Erik Swanson
Senior Pastor
I was born and raised in Burbank, California and had some knowledge of the Bible growing up—my parents sent me to a Christian school and Christian day camp—but I was not a believer. It wasn’t until my first semester at UC Berkeley in 2001 that God began to open my eyes. By His grace, seeing Christ’s work on the cross and that He died in my place, I repented and turned from my sins, and my life changed radically. I finished college, graduating with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 2005, and shortly after graduation I married my beautiful bride, Angel. God has since blessed us with four children: Olivia, Noah, Elijah, and Asher.
As I grew in the Lord and began to teach others, I discerned the call of the Lord on my life to enter the ministry, and in 2006 I left the engineering world to enroll at The Master’s Seminary. In 2009 I graduated with a Masters of Divinity, and in 2011 I completed a Masters of Theology, also at TMS. Through those years I served as the College Pastor at Calvary Bible Church in Burbank. But in October of 2011, I accepted the call to pastor Berean Bible Church. We have thoroughly enjoyed living on the Central Coast and have delighted in seeing the Berean family grow.
Email: erik@bereanbibleag.com
Chris Johnson
Youth and Associate Pastor
By God’s grace, I was raised in a Christian home with my older brother and two faithful parents in Rialto, CA. I made a profession of faith when I was about 6 years old. As I entered high school, the Lord revealed to me my own hypocrisy and how I professed to follow Christ, but I did not live it out. The Lord’s conviction broke me to the point that I repented of my sin and trusted in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. It was at this point that I noticed godly fruit manifesting in my life.
In 2010, I earned a B.A. in Theater Arts from Azusa Pacific University and shortly thereafter, the Lord blessed me with my wonderful wife, Francie. At this time, I began working in worker’s compensation insurance while my wife and I actively served in youth ministry together at San Gabriel Community Church. After working in worker’s compensation for a couple of years and desiring to serve in full-time ministry, I resigned from my job and enrolled in The Master’s Seminary. In 2019, I earned a Master of Divinity and in June 2020, I accepted the call to be an Associate Pastor at Berean Bible Church.
Francie and I have 3 energetic children. We enjoy the beach, running, and good BBQ.
Email: chris@bereanbibleag.com
Don Hanson
Elder
I was born in Fresno and had two faithful Christian parents. However, even as a child, I was sinful and I knew it. God used my mother to teach me that although she might not always know what I had done, but God always knew, and that my sin was ultimately against Him.
It wasn’t until I was 10 years old, listening to a Sunday-night sermon, by the gracious, regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, that I asked God to please forgive me. By faith I believed that Jesus was who He said He was, and that only His payment for my sins was sufficient to reconcile me to God. After more than 50 years as a believer, I can confidently say that, although I have not always been faithful to God, He has always been faithful to me.
I have been happily and thankfully married to my wife, Susan, for over 30 years, and we have four adult children: Felena, Peter, Matthew, and John. I have owned Hanson’s Flooring in Arroyo Grande for over 40 years, and I’ve served as an elder at Berean for over 20 years. I am so thankful to my Savior for the years He has given me here.
Email: elders@bereanbibleag.com
Rod Morabito
Elder
I was born and raised in San Luis Obispo and married my bride, Mary Jane, in March 1969. We have four adult children, all of whom live on the Central Coast. I’m a small-business owner here in our area, and I have been serving our wonderful Lord at Berean as an elder since 1989.In 1968, while I was in the army at Ford Ord, California, my mother along with Mary Jane (my fiancée at the time) encouraged me to visit the chaplain. I didn’t really know why but I took their advice, and it was through that chaplain that God worked to bring me to Himself. Through Romans, the chaplain showed me that I was sinful, could not please God or earn my way to Him, and that salvation can only come through repentance and faith in Christ’s work on the cross. From that very moment I was a new creature, and by His grace I’ve followed Him ever since. My love for God grows each day, and my heart’s desire to help others come to know Him and learn to live in Him. He is my all!
Email: elders@bereanbibleag.com