Pastor John was born and raised in Boston, MA. Spent eight years in the army, ten plus years in industry as a metrologist, then entered Atlantic Union College to complete a degree in theology. He received a call to enter the ministry in South Eastern New England Conference where he pastored for eight years. He received his master's degree at LLU, then taught at Glendale and La Sierra academies, and did contract teaching at LSU. He served as pastor for the Norco and Mira Loma SDA churches until retirement in 2005. John now is a part time visitation pastor for LSUC, were he also enjoys teaching Sabbath School classes.

Pastor Devo was born and raised in the beautiful country of South Africa. He graduated from Helderberg College (an extension campus of Andrews University in SA) with a Bachelors degree in Theology. In 2000 Devo entered the full time ministry as a pastor in Johannesburg, SA, where he was associate pastor in 3 churches. In July 2001 he came to La Sierra University to do graduate studies. He worked as Assistant Chaplain at LSU until he was called as Youth Pastor for La Sierra University Church in January 2002. He earned a Master of Arts in Religion in 2005.

Devo has a passion for making the gospel relevant to young people. He believes that the local church can and must strive to enable young people to internalize and express faith in Jesus Christ in a way that: (1) is relevant to their culture and which they can own; (2) provides holistic meaning (i.e. in every realm of their lives); and (3) is consistent with the revelation of Jesus Christ attested to in Scripture. He hopes that the message of Grace will not only assure youth of God's unconditional love and acceptance, but also inspire them to get involved in ministry in our community and the world.

Apart from finding fulfillment in spending quality time with people, Devo loves all kinds of sports activities, especially tennis, listening to good music (especially U2!), playing his guitar and enjoying the company of great friends. His favorite past time, however, is enjoying time with his wife, Leilani and children: Lia (born in 2004) and Amelie (born in 2007) and Levi (born in 2009).

"Grace finds beauty in everything"--U2 in their song "Grace"

Sam Leonor loves his work as Pastor to the students and faculty of La Sierra University. He is passionate about spiritual awakening among young adults, especially college students. He loves to see them bloom into faith that is missional, growing and full of love. He devotes much of his ministry to exploring contemporary Biblical spirituality in the context of community. His ministry is marked by a call to radical faith that engages culture deeply and emphasizes justice. His other interests include making music, traveling, history and good food.

Sam was raised in Central America where his parents were part of developing church and health care missions. He has degrees from Southern Adventist University, Andrews University, and is a doctoral candidate at George Fox University.

He is married to Shelley Campbell. They have two children, Alexandra (born in 2000), and a son, Micah (born in 2003).

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Pastor Janeen is interested in getting everyone involved in church because she believes in a vibrant community made up of a priesthood of all believers. She has a cross-cultural background which she values for the different perspective it gives her on community and family. Everyone is special to God and Pastor Janeen wants each child and adult to feel that when they are here.

The children of our church are the embodiement of God's smile, laugh, and fun. When we invest in our children, we are in fact increasing God's presence in our community.

Pastor Janeen is married to Matt, a pilot and they are the very proud parents of Emma and Daniel.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 - "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. . . I will listen to you. . .I will be found by you."

My name is Chris Oberg, and church matters to me! It seems like we have a couple of options when thinking about organized religion in 2009. We can complain and grumble and jump ship. Or we can roll up our sleeves and attempt to make it better. I’m of the latter conviction and this is why I’m serving at La Sierra University Church.

I first joined the Pastoral Team in 2000 as Pastor for Children and Families. Five years later my family moved to the Calimesa Church so I could take the responsibility of Senior Pastor. And in 2009, we are back at La Sierra. What brought us back? Largely the opportunity to work among the next generations with a conviction that the Christian life expressed through Adventist grace-driven priorities is worth pursuing and living.

My primary responsibilities at LSUC are Preaching/Teaching Ministry, Crisis Visitation, Strategic Visioning, and Leadership Development. I must say that the Preaching Ministry is a sacred and treasured priority. The sacred scriptures are clear and comforting, yet also confusing and challenging. Hearing a Word on target for our lives today is what I hope for each time we open the Bible together.

