LOVING JESUS.
LOVING GOD'S PRESENCE.
LOVING NATIONS & GENERATIONS.
We exist because of Jesus. Our heartbeat is loving Jesus and loving people. We are an imperfect people from different nations, cultures, and backgrounds, but what brings us together is our faith and desire to pursue God's presence. Our passion is to see the nations worshipping Jesus.
LOVING GOD'S PRESENCE.
LOVING NATIONS & GENERATIONS.
We exist because of Jesus. Our heartbeat is loving Jesus and loving people. We are an imperfect people from different nations, cultures, and backgrounds, but what brings us together is our faith and desire to pursue God's presence. Our passion is to see the nations worshipping Jesus.
OUr leadership
Mika and Rommy are the Lead Pastors of Living Word International Christian Church.
Mika, coming from a family of generational, Finnish missionaries, was born in Singapore in 1971. Mika spent his childhood exploring the jungles and rivers of Indonesia living on a gospel ship called Ebenezer while his parents reached the people of Indonesia with the gospel message wrapped in love. Mika has lived an internationally focused life for as long as he can remember. He received his call to ministry at the age of 12 years old in a lifeboat in the middle of the Java Sea after his family’s ship sank in a storm. Mika is a gifted and dynamic speaker who is passionate about mobilizing young people into missions and helping churches in bridging generational and cultural gaps.
Rommy grew up serving and loving people around her. From a very young age, she felt the sorrows of others deeply and desired to help. She realized her call to minister to people during a trip to her ancestral home country of Hungary where she witnessed the lostness of people without the hope of Jesus Christ. Rommy is a people person. She never walks by a person without truly seeing them. She loves to make the truths in the word of God tangible. She gets excited about empowering people to love God in genuine and creative ways.
Mika and Rommy met while studying at Elim Bible Institute in Lima, NY. After working with youth in Finland together, they went on to pastor churches in Toronto, Canada and Canberra, Australia, as well as to serve as missionaries in Indonesia. Most recently, they pastored at Helsinki Saalem Church in Finland. They have six children (Mai, Isaiah, Säde, Promise, Samuel, Hannah and a sweet dog named Java) and are excited about the journey that each is on following God’s call on their lives.
As a couple, Mika and Rommy are a beautiful mix of laughter, encouragement, practical teaching on how to flourish in everyday relationship with Jesus, and knowing the Holy Spirit within their own church family and to the nations around the world.
Mika, coming from a family of generational, Finnish missionaries, was born in Singapore in 1971. Mika spent his childhood exploring the jungles and rivers of Indonesia living on a gospel ship called Ebenezer while his parents reached the people of Indonesia with the gospel message wrapped in love. Mika has lived an internationally focused life for as long as he can remember. He received his call to ministry at the age of 12 years old in a lifeboat in the middle of the Java Sea after his family’s ship sank in a storm. Mika is a gifted and dynamic speaker who is passionate about mobilizing young people into missions and helping churches in bridging generational and cultural gaps.
Rommy grew up serving and loving people around her. From a very young age, she felt the sorrows of others deeply and desired to help. She realized her call to minister to people during a trip to her ancestral home country of Hungary where she witnessed the lostness of people without the hope of Jesus Christ. Rommy is a people person. She never walks by a person without truly seeing them. She loves to make the truths in the word of God tangible. She gets excited about empowering people to love God in genuine and creative ways.
Mika and Rommy met while studying at Elim Bible Institute in Lima, NY. After working with youth in Finland together, they went on to pastor churches in Toronto, Canada and Canberra, Australia, as well as to serve as missionaries in Indonesia. Most recently, they pastored at Helsinki Saalem Church in Finland. They have six children (Mai, Isaiah, Säde, Promise, Samuel, Hannah and a sweet dog named Java) and are excited about the journey that each is on following God’s call on their lives.
As a couple, Mika and Rommy are a beautiful mix of laughter, encouragement, practical teaching on how to flourish in everyday relationship with Jesus, and knowing the Holy Spirit within their own church family and to the nations around the world.
Mika Yrjola
Lead Pastor
Pastor Mika leads the church together with his wife Pastor Rommy. Humor, coffee, vision, encouragement, and wisdom are all things that flow from him. And if you ever need a piece of interesting but completely unnecessary information, he is your guy.
