Church Deacons
In the New Testament, the word usually translated "serve" is the Greek word diakoneo, which literally means "through the dirt." It refers to an attendant, a waiter, or one who ministers to another. From this word we get the English word “deacon.” They are men who meet the requirements of 1 Timothy 3:8-13 which reads:
"In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, the women[b] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus."
Today, for the biblical church, these roles are essentially the same. Elders and pastors are to “preach the word…reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2), and deacons are to be appointed to take care of everything else. In a modern church, this might include taking on administrative or organizational tasks, ushering, being responsible for building maintenance, or volunteering to be the church treasurer. It depends on the need and the gifts of the available men.
"In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, the women[b] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus."
Today, for the biblical church, these roles are essentially the same. Elders and pastors are to “preach the word…reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2), and deacons are to be appointed to take care of everything else. In a modern church, this might include taking on administrative or organizational tasks, ushering, being responsible for building maintenance, or volunteering to be the church treasurer. It depends on the need and the gifts of the available men.
Victor JonesA Vallejo Native, Victor grew up attending the Lassen St Church of Christ where he was baptized into Christ in 1970. He served as a Deacon with the Randolph Church of Christ in San Antonio for 3 years while stationed there during his 21 years of service in the USAF. Returning to the area in 2001, he retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel and started a Financial planning practice. Since returning home to the Lassen St congregation, he has taught Bible class for all ages to include Children's Bible Hour. Victor became a Deacon at Lassen St in 2009 where he continues to serve as a Song Leader, Vacation Bible School Director, and Youth Group Leader.
Victor is married to Kim and they have four children: daughters Rachel and Alyssa (who Victor was proud to baptize in 2007) and sons Ryan and Austin. |
Victor Jones, Deacon
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Brian PeladeauBrian is a Native of Vallejo. He was Baptized into Christ in 2003. Brian started serving as a Deacon in 2009 and takes care of the Church Website, Audio / Visual services, and Is a Co-Teacher in Children's Bible Hour.
Brian is married to Veronica and they have 4 Children: Breana, Branden, Caleb and Alyssa. Alyssa was brought home in January of 2010 through an adoption from Ethiopia. |
Brian Peladeau, Deacon
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Mike RehmusMike is a native of Norfolk, NE. He was baptized into Christ in 1962 in Groton, CT. Mike and his wife Toni met while he was stationed at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1962 and they were married in the Lassen Street church building in 1964. After moving back to Vallejo, they started attending the Vallejo Church of Christ at Lassen Street in 2005. He leads the World Bible School ministry, the Visitation ministry, Website development, works on the Vacation Bible School program, and serves as a Care Group Leader.
Mike and Toni have two married daughters, Alison and Jill. Mike began serving as a Deacon in 2014. |
Mike Rehmus, Deacon
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Vern FarleyVern was born in Houston, Texas, but moved to California with his family when he was three. He grew up and attended schools in Richmond, California, graduating from high school in 1971. He joined the Air Force the following year. He was discharged in 1981 after nine years on active duty and then continued his military career in the Air Force Reserves, retiring in 2004. He and his wife Denise met each other in their sophomore year of high school and were married in 1973. They have three sons.
Vern was baptized into Christ in 1973 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Oakley Blvd. Church of Christ. He serves in many ways, leading prayers, waiting on the Table, visiting and helping shut-ins, and working diligently on the upkeep of the Church building and grounds. Vern began serving as a Deacon in 2017. |
Vern Farley, Deacon
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Tom HopkinsTom grew up in Fairfield CA attending the Fairfield Church of Christ. Tom was baptized into Christ by his Uncle Jerry Hopkins while on vacation in West Palm Beach FL in 1968. Tom was married to Jane (Dobbins) in August 21, 1976 in the Fairfield Church of Christ by Truman Scott. Tom has two children, Gina married to Alan Mata with two children, Gracie and Rhys and his son Joey who works with him at his cabinet shop. Tom spent some time outside the Church, but through prayer the Lord has called him back and he’s been happy to serve in prayer, Lords Supper, small groups leader, teaching the teens and childrens Bible hour. He began serving as a Deacon in 2019 and prays he can continue to be of service through the Lords hands.
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Tom Hopkins, Deacon
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Mark MathewsMark was born in 1959 at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia.
Marks father moved them to Loomis California, upon his 30-year retirement in 1965 as a Chief Warrant Officer, In 1969 the family immigrated to Scarborough Western Australia (where his mother was born and raised), returning in 1970. Marks family finally settled in Rancho Cordova California. Mark was a four-year US Navy Sea Cadet, ultimately joining the Navy himself in 1977. Mark was was baptized into the (USS Enterprise) church of Christ in 1982. Mark met his future bride Wendy (Bates) while stationed at Mare Island and were married at the Historic Mare Island Chapel on March 16, 1991, days into Operation Desert Storm. They bought their current home in 1992. Mark retired as a Chief Petty Officer in 1998 from Naval Air Station Lemoore and has worked for the Department of Homeland Security from 2003 through a 2020 retirement, training Coast Guard personnel. Mark has two Daughters, Megan, and Kayla. Both Wendy and Kayla were baptized at Lassen Street in 2013. Mark has served as a Life Group Leader, a past assistant Care Group Leader, a Teen and Children’s Bible Hour teacher, World Bible School Teacher, Audio/Video Soundboard operator, Church Security Team member, and all-around general maintenance-guy. Mark began serving as a Deacon in 2022. |
Mark Mathews, Deacon
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Richard Werstein
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Richard was born in St. Louis Mo and moved to California in 1969 with his single mother. Richard and his wife Yvonne met in their sophomore year of high school. Started dating two years after high school. Richard was baptized in 1980 after studying with his wife and her preacher friend JC Stinett. Richard married Yvonne in August of 1980 and they have two boys, Matthew and Adam. Attended El Portal Church of Christ before wanting to buy a house. They moved to Fairfield in 1982 and attended the Fairfield Church of Christ where they both taught adult and children bible classes and worked with the youth. They had an ongoing weekly home bible study for 3 years. Richard worked on the finance committee at Fairfield and was a deacon for 3 years before leaving to attend The Vallejo congregation in 2001. Took over the finances in 2013 and became a deacon in 2015 as Treasurer/Bookkeeper. Richard has taught in Children’s Bible Hour for three years and then Covid19 hit! Richard retired in 2016.
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Richard Werstein, Deacon
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