Our Staff

Joe Sciarrino was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts. His family moved to San Jose in 1963. As a boy, Joe enjoyed baseball, basketball and tennis. At age 12, he taught himself to play the guitar and piano. Joe attended San Jose State University, but left college after 3 years, moved to Santa Cruz and began to pursue a career in music.

     He performed as a solo act in California, Arizona and Ohio and in 1979 he formed the Joe Sharino Band which won 19 Best Band Awards in Northern California and performed in 12 states.

     Joe also produced events in Northern California and wrote and recorded custom music during his musical career. He wrote theme songs, jingles and soundtracks for GE, Hewlett Packard, Apple Computer, Cisco Systems, Owens Corning, the Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and many others.

     Joe Sciarrino met his wife Sheri in 1979, and they were married in 1982. They have two grown children and two grand children.

     Raised as a Catholic, Joe embarked on a spiritual quest during his senior year of high school, reading the Bible and attending Young Life meetings. A few years later, after spending a year memorizing scriptures, things began to change. Joe felt like God was drawing him closer in the early 1980’s. He and his wife Sheri joined a Bible believing church and he taught a Bible study at his home in Aptos, CA at that time.

     In 1990, Joe and his family moved to Oakhurst, CA where he began teaching a Tuesday Night Bible study. It continues to this day, both in person and online on Zoom.

     Joe has spoken at several different churches in Northern California. In addition to the weekly Bible study, his passion is Apologetics or giving reasons for faith. Joe speaks at general question and answer sessions regarding the Bible and Christianity and at seminars on such topics as the cults, creation/evolution, abortion, world religions and skeptics’ questions.

     Joe enjoys leading worship music two or three times a month, and serving on the elder board at Oakhurst Evangelical Free Church.

Favorite sports: Pro football and basketball.
Favorite vacation spots: Mexico, Hawaii, and Europe.

Favorite pastimes: Spending time with family, traveling, writing/recording music, walks at the beach.
Favorite book other than the Bible: The Case For Christ (Stroebel) and any commentary by John MacArthur.

Trish and her husband, Gary, moved from Southern California to our mountain community in 2000, and immediately became part of the OEFC church family.  They are blessed to have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. 

Trish has been involved in OEFC’s Awana Ministry since 2000 as the director of the 3rd & 4th grade girls, and has also been involved in Women’s Ministry and the Deaconess Board on and off since 2004.  Trish joined the staff of OEFC in January of 2002 and loves her job. “I deal with nothing but nice people every day – there aren’t many jobs you can say that about!” 

 What is your favorite Sport?

Winter Olympics 

What is your favorite vacation spot?

Alaska 

What is your favorite pastime?

Camping 

What is your favorite book (other than the Bible)?

I can’t pick just one. I love a good mystery novel.

I grew up in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California. I am married to my precious wife, Trish and we have three wonderful children. One of my greatest joys is my grandchildren. We are so blessed to have five granddaughters and one grandson.

I have been so blessed by the calling of our Lord to be a part of OEFC leadership since 2003. I have served on the Deacon Board, the Elder Board and have recently assumed the position of Church Administrator. Our church family has been so loving, supportive and gracious to Trish and me. I look forward to where the Lord will lead me and OEFC into the future. 

What is your favorite Sport?

Motor Racing 

What is your favorite vacation spot?

The High Sierras, Mammoth Lakes area. 

What is your favorite pastime?

Camping, Off-roading and Motorcycle riding. 

What is your favorite book (other than the Bible)?

Trusting God: Even when life hurts by Jerry Bridges.

Steven was born in Fort Knox, Kentucky to Lt. Robert M. Riley and his wife, Carolyn. Growing up as an “army brat” he lived all over the country and even in Europe, but no matter where he went with his family, church was always a big part of their lives.

Being so exposed to God’s truth from an early age, Steven found his Savior at the age of seven… or maybe better stated, Christ called him out of darkness. At that point, and for many years Steven felt the call into ministry, much of the time thinking God was calling him to be a Pastor.

Unfortunately, in high school Steven fell under some false teaching and for many years his walk with the Lord was severely damaged. But praise God, “for those He calls He also perfects,” and though Steven had abandoned God, God never left him. Finally, at the age of nearly 30, God decided it was time to bring Steven back to the truth of His Word.

Since that time God has given Steven a great wife, Julie, and two awesome daughters, Peyton and Savannah, and a great son-in-law, Parker. He has even given Steven the opportunity to work in ministry, which is a great blessing. Being the Pastor at OEFC has given him great joy, and he knows it is such a privilege that God would still use him after so many years walking away from the Heavenly Father. Now he knows the dangers of false teaching and plans to stand firm on God’s Word – which is the only source of pure truth and found only in the Bible.

“My goal as Pastor is to teach God’s Word, clearly and strongly, and to faithfully serve the members of OEFC to the best of my ability in every way I can.”

What is your favorite Sport?

Football 

What is your favorite vacation spot?

Lauterburen, Switzerland. 

What is your favorite pastime?

Anytime adventure shared with friends and family. 

What is your favorite book (other than the Bible)?

Lord of the Rings.