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Napa Spanish Hosts Community Health Day
Napa Spanish Hosts Community Health Day 4000 2250 Ken Miller

With the support of the NCC Health Ministries Department, the Napa Spanish Church recently held its annual free community health fair.

Local residents were invited to the event, with 49 receiving essential dental procedures and 159 undergoing health screenings. Adventist Health’s Mobile Health Clinic also provided flu and other seasonal shots to attendees. Healthy food and cooking advice were also an offered service.

Ruben Vargas, pastor, stated, “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Northern California Conference and the St. Helena Hospital Foundation to impact our community. Additional partners included, The Community Health Initiative, Puertas Abiertas, and the Napa County Health and Human Services Agency. This joint effort reminds us that collaboration can make a greater impact for God’s kingdom.”

Featured in Northern Lights, February 13, 2025
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Sports Creates Christ-Centered Confidence and Teamwork
Sports Creates Christ-Centered Confidence and Teamwork 3841 2009 Ken Miller

From January 22 to 25, high school basketball players from sixteen schools across four states gathered at Pacific Union College for the annual PUC Pioneers Invitational Tournament.

The participants hailed from Maine, Nebraska, Hawaii, and California, including six NCC schools: PUC Prep, Pine Hills, Rio Lindo, Pleasant Hill, Lodi, and Paradise Academies.

This annual event has become a staple on each team’s schedule, creating an atmosphere filled with excitement, teamwork, and friendship. This collaborative interaction between competitors is not lost on parents.

Kathleen, a PUC Prep mother, remarked, “For my daughter, the sports programs and tournaments have challenged her to be a better player and a more confident person. The events have fostered many lifelong friendships over the years.”

During his Sabbath vespers talk, PUC Church Pastor Nate Furness spoke about the spirit of Adventist sports. “Play hard and be competitive, but aim to elevate your sportsmanship and teamwork as Christians. It’s ok to get frustrated when things don’t go right and celebrate when they do. But when the final buzzer sounds, remember we all play for the same team—the team of Jesus Christ.”

Paradise parent Brian Ching shared, “The teachers and coaches of our sports programs have, most importantly, taught my son an enduring level of Christ-centered sportsmanship and teamwork. They have also taught how to lose gracefully.”

Featured in Northern Lights, February 13, 2025
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Delta Convocation
Delta Convocation 4000 2258 Ken Miller

On Sabbath, February 1, over 800 people gathered for the 3rd Annual Delta Area Churches Convocation, a collaborative event uniting sixteen area churches in a day of worship and fellowship. As one attendee described it, “It’s like a one-day mini-camp meeting.”

The church service featured uplifting performances by the Lodi Academy Lodian Singers, the Delta Choir, and the Korean Chorale. The keynote address was delivered by Sam Leonor, Chief Mission Officer of Adventist Health. After a lunch supplied by Adventist Health, all were blessed with an afternoon of music by talented area soloists, groups and school music groups.

Lisa Nuss, principal of Lodi Elementary, reflected on the significance of the event: “It’s an opportunity to reconnect with friends from other area churches, students, speakers, and musicians from our local community. It’s a wonderful time to worship God.”

The convocation continues to be a cherished gathering, fostering spiritual renewal among Delta-area churches. As hearts were uplifted and faith strengthened, attendees left inspired to carry Christ’s love into their communities, sharing His message of hope and grace throughout the year.

Featured in Northern Lights, February 13, 2025
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Redwood Camp Meeting Introduces New Faces and Programs
Redwood Camp Meeting Introduces New Faces and Programs 3739 1980 Ken Miller

The race to have Redwood Camp Meeting ready by July has begun, and there are some exciting updates to announce:

In October 2024, Stephen Babb was voted the new Camp Director. Babb, a retired Captain from the Healdsburg Fire Department, is a veteran firefighter and former Healdsburg Councilman.

