Meet Our Ministry Team

Pastor Rob Benardo

Rob Benardo, Senior Pastor

Pastor Rob calls his story “Bound for Freedom”:

As a youth he was seemingly “bound” by hanging out with the wrong people and doing worldly things, when all along God had in mind freedom from the chains that enslaved him. From growing up in southern Florida and moving to Southern California, Pastor Rob was introduced to the Adventist message by a blind Chiropractor and soon after, went off to college at Hartland college in Virginia and then Andrews University in Michigan receiving his masters in pastoral ministry. Pastor Rob has studied special education at the master’s level. He was also a real estate broker in North Carolina, and owned a development company called Ciani Enterprises. He and his wife Olga have two wonderful daughters – Amaris and Alexia. Pastor Rob enjoys spending time with God in the outdoors, in studying His Word, and in writing poetry.

                      Pastor Rob’s 5 big goal (categories) are:

                              G - Kingdom Growth
                              L - Leadership Development
                              O - Orphans and Widows (care for)
                              R - Deep Spiritual Revival
                              I - Iteration and Innovation

                              Pastor Rob Benardo
                              Sacramento Central
                              Seventh-day Adventist Church
                              God's Glory - My Greatest Joy

Pastor Mike Thompson

MIKE THOMPSON, Associate Pastor

Pastor Mike was born in York, England. At twenty-two years of age, he gave up a promising show business career, as a rock singer, and became a Seventh-day Adventist. In 1970 Mike entered the York School of Nursing where he received his RN license, and also met his future wife, Helen.

In 1974 Mike and Helen moved to Newbold College where Mike studied Theology until 1978. For the next nineteen years, the Thompson family worked in various places, including medical missionary work in Belize, Central America. Mike has also been a hospital chaplain and health educator.

Prior to coming to Sacramento Central Church in 1998, Pastor Mike worked at the Grand Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church in Oakland, California. Helen works for Amazing Facts, and they have two grown daughters, Rachel and Debbie, and five grandchildren.

Pastor Mike enjoys: history, reading, walking, gardening, drawing, writing, and, most of all, spending time with his grandchildren: Emma, Anne, Andrew, Jack and William.

Pastor Marc Pasion

MARC PASION, Associate Pastor

Pastor Marc was born and raised in Waianae, Hawaii. Before entering full-time ministry, he served four years in the Hawaii Army National Guard—an experience that haped his leadership, discipline, and commitment to serving others.

Marc’s ministry preparation began early. He graduated from AFCOE in 2010 and SOULS West in 2015, both of which deepened his passion for evangelism. Since then, he has served as a Bible Worker and has been actively involved in literature evangelism programs in both the Hawaii and Nevada-Utah Conferences

In 2021, he completed his Bachelor of Arts in Theology at the Adventist University of the Philippines. He later earned his Master of Divinity from Andrews University in May 2025. Most recently, Marc served as the Program Head of Ke Ola Youth Rush before joining the Sacramento Central Church Ministry Team.

Marc is happily married to Cindy, his steadfast support and faithful partner in life and ministry. Although they do not have children yet, they are grateful for the season God has placed them in.

Marc enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring beaches and trails. He also loves music and recreation, especially playing the ukulele, piano, basketball, and table tennis.