Hi there! My name is Gene Ziesel (Zee-sul) and I am the new Senior Pastor at CBC. I'm thrilled about the opportunities that lie ahead for this congregation! I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and joined the Navy. It was during my service that I trusted Christ and met my wife, Paula. After leaving the Navy, I attended Bible College in Birmingham, Alabama. Today, my wife and I have three adult children, all of whom are married, and six grandchildren.

We spent 18 years serving the Lord as foreign missionaries, and afterward, we took on three pastor positions in North Carolina, Virginia, and Alabama. Currently, we are serving Calvary in Oceanport

I was raised in a Christian home and received Jesus Christ as my Savior as a young boy. However, it was at age 13 that I fully dedicated my life to Jesus and made Him Lord of my life.

I have served the Lord in Church ministry ever since I was a teenager, first as a Youth Leader, and then in various other areas of ministry throughout the next 55 years of my life.

Calvary Baptist Church has been my Church home since November 1986. I currently serve as an Elder, which not only gives me the privilege of occasionally preaching in Pastor Bob’s absence, but also gives me the opportunity to use my spiritual gift of administration. I have taught the Adult Sunday School Class and presently teach the Bible Study for Great Youth Ministries (GYM) Youth Group. I also serve as Church Treasurer and am liaison between the Elder Board and the Board of Trustees. My wife Chris and I presently serve on the OFPLM (Our Father’s Persistent Love Ministries) Executive Board for prison ministry and are heavily involved with an unreached people group in Northeast Africa.

I have lived in Oceanport with Chris, my wife of 48 years, since 1974. We have 2 children, Andrew and Jessica, and 4 granddaughters: Lilly, Ellie, Samantha, and Bella; and a grandson Kyle. I am a part-time employee of Maser Engineering Consultants, where I also serve and honor the Lord in my job as a Civil/Environmental Engineer.

I came to know Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior in 1980. I was 32 years old at the time when the Lord made Himself know to me and I received Him into my life. I was married for 45 years to my wife Helen. We have 2 children and I still live in the same house we purchased in 1975. I enjoy playing golf, old movies, and watching people use the talents God has given them in various professions, activities and sports. Currently, I am serving the Lord Jesus as an Elder at CBC. I believe the Bible is the Word of God, given to us to know Him, to know His love for sinful people and how to come into an eternal relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. I thank God for the opportunity to serve Him in this position.

I have been saved since I was a boy.   I have been attending CBC since 2009.  I served on the Board of Trustees since 2012.  I have been an Elder since 2022.   I am the Liaison between the Elder Board & the Trustees and the Deacon Board.  I have been married to my wife, Suzanne since 1997.  I have to two grown sons, Trevor & Matthew.  Trevor lives in PA and Matthew lives home.  Matthew serves on the Worship Team.