Jennifer Shaw, camp secretary, stated, “Babb has an excellent eye for detail, organization, and safety. His enthusiasm for the camp meeting experience will be an excellent addition to the pastors and volunteers that make Redwood special.”

Jeff Joiner, Associate Professor of Nursing and Emergency Services at Pacific Union College, is developing a comprehensive fire, medical, and emergency plan to enhance safety and increase medical staffing during the week of camp activities.

Shaw continued, “Jeff has brought his expertise and volunteer spirit to upgrade how we meet medical challenges at Camp.”

<em>Featured in Northern Lights, January 30, 2025</em>

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Organizational Health Sabbath
Organizational Health Sabbath 3842 2079 Ken Miller

January 25 was the NCC’s Organizational Health Training Sabbath. Church leadership teams gathered at the Roseville headquarters and Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy.

The purpose of these gatherings was to help newly established church leadership teams identify and define their thematic goals.

Representatives from nine churches attended the event, including teams from Berkeley, Antioch, Pleasant Hill, and Fairfield Community churches. At the Roseville headquarters, teams from Paradise, Yuba City, Sacramento Indonesian, Sutter Hill, and Auburn churches.

NCC President Marc Woodson, who led the training event at Roseville, stated, “By 2027, we aim to have 51% of our NCC leaders deeply engaged in organizational health practices. This will result in over half of our church and school leadership teams understanding and embracing NCC’s clarity, setting thematic goals, and consistently executing the four essential meetings. This engagement will ensure that organizational health is not just a concept but a lived reality woven into the very fabric of our conference.”

Featured in Northern Lights, January 30, 2025
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Know Your Rights: Immigration Seminar-ZOOM
Know Your Rights: Immigration Seminar-ZOOM 740 846 Ken Miller

News of mass immigration arrests has swept across the US over the past couple of weeks.  This has led to concern and fear on the part of both documented and undocumented immigrants and minority groups, including many who are a part of our own faith community.

Pastors, church leaders and members have contacted us with questions about how to respond to immigration enforcement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), or other government agencies.

On February 17 we will be doing a Know Your Rights: Immigration Seminar, via zoom, for all our Pastors, church leaders and members.  Our presenters will include attorneys and immigration advocates who will be able to answer questions.  I have attached flyers for the seminar in both English and Spanish.

Attached also please find a memo that we released earlier this week giving guidance to our churches, schools regarding Immigration Enforcement.

At this time, we have three in-person Immigration Workshops scheduled at local churches.  We will not be advertising these on social media due to our concerns for our members safety.  If any of your churches would like to host one, please contact either Steve Allred sallred@churchstate.org or myself.

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Prayer Retreat at Leoni Meadows
Prayer Retreat at Leoni Meadows 3300 5100 Ken Miller

Sign up here by March 10 to join our annual prayer retreat at Leoni Meadows

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Finding Faith in the Rearview Mirror
Finding Faith in the Rearview Mirror 4000 2250 Ken Miller

By Ken Miller

Many times in life, I’ve experienced “Moses Moments.” Like the Old Testament hero, I’ve argued with God about my abilities, ignored signs of His guidance, and even tried hiding in the desert. In weaker moments, I may have struck a rock or two.

This struggle often leaves me identifying more as an ordinary Israelite, trudging through deep sand with an ox and a bundle of possessions, unsure of my location, or direction.

During moments of doubt and lapses in confidence, my mother’s words flood back: “When you don’t see where God is leading, find faith in the path you’ve traveled. Remember what He has brought you through.” This advice jolts me, and I draw strength and joy from its simplicity.

My mom’s wisdom also helps when I wonder where the church is, and where it’s headed. Writing weekly stories from our schools and churches fills me with confidence in our journey together. It reminds me of the massive effect our loving, dedicated members have in their communities, helping me locate where we are, our direction, and who our leader is.

Our collective efforts are woven together through dental outreach, bowling with refugees, school mission trips, evangelism, and serving the hungry—being the hands and feet of Christ. We are members of a caravan led by the author of Love.

