05/31/2026
Celebrating Pastor Mike Leno's Retirement After 48 Years of Service
May 30, 2026
After eight meaningful years of ministry at Azure Hills Church, Associate Pastor for Worship and Nurture, Pastor Michael Leno will retire on June 30, 2026. We are grateful that Pastor Mike will continue serving our church family in a part-time capacity beginning July 1.
Pastor Mike's journey in ministry spans 48 years, beginning in June 1978 when he started as an intern pastor fresh out of Walla Walla College with a double major in Music and Theology. His path has taken him across the country, serving congregations in Oregon, Michigan, Arizona, and Georgia before arriving in California in 2006.
Throughout his nearly five decades of ministry, Pastor Mike has served in diverse roles—he taught eighth grade for a year, worked as a religion editor and announcer at a radio station during seminary, and planted the Columbia Gorge Church in Troutdale, Oregon.
Continuing his commitment to theological education, Pastor Mike returned to school while pastoring the Ontario Church, graduating with his MA in Religion with the highest honors from La Sierra School of Divinity in 2011. He received the President's Award for his master's thesis "Hell Under Construction: The Fate of the Wicked in 2nd Temple Jewish Literature." Before joining Azure Hills in 2018, he served as Lead Pastor at the Ontario Church and Palm Springs Church here in Southeastern California Conference.
"In my 48 years, this is the best job I've had," Pastor Mike shared when reflecting on his time at Azure Hills. Among his most cherished memories are marrying Pastor Starla (with the help of our own Pastor Tara and Pastor BT!), teaching in Grace Notes Sabbath School and LIFT, leading small group studies on the teachings of Jesus, and reviving the church orchestra. "I love working with our staff and volunteers at Azure Hills," he said. "For that reason, it is hard to retire.”
We invite you to save the date for a special retirement party for Pastor Mike on May 30, 2026, 6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall.
As Pastor Mike transitions into this new chapter, he looks forward to collaborating more with Starla in teaching and writing, spending precious time with his children and grandchildren, and enjoying some long bike rides. Senior Pastor Tara VinCross shared, "Working with Pastor Mike has been such a gift. He is Jesus-centered, an encourager, a deep thinker, and someone who cares for people with the love of God. He likes to keep the main thing the main thing. His presence on our team has blessed not only me, but our entire church family.”
When asked about scripture that has sustained him throughout his ministry, Pastor Mike shared two passages that capture the heart of his pastoral calling:
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."
(1 John 5:13)
Please join us in thanking Pastor Michael Leno for his faithful service and celebrating this well-deserved milestone. We are blessed that he will continue to minister among us and call Azure Hills Church his home in the months and years ahead
