Main Speaker
Rev. Larry Varghese
Rev. Larry Varghese was raised in Houston, Texas, as the son of Mr. Koshy K. and Mrs. Mariamma Varghese, and is the youngest of three brothers. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and pursued postgraduate studies in Electrical Engineering at the University of Houston. Answering a higher calling, he obtained a Bachelor of Divinity from the Mar Thoma Theological Seminary in Kottayam, Kerala.
Rev. Larry Varghese began his ministry as the Assistant Vicar at Ebenezer Mar Thoma Church in Othera, Kerala. He then became the first Vicar of Horeb Mar Thoma Church in Los Angeles, serving from 2013 to 2017. During this time, he and his wife, Roshin Kochamma, were blessed with two children: Chloe and Eli.
From 2017 to 2021, Rev. Varghese served as Vicar of the Mar Thoma Church of Silicon Valley. In addition to his parish duties, he was a member of the Diocesan Council (2017–2020) and served as Diocesan Vice President for Sunday School. Known for his musical talents and passion for teaching, he has significantly contributed to his congregations and the broader church community.
Rev. Larry Varghese is currently pursuing a Master’s in Theological Studies at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. His academic focus enriches his pastoral ministry, equipping him for deeper theological engagement within the Mar Thoma Church.
Track Speakers
Dr. George Varghese
Dr. George Varghese is the Jonathan B. Postel Distinguished Professor of Networking in the Computer Science department at UCLA. He received his PhD from MIT, started his career at Washington University in St. Louis, and then taught at UCSD before joining UCLA. He has worked on speeding up the Internet and, most recently, on proactively preventing Internet errors. He has seen the grace and faithfulness of God through many challenges and opportunities in life. He is a member of Horeb Mar Thoma Church in Los Angeles.
Dr. Riya Mathew
Dr. Riya Mathew (Dr. Mary Jacob Mathew) is a Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience in mental health services, specializing in holistic well-being and integrated care. She holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and a Master’s in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. She is also a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Physician in Ayurvedic Medicine. Dr. Mathew has worked with diverse populations, including children, adolescents, couples, families, and veterans. She currently serves at the Veterans Affairs Hospital, where she combines her expertise in psychology and holistic health.
Beyond her professional work, Dr. Mathew is deeply involved in her community, particularly in serving the Mar Thoma Church, playing an active role in church organizations, and organizing local outreach initiatives. Residing in Orange County with her husband, Juby, and their daughter, Lisann, she also enjoys reading, music, and spending time with family and friends.