Southern California Conference

Araya Moss

Articles by Araya Moss

  • Tehachapi Church Celebrates Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

    Tehachapi Church Celebrates Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

    This spring, Tehachapi church held a Law Enforcement Appreciation Day to express gratitude to the men and women who dedicate their lives to keeping communities safe. The church welcomed Chief of Police Richard Standridge into their sanctuary one Sabbath where he shared about the importance in today‘s world of finding common ground to better work…

    Araya Moss
  • Campus Connect Ministry Creates Communities on Campus for Adventist College Students

    Campus Connect Ministry Creates Communities on Campus for Adventist College Students

    To address the ever-present need for spiritual community among young people, Southern California Conference (SCC) Campus Connect Ministries launched last fall under Senior Youth and Young Adult Ministries to support Adventist students attending non-Adventist colleges and universities in Southern California. At the heart of this new and growing ministry is Ruth Chung, member of Upper…

    Araya Moss
  • Churches Promote Well-Being During Mental Health Awareness Month

    Churches Promote Well-Being During Mental Health Awareness Month

    Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month, observed each May, has helped address the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. This May, Bellflower, North Hills, and All Nations churches hosted special programs to raise awareness, offer resources, and create space for open conversations around mental health. Bellflower church invited speakers to…

    Araya Moss
  • 2025 GLAR Convocation Inspires

    2025 GLAR Convocation Inspires

    The annual Greater Los Angeles Region (GLAR) Convocation convened at White Memorial church for a weekend of worship, fellowship, and faith under the theme “Next Step: Moving by Faith.” Friday night, singer-songwriter Nic Miller led praise and worship, and MyRon Edmonds, pastor and leadership coach, was the evening’s speaker. Sabbath morning continued with Sabbath School…

    Araya Moss
  • From Medicine to Ministry: Geoff Sewell Is Ordained

    From Medicine to Ministry: Geoff Sewell Is Ordained

    “If you want to know if Jesus has a sense of humor, just look at my life,” Geoff Sewell said. “I would never have gotten that answer correct on a multiple-choice question that five years after covid started, I’d be getting ordained in Southern California. Not on my list. And yet, God works in truly…

    Araya Moss
  • Faith, Friendship, and Fun Thrive Through Teens4Christ Ministry

    Faith, Friendship, and Fun Thrive Through Teens4Christ Ministry

    Teens4Christ, a ministry at Vallejo Drive church where teenagers can safely hang out, have fun, and make connections in a Christian environment, has become an integral part of the church since beginning in 2018. The ministry met the need for an Earliteen Sabbath School class at the time. Initially there was hesitancy; members saw the…

    Araya Moss
  • Bible Studies Are Planting Seeds of Faith at Glendale Adventist Academy

    Bible Studies Are Planting Seeds of Faith at Glendale Adventist Academy

    When a parent in Kevin Camato’s daughter’s fourth grade class at Glendale Adventist Academy (GAA) expressed interest in Bible studies for her child, she asked if Camato would be willing to give them, and an idea sparked. He first shared the idea with GAA religion teacher Jonny Moor and interim principal Nancy Garcilazo. Once he…

    Araya Moss
  • Rolando Rivera Is Ordained

    Rolando Rivera Is Ordained

    “It’s been a long journey, ups and downs,” Rolando (Jae) Rivera, Spanish-American church pastor, said, “but God is good.” Rivera was born in Puerto Rico. Raised in a dysfunctional home but forced to attend church, he grew up wanting nothing to do with God. After moving to the Bronx, his life became a mess and…

    Araya Moss
  • Andy Zhang Is Ordained

    Andy Zhang Is Ordained

    Enze (Andy) Zhang was born in Zhejiang Province, China, to a devout Adventist family. Both his parents and grandparents remained unwavering in their faith, even enduring imprisonment for their beliefs. Their courage and dedication instilled faithfulness and resilience in Zhang. This foundation led to fulfilling experiences in education and ministry throughout his professional career from…

    Araya Moss
  • SCC Welcomes Wayne Dunbar as New Associate Superintendent

    SCC Welcomes Wayne Dunbar as New Associate Superintendent

    After 32 years of experience in Adventist education, Wayne Dunbar comes to Southern California Conference (SCC) as associate superintendent. Dunbar’s journey into education began unexpectedly. He graduated from Walla Walla University with a degree in business and plans to work in health care administration. He worked in that field for two years before deciding to…

    Araya Moss