"Can U Hear Me Now?" Youth Conference
Removing Barriers So We Can Hear Him!
2025 CYC SPEAKERS
Shay was raised Christian but fell away from the faith as a teenager. As a young adult his pursuit of a worldly career in music, along with drugs and alcohol, pulled him further and further away from God until he hit an all time low in 2017 and turned to the Lord with a heart of repentance. God granted him victory over drugs and alcohol and called him to the gospel ministry. He received formal training at the Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism in 2021. Since graduating he has preached at numerous churches throughout California and has conducted evangelistic seminars in the U.S. and Guatemala. He was also active in planting a church under the Southern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and serves there as a lay pastor. Having obtained his bachelor's and master’s degree in music, Shay now uses his education to glorify God. He writes, records, and performs original scripture songs as well as classic hymns. At the center of all that he does is the blessed Lord Jesus, His matchless love, and a desire to win souls for His glory. He cofounded The Bridegroom Cometh and currently serves as Speaker & President.
Sonny grew up in a Christian environment but didn’t feel a true connection with God until his early adulthood. Once he started studying the Bible, he felt an instant urgency to share what he was learning with others. He received formal training at the Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism and graduated in 2021. He has since planted a church in Southern California where he volunteers as a lay pastor. He has a passion for giving Bible studies, preaching, literature evangelism, and homeless outreach. He's had the privilege of holding evangelistic meetings in at least two countries, and hopes to travel to many more. His greatest desire is to glorify God in all aspects of life and win souls to Christ. He currently serves as Speaker & Vice President of Evangelism for The Bridegroom Cometh Ministry.
Sonny Capolupo
Shay Capolupo
Andy Villanueva
Andy Villanueva is a passionate leader and mentor with a heart for transforming lives and communities through the power of literature evangelism. As the Literature Ministries Director for the Southern California Conference, he oversees impactful programs like Youth Rush, GLOW, and Full Circle, focusing on empowering members, engaging churches, and revitalizing communities in Jesus. Andy Villanueva is committed to training church members of all ages to share God’s love through the simple yet powerful ministry of literature evangelism, making a tangible difference one piece at a time.
ERNESTO LAYON and wife KIM of City Exodus Ministries lived in San Diego, California up to 2017. That year they received a conviction to leave the city and move to the country. Hanging only on the promises of God, they left their careers to pursue a higher calling. They presently do the gospel medical missionary work while presenting the country living message in hopes to encourage others to not only move to the country but to do the work for this time. Their ministry is geared toward sharing their experiences and testimonies to encourage those to truly trust and obey God and see the blessings that will come and the faith that will grow stronger. Their experiences are documented on their youtube channel “City Exodus”. They currently live in Southeast Arizona and are currently traveling to share messages and treat patients while they are in the process of building an addition to their home to complete their off grid home sanitarium. Their hope is that these messages will encourage others to move to the country and make their homes into sanitariums to do this great work for these times. Their website: www.sdacityexodus.com
Jason J. Rojas
A Life Built on the Rock
There was a time when I thought success was measured by what I could build with my own
hands. As a young entrepreneur, I poured everything into my work, pushing forward with my
own vision, striving to establish something lasting. But what I didn’t realize was that a life built
on human ambition alone is like a structure with no true foundation. It wasn’t until I lost what I
had worked so hard to gain that I began to understand what real success meant. The Lord, in His mercy, allowed my plans to collapse so that He could rebuild me. When I found myself at my lowest, I cried out to Him—not just for restoration, but for a new foundation. And He answered. “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." Psalm 127:1 Through this process, I came to understand that my true calling was not just about constructing physical structures, but about building spiritual bridges—helping others cross from uncertainty to faith, from sin to salvation. Just as a bridge provides a way over what once seemed impassable, Christ became the bridge between me and the Father. Now, my greatest privilege is to imitate my Lord by building pathways for others to draw closer to Him.
From Crisis to Calling
In 2020, as the world was shutting down, my home opened up. What began as a simple act of
faith—holding worship services with family and friends—became something far greater than we
could have planned. The Lord blessed that small step, and soon it became Maranatha SDA
Bilingual Church. I saw firsthand how God takes small acts of obedience and multiplies them for
His glory. But obedience is never without cost. There were battles—spiritual struggles, personal doubts,
and moments where I questioned whether I was truly equipped for the task. Yet, through every
challenge, God reminded me that His strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
“God speaks to His people in blessings bestowed; and when these are not appreciated, He speaks to
them in blessings removed, that they may be led to see their sins, and return to Him with all the
heart." - Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 470.2 Looking back, I see that God was not just calling me to lead others—He was first calling me to be broken and rebuilt, to experience for myself the power of His grace. I was no longer the man who only served God in name. A true conversion had taken place.
A Mission to Build—For Time and Eternity
Now, I dedicate myself to two kinds of building:
1. Bridges/Structures that Stand the Test of Time – In my professional work, I am privileged to
construct physical bridges, design and model structures, provide consulting services for metal
fabrication, connecting places and people. But every blueprint, every beam, every careful
measurement reminds me of a greater reality—God is the ultimate Architect, designing a path for His children to walk in faith.
2. Bridges that Lead to Christ – As an elder, a teacher, and a mentor, my deepest desire is to
help others see that Christ Himself is the bridge to the Father. Whether through one-on-one
discipleship, leading worship, or simply sharing what He has done in my life, I seek to be a
builder in His kingdom.The world today is full of broken paths and fallen structures. Many are searching for solid ground, for a way forward. My prayer is that through my life and work, I can help point them to
the one bridge that will never fail—Jesus Christ. "And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in." - Isaiah 58:12
I am still under construction. But I know the Builder, and He never leaves.
