Sessions

Morning Speaker

Pastor Gary Shiohama

Gary Shiohama is the retired founding and senior pastor of South Bay Community Church in Torrance. Prior to entering full-time ministry in 1992, Gary had a diverse career in the business and political arenas, serving as a deputy to two local elected officials and owning a Mexican restaurant. Raised in a Buddhist home, he became a Christ-follower at the age of 20 while attending Pepperdine University. Gary often says he cut his ministry teeth as a youth advisor at Evergreen Baptist Church and through his involvement at various Mt. Hermon high school camps.

Now retired, Gary enjoys cheering for Shohei Ohtani, training future leaders, and guest-speaking at churches. He has been happily married to his wife, Cheryl, for nearly 32 years, and together they have two daughters, a son-in-law, and a lively dog named Kea.

Evening Speaker

Pastor Kim Kira

Kim Kira is the primary preaching elder at Lighthouse Community Church in Torrance, a church he helped plant 22 years ago. His passion in ministry is to help people love and worship Christ more deeply by showing that the gospel is not only for eternal life, but everyday life. He has the great joy of being married to Jen for 23 years and raising their four kids together. Along with ministry he enjoys rooting for LA sports teams, eating good food, and traveling with his family.  

Nichigo Speaker

Rev. Naoto Kamano

Rev. Kamano was born in Kobe, Japan in 1963. He received a call to full-time church ministry while in graduate school and earned a PhD in Old Testament studies. Currently, Rev. Kamano serves as the president of Kansai Bible Seminary, an associate pastor at Kobe Chuo Church of The Church of Jesus Christ of Japan, the Director of AGST/J Kansai Training Center, and the Director of JCFN. He is the author of “The Work of God's Mighty Power: Listening to the Letter to the Ephesians,” “One Story That Runs Through the Sixty-Six Books of the Bible,” “Old Testament Guidebook,” and other translated books. His family includes his wife, adult daughter and son. He has been a Mac user for over 30 years and a drama fan.