If you ever wonder where we are going, be encouraged to adjust your rearview mirror and find faith and location from the path we’ve traveled. Below are ministry highlights from 2024, showing the diversity of how and where we serve. Full stories are linked.

Four Lodi Academy Students Embrace Their Faith
In a touching moment at Lodi English Oaks Church, four students from Lodi Academy publicly declared their faith through baptism. Pastor Manny Gonzales reflected on the importance of collaboration between the school and church in nurturing these young believers. One parent, moved by the paraphrase of Matthew 3:17, shed tears, reminded of God’s unwavering love for His children.

Auburn Church Shares Hope Through Showers
The Auburn Church dedicated a new shower trailer to serve those in need, replacing their 16-year-old unit. Each week, 52 individuals find not only cleanliness but also care. A generous donation ensured that guests also have access to fresh clothing, extending the church’s compassion even further.

Delta Convocation Unites Hundreds
Nearly 900 worshippers gathered for the Delta Area Convocation, an event Pastor Tracy Baerg described as a “spiritual camp meeting.” The sanctuary overflowed with unity as attendees worshipped, prompting one attendee to call it a glimpse of heaven.

Empowering Young Adults for Religious Liberty
At the Religious Liberty Summit, Dwight Nelson challenged young adults to advocate for freedom with love. To be courageous and compassionate. The summit inspired attendees to carry these principles back into their communities.

Healing Hearts Through Mental Health Support
The NCC Education Department provides free professional counseling to students, fostering both emotional and spiritual growth and affirming the church’s commitment to holistic education.

Mission Trip to Panama
Granite Bay Hilltop Church’s mission trip to Panama brought healing and hope to the region. Through clinics, construction, and prayer, they united hearts, positively impacting 1,750 lives with Christ’s love.

A New Center of Hope in Hayward
The Hayward Spanish Church opened its Center of Hope to serve as a beacon for the community. Pastor Stennett Nash expressed, “This is God’s gift to our city—a place for everyone to find help and hope.”

Featured in Northern Lights, January 16, 2025
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Ten Days of Prayer Tonight at 7 PM!
Ten Days of Prayer Tonight at 7 PM! 5069 3572 Ken Miller

We invite you to be part of an uplifting and spiritually enriching experience—10 Days of Prayer, happening every evening at 7:00 PM via Zoom.

This is a sacred time to come together as a community, draw closer to God, and lift our hearts in prayer for renewal, hope, and guidance. Each evening is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and experience the power of prayer in transforming lives and deepening our connection with Christ.
Whether you’ve already been joining or are just hearing about it, it’s not too late to be part of this meaningful journey. Let’s come together to seek His blessings, encouragement, and peace.

 

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A Season of Compassion and Service
A Season of Compassion and Service 3884 2069 Ken Miller

As the chill of winter settled over Oakland, the Market Street SDA Church came alive with a singular purpose: to bring warmth, joy, and stability to their community during the holiday season.

Volunteers bustled about, joyfully filling boxes with food, treats, and essentials to brighten the lives of families. For many, these boxes represented more than just food; they were reminders that someone cared and that they weren’t alone.

The church also held its annual Angel Tree Gift Program, which serves children. The fellowship hall was filled with laughter and excited chatter as more than 35 children beamed with joy unwrapping gifts and sharing a meal.

Two days later, the church’s impact extended even further. Members teamed up to visit a senior residential housing community. Food bags, scarves, hats, and socks were given out. Seniors, some of whom had not received visitors in months, were greeted with warm smiles and heartfelt conversation.

By the time Christmas arrived, the church had touched many lives, their acts of service standing as a testament to what a dedicated, faith-filled community can achieve.

Featured in Northern Lights, January 9, 2025
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Every Thursday morning, Northern Lights, the official news source of the Northern California Conference, shares how churches, schools, and members are connecting people to an abundant life with Jesus Christ and preparing them for His soon return.

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