Kenny Wada

Senior Associate Pastor of Congregational Life

Staff Position: Shepherding servant-leaders of various ministry groups within the arena of Congregational Life. Overseeing the baptism and church membership process.

Education: Graduated from UC Irvine with a B.A. in Social Sciences. C-7 (low voltage) licensed contractor for the state of California.

Work experience:  Group home childcare worker for abused children, Deputy Probation Counselor for OC Juvenile Hall, High School Math and Science Teacher at Roosevelt High School (LAUSD), Youth Pastor at Evergreen Baptist Church, Project Manager for P.A.T.H. homeless shelter and self-employed California C-7 subcontractor.

Family: Married since August 1989 to Kathy and have four beautiful daughters.

Favorite books, authors, websites, etc.:
My favorite website is www.desiringgod.org and www.michaelhyatt.com's blog (his content is practical leadership advice, principles and wisdom).
My favorite radio talk show host is Dennis Prager on KRLA 870, M-F from 9 am to 12 pm.
When I was 16 years old, a very influential book in my life was The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. In my marriage, a significant book has been The Marriage Builder by Larry Crabb.  In ministry, a book which has affirmed my approach to ministry is Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby. And presently, my favorite authors/writers are John Piper and Paul Miller.

Hobbies, interests, pastimes: Fly-fishing in the Eastern Sierras with longtime friends, surf-fishing SoCal beaches, working on small home projects, using technology to create short videos, slideshows or anything visual, listening to my girls talk about life as they see it and then asking them why they perceive it that way! :D

Favorite foods: Spicy tuna, Korean tacos, edamame and ground turkey, ramen, anything prepared by Jerry Mar, Brent Kajikawa or Tommy Yamada, and dessert.

Life verse, favorite quote:
2 Corinthians 5:15 - "and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him, who died and rose again on their behalf"

Quote by Chuck Swindoll - "There are two things in life that are eternal:  God's word and people.  Invest your life in both."

Quote by C.J. Mahaney - "I want to prepare my kids for a future that I WILL see."  He said this in a sermon in which he addressed how Christian parents erroneously prepare their kids solely for success in this world at the expense of nurturing their souls.  They prepare their kids for a future they WILL NOT see.  But the future C.J. Mahaney speaks of, is the future judgement of all peoples before Christ.  That's a future we WILL see and I want to prepare my kids for that future.  Amen brother!