George Egami
Associate Pastor of Senior Ministries
Staff Position: Oversee, along with the Core Group, the Harvesters Monthly Fellowship breakfast meeting and Harvesters Branch Bible study.
Education and Experience: During World War II, my family and I were evacuated from Pasadena to the Tulare Assembly Center. Subsequently, we were moved to the Gila River Relocation Center, Camp 2. After attending school there for two years, we relocated to Chicago, Illinois where I attended High School through the 10th grade. We returned to Pasadena and I enrolled at John Muir High School and later graduated from there. I completed the one year Auto Repair Course at Frank Wiggins Technical School, (later renamed L.A. Trade Technical College). Upon discharge from the Air Force, I earned an Associate of Arts degree from Pasadena City College, while in pursuit of a university degree..
My work history included many different jobs, from busboy in a restaurant in Chicago to “live-in school boy” in Pasadena, Later I helped my father with his gardening route, and worked at a furniture company. While attending Pasadena City College, I was the night janitor for an engineering firm. For a time I worked on weekends at a gas station where I pumped gas, changed oil and lubed cars.
In 1958, I tested for, and was hired as a Civil Engineering Draftsman with the City of Los Angeles, and continued attending night school. Later, upon passing the State of California’s examination for Engineer-in-Training, I was promoted to Civil Engineering Assistant, a professional classification. The EIT certification was accepted by the City as the equivalent of a Bachelors of Science degree in Engineering. That took care of my college aspirations. Several years later, I tested for, and was licensed by the State of California as a Registered Civil Engineer. The City considered this license to be the equivalent of a master’s degree, and accorded it the same status and privileges. This afforded me the opportunity to apply for competitive testing for higher positions in the Bureau of Engineering’s promotional ladder. After almost 34 years, I retired in 1991.
While attending the First Presbyterian Church of Altadena, I served as a Deacon, and was serving as an Elder In 1995. It was then that I was called to serve on staff at Evergreen Baptist Church, to shepherd the Seniors Ministries.
Family: Naomi and I have three children, which includes twin daughters and a son. Also, God has blessed us with four granddaughters and three grandsons. This fall, Naomi and I will celebrate our 49th wedding anniversary, God willing.
Favorite books: Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster; Eternal Security by Charles Stanley; The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A’ Kempis; Razors Edge by Somerset Maughham.
Authors: Andrew Murray, Charles Stanley, Richard Foster.
Hobbies, Interests, pastimes: Golf and Ukulele. As a young man, I took a keen interest in shooting pool and 3 cushion billiards.
About 15 of my old Friends, all between the ages of 75 and 80, get together once a month over lunch. We’ve decided that rather than seeing each other only at the funerals of our mutual friends, we should get together and see each other on a regular basis. After all, only the Lord knows the number of our days.
Favorite foods: My favorite dish is spaghetti made by my wife Naomi, and anything else that she makes. Once in a while, we enjoy a good steak.
Life verse: 2 Timothy 2:2. “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
Latest News: This year, 2011, our entire family will attend Mount Hermon Family Camp, God willing.
Current book you are reading: Faith Alone by R.C. Sproul