Our Ministry Team

Meet our Pastoral & Church Leadership

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Ricky Rosales

Senior Head Pastor

Pastor Ricky Rosales serves as the Senior Head Pastor of Gardena Filipino SDA Church in Carson, California, an Adventist church under the Southern California Conference with over 60 active members.

With more than 14 years of dedicated service in pastoral ministry, Pastor Ricky Rosales continues to build on the legacy of the late Pastor Leones Sr., the church’s founder, who recently passed away. Before his passing, Pastor Ricky made a heartfelt promise to Pastor Leones Sr. to continue the mission and ministry of the church he founded. Through Pastor Ricky's vision, hard work, and leadership, the church has grown from a small group of friends to a thriving congregation with an increasing number of attendees at each Sabbath service.

In 2010, Pastor Ricky Rosales earned a Bachelor of Theology degree from Central Philippine Adventist College in Negros Occidental, Philippines. To deepen his understanding of Scripture and the Adventist faith, he pursued further education and completed a Master of Divinity degree in 2015 at the Manila Theological College and Graduate School.

As his ministry continues to grow, Pastor Ricky Rosales is passionate about equipping the church to lead others into a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is committed to fulfilling his divine calling of evangelizing the Adventist faith, lifestyle, teachings, and doctrines to people worldwide.

Pastor Ricky Rosales is married to his wife, Nataly, and they have two children, Ricardo and Lilian. He enjoys outdoor activities, especially road trips, and values spending quality time with his family. Above all, Pastor Ricky is a man of faith, dedicated to serving God and his community.

Jose Leones, Jr.

Head Church Elder

Elder Jose Leones, Jr. serves as the Head Church Elder of Gardena Filipino SDA Church. Born in Bancal, Meycauyan, Philippines, he is the son of the late Pastor Jose Dizon Leones, Sr., the founder of Gardena Filipino SDA Church. With God's guidance and through their shared commitment to ministry, Elder Leones and his father helped sustain and grow the church since its official establishment in 2001.

Throughout his ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Elder Jose Leones, Jr. has held various leadership roles, including Youth Leader, Master Guide with the Pathfinder Club, Ordained Church Deacon, and Church Elder. His dedication to the church and its mission has been a constant presence in his life.

Elder Leones began his academic journey at Manila Central University in Caloocan, Philippines, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry. After two years of study, he made the decision to move to the United States in search of further educational and career opportunities.

Upon arriving in Los Angeles, California, Elder Leones completed his studies in Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) through the Los Angeles Unified School District and earned an Associate Degree in Nursing. His career in healthcare spans many years, during which he has held positions as a Certified Nurse Assistant at Autumn Hills Convalescent and as an LVN at New Start Health Care.

Currently, Elder Jose Leones, Jr. works as a Registered Nurse at Olive View UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, where he continues to contribute to the healthcare field with dedication and compassion.

Elder Leones is married to his wife, Maria, and they are proud parents of three college graduates: Josh, Justin, and Janis. Elder Leones' deep commitment to both his family and his church is reflected in his leadership and service within the Gardena Filipino SDA Church community.

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Luke McCann

Youth Leader

Luke McCann serves as the Youth Leader at Gardena Filipino SDA Church.

Originally from Waipahu, Hawaii, Luke comes from a diverse background of Filipino, Irish, and German descent. His journey to becoming a Seventh-day Adventist began in May 2018 when he was baptized in the Philippines. This moment marked the start of his profound commitment to God, the church, and his calling into ministry.

Since January 2019, Luke McCann has been actively involved in Adventist pastoral ministry, serving at several SDA churches in Southern California, including Haven Adventist Church, Loma Linda Korean SDA Church, and Gardena Filipino SDA Church.

However, as of September 2024, Luke made the thoughtful decision to step down from pastoral ministry to focus on other professional goals. He remains committed to his role as Youth Leader at Gardena Filipino SDA Church, continuing his passion for guiding and mentoring the next generation.

Currently, Luke is pursuing undergraduate studies at La Sierra University, a private Seventh-day Adventist university in Riverside, California. He is working toward a dual major, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Teaching with concentrations in Social Science and Political Science, along with a minor in Religion, focusing on Adventist Theology. Luke also plans to further his studies with the goal of entering public office, law, or high school teaching, all while continuing his active leadership in youth ministry at Gardena Filipino SDA Church.

Luke is passionate about the outdoors and enjoys traveling, particularly to his hometown of Hawaii and the Philippines, where he has a deep appreciation for Filipino culture. His favorite dishes include chicken tinola and chicken adobo. His commitment to ministry shines through his dedication to serving others, supporting his church community, and helping individuals grow spiritually.

At present, Luke McCann remains single as he continues his journey in ministry and service.