Southern California Conference

Araya Moss

Articles by Araya Moss

  • James G. Lee Jr. Retires After 48 Years of Ministry

    James G. Lee Jr. Retires After 48 Years of Ministry

    As with many people who find themselves working in administrative roles in a conference, James G. Lee’s ministry began in the field as a pastor. However, he had no intention of becoming a pastor. “You know what, to be honest with you, it was not something I wanted to do,” Lee recalled. “In fact, it…

    Araya Moss
  • Southern California Fires: An Outpouring of Support & Blessings Amid Tragedy

    Southern California Fires: An Outpouring of Support & Blessings Amid Tragedy

    On January 7, an extreme Santa Ana wind event gave momentum to two destructive fires in Southern California. By the next morning, much of the Pacific Palisades and Altadena communities in Los Angeles County were destroyed, leaving thousands of residents evacuated and homes burned. The fires continued to burn for days, while new fires continued…

    Araya Moss & Lauren Lacson
  • Oliver Enriquez Is Ordained

    Oliver Enriquez Is Ordained

    Oliver Enriquez was born and raised in Cancun, Mexico, in a ministerial home. Although his father was not a pastor, he was an Adventist professor for almost 30 years. Growing up in this environment prepared Enriquez for his own journey in ministry. “My father, a man dedicated to the Adventist ministry of education,” Enriquez reflected,…

    Araya Moss
  • SCC Welcomes Lawrence S. Dorsey II as New Greater Los Angeles Region Director

    SCC Welcomes Lawrence S. Dorsey II as New Greater Los Angeles Region Director

    After more than two decades of ministry, Lawrence S. Dorsey II steps into a new role as the Greater Los Angeles Region (GLAR) director for the Southern California Conference. Dorsey’s latest appointment was at Altadena church, which is where his pastoral ministry began as a youth pastor. “I never thought I could be in a…

    Araya Moss
  • SCC Welcomes Branden Stoltz as New West Region Director

    SCC Welcomes Branden Stoltz as New West Region Director

    Branden Stoltz was on sabbatical when he learned he might be nominated for the West Region director position. “I was in the Redwoods at the time, and I immediately said, ‘Nope, I don’t want it.’ But as I was walking through the Redwoods, halfway around this large tree, suddenly the thought of being nominated, with…

    Araya Moss
  • Keep the Flame Alive: Valley Crossroads Church Celebrates 65 Years of Ministry

    Keep the Flame Alive: Valley Crossroads Church Celebrates 65 Years of Ministry

      Matilda Berry was inspired to begin sharing the gospel with the community in Pacoima in 1953. Word of mouth and distribution of tracts and other literature led to a small group of women requesting Bible studies. They met in each other’s homes until their growing numbers required a larger venue. One of these women,…

    Araya Moss
  • All Nations Church Supports Health and Wellness in Monrovia

    All Nations Church Supports Health and Wellness in Monrovia

    This September, All Nations church collaborated with Loma Linda University (LLU) School of Medicine and the Institute for Community Partnerships and Adventist Health Glendale (AHG) to host a community health day Sabbath to celebrate health workers and showcase health careers.  The morning worship service featured LLU students and a message from Dexter Frederick, M.D., LLU School…

    Araya Moss
  • A New Chapter Begins: Etuini Mo’unga Installed as Pastor of L.A. Tongan Church

    A New Chapter Begins: Etuini Mo’unga Installed as Pastor of L.A. Tongan Church

    This year, Los Angeles Tongan church welcomed Pastor Etuini Mo’unga, the second pastor to ever lead this congregation in its history as the first Adventist Tongan church organized outside of Tonga. In the late 1970s, three Adventist Tongan families settled in Southern California—primarily in Riverside, Culver City, and Hawthorne—and held church services in different locations.…

    Araya Moss
  • SCC Officers Elected at 66th Constituency Session

    SCC Officers Elected at 66th Constituency Session

    On Sunday, September 29, 2024, delegates of the Southern California Conference (SCC) convened for the 66th SCC constituency session at the White Memorial Church. At this meeting, various reports were presented and delegates elected the conference officers, as well as executive and bylaws committee members, who will serve during the upcoming five-year term. We are…

    Araya Moss
  • Community Connection Is Emphasized Throughout the Week at Thousand Oaks Church

    Community Connection Is Emphasized Throughout the Week at Thousand Oaks Church

    At Thousand Oaks church, there is always a host of activities taking place each week to bring the community together. “Everything we do is open to the community,” said Jonathan Clark, Thousand Oaks church senior pastor. “We’re hoping to be a community church under the umbrella of the Adventist church.” On Tuesdays, Thousand Oaks serves…

    Araya Moss