Ministry
Pastor Cressel has served as Senior Pastor of the GMS Baptist Church for over 27 years. Before being called to Pastor the Church, he served as the Minister of Youth for seven years. He has received a Certificate in Christian Education from Caleb School of Theology. He has traveled extensively and preached in many States throughout the United States of America. Pastor Cressel and his wife Pamela have traveled to and participated in Operation Andrew, a Missionary crusade sponsored by International Crusades in Machakos, Kenya.
Pastor Kalvin E. Cressel, Sr. Married Pamela Smith-Cressel on July 2, 1983 (39 years). They raised 7 children: Kaprisha, Kalvin Jr., Quron, Kizzie, Minister Vashon, Victoria, and Samuel. They have 3 grandchildren: Joy, Isabella, and Daniel.
Who is Pastor Kalvin E. Cressel, Sr.
He has dedicated himself to building his congregation and also working outside the doors of the Church in the community. He has worked to encourage and invest in many youth and young adults.
Under his leadership, he has developed programs such as hooked on Jesus, Sisters with a Mission, Brothers Walking by Faith, Marriage for a Lifetime, Sinai Church Athletics, and Kids Kingdom. Pastor Cressel is also a member of the Compton Police Clergy, which bridges the gap between the Police and the community.
He has been married to Pamela for 39 years. He has two biological children, Kaprisha and Kalvin Jr. When Pastor Cressel’s family faced the tragic loss of his sister, He and his wife took on the responsibility of raising an additional five children: Kizzie, Vashon, Quron, Victoria, and Samuel.
He works diligently in his Church and is a positive role model for young and old alike. Pastor Cressel is gifted in many areas, preaching in various styles, teaching in plain everyday language, anointed prayer, and laying on of hands ministries.
Pastor Cressel was educated in the Compton Unified School District and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from California State Dominguez Hills in Interdisciplinary Studies. He received a Certificate in Christian Education from Caleb School of Theology. Pastor Cressel graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Master of Arts Degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Los Angeles Pacific University. Pastor Cressel has traveled extensively internationally and preached in many states throughout the United States of America.
Career
Pastor Cressel served bi-vocationally. He worked for the federal government for over 31 years, serving in various law enforcement and intelligence. He retired after being employed as a Senior Special Agent with the United State Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General.
Hobbies
Pastor Cressel enjoys spending time with family, travel, reading, electronics, music, exercise, writing, attending concerts, plays and movies.
Who is First Lady Pamela Smith-Cressel
A wife, mother, professional woman, mentor, and role model. She possesses a friendly and caring demeanor while at the same time having a keen sense of business affairs.
Pamela teaches financial literacy to many and is a stickler for making people aware of the danger of overspending. Pamela obtained her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from CSUDH, and master’s degree in Management and Organizational Leadership Studies from Los Angeles Pacific University.
Pamela worked for a total of 37 years for the federal government. She worked for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a Taxpayers Service Representative. Pamela continued to use her knowledge by giving back to the community. For 27 years, First Lady Pamela Has served as the coordinator for the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax preparation and advice to low-income people, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and to those with limited English-speaking ability. Under her leadership, the VITA program at Greater Mr. Sinai prepares and e-files over 500 income tax returns free of charge each year.
In addition, Pamela worked with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) as a Business Specialist. She worked as a Business Specialist and was eventually promoted to the Director of the GSA Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). Throughout Pamela’s illustrious career, she has been a true professional and a great ambassador for the General Services Administration. Pamela has a unique ability to perform her duties outstandingly. She fully understands her position and exudes confidence and professionalism as she speaks to small minority, and veteran business owners on small business programs.
Pamela and her husband are certified marriage counselors, having provided hundreds of counseling sessions for engaged and married couples.