• Connecting people to an abundant life with Jesus Christ and preparing them for His return

Church Growth/Evangelism

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Church Status for Weimar University Company
Church Status for Weimar University Company 4004 2250 Ken Miller

On November 10th, Weimar University Company officially became a church of the Northern California Conference during a special dedication ceremony. This event celebrated the church’s growth within the conference and memorialized its ongoing commitment to service and mission.

During the ceremony, the Weimar Choir and Orchestra filled the sanctuary with uplifting music that glorified God and inspired everyone present. Marc Woodson, NCC President, delivered a powerful message, and Jose Marin, NCC Executive Secretary, and John Rasmussen, NCC Treasurer, presented the church with a membership plaque and gift.

This dedication marks a new chapter for Weimar University Church. It reaffirms the church’s mission to serve the Lord and the community, continuing to move forward in faith and service, united in Christ.

Featured in Northern Lights, December 12, 2024
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Establishing Homelessness Taskforces
Establishing Homelessness Taskforces 3791 1962 Ken Miller

On November 16, sixty members from local churches gathered at the Roseville Church for the inaugural Ending Homelessness Summit.

The Northern California Conference (NCC) aims to reach “Functional Zero” for at least one unhoused population group in a community where an NCC church or school is located by 2032. Functional Zero occurs when homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring. This summit equipped attendees to establish homelessness task forces within their churches and schools.

Presenters from the NCC Council on Homelessness outlined the Ending Homelessness Initiative, explained Functional Zero, and provided theological and practical frameworks for addressing homelessness. Joelle Chinnock, NCC’s Ending Homelessness Initiative Coordinator, emphasized the importance of partnerships, highlighting a successful affordable housing project developed by Path of Life Ministries in Riverside.

This summit launched a united effort to end homelessness, showcasing the NCC’s commitment to being agents of hope and healing. As NCC President Marc Woodson said, “The call to end homelessness reflects Christ’s mission to serve the most vulnerable among us. Through faith, collaboration, and action, we can bring hope and lasting change to our communities, fulfilling our commitment to love our neighbors as ourselves.”

Featured in Northern Lights, December 12, 2024
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Donate to the Feather River Adventist School Victims Fund
Donate to the Feather River Adventist School Victims Fund 4800 2700 Ken Miller
The Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (NCC) has established the Feather River Adventist School Victims Fund to provide a trusted avenue for support. This fund is dedicated to directly supporting the students, families, and staff of Feather River Adventist School, all of whom have been deeply impacted by this senseless and violent act.
In alignment with our values and ethical stewardship, we want to clarify that this fund supports the entire Feather River Adventist School community, not just two specific families. If you wish to restrict your support to Elias Wolford or Roman Mendez and their families, you may indicate this in the check memo line or the notes section of the online giving form. Because NCC is a conduit for support, ensuring that 100% of the contribution benefits those affected, gifts are not tax-deductible.
Please visit the Feather River Adventist School Victims Fund Giving Link to contribute.  Or send your contributions to Northern California Conference, C/O Feather River School Support, 2100 Douglas Blvd, Roseville, CA 95661. If you have questions, you can email our Director of Communication and Development, laurie.trujillo@nccsda.com. Your support will play a vital role in helping our community heal and rebuild.

Click here to support.

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Elder Jack Pefley Enters to His Rest
Elder Jack Pefley Enters to His Rest 961 1240 Ken Miller

We share with deep regret the news of Pastor Jack Pefley’s passing on Friday, October 11.

“Pastor Jack” was an evangelist for Amazing Facts from 1995 to 2009, then joined the NCC as the conference evangelist from 2010 to his retirement in 2017. A former co-worker reflected, “Jack’s style was right out of the Wild West, irrepressible, simple, and down to earth.” Until his passing, he regularly took the pulpit at Citrus Heights, his long-time church family.

