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Finding My Voice at Pine Hills by Mace Stokes
Finding My Voice at Pine Hills by Mace Stokes 3791 1962 Ken Miller

Pine Hills Adventist Academy is a K–12 school in Auburn, California, where students learn in a community that connects education with faith. Mace Stokes is a student.

I’m Mace Stokes, the youngest of four brothers, and Pine Hills Adventist Academy has been part of my life since before I became a student. Two of my brothers graduated here, and my dad has volunteered as a coach in several sports for 15 years.

Even with those roots, I’m still discovering where I belong—and lately, that’s been onstage.
I played trumpet in the pit orchestra for The Sound of Music and sang in the barbershop quartet in The Music Man. Now, I’m taking on more challenging singing and acting parts in Newsies.

I never considered myself a typical performing arts kid. But singing and playing a character are more fun than I expected. Drama also gives me time with friends from other classes and a different way to express myself. Performing together feels scary at first. The more we rehearse, though, the more we trust each other. That trust helps me feel comfortable letting people hear my voice. My teacher encourages me and knows when I need to stop practicing. I’m a perfectionist. Sometimes, even when everyone else thinks a song is ready, I want to rehearse it again!

Memorizing lines, learning difficult music, and accepting feedback take patience. When I get frustrated, I pray and ask God for help. There’s something satisfying about finally singing a song I thought I couldn’t.

Creativity follows me into other classrooms, too. Mr. Amato, my science teacher, helps me explore projects beyond regular assignments. During chapel talks, I use photography to illustrate spiritual lessons. Choosing images helps me clarify what I want to share about God and communicate it to my classmates.

What I love most about Pine Hills is being known. I know almost every student, and my teachers care about my life. Our school’s musical theater tradition is now in its 14th year. For me, being part of it means discovering abilities, building friendships, and learning to persevere. At Pine Hills, I have people who encourage me as I grow—and opportunities to use what I’m learning to share my faith.

A Place to Grow. A Light to the World.

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790 Pathfinders. One Giant Weekend.
790 Pathfinders. One Giant Weekend. 3791 1962 Ken Miller

Tents filled the campgrounds, campfires crackled, and hundreds of Pathfinders gathered for a weekend of adventure at Leoni Meadows. The Northern California Conference Pathfinder Camporee, held October 2–4, drew 790 attendees for three days of outdoor activities, friendship and worship.

The turnout continues several years of increasing attendance at the annual event, bringing together Pathfinders from churches throughout Northern California for a weekend of outdoor adventure, learning and worship.

For the weekend, Leoni Meadows became a sprawling Pathfinder campground, with clubs living in tents spread across the property. Cooking, eating and living together outdoors were part of the Camporee experience, giving Pathfinders time with their own clubs while sharing the grounds with young people from across the conference.

Throughout the weekend, Pathfinders tackled activities ranging from robotics and cryptography to river crossing and disability awareness. “Pathfinder Clue” put a different spin on traditional Pathfinder skills, with teams earning clues by completing challenges such as tying a square knot or reciting the Pathfinder Pledge. The mix of activities gave Pathfinders opportunities to learn new skills, work together and put some of their club training into practice.

“The growth of Pathfinders is not only in the number of youth participating, but in the number of churches getting involved,” said Eddie Heinrich, Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director. “Several new clubs have been established in our area churches, and it’s encouraging to see the impact these dedicated leaders are having on young people in their communities.”

Beyond the activities and campfires, the weekend also provided opportunities for spiritual reflection and commitment. Two Pathfinders chose baptism during Camporee, a reminder that alongside the adventure and friendships, the ministry is helping young people develop a personal relationship with Jesus.

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More Than a Jersey: A Day in the Life of a Rio Lindo Student-Athlete
More Than a Jersey: A Day in the Life of a Rio Lindo Student-Athlete 3450 1887 Ken Miller

By Maddy Gibson, Senior, Rio Lindo Adventist Academy

My school day at Rio Lindo Adventist Academy starts with locking away my phone and heading to government class. Like most high school students, I am balancing homework, friendships, sports, and other responsibilities. School is not always my favorite part of the day, but I enjoy seeing my friends and teachers.

