This January, Marco Topete was installed as the pastor of the Van Nuys church.
“I have always felt that God was calling me to be a pastor ever since I became a Christian in 2012,” Topete shared. A decade later, Topete graduated from Andrews University with a Master’s in Pastoral Ministry.
The morning of Topete’s installation, SCC West Region Director Greg Hoenes preached a message from the book of Esther. “Pastor Marco, who knows that God has brought you to this church for such a time as this,” he shared at the installation.
Topete, too, sees God’s hand of leading Him at just the right time. In fact, when being interviewed in 2017 to join SCC as Literature Ministries Coordinator, he was asked, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” He answered, “Working as a pastor.”
“I feel that God led me eight years in Literature Ministries and that He used these eight years to prepare me to be a better pastor,” Topete reflected.
In Van Nuys, Topete looks forward to making personal connections with people. “The part that most excites me about pastoral ministry is the opportunity to give personal Bible studies to people in the community,” he said. “I feel that will be a major emphasis. “
“One area I really want to plan and focus on is building up a place where kids can come and get to know Jesus,” he added.
Topete will be joined by his wife, Lisa, and his two sons, Abraham and Israel.