Lead Pastor Search

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 4/22/26)

After an almost year-long search, the Succession Planning Team, the Council, the pastors, and the staff introduced Pastor Jason Briesacher as our candidate to become the Lead Pastor of Yosemite Church. His candidacy was affirmed by the congregation on the weekend of April 18-19, 2026 with 98% yes out of 473 votes.

Pastor Jason has been in pastoral ministry for over twenty years, serving in large established churches as well as new church plants. He has a heart for servant leadership, working to cultivate healthy ministry environments where people and leaders thrive in the service to the Lord.

A native of Phoenix, AZ, Pastor Jason has been on staff at the People’s Church in Fresno, beginning in 2006 as the Children’s Pastor and then becoming the Discipleship Pastor, the position he has held for the past three years.

As described by one of Pastor Jason’s references, “He is an incredible teacher, biblically prolific with an amazing heart to connect with all whom he meets.”

Pastor Jason and his wife, Kathryn, are blessed with four wonderful children over their (almost) 20 years of marriage. Pastor Jason and Kathryn are grateful for the opportunity to serve at Yosemite Church. If you were unable to join us to hear Pastor Jason deliver his message, CLICK HERE to watch and listen to it. You may also view his daily devotionals for this week HERE.

Pastor Jason’s official starting date has yet to be determined. Once we know this date, we will update you again.

+ 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 was licensed as a pastor by YC in April 2025. 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 part of our YC staff since 2017, beginning as a student ministry intern. Over the past nine years, Rueben has been our Youth Pastor, Small Group Pastor, Family Pastor and has overseen the Grow Ministries. His passion for God, community, families and Yosemite Church is evident. His love for the day-to-day operations of the church has led him to be come the Executive Pastor of YC upon the completion of Mark Matsumoto's interim role.

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, who faithfully serves with the Summit Youth Ministry, feel the Lord’s calling to explore opportunities in parachurch organizations. 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 Brianna’s) presence with us and his ministry efforts here at YC. We are sure that God has something wonderful planned for Jon and Brianna.

+ 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.