Our Team

Lead Pastor

Matt began as Lead Pastor at FBC in February of 2017. After growing up in Sacramento, CA he moved to Denver, CO where he completed his MDiv at Denver Seminary. Matt and his wife, Amber, are so glad to be back in Northern California! Matt’s passion in ministry is to teach the Bible, share the good news of Jesus, and shepherd those who call our church “home.” Matt has a love for sports and the great indoors: books, movies, naps, and eating good food. Matt and Amber have one daughter, Zoe, and a son, Shepherd. The four of them love Benicia and are excited about what God is doing here!

mskrabec@fbcbenicia.com

Church Administrator

Janice is originally from the East Coast but has called the Bay Area home for the past twenty years. For over 15 years, Janice has called FBC home and has the privilege of working here as its office manager. Janice is currently working towards her AS in Early Childhood Education so that sometime in the near future, she can achieve her goal to become a preschool teacher!

info@beniciafirstbaptist.com

Associate Pastor

Pastor Ian grew up in Las Vegas, NV before moving to Orange County, CA where he finished high school. God called him into the Marine Corps after graduation and carried him through deployment to Iraq.  Upon returning home in 2008, Ian met his wife, Megan, and his journey into ministry began.  Ian has served in various roles in the church over the years and truly has a passion for the youth of our communities. Ian has two children (Caleb and Julia) and enjoys spending free time with his family. Hobbies include riding his Harley, working on his 1970 Chevy Nova, and being outdoors. God has called Ian to serve in this community and it is his deep passion to see people led to Christ through music and youth ministry.

iahlstrom@fbcbenicia.com

Hospitality & Connections

Carlene attended FBC as a child with her family. She met her husband, Larry while walking to school and he too began worshipping at FBC. Carlene and Larry have two children, Amy and Justin and two grandchildren, Chasen and Brysen. Together they have led Youth Groups, taught Sunday School, directed Vacation Bible School and enjoyed feeding their church family! She enjoys watching her grandchildren play sports, camping, crafts and sharing hospitality with her friends, family and larger community. Carlene serves FBC in countless ways, using her gifts to help our church connect, serve others, and welcome people in.

chunt@fbcbenicia.com

FBC Kids & Connections Director

Deron has been a part of the FBC family for almost 40 years. What began as casual attendance at Vacation Bible School, led to participation in the yearly Kids Christmas musical. Eventually his family made the move and they all started attending regularly. During his time at FBC, he has done just about everything from cleaning, teaching Sunday School, and participating in the music programs. Deron has directed the FBC Kids Choir for over 25 years and continues to do so today. He enjoys family, friends, game nights, and great food. Deron is excited for his position, and looks forward to creating a warm and welcoming environment for all who come to FBC.

dshackleford@fbcbenicia.com

Executive Director

Wendy joined the FBC team at the end of 2022 to take on a newly formed role as Executive Director. She and her husband Randy have two kids (or rather young adults) and are blessed to have them and their extended family living nearby. 

On a perfect day, she’ll be out walking with family, friends and her dogs, heading to States Coffee for a mocha. Having grown up in Benicia, she has a strong tie to the community and a heart to see people in Benicia and the surrounding area find community here at FBC. God created us to flourish in relationship with Him and others, and it’s Wendy’s true passion that people find FBC a place where they are encouraged to seek God, ask hard questions and grow in love, peace and joy as they practice following the ways of Jesus.  

Here’s her hope and prayer for each of us: 

2 Peter 1:2: I, Simon Peter, am a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. I write this to you whose experience with God is as life-changing as ours, all due to our God’s straight dealing and the intervention of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master.

wyoung@fbcbenicia.com

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