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Josie Asencio Installed at Antioch Church
Josie Asencio Installed at Antioch Church 1287 1195 Ken Miller

February 25- Josie Asencio was installed as the head pastor at the Antioch Church.

Most recently, she was the associate pastor of the Vallejo Central Church, where she has been since 2021. She said about her move to Antioch, “Our church shares its name with the city where followers of The Way were first called Christians. It is where Paul and Barnabas first worked together, and I look forward to continuing the model and mission in the book of Acts.”

Acensio received her M. Div. from Andrews University and is working on her Doctorate in Pastoral Care and Counseling. She enjoys adventuring and has participated in skydiving, surfing, scuba, and she is training for her first 10k run.

Featured in Northern Lights, March 2, 2023

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Tongan, Fijian, and Samoan Churches Celebrate “High Sabbath”
Tongan, Fijian, and Samoan Churches Celebrate “High Sabbath” 2000 1125 Ken Miller

February 25- The Sacramento Tongan Church sponsored a combined service, inviting the Sacramento Samoan and Fijian Churches. Over 200 people attended and learned about stewardship.

Pastor Tui Finau stated, “Bringing the church families of Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji together was a ‘High Sabbath’ for us. We share a part of the South Pacific, each with distinct cultures, but all loving Jesus.”

Each church participated by providing two songs and one testimonial. Piano, ukulele, and acapella music were abundant. According to one member, “The message Pastor Harpe shared hit the point that God is Lord of the universe and that our faithfulness in giving back is a privilege and one way to honor God.”

Finau continued, “This celebration weekend was so inspirational; our three churches are planning similar events regularly.”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 2, 2023

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NCC Funds Relief For Earthquake Victims
NCC Funds Relief For Earthquake Victims 1912 999 Ken Miller

Serving the international community has always been an essential concern of members and churches of our territory.

The massive earthquakes that struck southern Türkiye and northwestern Syria on February 6 impacted a 310-mile-wide area populated by nearly 14 million people.

Our conference contributed $10,000 to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in response to the extreme humanitarian need. These funds helped distribute food, water, clothing, and essential supplies, sheltered displaced families, and implemented water and sanitation solutions.

Zoltan Sitkei, ADRA country director for Hungary and search and rescue technician/paramedic, stated. “We rescued six people, including two children. It took us 14 hours to save a lady, who was found by our team. It was very difficult to get her out. We worked with the Turkish fire brigade. But finally, we found a solution and got her out,”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 9, 2023

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Planting A Church In Good Soil
Planting A Church In Good Soil 1983 1110 Ken Miller

The name of the Oakland missionary group Buena Tierra translates to “good soil” and was inspired by Matthew 13:23. It is a lively and vibrant group that loves, helps, shares, celebrates, has fun, and grows.

On August 1, 2021, the Oakland Spanish Church established a core group of fourteen members. Each member was tasked with recruiting two additional members to form the new Buena Tierra congregation.

Within two months, this core group began a search for a rentable church building in their East Oakland neighborhood, which has one of the largest Hispanic populations in the city.

After an extensive search on December 25, 2021, the new group was inaugurated and held its first official service with 41 members at the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Luis Manrique Pena, the pastor of Oakland Spanish Church, helped train and equip the members during the first four months. Members then surveyed their community to determine its essential needs.

The Family Harmony Evangelistic program started on April 26, 2022. It provides guidance and solutions common to marriage, family, and relational issues with a Biblical emphasis. There was an average of eight to ten visitors each week.

In August 2022, Buena Tierra partnered with the Alameda County Food Bank to distribute groceries to the community. Approximately forty households have been blessed weekly, and Buena Tierra continues this outreach each Sabbath.

By February 2023, Buena Tierra connected to 87 families in the community through their missional efforts. As a result, eight people from the community were baptized. Currently, the group has an average attendance of seventy people each week, including fifteen visitors from the community receiving Bible studies.

With their success, the group is excited to start three new missional efforts: An Adventurer club, a Pathfinder club, and a monthly health seminar program.

Its mission continues to be “each one reaches one”. They look forward to the future when they can bear more fruit, plant more churches, and continue to reach Oakland until the day Christ returns.

Featured in Northern Lights, March 9, 2023

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Black History is American History
Black History is American History 1030 1402 Ken Miller

Social Justice and Emancipation is the title of the black history month study guide. It came about as a project envisioned by Drs. Calvin B. Rock and Mervyn A. Warren. It was written for churches and schools that want to study what the Word of God says about Emancipation.

Multiple authors, such as Barry Black, chaplain of the U.S Senate, provide lesson studies that inform and inspire on subjects such as the context of Old Testament enslavement, the interaction of Biblical nations of African heritage, and how God’s power, grace, and redemption plan permeate the lives of diverse cultures time and again.

Progressively the study guide showcases peoples, nations, and heroes of the Bible who were of African and middle eastern descent and gives proof and hope that the people of God are intended to be of one body and one mission.

Marc Woodson, NCC president, and contributing author said, “This is the second guide on social justice. I felt it a privilege and honor to be a contributor. It is essential to tell the story of black history, which is American history.”