When the final bell rings, I am ready for football practice!
After a difficult day, stepping onto the field helps me forget about everything else for a while. I love the energy of the games, the excitement of tournaments, and working toward something with my teammates. Football gives me something to look forward to.

My love for football started when I watched my two older brothers play. By middle school, I was playing flag football with friends during recess. At my first high school, there was no girls’ team, so I played on the boys’ team alongside my brother, coached by my dad.

When I transferred to Rio Lindo as a sophomore, I finally joined a girls’ flag football team. What I love most about being on a team is knowing I am never alone. My teammates encourage and challenge me, especially my co-captain, Cyara Guarin. I try to offer that same encouragement and be someone teammates can approach for advice or support. Even on difficult days, I try to bring enthusiasm to practice.

Being a student-athlete is not always easy. Balancing academics, sports, friendships, and responsibilities takes work, and I am still figuring it out. Thankfully, our volunteer coaches, George and Laura Barcenas, have taught me lessons beyond football. They encourage us to work hard, stay committed, enjoy the game, and give our best.

Football builds character, not just athletic skills. It teaches teamwork, responsibility, commitment, and leadership. I have learned that being a leader means listening, encouraging others, and showing up ready to give my best, even when I do not feel like it. These lessons will stay with me long after high school.

My faith also shapes how I approach sports and life. I love competing, but football is about more than winning. I want to play hard while respecting opponents, encouraging teammates, and reflecting God’s love. How I treat people matters just as much as how I perform on the field.

One of my favorite Bible verses is John 13:7, where Jesus tells Peter, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand” (ESV). It reminds me that I will not always understand everything happening in my life. When things do not go as planned, I am learning patience and trusting that God knows what is ahead.

I hope to become someone who leads by example, has strong faith in God, and makes a positive difference in others’ lives. I want people to know they can come to me when they need someone and see God’s love through my actions.

If someone only saw me wearing my football jersey, I would not want them to judge me by my performance or whether my team wins. I would want them to see someone who works hard, cares about others, and does not give up easily. Most of all, I love Jesus with all my heart, and I hope I can show His love through my actions.

At Rio Lindo, I am growing in the classroom, on the football field, and through relationships with others. I do not know exactly what my future holds, but I am discovering the kind of person I want to become. To me, that is worth more than winning any game.

Know Jesus. Grow in your relationship with Jesus. Share Jesus.

A Place to Grow. A Light to the World.

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Anderson Church Music Brings Area Churches Together
Anderson Church Music Brings Area Churches Together 3950 2250 Ken Miller

Each September, Anderson Seventh-day Adventist Church opens its doors to musicians from around the area for “Melodies & Praises,” an afternoon of music, worship, and fellowship.

This year, musicians and singers from Anderson, Red Bluff, Redding, Palo Cedro, and Shasta Lake churches came together to share what they love to do. Voices, instruments, familiar faces, and new ones filled the church as each participant brought something different to the program.

For Michelle Carillo Jenkins, Anderson Church music coordinator, that is an important part of the gathering. Melodies & Praises gives experienced musicians a place to share their talents while encouraging others to keep learning an instrument, developing their voice, and finding ways to use those gifts in church and ministry.

And the afternoon didn’t end with the last song.

Members of Anderson Church’s Spanish group prepared refreshments and tables, giving everyone a reason to stay awhile. Musicians who may only see each other occasionally had time to visit, families met people from neighboring churches, and new friendships had a chance to begin.
In many ways, that is what has kept Melodies & Praises going each September. People bring what they have—a song, an instrument, some food, a little time—and share it.

The result is more than a concert. It is five church families encouraging one another and reminding each other that the gifts God gives us become especially meaningful when we find a place to share them.

