Pastor John Simmons is a Virginia native
and veteran of the United States Marine Corps. While driving a big rig truck cross country, he was confronted with the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and placed his faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ for his salvation. This decision resulted in a dramatic change in his life, and soon after his conversion, he sold his home and business to follow the Lord’s leading. That leading brought Pastor Simmons to Santa Clara, California, where he attended Golden State Baptist College and trained to be a pastor. Upon graduation, he assumed the position of Assistant Pastor at Gospel Light Baptist Church in Selma, California.
In February, 2003, the Lord led Pastor Simmons to start Mountain View Baptist Church in Turlock, California. They began meeting on Sundays in a school cafeteria and used their home for other church functions. Soon after, this growing church found their own building in nearby Ceres, California. The Lord was not done, however, because in August of 2007, Mountain View Baptist Church voted and merged with the Bible Baptist Church of Modesto, California, where they and the Simmons family continue to thrive in the Central Valley.
Pastor and Mrs. Simmons have three children, and the family enjoys exercising, camping, hiking, and exploring the sights of California from the coast to the mountains.