In its second year as a guide, Woodson has been invited to present the lesson he authored via Zoom to the Lake Region Conference, South Atlantic Conference, Allegheny East Conference, and the Bermuda Conference.

Locally, Sacramento Academy offered it as a lunchtime bible study guided by Carmichael associate pastor Benji Ferguson. He stated, “As a pastor, I’m so impressed with the scholarship and content of the study guide. I am seeing things from angles I should have noticed before and enjoying the scope of scripture for my students.”

Featured in Northern Lights, February 23, 2023

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A Big Move Not Very Far Away
A Big Move Not Very Far Away 2048 1350 Ken Miller

February 4- Nate Furness was installed as head pastor of the Pacific Union College Church, a short drive from his previous position at Napa Community Church.

Garrison Chaffee, Napa youth and associate pastor, said, “It was truly a pleasure to work with Nate; he is one of the most inclusive pastors I have ever worked with. He genuinely cares about each person and will be a great minister to his new church and community.”

Furness stated, “My family and I are excited to join the PUC Church family. I believe God has called us to be part of the life-changing work happening on campus and in the community. We are so impressed with the talent and dedication of the faculty, staff, and students here.”

Jim Lorenz, ministerial director, stated, “Nate has an uncommon pastoral sense that is perfect for the PUC Church community and students.”

Furness shares his life with Jennie, his wife of 17 years, and sons Alex, 14, and Anders, 11.

Featured in Northern Lights, February 23, 2023

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Missional Church Planting
Missional Church Planting 2000 1125 Ken Miller

For several weeks, groups have been meeting in churches to strategize and train.

The attendees are volunteers, each called by the Holy Spirit to step out in faith. Their ages range from young to old, appearances grizzled to refined, and personalities subdued to outgoing. Their quest will be to plant missional church groups in their neighborhoods.

Kevin Robert, evangelism director, said, “Several groups will be creating micro-churches in their communities. These groups will engage neighborhoods with a New-Testament style work where every day is an outreach and Sabbath is to celebrate the weekly work, a day of mercy and blessing.”

Robert continued, “This missional and incarnational living is modeled after the church of Acts and was heavily encouraged by Mrs. White. Instead of fitting church into their lives, workers will focus on serving every day within their community; it will be their life and lifestyle.”

One of the goals of these micro-churches is to reach parts of communities that traditional services cannot.

Featured in Northern Lights, February 23, 2023

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Dr. Leslie Anderson Passes to His Rest
Dr. Leslie Anderson Passes to His Rest 547 547 Ken Miller

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Leslie Anderson, a member of Oakland Immanuel Temple.

Anderson joined the NCC in 1977 as the director of Inner Cities and Community Service Ministries. He was instrumental in the success of inner-city summer programs and vacation bible schools of his era. He was also crucial in providing resources of food, clothing, and financial help for families in need.

During his career, Anderson conducted seminars for disaster preparedness and provided continuing education classes for healthcare workers at Redwood Camp Meeting. After 24 years of service, he retired in 2001.

Marc Woodson, NCC president, said, “I am so proud that Dr. Anderson’s legacy will continue to be a part of our conference’s story. We remain committed to caring about our communities and ministering to those often overlooked. May Leslie Anderson’s life and ministry inspire us all as we hasten the soon coming of Jesus.”

On January 19, 2023, he passed away peacefully, with family by his side.

Featured in Northern Lights, February 9, 2023

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Melany Quintero Joins NCC Offices
Melany Quintero Joins NCC Offices 1474 1967 Ken Miller

Melany Quintero is the new administrative assistant supporting the Hispanic and Asian Pacific Ministries coordinators.

Quintero was born in Costa Rica but attended school in Arizona and Tennessee. After graduating, she went to a university in Costa Rica and became an English professor.

Regarding her new position, she stated, “I enjoy being part of a ministry team that supports our ethnic churches and community outreach.”

Quintero is contagiously kind and a passionate, hard worker. Her hobbies include hiking, music, and cooking, and she has a passion for personal growth and serving God.

Featured in Northern Lights, February 9, 2023

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Wai “Larry” Chu Ordained
Wai “Larry” Chu Ordained 793 608 Ken Miller

January 28- Larry Chu was ordained at the Alameda East Bay Chinese church.

Chu has served as the full-time pastor of the Alameda East Bay Chinese Church and with a Chinese language group from Stockton Central since 2016.

Chu stated, “This ordination gave me encouragement from the NCC and church members, strengthening my faith to share the great news of Jesus.” Jim Lorenz, ministerial director, said, “Pastor Chu is a kind and gifted pastor dedicated to his church community and serves them well.”

A passionate, hard worker, Chu said, “My goals are to continue sharing the gospel among my members but also increasing ministry to young people, bringing more of that age group to church, and connecting them with Jesus.”

In 2015, Wai and his wife, Zi Yang, married and have served God together. They welcomed daughter Dorcas into their family in 2020.

Featured in Northern Lights, February 9, 2023

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