About Us

our pastors

Pastors Russ and Tanya Sturm are Bay Area natives. They are both ordained ministers with the Assemblies of God. Pastor Russ graduated from Bethany University in Santa Cruz and successfully planted churches in Berkeley and Rodeo before joining Central Assembly as Lead Pastor in June 2014. Pastor Tanya earned her ministerial credentials through Global University. Our pastors are committed to helping believers learn the Word of God and experience a life-changing, power-filled relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

our story

In 1953, Central Assembly Church was founded under the leadership of Pastor Russell Griffin. First services were held in the Veteran's Memorial Building in Richmond, California. Within ten years, the Lord blessed the congregation to purchase the property in El Sobrante where we meet today. 

Pastor Griffin also had a vision to provide a quality, Christian-based education to the children in our community. In 1971, El Sobrante Christian School was established with 24 students. Today, El Sobrante Christian School is still going strong more than 50 years later!