Southern California Conference
ALL PHOTOS: LAUREN LACSON
In a comedic coincidence, pastors James Fell, Whittier church, and Jim Ayars, Ventura and Thousand Oaks churches, tied for the most years in the ministry with 50-plus each.
Inaugural Pastor-Teacher Summit Fosters Unity and Understanding By Lauren Lacson
“
I
hope this event becomes an annual tradition and part of SCC’s DNA,” said Rogelio Paquini, pastor of the West Covina Hills church, of SCC’s recent pastor-teacher summit. This February, more than 250 SCC pastors and educators gathered for this special all-day meeting. The first of its kind, at least within the last 50 years, the event opened up an important opportunity for dialogue and understanding. The goals for the day, as outlined
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PA C I F I C U N I O N R E CO R D E R
Educators wore yellow badges and pastors wore red. Near the end of the meeting, every attendee received an orange badge, signifying unity and collaboration.
by SCC President Velino A. Salazar, were fourfold: • To better understand the other ministry group. • To increase collaboration between these two groups. • To support each other’s ministry.
• To better serve our church families and their mutual communities. “What I appreciated most is seeing pastors and educators meet together as one and receive the affirmation from conference leadership that we (Far left) Carol Todd, principal of Los Angeles Adventist Academy, spearheads a discussion with LAAA’s constituent churches. (Left) Michele Choi, SGA English teacher (second from left), shares a conversation with SGAE kindergarten teacher Bernell Rivera, SGAE principal Angel Nair, and SCC AsianPacific Region Director Sam Lee.