The Rev. Paula Cripps is a pastor with the United Methodist Church who has a passion for issues of social and economic justice. She is currently lead organizer for Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice of Los Angeles, Inland Empire chapter which includes Riverside and San Bernardino counties and Pomona Valley. She functions as the lead organizer of the interfaith religious community for the New Sanctuary Movement and the Residential Laborers Campaign and brings low wage workers and undocumented immigrants into relationships with religious communities. She teaches in various settings about faith-rooted community organizing, public policy change, and advocacy for low-wage workers and immigrant rights. She leads worship services focused on the Christian's responsibility to these forgotten and neglected people in our society.

Her topic on Wednesday night's Rendezvous worship is "God's Heart for Transformation: Economic Justice." On Thursday morning, she will speak on "Faith, Immigration, and Our Lives." Pastor Cripps holds a Masters of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology in Urban Ministries, Latino/a Ministries, and Public Policy & Religion.

Zoro The Drummer
Zoro is an internationally known rock star. One of the world’s most renowned and respected drummers, he has toured and recorded with Lenny Kravitz, Bobby Brown, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The New Edition, Jody Watley, Sean Lennon, Philip Bailey, Lisa Marie Presley, among many others.

Zoro’s worldwide appeal is evident from his numerous awards and accolades. He is consistently voted “ #1 R&B Drummer & Educator in Modern Drummer, Drum! and Rhythm Magazines. Zoro’s best-selling book and DVD, The Commandments of R&B Drumming, were awarded the prestigious, “#1 Best Educational Products Title” in the Modern Drummer & Rhythm Magazine reader’s polls. He is also featured on the celebrated DVD release, Modern Drummer Festival 2005 (Hudson Music).

The “Minister of Groove” has been the subject of dozens of print, radio and television stories for more than two decades.

He has been described as tenacious, dedicated, and passionate – qualities that stand out to anyone who crosses his path. Not your stereotypical rock star, Zoro is a positive role model whose example of hard work and clean living has served as an inspiration to generations.

Photo and biography taken from http://www.zorothedrummer.com

Ron and Lindsay PollardPastor Ronald Kenneth Pollard—a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He accepted Christ as his Savior at a young age. Responding positively to God’s leading, he completed his undergraduate education at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama. Continuing his academic preparation for service at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, he earned a Master of Divinity degree. Additional certifications were subsequently completed in the areas of peer-to-peer counseling, clinical pastoral counseling, and addictions and recovery.

Pastor Pollard’s education and professional training have prepared him for a career that has included teaching, pastoring, and conference administration. A year on the faculty of San Diego Academy in the Religion Department was followed by pastorates of three Southern California Conference congregations—University Church and Berean Church in Los Angeles and Bethel Church in Pomona. He currently pastor’s the Philadelphian SDA church in Long Beach, Ca.

In 1996 Pastor Pollard transitioned to the position he now holds as Youth Coordinator of the Greater Los Angeles Region Youth Department. Since assuming this challenging assignment, he has expanded the ministries and activities of this department by envisioning and pursuing diverse opportunities, including: publication of SAAAY! (Southern’s African American Adventist Youth newsletter), conducting Youth Specialties seminars and Enhancing Relationships retreats, planning and executing Generation Excellence Initiatives, and organizing Heritage Missions Initiatives that have provided young people international service opportunities in Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa and Ethiopia. And recently he just completed production of the exciting “New Horizons” DVD resource highlighting youth in missions and nurture.

Energetic! Enthusiastic! Empowered by the Spirit! These apropos descriptors characterize Pastor Pollard not only professionally but also personally. He has energetically assisted dozens of churches in the Greater Los Angeles Region Youth Department in his role as key resource person for youth ministries. He has enthusiastically spoken for scores of Youth Days and for Weeks of Prayer around the globe. Additionally, he has enlarged the borders of his influence through publications in various journals and as a contributor to the Cornerstone Youth Resource Magazine, Collegiate Sabbath School Quarterly and Message Magazine. And he has represented the interests of Southern California Conference youth across the North American Division. His achievements have been recognized and honored as he was named “Pacific Union Pastor of the Year for Small Churches” and “Youth Federation Pastor of the Year, and as he was included in Who’s Who Among Young Professionals.

Empowered by the Spirit, he believes that the mandate for youth ministries must focus not only on holding young people but must also include molding young people. His fervent desire is to be a flesh-and- blood model demonstrating that “with Christ our future is brighter than out past.”
Pastor Pollard is joined in ministry by his wife, the former Lindsay Barron. They were married in 1989. The family circle is completed by their two children, Cidny and Cerron.