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. In the 1980s, more people joined with the desire to start a church. By 1986, the Los Angeles Tongan church was founded with Sonatane Vunileva, then a recent graduate from Loma Linda University, as senior pastor. As the congregation continued to grow, they were blessed to be hosted at different locations, such as Paramount Spanish church, Tamarind Avenue church, Lynwood Adventist Academy, and Los Angeles Adventist Academy. In 2017, after many years worshiping at different locations, the church took out a loan to purchase its own property in Bellflower. Four years later, the church celebrated paying off its mortgage. Since its founding by 14 families, including 28 adults and 10 children, the congregation has grown to 69 families, with 144 members and 44 children.
At the installation ceremony, the congregation honored the past, celebrated the present, and envisioned a future filled with promise and continued growth.
“Sometimes we need to be reminded of where we came from and where we’re going,” Vinh Nguyen, Southern California Conference Asian/Pacific Region director, said in his sermon. “I’m happy to witness and see how God has worked through the Tongan people. You have come to this country for a reason. Not only to further your education, not only to improve your life, but you’ve established a church to witness to the people.”
Pastor Vunileva passed on the torch to Mo’unga, symbolizing the transition of leadership. Mo’unga, who previously volunteered in ministry for more than 20 years, answered the call to take this next step in his ministry with humility.
“I am truly honored and privileged that the Lord chooses to work through imperfect people like me,” Mo’unga said. “While it is a big task, I do not feel intimidated; instead, I trust and humbly surrender my life to God’s guidance, and I find peace in that.” In this next chapter, Mo’unga hopes to shepherd the congregation, building on the foundation of the last 38 years. “My passion for sharing God’s love drives me to recruit, develop, and empower church leaders and volunteers,” Mo’unga added. “I am unafraid to dream big, for I serve a big God.”