It is especially rewarding to serve at the campus church of my alma mater. I’m a double alumnus of La Sierra University, and daily live in a grateful awareness of how this University shapes my life. My husband, Kerby, is a Physician-Scientist at Loma Linda University, where he teaches, runs a research laboratory, and collaborates on all sorts of projects interested in congenital anomalies and birth defects. Amanda and Alisa are both college-age. Amanda is studying Business, and Alisa is studying Psychology. We are the kind of parents who intend on following our daughters around along time saying, “Those are our kids!” Yes, we apologize to our children regularly that they got us for parents…

I expect you to email or phone when in crisis or to report someone else in crisis. I expect you will communicate openly and regularly. I expect to learn from you as we attempt to be a church on the corner God recognizes and uses. Oh, and I expect we’ll have a lot of fun along the way.

Pastor Dave was born to missionary parents in Zimbabwe Southern Africa, one of five siblings. And so the concept of ministry was engrained into his DNA from a very early age. He says he can’t remember a time when he did not want to be involved in ministry. He is passionate about ministry and wants to be involved with people for Jesus sake.

Dave was in his first church at age 21 and has had the honor of ministering in the Adventist Church on two continents over the past 36 years. He and his wife, Cheryl, are delighted to be a part of the La Sierra University Church family and pledge themselves to minister to all its peoples in a way that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ can be clearly felt in this place. Dave’s burden is that this church will be a safe place for spiritual growth and Christian development.

Pastor Stuart Tyner serves the La Sierra University Church as Pastor for Nurture and Discipleship. His responsibilities focus on spiritual growth, small group and Sabbath School ministries, worship, and pastoral care counseling.

Stuart and his wife, Karen, have lived in Riverside, just a mile north of the church, since 1990. This year (2010), they celebrate their 44th wedding anniversary. Karen is a retired registered nurse who specialized in hospice care. The Tyners have three married children, and five grandchildren, all living in and around Asheville, North Carolina.

Stuart is the author of six books: Chosen By Grace, published in 2009 by Pacific Press, is a careful study of end time events through the lens of a grace orientation. Searching for the God of Grace, 2006, is a history of the development of the doctrine of salvation by grace alone, from ancient times through the biblical period, into the history of the early church, the middle ages, the Reformation, and through to its development in Adventist fundamental beliefs. Earlier books include, The Colors of Grace in Our Homes, 100 Creative Ideas for Family Worship; Walking On the Edge, a series of interactive Bible studies for Adventist students who attend public high schools; The ABZs of Adventist Youth Ministry, an encyclopedia of youth ministry philosophy and strategies for ministry; and Summer Ministries.

The great joys in Stuart's life come by way of his family, his love of great Western art, the opportunities he has had to travel, and the meaningful spiritual insights that come from the discussions in pastoral staff meetings, in the Wednesday night small group gathering (meeting at the Tyner's home for ten years now), the weekly Sabbath School class called Solomon's Porch, the men's study group that meets on the second Sunday morning of every month, and a monthly book club that explores recent relevant sacred and secular publications.

The goal of all those discussions is to grow in grace, within the embrace of a community where we feel the safety to ask any question, the freedom to find our place in our tradition, and the encouragement to look for the face of God wherever we can find it.

I am known by Hallie to my family and friends. I am delighted to still be serving this church as pastor. I was hired as a full time pastor by this conference in 1980. I was the first official woman hired by this conference and with that has come the great responsibility and privilege of being part of the growing number of women in ministry in this conference. In that capacity I also am part of the administrative team of our conference. Since I am now retired, I am a part time Pastor for Diverse Ministries here in this church where I have learned and been blessed my entire ministry. I was ordained in 1996. I help with elders, visitation, Destination Sabbath School and the seniors of our church.

I am a fourth generation SDA minister and a missionary preacher's child. Ministry has been my dream, my vocation and my passion. My undergraduate education is in ministerial studies at La Sierra University and I have a master's degree in Family Life Education from Loma Linda University.

My husband is Leland Y. Wilson. He was a missionary in the Philippines and taught chemistry for many years at La Sierra University. He is now a part time professor for La Sierra University and University California, Riverside.

Together we dearly love and have fun with our seven adult children, twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

It is with humility and joy that I serve this congregation and thank God for the opportunity to do so.