Alumni Stories: Dan Ronquillo

Dan Ronquillo attended Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta from 2020–2022, graduating in 2022 with his Associate of Biblical Studies. When CCBC later moved to Twin Peaks, he continued taking courses while serving on staff as The Overflowing Cup’s coffee shop manager. Looking back, Dan remembers his time at CCBC as a season filled with opportunities to serve and grow.

“I loved being able to serve at CCBC in multiple capacities! I was a dorm steward, an intern, and even an employee! The Lord blessed me tremendously and grew me so much through the various ways that He allowed me to serve Him during my time at CCBC.”

It was also during his time at CCBC that Dan first came to know the Lord.

“I actually got saved at CCBC. I made the decision to attend CCBC because, in my head at the time, it was a free vacation (thank you, Calvary Chapel Carson City, for believing in me!). But as it turned out, according to the Lord’s sovereignty, He used my very selfish decision to bring me to know Him, and I got saved two weeks into my first semester, Spring 2020!”

From that moment forward, Dan saw the Lord begin shaping every part of his life.

“The Lord brought me to know Him and is always growing me in the grace and knowledge of Him, provided lifelong friendships, taught me many things that I needed to learn, and brought so many sweet memories through CCBC. Thank you, Lord!”

Dan says the biggest change CCBC brought to his life was direction and purpose.

“For me, I literally went from having no direction or purpose in life to following God, knowing Him and enjoying Him. The Lord used CCBC to build a strong, biblical foundation in my heart that can never be destroyed, one that never fluctuates even in a life with so many ups and downs.”

Even today, he still reflects on one class in particular.

“All too often I look back on my Storyline of the Bible class with fond memories and valuable insights that I still remember to this day. Everything the Lord taught me in this class still carries so much weight in my everyday life.”

After graduating, the Lord brought Dan somewhere very familiar.

“After my formative time as a student at CCBC, the Lord took me to… CCBC! I had the great honor of working at CCBC from 2023–2025, followed by the great honor of working at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa here and now!”

For two wonderfully caffeinated years, Dan served as CCBC’s The Overflowing Cup’s coffee shop manager, keeping students fueled with coffee.

Today, much of Dan’s life centers around Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, where he not only attends church but also volunteers with the junior high and high school ministries. And he hasn’t left his love of serving through coffee either!

“I am also a regular volunteer whenever we do our coffee shop pop-ups. Lord knows I can’t stop caffeinating the saints! Not to mention the fact that I also work full-time at CCCM on the Campus Safety team. Live laugh Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, praise the Lord!”

To those beginning their CCBC journey, Dan encourages them to cherish the time they have.

“No matter how long or short your journey at CCBC is, treasure every moment. Treasure your friendships, your classes, your gospel conversations, treasure everything you can think of, and savor every moment, because the clock is ticking and once that time passes, you can’t get it back. You’ll never come back to where you are now, so savor every moment and be faithful. God has amazing things in store for you during your time at CCBC!”

And for recent graduates stepping into life after Bible college, his encouragement is simple and practical:

“Stay in the Word. Stay in prayer. Stay in fellowship. Whether life is great or life is difficult post CCBC, these things help you out tremendously.”

Dan believes places like CCBC play an important role in the church today.

“We need institutions that faithfully provide a biblical foundation for life and ministry and walk alongside believers and seek to support them. I, alongside all my fellow alumni are living proof of why CCBC matters for the church!”

Dan asks the CCBC community to pray for continued faithfulness in his walk with the Lord.

“Continued faithfulness to the Lord in my daily life, vocation and ministry. Also, looking back at my time at CCBC in order to move forward in my daily discipleship to Jesus, that is, remembering everything that I learned and living it out here and now. Eternally grateful for CCBC!”