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

Ministerial

We Celebrate Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

We Celebrate Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month 774 224 Ken Miller

In May we celebrated and honored our 23 Asian American and Pacific Islander Churches, companies, and groups in our territory who speak eleven different languages.

Our Asian Pacific Department works with the following cultural groups: Korean, Filipino, Chinese, Indonesian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Hmong, Laotian, Samoan, Tongan, Japanese and Fijian.

We are also proud to have the only organized Fijian Church in the North American Division.

We wish to recognize our fifteen Asian Pacific pastors who are passionate hard workers and demonstrate a servant’s heart.

Featured in Northern Lights, May 25, 2023
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Here a Pear, There a Plum, Everywhere a Yum Yum

Here a Pear, There a Plum, Everywhere a Yum Yum 2000 1125 Ken Miller

Auburn church members have a unique way of being community relevant, which takes much passionate, hard work.

The church has been maintaining a small farm for several years now. The farm boasts an orchard with fruit trees like pear, cherry, apple, peach, and plum. In addition to the fruit trees, the farm has a garden that grows different vegetables, including squash, tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and this year’s new test crop – potatoes.

The Adventist Community Services program involves church gardeners and members of the community planting, growing, and harvesting large quantities of fresh produce. This food is primarily distributed to families in the community who struggle with food insecurity. Pam Haddad, community service director, stated, “Often during peak harvest, there is so much produce that we can offer it to other resource centers in the area, of which they are always appreciative.”

Haddad continued, “Each Monday, member Heidi Magorian provides a wonderful hot and well-rounded lunch for our unhoused brothers and sisters. As part of the ministry, guests are provided clean clothes, hot showers, and weekly supplies.”

Adam Weeks, associate pastor, stated, “The church highly supports this program with many volunteers, and many recipients of the food have come back and told of the blessings they received while unhoused. Several even come back and work in the garden today; it’s a ministry that yields results.”

Featured in Northern Lights, May 18, 2023

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Garrison Chaffee Installed At PUC Church

Garrison Chaffee Installed At PUC Church 2670 2936 Ken Miller

April 29- The PUC Church welcomed Garrison Chaffee as their new youth and associate pastor.

Chaffee, an alum of PUC, was most recently the associate pastor at the Napa Church and said about his new posting, “Coming back to campus has a special meaning for me. PUC provided my first ministry job at a time when I was headed in a different career direction. I fell in love with youth ministry during a summer internship program, and it’s a beautiful full circle moment to be back sharing Jesus on the same campus where I felt God calling me into ministry.”

Chaffee joins Nate Furness, senior pastor of the PUC Church, and Lem Garcia, associate pastor. They are passionate, hard workers excited to create a dynamic, community-relevant ministry. The reunited pastors make a complete ministry team.

Furness stated, “Garrison has a passion for connecting young people to Jesus. That passion fits our mission of demonstrating Jesus and preparing young people to serve God.”

Chaffee shares his life with Merilyn, his wife of 22 years. They have three children, Lilliana, a PUC Freshman; Makayla, a Junior at Prep; and Grayson, a Freshman at PUC Prep.

Featured in Northern Lights, May 11, 2023

First Responders Served and Celebrated at Camino

First Responders Served and Celebrated at Camino 2000 1125 Ken Miller

April 29- Members of the Camino Church showed their kindness and commitment to their community by hosting a church service and potluck to honor and celebrate first responders from El Dorado County and the Highway 50 corridor.

The event included many CAL FIRE personnel, California Highway Patrol, The Sheriff’s Department, and other first responders, who were all invited to attend.

Lloyd Ogen, head elder, and fire service chaplain, said, “The goal was to affirm these dedicated individuals and show them that they are never alone in our community and are always welcome in houses of faith throughout the county.”

During the service, Ogen quoted Micah 6:8 in his homily: “He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God… those are values that every single agency and their personnel meet in some way every day.”

Nick Rose, Captain of CALFIRE for El Dorado County, wrote in a thank you letter, “I was overcome with gratitude for the generosity, love, and sense of community I experienced at the service. Sometimes it can be easy for first responders to get lost in the stresses of their job, but events like this make it all worth it.”

Featured in Northern Lights, May 11 2023

Ruben Vargas Installed

Ruben Vargas Installed 575 677 Ken Miller

April 22- Ruben Vargas was installed as district pastor at the Napa and St. Helena Spanish Churches, and this weekend he will be installed at the Sonoma Spanish Company.

Recently, Vargas was pastor of the Tracy Spanish Church. He said about his move, “As I enter this new church district, my goal during the first few months can be summarized in one word: ‘Learn.’ I am community relevant and strive to learn a congregation’s history through fellowship with the members. I work to come alongside current projects and observe the heartbeat of a church congregation. I want to assimilate their needs and know their strengths. I want to learn from God what He wants for His church and my family as He leads us.”

Paul Guevara, Hispanic ministries coordinator, stated, “Pastor Ruben’s set of gifts and skills make him an ideal partner to work with his congregations in extending the Kingdom of God in that area.”

Vargas shares life with Madeleine, his wife, and they were recently blessed by the arrival of their son, Jared Benjamin, in January.