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More Than a Game: Growing Together Through Adventist Education
More Than a Game: Growing Together Through Adventist Education 4000 2250 Ken Miller

A Place to Grow. A Light to the World.

What happens when 187 students from Adventist schools across Northern California come together for sports, teamwork, and friendship? They discover they belong to something bigger than their own school.

In September, Rio Lindo Adventist Academy welcomed fifth- through eighth-grade students, teachers, principals, and chaperones from across the Northern California Conference for its annual Sports Camp. While athletics brought them together, the experience offered opportunities to build confidence, encourage one another, develop friendships, and experience the larger Adventist education family.

As participation increased, Rio Lindo expanded the camp to two days, September 28–29, to accommodate schools traveling from longer distances. The change allowed students more time for individual coaching and participation in volleyball, football, soccer, swimming, and other activities. The new format created a more personal experience, emphasizing teamwork, perseverance, and encouragement. Cheryl Lane, a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher at Redwood Adventist Academy, appreciated the change, noting that accommodating every school on a single day had previously been challenging. “It’s a great way to socialize with other schools and see a community we normally wouldn’t see every day,” said Hunter Hale, a sixth grader from Redwood Adventist Academy.

That sense of belonging reflects what makes Adventist education distinctive. Students are part of a Christian learning community where education extends beyond academics to include character, relationships, faith, and service. Whether encouraging teammates, welcoming new friends, or working together, students practice the kindness and care Jesus modeled.

Sports Camp also gave younger students a glimpse of opportunities awaiting them as they continue their Adventist education journey. Connections between elementary schools strengthen a community where students can grow academically, socially, physically, and spiritually.

Across Northern California, Adventist schools are places where students discover their potential, build lasting relationships, and learn to reflect Jesus’ love wherever they go.

A Place to Grow. A Light to the World.

#nccsda #adventisteducation #riolindoadventistacademy #riolindo

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Jeffrey Carlson Installed at Carmichael Church
Jeffrey Carlson Installed at Carmichael Church 3791 1962 Ken Miller

Jeffrey Carlson was recently installed as lead pastor of the Carmichael Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Carlson comes to the Northern California Conference from New Haven Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kansas City, where he served as associate pastor.

His ministry journey has taken him through the Midwest, South, and Pacific Northwest, serving as both a lead and associate pastor. Along the way, he has also been an academy Bible teacher, campus chaplain, missionary, and ESL teacher in Japan.

Those varied assignments have given Carlson opportunities to minister across cultures, generations, and settings—from classrooms and campuses to local congregations and the mission field. He now brings that experience to Carmichael and the surrounding community.

Joining him are his wife, Whitni, who most recently served as youth and family life pastor at New Haven, and their seven-year-old son.

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A Backpack Full of Love
A Backpack Full of Love 4000 2250 Ken Miller

The 2026 Back 2 School at the “Light” & Health Family Event helped families start the new school year with a little less on their plates—and a little more in their backpacks.

A collaborative effort between Beacon Light’s Health Department and Spanish Congregation Outreach Department, the event served more than 120 families. Children received free backpacks and school supplies, while families also had access to groceries, haircuts, health screenings, refreshments, and a bounce house for some back-to-school fun.

For parents, the practical help meant fewer items on an already long back-to-school list. For Beacon Light, it was another opportunity to build relationships with families in the surrounding community.

Much of what was given that day came through the generosity of church members and individual donors who contributed supplies, resources, time, and financial support.

The larger goal went beyond what could fit inside a backpack. It was an opportunity to show families that Beacon Light is a church in their community ready to welcome them, serve them, and build relationships that last beyond a single event.

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Preston Willis Installed at Immanuel Temple
Preston Willis Installed at Immanuel Temple 4032 3024 Ken Miller

A New Chapter of Ministry Begins at Immanuel Temple

The Immanuel Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church welcomed James Willis as their new pastor during a special installation service in June, celebrating the beginning of a new season of ministry together.

