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NCC Announces New Media Resource Center
NCC Announces New Media Resource Center 3691 1887 Ken Miller

Recently, NCC Executive Secretary José Marin unveiled the new NCC Media Resource Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and walk-through.

The center was constructed on the lower floor of the Roseville administration building, where the former mail and copy room was located. This space was ideal, insulated from the building’s outer walls. Marin explained, “This resource center will be a production tool to serve our churches, schools, and ministries, where the next level of equipment and production is available for use and instruction.” He noted that the facility has already been used, providing a set for the annual Ten Days of Prayer and videos for conference directors and constituency meeting productions.

Studio usage is managed by the Communication and Development department. Laurie Trujillo, director, shared, “We have established a usage policy that requires training with the NCC’s contracted video professional to ensure users are familiar with the studio and that its equipment is properly maintained.” The studio is equipped with three cameras, a teleprompter, adjustable professional lighting, and an Apple computer with a large cinema display running professional software.

The space also contains three different backdrops to accommodate a variety of recording needs: a podcast/interview setting, a more formal look for program-style productions, and a youthful corner for informal presentations.

Trujillo concluded, “We encourage pastors, teachers, and presenters to utilize this modern and helpful tool for sharing the abundant life found in Jesus Christ and preparing people for His soon return.”

Featured in Northern Lights, January 22, 2026
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Bobby Sepang Retires from Sacramento Indonesian Church
Bobby Sepang Retires from Sacramento Indonesian Church 3450 1887 Ken Miller

By Kathy Batchelor

In November, the Sacramento Indonesian Church gathered to bid a warm farewell to Pastor Bobby Sepang after more than 13 years of dedicated ministry.

James Lim, Asian/Pacific Ministries Coordinator, shared, “Although he had already completed a successful ministry and retired in Indonesia, Pastor Sepang answered the NCC’s call to serve the Sacramento Indonesian congregation. He stepped in during one of the church’s most challenging seasons, faithfully uniting the members and helping to establish strong lay leadership.”

The service included beautiful vocal and instrumental music, heartfelt expressions of gratitude, and a slide presentation highlighting memorable moments—from church retreats to baptisms and evangelistic efforts that led many to an abundant life in Jesus.

Following the service, a fellowship luncheon provided an opportunity for members to express their appreciation. While many tears were shed, the prevailing sentiment was gratitude for Pastor and Mrs. Sepang’s grace, humility, and steadfast commitment to God, along with confidence that they will continue serving faithfully upon returning to Indonesia.

Michael Pongoh, NCC Accountant and church member, said, “His leadership was steady, caring, and deeply personal. My family—like many others—was blessed by his prayerful guidance and wisdom.”
Lim concluded, “His ministry was truly outstanding guiding the church toward official organization while serving with a gentle spirit, steady leadership, and unwavering passion that will be remembered for a long time.”

Featured in Northern Lights, January 22, 2026
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Eric Holness Installed at Richmond Beacon Light
Eric Holness Installed at Richmond Beacon Light 3583 1883 Ken Miller

On January 3, Eric Holness was installed as pastor of the Richmond Beacon Light Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Holness comes to Richmond after being the associate pastor of Oakland Market Street church since 2024. The service marked the beginning of a new covenant relationship between pastor and congregation, grounded in prayer, Scripture, and a shared commitment to ministry.

Reflecting on the occasion, Rudy Peters, African American Ministries Director for the Northern California Conference, noted that “the air was filled with expectancy and promises of an amazing covenant relationship.”

Pastor Holness expressed gratitude for the call, stating, “I am humbled and amazed by the opportunity to serve.”

The Richmond Beacon Light family looks forward to a new season of Spirit-led ministry and community impact under Pastor Holness’s leadership.

Featured in Northern Lights, January 22, 2026

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Brandon Dorn Joins NCC Accounting Department
Brandon Dorn Joins NCC Accounting Department 4000 2250 Ken Miller

Brandon Dorn has joined the NCC accounting team as assistant treasurer. He brings experience in conference treasury work, higher-education administration, and a strong commitment to church service.

Brandon most recently worked in the accounting office at Southern Adventist University, where he also served for nearly six years as a men’s dean. Earlier in his career, he worked for just over two years in the treasury department at the Georgia-Cumberland Conference. After prayer and discernment, he applied for the NCC position and is grateful for how clearly the opportunity unfolded.

Raised in Adventist education, Brandon attended Collegedale Academy and later earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Southern Adventist University in May 2017. Both of his parents were Adventist grade schoolteachers, shaping his appreciation for faith-based education and service.

Brandon chose church work out of a desire to use the skills God has given him in service to Jesus Christ and His mission. At NCC, he hopes to build strong relationships with coworkers, serve as a dependable resource to the conference and its constituents, and continue growing professionally. He is currently working toward CPA licensure.

Brandon shares his life with Kaylee, his wife of six years, who works as a nurse, and together they enjoy spending time outdoors, traveling, and staying active through hiking, biking, running, and other outdoor activities.

Featured in Northern Lights, January 22, 2026

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David Osborne, Retired NCC Pastor Passes to His Rest
David Osborne, Retired NCC Pastor Passes to His Rest 534 399 Ken Miller

David Osborne, retired NCC Pastor and Divisional Ministry Director passed to his rest on November 29.

Osborne joined the NCC as pastor of the Carmichael Church in 1993, already bringing 30 years of experience as a pastor, teacher, and chaplain across various conferences and schools. In 1999, he was appointed NAD Division Ministry Director, serving in that capacity alongside his regular pastoral duties until 2005. In 2006, Osborne became head pastor at the Chico Church and continued there until his retirement in 2020.