Rommy Yrjola
Lead Pastor
Pastor Rommy loves people. She will always take a moment to love, encourage and sometimes give a mama talk & hug to you. She loves chocolate, quality time with family, and MOST of the interesting but completely unnecessary information that Pastor Mika provides.
Krystal-Joy Dunn
Youth Pastor
Pastor Krystal works with our middle and high school aged youth but she does so much more. She is often the passion behind things (like events) and the one making it happen. Church just wouldn't function without her! She loves encouraging the next generation together with her husband Nate... and also hot cocoa, she loves hot cocoa.
Tanya Simiakos
Children's Pastor
Pastor Tanya is the gentle, deep soul leading our little ones at church. Her imagination creates wonders and fun while also dropping precious truths about Jesus into the hearts of children. Her favorite things include dark chocolate, a cup of tea, the Word of God, her husband, and her kids.
Joseph Choi
Teams Pastor / NBCC
Pastor Choi loves to get the group going with a good "Jesus Victory!" cheer. He leads our Men's Ministry, encourages our Sunday teams, and also pastors New Beginning Community Church. After years of being practiced on by his older Tae Kwon Do national champion brothers, Pastor Choi decided to one up them by not only getting his black belt but also getting his spiritual game on. He has a huge smile, but you might want to watch out... or he will love you to pieces!
Hannah Mai Yrjola
Executive Assistant / Missions / Worship
Mai is the multitasker of the staff. She has more jobs than anyone can count and always, mostly gets everything done... almost, nearly on time. Her jobs include graphics, worship, missions, executive assistant, and events. Needless to say, she can always be found working with her laptop in some corner, but her heart beats for Jesus, the nations, family, and raspberries.
Vara Sampson
Audio Tech
Vara knows all things sound and music. From Bollywood and mega-events to church life, he knows the answers to just about anything. We love to see his multitasking skills at work on Sunday mornings while he plays bass and mixes sound at the same time! His passion, however, is serving God's house and God's people, and he does it with all of his heart.
Dimitri Mantzouranis
Production Manager
Dimitri is the life of the party on staff! His jokes land superbly... most the time. When he is not cracking jokes, he runs our production department and passionately seeks God's message for today. He spends his time coming up with amazing new material for video announcements while eating his amazing native Greek food.
Pirkko O'Clock
Communications Manager
Pirkko keeps everyone on schedule and in the know. Without her, the typos would abound and no one would know anything about anything. She keeps everyone calm and collected while making sure that communications functions at church. Her favorite passion, however, is her sweet husband Bill and rye bread from Finland.
Connie Chisvo
Evangelism and Local Missions Coordinator
Connie is the welcoming smile you see when you walk in our doors. She makes sure that everyone has a place and room at church (literally.. with our calendar) and encourages each person she encounters. She is passionate about sharing Christ, even with the Amazon delivery guy, and she loves cooking.
Angela Cooper
Care Ministry Coordinator
Angela handles everything having to do with care ministries. She is the person you go to when you need help, pastoral support, or prayer. She has beautifully and lovingly walked so many families through so many different seasons.
Glenor Virgo-Heath
WMS Child Care Executive Director
Ms G runs our Watch Me Sprout day care! She always has a big smile and is often found with a trail of little people behind her singing songs. If you ever need some flavor in your life, she is your islander with her famous jerk chicken and banana bread.
Mercy DaSilva
Accounts Receivable / Payroll
Mercy takes care of the finances coming into the building. She stands in faith and is always the first to respond to the needs around her.
Emebet Akalu
Accounts Payable
Emebet takes care of any finances going out of the building. This quiet soul is full of wisdom and warm hugs. She can be found in the far corners and reaches of the building, always dressed in blue.
Jose Flores
Building / Security Manager
Jose is the boss. He knows everything there is to know about the building and everyone in it. He holds the keys to city of Living Word, and he makes sure we are all safe all the time. You can always find him with coke and a smile.
Ralph Challenger
Security
Ralph is the staffs' night owl. If you come to church after 5 pm or on the weekend, Ralph is there. We don't know how he does it, but no matter what he always has a smile and a word of encouragement for everyone.