Church members, family, friends, and Northern California Conference leaders gathered for worship and prayer as they affirmed God’s calling on Willis’ life and committed to partnering with him in ministry.

Rudy Peters, African American Ministries coordinator, emphasized the importance of unity between pastor and congregation. “There is a spirit of hope and expectation at Immanuel Temple,” Peters said. “I believe God has brought Pastor Willis to this congregation for such a time as this, and I look forward to seeing how God will use this partnership to strengthen the church and expand its ministry.”

We invite members throughout the conference to pray for Willis, his family, and the Immanuel Temple church family as they begin this new chapter of ministry together.

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Dear Northern California Conference Family
Dear Northern California Conference Family 4000 2250 Ken Miller

It has been a great honor to serve this conference for the past 19 years, first as executive secretary and then as president for the last eight years.

The Northern California Conference is truly blessed, and my wife, Marlene, and I have been grateful for the opportunity to serve and minister here. We have seen firsthand this conference’s deep commitment to connecting people to an abundant life in Jesus Christ and preparing them for His Second Coming.

With my recent election to serve as the president of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the time has come to say farewell. I will deeply miss the pastors, principals, teachers, and support staff who faithfully give their best each day to advance God’s kingdom. I will also miss serving alongside my fellow officers, ministry department directors, and office staff, whose tireless commitment strengthens and supports our churches, schools, and ministries across the Northern California Conference.

It has been an incredible journey, and by God’s grace and power, we have accomplished much. Looking back, several moments stand out to me:

I am grateful that we have expanded opportunities for women in pastoral ministry, with more women serving as pastors than ever before in our history. I am thankful that our Conference headquarters moved to the greater Sacramento area, helping us serve our territory from a more central location. I have also deeply valued our journey toward organizational health, which has brought greater clarity, alignment, and a rich perspective as we advance God’s mission.

And I am especially encouraged by the launch of our Ending Homelessness Initiative to significantly decrease the number of those experiencing homelessness throughout our territory.

We could not have accomplished any of these things without Divine providence. So I say, “To God be the glory, great things He has done!”

Thank you, NCC family, for granting me the opportunity to help lead this great conference. It has been a privilege and a joy. Let’s together remain faithful until our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ comes to take us home!

Marc. K Woodson

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Lizeth Momanga Named NCC Director of Church Growth and Evangelism
Lizeth Momanga Named NCC Director of Church Growth and Evangelism 4000 2250 Ken Miller

We are pleased to announce that Lizeth Momanga is the new Director of Church Growth and Evangelism.

Momanga brings more than 15 years of experience in pastoral ministry, church planting, and evangelism. She has served congregations in the United States and Australia, planting churches, strengthening congregations, developing leaders, and creating initiatives that help churches connect with their communities.

José Marín, president, shared, “I believe Lizeth’s experience and passion for mission and mentorship will be a tremendous resource to our pastors and churches. She understands that healthy church growth begins with making disciples, equipping leaders, and helping our churches connect meaningfully with their communities.”

A graduate of Pacific Union College with a degree in theology, Momanga is currently completing dual Master of Divinity and Master of Social Work degrees at Andrews University. Her graduate studies have further shaped an approach to ministry that integrates evangelism, pastoral care, church health, and a deeper understanding of the people and communities churches are called to serve.

Throughout her ministry, Momanga has planted and pastored congregations, served on church planting and evangelism task forces, trained pastors and lay leaders, led international evangelistic efforts, and presented on church planting, leadership, and ministry.

Most recently, Momanga has served as senior pastor of the Tracy Seventh-day Adventist Church and as a member of the NCC Evangelism Task Force.
Momanga and her husband, Richard Ogeto Momanga, have shared much of their ministry journey together. During their years in Australia, they served the Wallsend church for four years before returning to the United States in 2022.

In her new role, Momanga will work with pastors, churches, and lay leaders throughout the conference to strengthen congregations, support church planting, develop leaders, and advance creative, community-focused approaches to sharing the gospel across Northern California.

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