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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.

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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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Anderson Church Takes “Growing in Jesus” to the Mountains
Anderson Church Takes “Growing in Jesus” to the Mountains 4960 2488 Ken Miller

For one weekend in August, church looked a little different for the Anderson Church.

More than 70 members, friends, and visitors headed to Lost Creek Group Campground near Lassen, Aug. 28–30, for the church’s “Growing in Jesus” campout. Tents replaced pews, the surrounding forest became the backdrop for worship, and three days together offered plenty of time for people to reconnect.

The weekend included Sabbath worship, music, prayer, activities, shared meals, and messages centered on the campout theme. Even the setting played a part. Surrounded by trees, campers were reminded that growth takes nourishment and time—and that a growing relationship with Jesus is much the same.

Some of the best parts of the weekend were less formal. There was laughter, time to talk without rushing off to the next thing, meals together, music, and the work of volunteers who kept everything moving. Families, longtime members, visitors, and friends simply had time to be together.

By Sunday, the tents were packed, the campfires were out, and everyone headed home. After three days of worship, meals, conversations, and plenty of time together, the Anderson church family left Lost Creek knowing each other a little better than when they arrived. And that fit the weekend’s theme, “Growing in Jesus,” pretty well.

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Edwin Brown Installed at Vallejo Berea
Edwin Brown Installed at Vallejo Berea 3875 2012 Ken Miller

The Vallejo Berea Seventh-day Adventist Church gathered on Aug. 1 to welcome Edwin Brown, pastor, during a special installation service marking the beginning of his ministry with the congregation.

Brown brings decades of pastoral experience to Vallejo Berea. Friends, family, church members, and Northern California Conference leaders gathered to celebrate God’s leading, honor his years of ministry, and pray for the work that lies ahead as he joins the Vallejo church family.

Rudolph Peters, African American Ministries director, described an atmosphere of excitement and appreciation within the congregation and expressed confidence in the ministry God will accomplish through Brown’s assignment.

As Vallejo Berea enters this new season, the congregation looks forward to growing in faith, strengthening its ministry, and continuing to share the hope of Christ with the community.

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Meet Our New Principals: Karen Wiechmann, El Dorado Adventist School
Meet Our New Principals: Karen Wiechmann, El Dorado Adventist School 3883 2145 Ken Miller

Karen Wiechmann: Leading with Faith, Purpose, and Meaningful Excellence

Karen Wiechmann’s connection to El Dorado Adventist School is deeply personal. She first knew EAS as a student, and after years away, God led her back to the school that helped shape her. Since returning, Karen has served in nearly every corner of school life—from teaching kindergarten, a year she remembers with great joy, to coaching, recruitment, marketing, enrollment, and development. Whether she is in a classroom, welcoming a family, solving a problem, or stepping in wherever needed, Karen leads by being present, engaged, and willing to work alongside others.

For Karen, Adventist education is ministry. She believes Jesus belongs at the center of the school experience and that every child should be known, loved, challenged, and encouraged to discover their God-given purpose. She is passionate about meaningful excellence—strong academics rooted in faith, high expectations paired with compassionate support, and a culture of shared accountability.

Karen wants students to leave EAS well educated, able to think critically, grounded in character, and confident in who God created them to be. She wants them to recognize the gifts God has placed within them, discover their purpose, take responsibility for their choices, build healthy relationships, and learn to live, lead, and love like Jesus.

Those who know Karen often notice her warmth first. She is quick to smile, quick to find humor, and quick to make people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for. Her leadership style is hands-on. She believes encouragement often means getting beside people, working with them, and helping create the confidence that together, hard things can be accomplished.

Karen believes El Dorado Adventist School is more than a place where students attend classes. It is a community where children should experience belonging, purpose, challenge, opportunity, and the love of Jesus. She wants EAS to be known for academic strength, authentic faith, meaningful relationships, character, service, and a willingness to pursue excellence in ways that truly matter.

Outside of school, Karen’s natural curiosity often takes her down the scenic route. She enjoys road trips, discovering new places, noticing God’s beauty, capturing meaningful moments with her phone, sharing experiences and laughter with friends and family, and going on adventures with Juni, her rescue dog.

Karen rests her hope in God and considers it a privilege to serve a school she has loved for much of her life. Her prayer is that El Dorado’s Eagles will grow into young people who know who they are in Christ, understand the gifts God has given them, and are prepared to use their lives with purpose, courage, faith, and a heart for service.

#nccsda #adventisteducation

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