Teaching/Preaching Pastor

Rev. Randall J. Upgren

Pastor Randy's spiritual walk with Jesus began in high school. Later, as a college graduate, he wanted to make his mark as a Christian musician in Nashville, TN, but God had other plans and he found himself serving as Charity's lay youth minister for 14 years. Pastor Bob Nordvall and other members of Charity supported and encouraged Randy on his journey to becoming a pastor.

Under Randy, the youth ministry at Charity grew by leaps and bounds, embracing other youth in the community on the many summer mission trips and winter ski adventures. While engaged in full-time youth ministry, Randy crafted and planted new ministry and worship formats. In spring 2004, Pastor Randy completed his master of divinity degree at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA, and accepted the call as Charity's third pastor.

Pastor Randy enjoys practical jokes, "reality" TV, hot sauce, movies, spending time with his family, and challenging people, particularly young people, to grow in their walk with Jesus. He is a song writer and musician whose original music is sung during worship services.

Pastor Randy led more than 40 summer and winter youth mission trips while a lay youth minister at Charity. During this time, he influenced, challenged and inspired a generation of Charity youth to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ and a deeper knowledge of God.

When asked what his guiding principal in life is, he replies: "Whatever you do in church and life, make sure its real."

Charity values Pastor Randy as:

Outstanding teacher and preacher
Gifted in establishing outreach ministries
Visionary thinker and doer
Passionate about people having a real relationship with God
Passionate about waking the dead and those who are asleep in their 'religion'
Committed to leading young people to relationships with Christ