The staff that shape the vision of Pursuit of Truth –
Saved in 1973 and miraculously delivered from substance abuse and other destructive factors, Pastor Mike embraced a life sold out for the Lord Jesus. He studied theology under Word of Life Fellowship Bible School and completed various ministers’ training programs. He was head of the Deliverance Ministry for many years. He also began a prison ministry in 1987 and continues in that current position. In 2014 he became the head Chaplain over inmates at the Stanislaus County Adult Detention Center. In 2010 Pastor Mike and his wife, Christine, along with other faithful ministers, being set out from Word of Life Fellowship Leadership, planted the Pursuit of Truth Church in Turlock, CA. Pastor Mike’s greatest passion and desire is to see the Lost saved, delivered, healed, trained up in The Word of God, and become true disciples and imitators of Christ. Pastor Mike has been married to his lovely wife Christine since November 1973.
Being a joyful believer in Jesus Christ, Christine (Chris) Nelson Bunow came to the Lord during the California Jesus Movement of the early 70’s. Originally from the Bay Area she moved to Arkansas at a young age and grew up on a peach farm. She moved back to California when she turned 20 and has been a passionate “California girl” ever since. She studied under the licensed ministers’ program at Word of Life Fellowship Church out of Redwood City/Miwuk Village, CA. She just retired as an administrative assistant in the field of education for the past 20 years. Besides being a pastor’s wife, she is on the advisory board of her local pregnancy center, a member of a community gospel choir and heads up the Celebrate Recovery program at her church. She is the mother of three grown daughters, a son-in-law and has nine grandchildren and a great grandson. She is an American patriot, is a backpacker/hiker, likes to go to the gym, sew, cook and hang out with friends. It is her deep desire to spread forth/share the message of abundant LIFE in Christ and all that He has to offer, especially to women and children, in our world today. She claims Isaiah 61 for Pursuit of Truth Church, her loved ones, her community, the Ekklesia, her country and the Nations.
Christopher and his wife, Dana, have been solid members of Pursuit of Truth for almost 10 years. They have a heart for those who are struggling through life and have been instrumental in seeing those needs met. They head up the monthly food/clothing distribution to the community, are core leaders in Celebrate Recovery and prepare messages for the congregation. They have a testimony of past gang involvement and jail history. They have the spirit of evangelism and have been active in many community/volunteer events. Dana has even received rewards from her job for her community volunteerism. They have four sons and one grandchild. They are a lighthouse of hope to other members – even non-relatives are embraced as family by the Barajases. They are well known and loved in the community.
Antonio “Tony” Gonzales and Delores Torres are an integral part of the pastoral support for Pursuit of Truth Church. They were delivered from homelessness and unemployment. Tony has been clean off drugs for 2 years. They were baptized in July of 2023. They are both now gainfully employed, have their own home where they offer hospitality and fellowship to others in need. They have completed the Celebrate Recovery 12 Step Program and are actively serving in that capacity. They started and work together in a church clothing closet for the neighborhood. In the community they are instrumental in helping with other food distribution programs and ministries in the parks. They have two sons and two grandchildren.