Meet Our Pastoral Staff...

Aivars Ozolins, Associate Pastor

Aivars Ozolins originally comes from Latvia in northeastern Europe. He grew up in a loving Christian family at the time when Latvia was under the Communist rule and experienced a lot of oppression and persecution from the authorities hostile to any expression of Christianity.

His dream from the early days was to get a good Christian education and to serve God. Unfortunately for many people living in the Soviet Union, this kind of dream was as far-fetched an impossibility as "going to the Moon." However, God did fulfil his dream and he was able to get Christian education and then entered full-time ministry.

Aivars holds a Bachelor's degree in Linguistics and Language Teaching from Latvia State University, in Riga, Latvia. He earned his Master's degree in Theology and Pastoral Care at Newbold College in Bracknell, England, affiliated with Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. He also earned a Master's degree and Doctorate in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary, in Pasadena, California.

Aivars brings to Vallejo Drive a wide range of experience. In addition to his pastoral experience, he has teaching, organizational, business management, administrative, counseling, and many other skills.

Aivars has a family of five. His wife, Juta, completed her Master's degree in Social Work at the University of Southern California in May 2005. They have three sons: Kaspars is in Latvia studying linguistics; Aldis is currently attending Pasadena City College with an interest in art; and Elvins is a student at Glendale Adventist Academy.

Click here to read Aivar's story, as featured in the Spring 2001 issue of The GracePlace.

You can witness Aivars' dynamic sermons every Friday night when you visit Vallejo Drive for our Truth + Spirit contemporary service.