Steven & Portia Sumner
Senior Pastors
Pastor Steve Sumner was appointed Encounter Church's Senior Pastor in 2017.
He is known for powerful preaching, strong leadership and compassionate counseling. He has a deep commitment to lead Encounter Church, where biblical values are embraced, connection with the Body of Christ is fulfilled, and where members quickly respond to the needs of others. Pastor Portia Sumner has a profound prophetic gift and is an accomplished speaker, worship leader and counselor. She has a burning desire to lead a Spirit-filled church where the Word of God becomes crystal clear to its members through song, prayer and the prophetic. Pastor Steve and Portia have been happily married for 32 years.
He is known for powerful preaching, strong leadership and compassionate counseling. He has a deep commitment to lead Encounter Church, where biblical values are embraced, connection with the Body of Christ is fulfilled, and where members quickly respond to the needs of others. Pastor Portia Sumner has a profound prophetic gift and is an accomplished speaker, worship leader and counselor. She has a burning desire to lead a Spirit-filled church where the Word of God becomes crystal clear to its members through song, prayer and the prophetic. Pastor Steve and Portia have been happily married for 32 years.
Terrance & Regina McCurdy
Family & Children's Pastors
Terrance McCurdy is Encounter Church's Worship Director. He comes from a family where worship music is a way of life. Terrance has built a worship team at Encounter Church that often brings the congregation to tears with their passion for the presence of God. Regina McCurdy is the Children's Ministry Pastor, a loving and responsible leader who makes Sundays and Wednesdays fun and exciting for the Encounter Kids. Regina's passion is to see children know and experience the love of God, understand and be transformed by His word in a fun and loving atmosphere. Terrance and Regina have been happily married for 30 years.
Michael L. Moore, Sr.
Associate Pastor
Michael L. Moore, Sr. is the Administrative Pastor. He is retired from the Oakland Unified School District after 40 years in various areas, including as Fiscal Services Operations Officer. He also served as Commissioner of the Oakland Athletic League, representing the Oakland Section of the California Interscholastic Federation at the local, state and national levels. In July of 2011 he was invited to speak at the White House as a National Education Expert Panelist. Pastor Moore holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy and Master of Science in Educational Leadership. He also has California CTC Administrative and Teaching credentials and is a member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Pastor Moore published The Book of Mike in 2021 and will launch his second book in 2022.
Ashly D. Nation
Operations Pastor
Ashly is an Oakland native who is passionate about coming alongside Bay Area organizations and churches to help them reveal the love of God to their communities. She currently serves on the board of directors for Project Peace, an organization that pursues biblical justice in the Bay Area by activating a network of churches to serve and sustain their local communities. In 2018, Ashly became a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God Fellowship, and in 2021 received a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. That same year she assumed a full-time position as the Bay Area Partner Success Manager for the Fuller Center for Spiritual Formation. In her spare time, Ashly enjoys board games, playing basketball, dining with friends, and reading and journaling by the water at Jack London Square in Oakland.
Eugene & Josephine Johnson
Executive Pastors
Executive Pastors
Duce Sumner
Worship Pastor
Worship Pastor
Kelly Thomas
Business Administrator
Business Administrator
Patrick & Courtney Miller
Communities Directors
Communities Directors
Monty & Ashley Pearson
Youth Directors
Youth Directors
Kalila Rafa
Outreach Director
Outreach Director