Our Mission & Vision
The mission of Southwest Christian Center is to love God, to love others, and to magnify the name of Jesus Christ. The vision of our church is to glorify our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, to make true disciples throughout all the nations by means of missionary activity and support, to minister the ordinances, to edify believers, and to do all that is sovereignly possible and biblically permissible to magnify the name of Jesus.
Leadership Team:
Our leadership team recognizes the authority of God, and realizes that we are shepherds who serve under the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We desire to devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. Our passion and goal is to equip the believers for the work of the ministry until we all attain maturity in the fullness of Christ.
Senior Pastor Darius and Faith Walden
They became our pastor in January of 2020.
The Walden’s have been married since 1984 and have three adult children, who are all married and serving the Lord in their local churches. Darius is Opa & Poppi and Faith is Oma & Gigi to Greyson, Leeland, Emerson, Ollie and Jack.
Faith has a rich ministry of caring for others. She grew up in the Church of God Home for Children, and because of that, caring for the “least of these” is near to her heart. Faith knew from childhood, despite the challenges, that God had his hand on her life.
Faith also has a passion for worship, leading others in song in the local church – and singing at special events when afforded the opportunity. Darius grew up in a Christian home; full of love and faith. He knew from childhood that he was called to preach the gospel. Before meeting Faith at Bible College, Darius evangelized around the U.S. and Canada with the Covenant Players drama troupe, and the Good News Express family evangelism team.
Darius and Faith met at Bible College in Charlotte, NC. They were engaged by the end of the first semester. Marriage and ministry has taken them many places. They have served the church in youth ministry, music ministry, chaplaincy, church administration, and the pastorate.
Dr. Robert and Reverend Linda Proctor
Pastors Emeritus
We have served, with honor, the congregation at Southwest Christian Center Church of God since 1986. Our tenure as lead Pastors came to a conclusion on the second Sunday of January 2020. Southwest Christian Center will always hold a precious place in our hearts because of each on e God has allowed us to shepherd, disciple and share in ministry together for the past 33+ years. Although our responsibilities of daily pastoral ministry are concluded, we continually pray and trust God to bless the future of the body of Christ at Southwest.
Presently, we are honored to serve as Pastors Emeritus (A person retired from professional life but permitted to retain as an honorary title the rank of the last office held.) of Southwest Christian Center. We feel honored to serve alongside the current pastors, Reverend Darius and Faith Walden, as they guide the loving congregation of SWCC into new frontiers of faith. We deeply love and appreciate the leadership of the Walden’s and we pledge to pray for them and support them in their ministry at SWCC.
We anticipate God’s Divine plan for the future of the church. May God guide us as we work together for His Glory and His Kingdom! OUR PRESENT RESPONSIBILITIES Our present Ministries include District Bishop for the Bakersfield District Churches of God.
Director of Ministerial Care for approximately 400 ministerial families in California and Nevada Churches of God. Current California/Nevada Women’s Discipleship Board (Pastor Linda). We look forward to the various ministries that God has for us to accomplish.
Assistant Pastor Stacey Cormier
I became a credentialed minister in 2003 and was ordained in 2013. I served as youth pastor from 2003 to 2019, and am currently serving as young adult and discipleship pastor. We are meeting through Zoom on Wednesday nights at 7:00pm. To join our meetings via Zoom, please contact me directly at (661) 333-2986. We look forward to meeting with you. I am also the overseer of the Enabled by Grace Ministries. This ministry whose objective is sharing the gospel with an emphasis on meeting the needs of those with physical disabilities and their families. This ministry holds services once a month available online or in person. Please check the ministries page for more details.
Rev. Randall Nelsen, Evangelist & Rev. Damari Nelsen, Children’s Pastor
Randall and Damari met in 2013 and were married in 2014. They both share a Passion for serving in Ministry and their specific gifts and callings.
Damari has been at SWCC for the past 20 years and is currently serving as a Worship Leader. Although worship is her love language, she has a passion for children’s ministry. As the Children’s Pastor, she believes our kids are the future church. Children will receive biblical principles to become ambassadors of Christ. Randall Nelsen is a Teacher/Preacher with a Heart for Evangelism. Randall is our Wednesday night preacher that brings forth the passionate word of God. Combining the gifts and desires God has placed within them both they serve eagerly, love fiercely, and give enthusiastically. They would say, “We love the Lord wholeheartedly an we love YOU!” They both strongly feel that they have been very Privileged that God has allowed them to serve in such a Wonderful Church Family.
Pierre & Linda Hidalgo Youth Leaders