Marc Woodson, NCC President, reflected, “Jack Pefley had a passion for winning people to Jesus. His optimistic spirit and joy while doing God’s work were inspiring and encouraging. Only heaven knows Jack’s ministry’s impact on the Kingdom. He will be missed, but we look forward to seeing him again when our Lord returns!”

The family warmly invites you to a memorial service at 11 AM on Sunday, November 3, at the Citrus Heights SDA Church.

Featured in Northern Lights, October 31, 2024
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Jason Bulgin Ordained at Capitol City
Jason Bulgin Ordained at Capitol City 3929 2075 Ken Miller

Recently, Jason Bulgin was ordained at the Sacramento Capitol City Church during the annual African American Convocation.

Born in Canada, Bulgin grew up in an environment deeply rooted in faith, cultivating a desire to serve others. To that end, he attended Oakwood University and experienced a profound spiritual transformation. This defining moment set him on an educational path, and he earned a Master of Christian Ministry and a PhD in Philosophy. He joined the NCC in 2021 as the associate pastor of Capitol City Church, where he is now the senior pastor.

Rudy Peters, African American ministries coordinator, stated, “Jason has his roots in a rich legacy of service. Inspired by his father and father-in-law, who were faithful pastors and nurtured by his mother, his ordination was a culmination of a long journey of service and prayer.”

Bulgin has been blessed with a loving family. He is married to Jessica Delana Ellis, and together they are the proud parents of four children: Jordyn Naomi, Sabrena Janae, Joseph Delano, and Jason Jr.

Featured in Northern Lights, October 31, 2024
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To the Least of These
To the Least of These 3894 2052 Ken Miller

On August 31, the Oakland Grand Advent Church, alongside members from various Bay Area churches, stepped out in love and faith to serve the homeless of their city, driven by the power of the Holy Spirit to bring light to lives in desperate need.

Under the compassionate leadership of Tony Borrero, a devoted church member, and with the support of Oakland Spanish, Elmhurst, Immanuel Temple, and Hayward Spanish churches, a diverse and joyful team gathered in East Oakland’s largest homeless encampment. Their mission was simple but profound: to show Christ’s love in action by offering tangible services and hope to those often overlooked by society. The team provided free medical and dental screenings, showers, laundry services, haircuts, pet care, and hot meals. One volunteer shared how a curious onlooker approached them, asking, “Who does this kind of thing?”—a question that opened the door to sharing the love of Christ in word and deed.

Borrero emphasized the heart behind the outreach: “Our main objective is to step out of the four walls of our church and introduce people to Jesus through our love, compassion, and actions. We want to meet people where they are and provide much-needed services to those in dire situations.” This ministry, however, goes beyond a one-day event. The long-term vision includes partnering with local agencies to help clean, maintain, and restore housing facilities and equipment and working with the community to create lasting change.

The beauty of this outreach is not just in the services offered but in how the Holy Spirit is moving to connect people in need to a more abundant life in Christ. Through the warmth of a meal, the dignity of a haircut, and the kindness of a listening ear, hearts are being softened, and lives are being transformed.

As Borrero reflected, “I thank God that the responses have been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve been blessed to partner with the City of Oakland officials and the Police Department, who are fully engaged in supporting our goals.”

Borrero’s passion for this ministry is unwavering: “This is just the beginning of befriending those in need, spreading the Gospel, and bringing beauty back to Oakland.”

Featured in Northern Lights, October 10, 2024
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Douglas Barahona Ordained at Chico Church
Douglas Barahona Ordained at Chico Church 4000 2250 Ken Miller

September 14, Douglas Barahona was ordained at the Chico church.

Born in El Salvador to a military family, Barahona’s family immigrated to the USA in the 1990s. Douglas admitted that while the family settled in Tacoma, Washington, “I started making many poor choices.”

Over the next several years and into high school, these choices led him closer and closer to a gang-influenced life. But with every dangerous turn, the love of his parents and family continually challenged him to study the Bible. He shared, “Reading the Bible, I was drawn to the practical application and wisdom that flowed from it. By the grace of God, I gratefully accepted Jesus into my life in 2011.”

