Tony and Tawny Arnds, Church Planter, Folsom Bible Church, Folsom, California
Recent Updates: Arnds Update 2026 February
Tony started a new church, Folsom Bible Church (FBC), in Folsom, California in 2021 with a weekly Bible study. Now the church has about 40 people attending services on Sunday mornings in rented space. The church has a growing team of people who lead music, two home groups who each meet every other Thursday evening. They also have a discipleship training program studying key doctrines which is attended by people from multiple churches. FBC also has Tuesday evening home prayer meetings. FBC people are also involved in serving at the Union Gospel Mission and at an elder care home. The church is hoping to start a new outreach Bible study on the campus of Folsom Lake Community College to reach out to young adults. One current challenge is that 6 families have recently moved out of state, some of them very active in leadership in the church. Maks Vusik serves as another pastor in the church alongside Tony, sharing in the preaching, teaching, and administration. The first three years have built important foundations for the church in identity with Jesus Christ as their focus, in understanding God’s Word and truth, in fellowship as they commit to supporting and encouraging one another, in prayer as they find their sufficiency in Christ alone, and in worship with the purpose of joyfully celebrating and glorifying our creator God. Tony's prayer is that FBC will be able to plant the gospel in Folsom, that FBC would be a strong, united group with an open door that actively invites others to join them in knowing Christ.
FBC's current facility is rented from another church. There is a room available on Sunday mornings which is great because it has allowed FBC to move their worship service to Sunday mornings finally. Praise the Lord for this improvement.
Tony, raised in a non-Christian home, wanted to be a “cowboy” growing up. He and Tawny met during high school and were married after graduation. After college, while working on a cattle ranch in Montana, the ranch owner pointed Tony to the Bible, leading Tony to pray, “God, if you are real, I want to know you.” Later, Tony heard a radio sermon on the same Bible passage. In response, Tony got down on his knees and prayed to receive Christ. His burden of sin left, and Tony’s desire in life changed to live for Jesus and shepherd people. Tawny came to faith a few weeks later. This change led them to Bible college and then the Masters Seminary. Following seminary, Tony was called to be the pastor at Potter Valley Bible Church (PVBC) where he served for 18 years. Tony and Tawny raised 3 sons – Jess (married), Joey (married), and Josh (passed away in 2021).
Prayer Items:
- For the new Discipleship Workshop for men, that it would equip men to mentor other men in God's Word.
- For Tony’s recovery from a mild stroke - remaining symptoms include uneven balance, facial numbness, and speech difficulty. Improvement is slow. His current goal is to return to preaching in early August.
- For strength for Tony and Tawny to always be faithful to follow God with zeal for the ministry He has entrusted to them.
- Plans to start a new Bible study on the campus of Folsom Lake Community College