Our Pastors & Elders
Matt Troupe
Pastor Matt Troupe became a Christian in high school and was saved from a life of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. From 1991-2003 he received pastoral training in a church-based program at the Free Grace Church in Palmdale-Lancaster, California.
In 2003 he became a pastor at that same church and then served there for 5 years until the church commissioned him and his family to come to Fresno to plant a church that would be faithful to the Word of God and cheerfully seek to live out the Great Commission. Prior to entering the ministry, Matt served in emergency medical services as an EMT beginning in 1993, then, becoming a paramedic in 1995, he worked in Southern California until 2006. He completed an AS degree in fire fighting in 1995, and then a BS from Azusa Pacific University in 2010. During his free time he enjoys woodworking, history, and fiction. Matt and his wife, April, met in high school and married shortly after graduation in 1991. They enjoy 3 wonderful adult children. The Troupe family has lived in Fresno since 2009. He blogs once in a while at MattTroupe.net
Our Deacons
DAVE JOHNSON
I was probably saved in my twenties and began the process of working through my understanding of Christianity – of who Christ is and what He had done for me. I was not raised in church so everything about what it means to be a follower of Christ was all so new to me. It takes time to get familiar with new things like repentance, gratitude, the list goes on - and it continues on, walking with Christ is an ongoing process. I first visited Free Grace Church in 2018 and my wife Sharon and I started attending full-time in 2019. In my spare time, I love hanging out with my wife (she’s the coolest), getting on my bike (pedal bike that is) and serving others however I can! We also enjoy live, local music and spending time with our Free Grace people.
GREG NALCHAJIAN
I grew up going to church with my mom, and was an acolyte (candle lighter), sang in the youth choir, and was confirmed in the Lutheran church as a teen. I committed my life to Christ during my junior year of college and then joined Campus Crusade for Christ to build on my relationship with God. My wife Julianne and I started to attend Free Grace Church in the spring of 2016. Our son, Adam Nalchajian, was leading worship at FGC at that time, and we came to show support to him. We liked it so much we joined FGC the following year, after being members at our previous church for more than 20 years. In my free time, I serve the church in various capacities, as a discipleship leader, deacon, and the treasurer of the board. I enjoy spending time with family, especially my son, daughter-in-law and grandson Ben, and restoring vintage home audio equipment. I have been known to play golf with friends from time to time.
BRIAN VAWTER
I grew up going to church with mostly my mom and sometimes my dad. I become a Christian over the course of three days when I was 18 or 19 years old. At that time I was often reading my Bible and books by Francis Schaeffer. During my time in the church that I went to as a child God graced me with “spare parents” and mentors in Roger and Geri Mills. Other mentors along my way have been R.C. Sproul, Jared Wilson and an informal Internet group called the Thinklings. They, in particular, are why I came to attend Free Grace Church. I love this church and by that I mean the body of people. It is an honor and a privilege to serve God’s people. I’m a bit of a book junkie mostly non-fiction but when I do pick up fiction it is usually something classic like Treasure Island, Last of the Mohicans, or Moby Dick. I have been involved in photography, both as an amateur and a professional, since I was in middle school.
What is a Pastor?
The Pastor / Elders hold the highest office in the local church. They are responsible for overseeing the health and vision of the church. This includes leading the church as an organization, as well as loving and caring for the people who make up that organization. They are held to the biblical standard of character found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. Pastors watch over the church the same way a shepherd watches over sheep seeking to give them good pasture, protect them from wolves, love them and seek their overall well being. Pastors are men who live in humble dependance on the grace of God, and are not celebrities or perfect people. Every local church should have multiple men who meet the character requirements of an elder, & feel called to lead God's people into deeper relationship with Christ, and mission into the world around us.
For more information on Eldership, 9Marks Ministries has some helpful resources.
