Meet the team

Ricky Hemme

Lead Pastor
Ricky is a family man with a heart for people and a passion for reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After years of racing dirt bikes and helping run the family business (Hemme Hay & Feed), Ricky now pursues Jesus with that same all-out passion! His fearless love for Jesus and His Word is evident in how he loves God’s people and seeks after the lost. He also has three other loves in his life: his beautiful wife, Carly, his bright-eyed little girl, Blake, and his energetic son, John.

Ricky has a Master of Divinity degree from Reformed Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, where he researched church methodology and best practices for evangelism. He is an experienced preacher and leader with a heart for mobilizing everyday Christians for the Great Commission.

Chris Correa

Worship Pastor
Chris Correa is the Worship Pastor at South Valley Community Church, bringing a rich heritage as a second-generation worship leader with diverse experience in churches of all sizes. His heart beats for fostering authentic, meaningful, and humble worship that transcends Sunday services, encouraging a lifestyle of worship throughout the week. Passionate about mentoring, Chris loves to cultivate the talents of musicians and singers, empowering them to serve across the church's ministries. Together with his wife Jennifer, Chris is raising five wonderful children who share in their love for God and music.

Jonathan Mondragon

NextGen Pastor
Jonathan Mondragon serves as the Next Gen Pastor at South Valley Community Church, overseeing ministry for youth through young adults. A past student of The Master's University, Jonathan is known for his creative leadership and deep passion for preaching the Word of God. His commitment is to develop students who courageously live out the gospel in their daily lives. He is blessed with a beautiful family, including his wife Gigi and their two children.

Marcus Zellous

Communications Pastor
Marcus lives in Lemoore with his wife, Deanna, and their daughter, Adelina. He joined the South Valley staff in 2009 as the children's pastor, and transitioned into communication and social media in 2016.  In addition to his part-time role at South Valley, he is a full-time music teacher in the Lemoore Union Elementary School District.  He is also a visual instructor and choreographer for Red Wave Indoor, Fresno State University's Independent World percussion ensemble.

Marcus holds a degree in music education from Fresno State, and attended Fresno Pacific University to earn his teaching credential, as well as his master's degree in teaching.

Other interests include cooking, traveling, photography, choreographing/consulting for various indoor & outdoor marching arts organizations, and spending time with loved ones.

Erin Avery

Children's Director
Erin came to South Valley from Lancaster, CA, joining the staff in 2023 as the children’s ministry director.  She is passionate about leading kids to Christ through love and example. She wants any child that comes her way to understand that they are important and have a purpose given to them by Jesus.

Erin, her husband, Jordan, and their son, Flynn, love going to new places, walking around, and exploring places they’ve not seen before.  They also have two needy shepherd mixes, Kenai & Yukon, and a bearded dragon named Franklin.

Baby boy #2 will be joining the Avery family in February of 2024!

Teresa Caudell

Front Office
Teresa, originally from St. Louis, MO, came to Lemoore in 1990 after her husband, Frank, became a bi-vocational pastor for the Lemoore First Southern Baptist Church.  She has been on staff at South Valley since 2002, where she began as the church secretary.  

It is Teresa’s prayer that she can be a witness to others so they will know the same peace that she has in Jesus Christ.  She loves the Lord, she loves people, and she loves singing songs of worship to Him!  In addition to these passions, she enjoys playing solitaire, sudoku, and watching action/adventure movies with Frank.  

Frank and Teresa have been blessed with a beautiful family!  Their children are Adam (& Brittany): grandchildren Axel, Leighton, and Jameson (grand-dogger, Willow, and sister cat, Lilly),  daughter Krystal (& Jordan): granddaughters Aria and Caylee (grand-dogger Daisy) and heavenly daughter Leslie (& David): grandsons Jayden and Bryson.

Christy Mullane

Finance Manager
Christy, originally from the Central Coast of California, began her work at South Valley as a volunteer helping with taxes and giving statements.  She began her role as the finance manager in 2008.

One of Christy’s deepest passions is supporting people in trying situations.  She and her husband, Robert, provided foster care services for approximately 15 years - which led to the adoption of their youngest child.  That passion now continues through their oversight of the Celebrate Recovery ministry at South Valley.  

The Mullanes have been married since 1988, and they have four children, and three grandchildren.  When afforded the opportunity, they enjoy going on cruises and traveling with family and friends.  

Rigo Ortiz

NextGen Staff
Rigo was born in Van Nuys, and grew up in the Antelope Valley.  Growing up in a family of 7, he developed a passion for people, music, and Jesus.  He takes great joy in using the gifts that God has given him to reach the lost and to further the Kingdom of God.

Rigo holds an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design (Antelope Valley College), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Music (CSU Northridge).  He joined the SV staff in 2021 as a member of our NextGen staff, and serves as the music director for our Sunday morning worship team, and the NextGen worship teams.  In addition to serving, he enjoys exploring new places.  He hopes to visit as many National Parks as he can!

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Thomas
Curtiss

Alan
Dale

Johnathan
Pierce

Vaundell
Lee

Johnny
Serpa

Aaron
Pearson