Buck was raised on a farm in Los Molinos, Ca.  He graduated from California State University at Chico receiving a BA in Psychology.  He was a probation officer in Tehama County for several years before returning to manage the family farm of prunes, walnuts, and a prune dehydrator for 25 years with his father. He struggled during these years with drugs, alcohol, pornography, and as a consequence his marriage with two wonderful children, Melissa and Greg, began to unravel in the late 1980’s ending in a divorce. The hopes and dreams of his son, daughter, and ex-wife were shattered.

In 1990 he chose to give his life completely over to Jesus Christ and it was a dramatic conversion. His bondage was instantly broken and fell away from him. He was nearly unrecognizable to his family and friends.  The following year he married Janilee, who was also born and raised in Los Molinos.  Janilee had been a strong Christian raised in church accepting Jesus as her Lord and Savior as a young girl. They now have two wonderful daughters and a great marriage that has grown over the years. Janilee ministers to women in the church as a source of encouragement and friendship to them.

Buck began attending Fuller Theological seminary classes in Sacramento around 2002 and later to Simpson College in Redding purely for the love of God’s Word.  In 2004 he became associate pastor at City Light and in 2006, became senior pastor.  Buck and Janilee have a passion to see marriages become strong and fulfilling, having led with two other couples 17 six-week workshops.  They love to see God’s ultimate plan in marriages fulfilled.  Buck also has a passion for prayer counseling ministry.  He has completed the six-month Elijah House Training, Rita Bennett’s Inner Healing ministry in Edmunds, Washington, and Theophostic prayer training here in Chico.  He has begun a prayer counseling ministry at City Light led by Jacky Hagberg.