Pastor Iki
Pastor Iki Tolu Taimi is a Tongan born native and was raised in Los Angeles, California. He finished his undergraduate degree in biblical studies at La Sierra University, he went straight into ministry for the University and then accepted a call from the Southern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in 2006.
While planting a church he was asked to assist in saving another church and ended up merging the two into what is now, GARDENA GENESIS COMMUNITY CHURCH, where he was the lead pastor, 15 years, creating community partnerships and outreach engagements with the mayor, police department, and community services. During this time Iki also completed his Masters of Theological Studies Degree.
In June 2019, Iki accepted the assignment of Senior Youth and Young Adult Director for the Southern California Conference. As a Conference Administrator he works with all regions to train, equip, and retain Senior Youth and Young Adults in the SCC. He advocates for innovation, progress, and social issues.
Between the ministry at his church, the conference, school, and being a sought after speaker, his favorite role is… the ministry of being a dad.
He is married to Melanie and together they have a 2 children
Professor Lisa Clarke Diller
Lisa Clark Diller is a historian who teaches at Southern Adventist University in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
She researches and writes on religious minorities and the development of modern democracy. In addition to seventeenth century religion and politics, she enjoys service/activism in her urban neighborhood and ministry in the local church community she and her husband Tommy helped start in 2008. Her academic credentials enable her to talk about history and politics–but her passion is learning how to be part of the kingdom of God, and she loves the friendships and adventures that come with discipleship. She recently returned from a year-long teaching exchange at Avondale College in Australia.
