in psychology and ministry has shaped his heart for creating environments where kids and families can grow spiritually and build a lasting foundation of faith. He loves finding creative and engaging ways to make the gospel come alive.

Pastor Jason and his wife, Kathryn, are blessed with four wonderful children over their (almost) 20 years of marriage. As a family, they love spending time together playing board games, going on adventures, doing escape rooms, reading, and watching movies together. Pastor Jason and Kathryn are grateful for the opportunity to serve at Yosemite Church.

On the weekend of April 18-19, Pastor Jason will be giving a message to the congregation. There will also be an opportunity to meet him before or after services.

Additional YC transitions

In this season of transitions, we wanted to make you aware of other changes within our leadership team.

In June 2024, Mark Matsumoto was appointed Interim Executive Director for six months. He became licensed as a pastor in April 2025 by YC. Over the past six months, Pastor Mark has gradually reduced his time as a staff member and will be transitioning out of this interim role at the end of July. Pastor Mark will return to his retirement status but will continue to participate in ministry here at YC.

Pastor Rueben Rodarte has been a part of our YC staff beginning in 2017 as a student ministry intern. Over the past 9 years Rueben has been our Youth Pastor, small group Pastor, Family Pastor and has overseen the Grow Ministries. His passion is for God, Community, Families and for Yosemite Church. His love for the day to day functions of Yosemite Church operations has led him to becomming the Executive Pastor for YC upon Mark Matsumoto’s completion of his interim time at YC

Jon MacArthur, who was a missionary before coming to YC, has been serving as our Grow Director since September 2024. He will also be stepping down from this role this summer. Jon and his wife, Brianna, feel the Lord’s calling to explore opportunities in parachurch organizations and/or Christian higher education. In the time Jon has been with us, he has learned a lot about local church ministry, and we have appreciated his gift for preaching. We have valued Jon’s (and Briana’s) presence with us and his ministry efforts here at YC. We are sure that God has something wonderful planned for Jon and Briana.

+ Update (as of 10/9/25)

The Succession Planning Team has been working diligently to screen potential candidates who were recommended by the congregation and others who have expressed interest in the Lead Pastor position at Yosemite Church. There are many candidates under review for the position of Lead Pastor.

This process requires patience and prayer as the team allows time for applications to be submitted and reviewed. We continue to appreciate your prayers as we undertake this important endeavor.

We will update the church body as we progress in the search.