The Holy Spirit continued to work in his life. Through the guidance of many positive groups and people, Douglas eventually decided to pursue a degree in religion at Union College, graduating Cum Laude in 2016.

Joining the NCC in 2017 at the Ukiah church, he joyfully worked planning youth ministry events and mission trips, keeping area youth engaged with Jesus. In 2020, he attended Andrews University, earning his Master of Divinity degree with honors. Subsequently, he returned to the NCC as the Associate Pastor of the Chico church, where he is passionate about bringing the joy found in serving others.

Douglas shares his life with Natalie, his wife of eight years, and they enjoy raising their son Luka, age 2.

Featured in Northern Lights, September 26, 2024
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Spanish Company Reaches Church Status
Spanish Company Reaches Church Status 4000 2250 Ken Miller

On September 7, the Richmond Spanish Company celebrated becoming a Church of the Northern California Conference.

This dedicated congregation marks a new chapter in their faith journey. In 2002, a small group of believers set out to form a new congregation led by Thelma Gamboa and Carlos Deras. Inspired by Pastors Juan Acosta and Raúl González, they began their meetings in a member’s garage.

As a result of steady growth, they made several location changes over the years. One of those stops was meeting at the Richmond Beacon Light Church. David Woolcock, pastor, helped the group apply in 2019 to become a Company as they grew. Woolcock reflected, “This congregation is hardworking and passionate about their church and continuing outreach to the Spanish-speaking community. I’m proud of this milestone they’ve reached.”

Paul Guevara, Hispanic Ministry Coordinator, shared, “I am inspired by the passion, hard work, and dedication that members of Richmond Spanish have shown. They genuinely connect people to an abundant life in Jesus and prepare them for His soon return.”

Featured in Northern Lights, September 19, 2024
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Zach Reiber Installed at Paradise
Zach Reiber Installed at Paradise 549 444 Ken Miller

September 7- Zach Reiber was installed as pastor of the Paradise Church.

Rudy Peters, NCC African American Ministries Coordinator, stated, “There is a fantastic sense of excitement and anticipation from Pastor Reiber and the church congregation about what they will accomplish together through their ministry.”

Reiber started his ministry in our territory in 2011 as the Assistant Pastor of the Pleasant Hill church until he attended seminary training. He earned his Master of Divinity in 2017 from Andrews University and returned to the NCC in 2018 as the pastor of the Yuba City church.

Reiber commented about his new position, “My family and I are so blessed to be welcomed in by such a warm and loving community. The ministry leaders here desire to earnestly seek God’s will and head passionately in that direction. I can’t wait to see what God has planned for our time together as we serve the community of Paradise.”

Reiber shares his life with Yvette, his wife of 14 years. They find great joy in raising their daughter Caroline, age 3.

Featured in Northern Lights, September 12, 2024
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A Joy and Willingness to Worship and Serve
A Joy and Willingness to Worship and Serve 4004 2250 Ken Miller

Over Labor Day weekend, the Gracepoint Church hosted an area-wide youth rally with over 100 high school students attending.

The weekend’s theme was “Real Life, Real God,” presented by Andrew Uyeyama, pastor of the Placerville church. Youth musicians and vocalists led all worship services during the three church programs. On Sabbath afternoon, attendees participated in six service activities near downtown Sacramento.

The projects included a homeless outreach, where 150 individuals received lunch, prayer, and GLOW tracts. Another activity involved singing at three area nursing homes and creating 32 blankets for homeless shelters. A community prayer walk contacted over 50 homes near the church, and a drive-through prayer line drew a dozen drivers requesting special prayer. As a fun and creative addition, some made over 80 dog toys delivered to local animal shelters.

Caleb Serna, a participant, stated, “I enjoyed the outreach the most. I fed people experiencing homelessness, and it was nice to see how happy they were even when they had so little. It made me smile, knowing I could help others.”

Featured in Northern Lights, September 12, 2024
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