Ministry Staff

Pastor Ralph Sudfeld - Senior Pastor
For the past 10 years, Ralph Sudfeld has served as Senior Pastor of Neighborhood Church in Modesto, California as well as CEO of Modesto Christian School, a evangelical non-denominational Christian School founded by Neighborhood Church in 1962.  Pastor Sudfeld, along with his wife Michelle (who is the worship pastor and worship leader for women’s conferences) have five children.  Their twins, Zach and Matt, are both attending college; one at the University of Nevada in Reno and the other at Brown University. Their younger three children, Nathan is in 9^th grade, Juliana in 6^th grade and Sarah in 4th grade.

Pastor Sudfeld has been in full-time ministry for over 20 years, serving Pastorates in Santa Cruz and San Jose, including church planting for 5 years in the Silicon Valley. A graduate of the University of Alberta, Canada (pre-law) with a double major in sociology and economics, he went on to receive his Masters Degree at Wheaton College in Theology and Communication.  Pastor Sudfeld has also traveled extensively in missions and ministry; with ventures ranging from taking teams to Mexico, to working with teams of bio-med engineers in Calcutta India through Assist International. On one such project, Pastor Sudfeld, along with medical team, were privileged to meet and work with Mother Theresa.

While attending University as a pre-law student, Pastor Ralph was exposed to many facets of the criminal justice system. At one point he served 6 months as a correctional officer in a special government program for select, pre-law, pre-psychology students. It was while working in that medium-security penitentiary (housing both a male and female population) that the Lord began to lay the groundwork for a perspective that would influence a call to ministry. The Lord impressed upon Pastor Ralph’s heart that true rehabilitation starts from the “inside out,” not the “outside in.” Secondly, he became deeply aware that the Lord loves us for who we are today, in the middle of our brokenness, not for who we think we have to be before He will love us.

At the end of graduate school it were these heart-changing revelations that took him from a career in law to an unshakable desire to serve in full-time ministry.  Compelled by vision and commitment to his call, Pastor Sudfeld has a passion for authenticity in the church. His consistency in presenting the message of the gospel in a relevant and clearly defined way, challenges this generation and culture to take God at His Word!

Pastor Michelle Sudfeld - Associate Pastor (Worship & Creative Arts)
Rev. Michelle Sudfeld has served as a music pastor for three years.  She has been a worship leader, vocalist and speaker for women’s retreats and conferences for many years.  She and her husband, Pastor Ralph, have served as the senior pastors of Neighborhood at River Ranch Church since 1997.  She obtained her B.A. from Bethany University and her M.A. from Wheaton Graduate School.  A licensed and ordained minister, she and her husband, Pastor Ralph, have been married 22 years and have five children.

Pastor Lance Lowell - Senior Associate Pastor (Director of Student Ministries)
Lance Lowell leads all the adult discipleship ministries, as well as giving oversight to the student ministries team. Prior to coming to River Ranch Church Lance served for 7 1/2 years at Willamette Christian Center in Eugene, OR, as the Youth/Associate Pastor.  Before moving to Oregon, Pastor Lance served with Pastor Ralph & Michelle at City of Joy in Sunnyvale, CA.  Lance is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and has served in pastoral ministry for the past 15 years.  He and his wife, Tina, have been married for 12 years and have 2 children.

Pastor Rick Baldwin - Associate Pastor (Sports Outreach, Young Marrieds, Seniors & Pastoral Care)
Pastor Rick has served as an Associate Pastor for the past 6 years at Neighborhood at River Ranch.  Prior to that time he served as the President and General Manager of a family business.  Notably, Rick spent 8 years as a professional baseball player, pitching for the New York Mets from 1975-1977.  Rick is very involved in a variety of church ministries including Sports Outreach, Music and Seniors in Action.  He is married to Sherry (Children's Pastor & Drama Director) and they have 2 grown children.

Pastor Sherry Baldwin - Associate Pastor (Children's Ministries & Drama)
Pastor Sherry has served as the Drama Director for the past 11 years and as an Associate Pastor over Children's Minstries for the past 6 years.  She has been active in ministry all of her adult life, especially in the areas of music, children and drama.  Sherry gives oversight to a fantastic team of dedicated people who minister to children through Kid Church, Kids Clubs, Kid Praize Choir, Performing Arts Camp, Vacation Bible Adventure, Easter Outreach, and more.  She is married to Pastor Rick and they have two grown children.

Pastor Sarah Savelich - Associate Pastor (Youth Ministries)
Sarah Savelich serves as youth pastor for Neighborhood at River Ranch leading and developing the preteen student ministry, as well as giving support to the high school youth ministry. Before coming to Neighborhood, Sarah served in youth ministries at Willamette Christian Center in Eugene Oregon for two years under Pastor Lance Lowell as a youth intern. She then went on to serve 4 years at Willamette as youth associate, building and leading a preteen youth ministry.

Pastor Tim Hiatt - Associate Pastor (Worship & Media)