Ben Pate joined Oak Valley as lead pastor in November, 2022. Pastor Ben loves serving his community along with his wife, Diana, and their four children. Pastor Ben is passionate about preaching, teaching, and leading others to become followers of Jesus.

Pastor Ben grew up as a missionary kid in the Middle East and North Africa. He is a graduate of California Baptist University and Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (now Gateway Seminary). Ben holds a PhD in Biblical Studies with an emphasis on the Old Testament. In addition to Sundays and Wednesdays at OVBC, you can catch Pastor Ben’s podcasts, “Theological Sidebars” and “OTXNT” through the week on YouTube, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.