About the Catch Ministry
The People
John Fischer
John is a watchman, one who climbs to a high vantage point to see the danger in the distance before anyone at ground level is aware of it. As a prophet, he is the Voice of God and the conscience of society, and he is a champion and guardian of the covenants. John is a social critic mandated by God to speak truth to power and challenge corrupt leaders and influencers. John’s winning, attractive and charismatic way of communicating, whether through music, speaking, or writing, is how he leverages his talent to win people over to the truth. He is, after all, first and foremost, a prophet.
Marti Fischer
Culturally Marti is a sharp contrast to John’s southern California evangelical roots, and a foil to his easy west coast ways. Missing in her makeup are the mainstream evangelical cultural cues. Nevertheless, a starched puritan social duty and personal propriety startles, and then (if you give it a moment) disarms. But for most people, encountering her is like docking your fishing punt next to a newly-minted battleship-cum-ocean liner. One rocks in the wake.
The heart that beats inside this impressive carriage is one of utter and simple heart-wrenching devotion to Christ, and the cultured surface dutifully hides a life marked with painful sacrifice, a tender humility, a self-brutalizing honesty and a furnace of undying, insistent and selfless zeal. Her mind zeroes in on the point of it all, which to Marti is, how can God’s love be realized here?
Wayne Bridegroom
The Catch Ministry Associate Pastor is Wayne Bridegroom. He grew up on a family dairy in California’s San Joaquin Valley. All dairymen of that era were of European descent, primarily Swedish & Portuguese. Yet, in God’s unpredictable grace, he ended up pastoring in a racially mixed, urban setting. Over the decades, Central Baptist had the opportunity to share its facility with seven other congregations. The Laotian, Hmong, Cambodian, and Hispanic groups continue to thrive to this day.
Realizing that urban issues were larger than any one congregation could impact, Wayne began partnering with other congregations, nonprofits like PICO California, and government officials. As a result, he was honored to receive the Martin Luther King Legacy Award in 2014. Currently, he was elevated to the position of Vice President of the Modesto Police Department Clergy Council, an African American-led movement in Modesto to build a healthy, two-way relationship with law enforcement. Wayne and his wife of over 5 decades, Beth, now attend First United Methodist Church in downtown Modesto. They have 3 children and 4 grandkids!!!
Cynthia Cody-Vera
The Catch Ministry’s Prayer Ministry Pastor
Cynthia Cody-Vera brings decades of hard-won wisdom and Spirit-led experience to her leadership as Pastor of the Catch Prayer Ministry. She came to Christ during the Jesus Movement of the 1960s and began studying the Bible intensely, quickly stepping into leadership roles with Bible Study Fellowship. Since then, she has poured her life into Scripture, service, and shepherding others.
Cynthia’s life has not been lived in a bubble. She has raised a large family, walked through heartbreak as a single mother, endured the tragic loss of her five-year-old, and lived out her faith in the gritty, real world. She describes her faith as “raw and sometimes pretty dire,” but never without the sustaining love of Christ. That honesty makes her accessible. She doesn’t flinch from life’s messiness. She meets people there and points them toward healing in Jesus.
John Shirk
Discipleship Director
John Shirk serves as the Minister for Discipleship and Community, nurturing a variety of groups that include poets, musicians, and artists. Concerned about the cultural divide between many churches and those who have yet to follow Jesus, John connects deeply with the Catch Ministry and its reconciling Grace Turned Outward Voice. John disciples like no one else. Both believers and those outside the church are drawn to him. They appreciate his engaging personality and participate in the communities he fosters to discuss the challenges of living in a broken world, the questions we face, and each person’s quest for meaning and purpose.
As John said, “It might make some Christians uncomfortable, but Jesus never promised that following Him would be comfortable. His cross wasn’t comfortable. The ones He asks us to carry won’t be either. But He promises to be with us through it all.”
Terri Main
MemberPartner Director
Terri Main, MemberPartner Director, combines her rich background in ministry, education, and communication to lead and strengthen programs for the Catch Ministry’s valued MemberPartners.
Terri Main brings decades of experience in ministry, education, and communication to her role as the Catch Ministry’s MemberPartner Director. Her journey with us began in the mid-70s during the Jesus Revolution, when she helped lead Harvest Seed Productions in Eureka, California—producing weekly Jesus Music concerts, managing publicity, leading Bible studies, and hosting the radio program The Sound of the Comforter. After a career in college education, Terri reconnected with John Fischer and the Catch Ministry in 2012. Known for her thoughtful, innovative, and reliable leadership, she now focuses on strengthening and enhancing programs for our valued MemberPartners.