Pastor Mike Elias was ordained to the ministry on September 8, at the Vallejo Drive church. Elias is the latest in a succession of pastors in his family, including his grandfather, father, two brothers and two brothers-in-law. Affirmations and tributes from fellow pastors, from his wife Diana, and from his son Michael, noted Elias’ commitment to helping people and the community.

Elias accepted the call to ministry in the Southern California Conference after another career that included social work and management of the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House. He first assisted at the Redondo Beach church, then served as pastor of the Sunland-Tujunga, Pomona and La Crescenta (now Living Stones) churches. In his present ministry as associate pastor of the Vallejo Drive church, he leads the Truth + Spirit contemporary ministry. Genesis, a Christian addiction-recovery program, is that church’s most recent outreach, co-sponsored by the Salvation Army. (For information, call 818-734-9878.)

Responding to charges given by Larry Caviness, president of the SCC, and Velino Salazar, SCC secretary, Elias shared his personal call to mission from Scripture: “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd " (Matt. 9:35-37).