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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,…
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Adventurer Leadership Training Emphasizes the Theme “Walk by Faith”
On a vibrant Sunday in October, Southern California Conference (SCC) youth ministries hosted an impactful Adventurer leadership training event at White Memorial church. Around 120 participants—club directors, staff, and parents—gathered with a shared purpose: to better support Adventurer clubs in their local churches. The day began with an inspiring devotional led by Geoff Sewell, youth…
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Annual Fall GLAR Gala Returns With More Than 200 Attendees
The Greater Los Angeles Region (GLAR) Fall Gala was held at the Renaissance Hotel in Los Angeles last year, with more than 200 people in attendance. Previously an annual event, the gala returned in 2024 after several years off due to the pandemic. The gala, which originated more than 15 years ago, was created by…
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A Century of Grace: Vallejo Drive Church Celebrates 100 Years of Ministry
One hundred years is a remarkable milestone—whether it marks the health and vitality of a centenarian or the enduring legacy of institutions rooted in tradition and growth. For the Vallejo Drive church, its century-long journey reflects both—a vibrant testament to faith and community and its unique legacy of promoting both spiritual and physical well-being. Organized…
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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…
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SCC Welcomes Brett Poynter as New Los Angeles Metro Region Director
Brett Poynter’s pastoral journey began right here in the Southern California Conference (SCC) in 2001 as the youth and young adult pastor at the Temple City church. After nine years, Poynter was called to serve as the senior pastor at the Hacienda Heights church, where he served for eight years. Upon receiving an invitation to…
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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…
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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,…
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A Community of Love and Care for Seniors at Scholl Canyon Estates
Nestled next door to the Southern California Conference office in Glendale, independent living facility Scholl Canyon Estates offers home-cooked meals, exercise classes, game nights, group outings, housekeeping, live-in managers, and much more. Many of the activities are offered free of charge, and they are open to residents as well as members of the community. “I…
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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…
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Los Angeles Portuguese Church Hosts Wedding Vow Renewal Ceremony
Think about your favorite season of the year. For my wife, it’s fall. She is fascinated by the renewal of the leaves of each different type of tree near our home. She often says, “I fall in love with the fall season because it inspires me to believe in the hope of renewal.” With this…
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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.…
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SCC Young Adults Bring Warmth and Love to Peruvian Village of Japura
This summer, the Southern California Conference (SCC) Senior Youth and Young Adult (SYYA) team joined the ADRA Warm Homes project in Peru, where they stayed 90 minutes outside of Cusco, Peru, at ADRA’s Camp Chuquicahuana. During the trip, the group of 37 installed Trombe walls for solar heat, solar panels for electricity, wood floors, a…
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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…
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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…
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Valley Crossroads Church and Mother’s Nutritional Center Are Transforming Lives
This summer, Valley Crossroads church became a beacon of hope and love for the local community. The church opened its doors and hearts in a special collaboration with Mother’s Nutritional Center to bring joy, support, and encouragement to everyone who attended. This heartwarming event was more than just a gathering; it was a true testament…
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From Parrots to Pit Bulls: God Orchestrates Unique Connections During Youth Rush
God not only answers the prayers of canvassers but the unseen prayers of families as well. The phrase “God can make a way out of no way” rang especially true for student literature evangelists participating in Youth Rush this summer in the Southern California Conference (SCC) territory. Gabriel was having a particularly bad day before…
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116 Baptisms and a New Church in Pasuquin
As Michael Johnson was talking with some of his members at the Pasadena church where he is the pastor, the topic of mission trips came up. He was sharing about when he and his wife participated in a mission trip to El Salvador. One member asked if he had ever been to the Philippines. Johnson…
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Children at Lancaster Spanish Church Are Growing in Jesus
“It’s been on my heart for a few years to start a children’s ministry for the kids in our church,” said Leticia Cruz, children’s ministries director at Lancaster Spanish church, “because I see that it’s very important, especially with the times that we are in now, to teach our kids more about God.” Before launching…
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Teen Challenge Week Builds Up Young People at North Hills Church
When North Hills church pastors Angel Smith and Tim Cress realized the opportunity before them when it came to youth ministry, they jumped at the challenge. Smith had directed a canvassing program and Cress had hosted three teen challenge weeks when he was a next gen pastor in Colorado, so they were well equipped to…