Valley Baptist Church

Pastor Gunnar Hanson

In May 2007, Pastor Gunnar was invited to take on the task of revitalizing Valley Baptist Church. After much prayer, Gunnar with the support of his wife Anna, took a leap of faith and decided to take on the mission God had placed before them. Gunnar wasted no time getting involved in the community taking advantage of every opportunity to serve. Gunnar volunteers as a San Diego Sheriff Chaplain, Escondido Police Chaplain, and serves on the Board of Directors for Alternatives Women’s Center in Escondido.


Pastor Gunnar came to know Christ while serving as a U.S. Navy SEAL here in San Diego. His story was featured on KFMB-TV Channel 8, and was recorded on "Unshackled!" and is available to listen to here:

Gunnar Hanson-Part 1

Gunnar Hanson-Part 2

Following his service in the Navy, he earned a B.A. in Biblical Studies and a Master's of Divinity from Southern California Seminary. Gunnar has completed doctoral work at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.


Gunnar and his wife Anna have been married since 2002. Anna was born and raised in a Christian home and enjoyed growing up as a “missionary kid” in southern Spain. Her father, Pastor John Hilton, is currently the Senior Pastor of The Chapel, a family church in La Mesa, Ca. Gunnar and Anna are the proud and happy parents of their two beautiful daughters, Grace and Elizabeth.