Rev. Akanesi Tupou

Akanesi (Nesi) Tupou is a Tongan-American female that serves as the Lead Pastor of two churches in the Morongo Basin. Yucca Valley UMC &Joshua Tree UMC (combined congregations), and Twenty-nine Palms UMC. This is her first appointment serving since 2020.She is a sixth generation pastor on her paternal side (first female) and a fifth generation on her maternal side. Growing up, Nesi didn’t want pastor or do ministry. She traveled the world during her high school years and wanted to be an FBI agent. Nesi worked in the airline industry for several years and received a degree in Criminal Justice. Years went by and she could no longer ignore God’s call. Her experiences and connections with people of different cultures, has led her to make the Gospels available to all. She hopes and strives to serve faithfully the teachings of Jesus Christ with the loving grace of God.