Featured in Northern Lights, May 4, 2023

Mysterious Guest Anchors Sermon Point

Mysterious Guest Anchors Sermon Point 877 957 Ken Miller

Cherise Gardner, pastor of the Chico Church, recently preached at the Nevada City First Baptist Church.

The request to speak was the result of church members from each church working together in a local hospice. Gardner stated, “My message was taken from Haggai, and how intentionally building on the foundation Jesus has started in our lives, He will bless us and build our house in return.”

A lady, not a member of the church, approached Gardner after the sermon and related how she had roots in Adventism and had felt impressed to come that day to hear Gardner speak. Gardner remembered, “This woman described how she had raised money for lights and insurance for a skateboard park when she was homeless.”

Gardner continued, “This woman poured all she had into her ministry while living out of her car just to provide a safer place for children to play.”

The irony of the day’s sermon topic was not lost on either Gardner or the woman when she revealed that since those leaner days, God had honored her and provided a home.

This kind soul was the personification of the sermon that day, that the Lord will continue to build on the foundation He has started in our lives.

Featured in Northern Lights, April 27, 2023

Conference Advance Offering- What Does it Mean?

Conference Advance Offering- What Does it Mean? 1200 675 Ken Miller

The name of this offering category is confusing and lacks a definition. To be transparent and good stewards of your gifts, the purpose is to spread the gospel in our territory.

When you give, with the power of the Holy Spirit, the ministries supported can better connect people to an abundant life in Jesus and prepare them for the Second Coming.

Moreover, Conference Advance gives you the opportunity to support various ministries with one gift.

This week’s offering will support the following five ministries:

  1. Leoni Meadows receives 85% to support camp operations.
  2. With its various projects, Urban Ministries (6%) is making a positive impact and connecting people to Christ with the power of the Holy Spirit.
  3. Education (3%) teaches our youngest members and non-members and sets them up to experience abundant life in Jesus.
  4. Our Church Growth and Evangelism Department (3%) is increasing the number of people exposed to the Gospel truth and attracted to our churches and schools.
  5. The Native American Ministry (3%) is busy serving and reaching this unique population with various projects.

You can return your offering by clicking here, or you can give directly at the offering call on Sabbath.

Featured in Northern Lights, April 20, 2023

Burned Out?

Burned Out? 2000 1125 Ken Miller

Hope springs anew at Leoni Meadows!

Amid guests using the facilities for various retreats, the staff and contractors have been tirelessly working to move forward on recovery.

The barn has been completed, the new wilderness camp area is being prepared, the new pool footprint has been dug, and the land where the new multipurpose building (formally crafts building) has been cleared. Craftsmen will work throughout the spring to rebuild this essential structure. Most recently, after clear-cutting dead/dangerous trees, hundreds of thousands of baby trees have been planted all over the property.

Although Leoni was “burned out,” new springs are flowing where there was never water before, partly due to the overabundance of snow, but also just part of the natural recovery process. The recovery process at Leoni Meadows is a physical reminder of God’s promise in Isiah 58:11, “The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose water does not fail.” (NKJV)

When you feel “burned out” and need a break – visit Leoni and let the “…God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NKJV)

Featured in Northern Lights, April 20, 2023

Member Demonstrates A Servant’s Heart And Passionate Hard Work For God

Member Demonstrates A Servant’s Heart And Passionate Hard Work For God 320 240 Ken Miller

March 16-18, the St. Helena Church hosted a revival weekend focusing on hope in a post-COVID world.

The event was organized by Josue Rosado, who has a passion for connecting people to Christ and the heart of a servant. Josue spent hours of his time and personal resources to make this event happen. He even contacted the NCC Communication and Development for support and guidance. He stated, “Connecting people to God and the church is important. I have seen my church decline and knew I had to do something. People need to know Jesus loves them because it makes a difference in their lives.”

As a result of this combined effort, driven by Rosado’s goal, over 180 people attended the two-day series by Jose Rojas. Melanie Ward, church secretary, stated, “It felt good to see the church so full again. It was evident that the Holy Spirit was here working.”

Topics such as battling a lack of hope, depression, and discouragement were met head-on by Rojas. One couple remarked, “This was a message we needed and is needed in our community.” Another attendee said, “Our hope in Jesus’ presence and power was renewed, and the message encouraged us to stay connected with Jesus.”

Ward reported, “Many attendees were deeply moved and stayed after the sermons asking questions and meeting in prayer. Many attendees said this was ‘just what the community needed’ and hoped that area churches would connect on these topics.”

Featured in Northern Lights, April 13, 2023

Caring For The Forgotten Behind Bars

Caring For The Forgotten Behind Bars 1997 955 Ken Miller

April 1- The Prison Ministries Department sponsored a training seminar for those that serve men and women behind bars. Thirty-four people attended and learned how to be more effective in their ministry from speaker Daniel McManus, an ex-convict and president of the Alliance of Prison Ministry Organizations and Affiliates.

Rudy Peters, prison ministries director, stated, “We are dedicated to the support of our members involved in this important ministry. We are creating a program named The Prison Ministry Federation that will provide a framework that assists volunteers, pastors, and churches in their prison work.”

Peters concluded, “Members that serve in prison ministry are contagiously kind and passionate about caring for the forgotten. Many have been inside those same walls. We want to ensure they have all the training and tools needed for this important work.”

Featured in Northern Lights, April 13, 2023