Brett Poynter answered God’s call to study for the ministry just after he had rededicated his life to Christ.

Born in Hanford, Calif., Poynter grew up in Virginia. A varied educational background included engineering studies at Columbia Union College and horticulture in city colleges in Virginia to aid in his newly-chosen career while working as a vineyard manager.

Poynter graduated from California State University with a B.S. in Plant Science. While attending CSU Fresno, Brett met Alesia, his wife to be, and the couple were married in 1998. During their courtship, Brett rededicated his life to Christ and answered God’s call to prepare for service in His vineyard, a call he had been hearing most of his life, but had been slow to answer.

Brett and Alesia moved to Michigan in 1999 so that he could attend Andrews University Theological Seminary. Shortly before completing his studies, Poynter received a call from Pastor Benjamin Del Pozo, who was searching for someone to fill Temple City’s associate pastor position. He was called to that position in 2001, and continues to minister there.

Brett and Alesia are the parents of two boys, Ethan, 3, and Ashton, 18 months. “The birth of our children, as well as witnessing the re-birth of many of God’s children, are some of the blessings I have been delighted to experience during my ministry in Temple City,” Poynter said.

Poynter recently received his Master of Divinity degree from the Adventist Theological Seminary.