Reflecting on Osborne’s impact, Jim Lorenz, NCC Vice President for Ministry, shared, “One of Dave’s impressive skills was his ability to speak tough truths and have you laughing about it—a very rare skill. This was especially evident after his retirement, when he served as an interim pastor and transformed struggling churches. One church initially resisted him, but by the time Dave and his wife Judy moved on, they were beloved by the congregation. We have lost a giant of a pastor.”

Featured in Northern Lights, December 25, 2025

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The 20% Growth Sabbath!
The 20% Growth Sabbath! 3791 1962 Ken Miller

By Susan Fleming

Photos by Mark Anthony Carter

On November 1, 2025, the Dobbins Church experienced a remarkable 20% growth! Lay Pastor John Fleming baptized six new members, adding to the one baptized earlier on August 16. For a small congregation, this increase was especially meaningful—but the truth is, many of these newcomers had already felt like part of the Dobbins Church family, just as countless non-members who regularly attend do.

That welcoming spirit is what first drew Maggie Jackson to the church one Sabbath in the fall of 2023. Raised in the Seventh Day Church of God, Maggie had drifted away for a time, and years later she was searching for a church home. “From the moment I walked through the doors, I was welcomed with genuine love,” she recalled. Ronda and Jerry Charlton had a similar experience, sharing. “We are both very blessed to be members of the Dobbins Church. My husband and I were both baptized, renewing our relationship with God,”

For some, the journey into the Dobbins family began with Wednesday Bible study rather than Sabbath worship. Pastor John leads this weekly study, serving a meal beforehand to nourish both body and spirit. Two of the newest members have been preparing these delicious meals, while Pastor John guides thoughtful, engaging Bible discussions. Ronda reflected, “Pastor John’s teaching helped me to understand the Bible and how to study it.”

The Dobbins Church continues to be a place of welcome for all. Whether you’re traveling through the Yuba County foothills on a Wednesday evening or a Sabbath morning, everybody is invited to join in study, fellowship, and food.

Featured in Northern Lights, December 25, 2025
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Bringing Christ to Christmas
Bringing Christ to Christmas 4000 2250 Ken Miller

The Christmas season is known for its fast pace, last-minute scurrying, good food, and time with family—and the same is true for our schools, churches, and ministries.

Faithful efforts continue to reach communities, offering opportunities to connect with neighbors. And it’s not all outreach—there’s plenty of in-reach too. Offices trade gifts, share potlucks, and school rooms buzz with anticipation and seasonal crafting.

The Santa Rosa Church once again hosted its walk-through nativity, delighting visitors with live scenes performed by members, young and old. Pastor Brad Geinger shared, “The Live Nativity is a special part of many community members’ holiday traditions. Over 25 years, it has become something we are known for in Santa Rosa. Perhaps most essential are the nearly 100 volunteers of all ages who participate. This same Live Nativity was my first church volunteer experience, and today it remains the starting point for many engaging in the Lord’s work.”

The Carmichael Church recently hosted A Night in Bethlehem, an interactive walk-through nativity with live animals. Children guided their families from scene to scene, petting animals and joining in songs. Associate Pastor Melissa Howell shared, “This gave Carmichael Church a chance to open our doors to the surrounding community and share the story of Jesus’ birth in a fresh way. Many attendees were visiting the church for the first time and some expressed interest in joining the congregation, while others said they wanted their children to be part of a faith community and asked to participate in future events.”

In Placerville, over six nights, a diverse mix of people—from the East Coast to just down the street—came to connect, celebrate God, and experience a living picture of hope. Church members united, engaging their circles of influence and offering hundreds of volunteer hours, from construction to conversations and prayer. In the barn, at the feet of baby Jesus, tears were shed, and hearts were moved. Long after the lights faded, lives continued to be touched. For three hours each of the six nights, the church family came together to present Jesus to the community. As Andrew Uyeyama, Pastor, shared, “The camaraderie was incredible—we truly became a church family, and God interrupted many lives with light and hope.”

All over our territory, this same theme runs through program after program: Bringing Christ to Christmas. Our Churches, schools, ministries, and members, young and old, share the gift of our spiritual community with neighbors, inviting them to connect with the story of Christmas in a hands-on, meaningful way.

Featured in Northern Lights, December 25, 2025
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Finding Community in the Mountains: Young Adults Gather at Leoni Meadows
Finding Community in the Mountains: Young Adults Gather at Leoni Meadows 4004 2250 Ken Miller

In a season of life when many young adults are searching for connection, purpose, and a place to belong, a simple weekend at Leoni Meadows became something more—a reminder that authentic community is still possible, and that the NCC and its churches are committed to supporting this age group.

One hundred twenty-five young adults gathered for the retreat, and from the start, the atmosphere felt warm and welcoming. Presenters encouraged participants to engage fully in the weekend. They emphasized the importance of creating spaces where young adults can ask honest questions, explore doubts, and discover their personal faith, while also building meaningful relationships with peers and mentors.

Question and answer sessions highlighted the honesty and curiosity of the group. Questions submitted anonymously on phones sparked open conversations, and the panel’s transparency modeled the kind of spiritual authenticity this generation values. Young adults are seeking authentic relationships, safe spaces to share struggles, mentorship, and opportunities to actively live out their faith—all of which were reflected in the weekend’s activities. The prayer room quickly became a favorite place, offering a quiet space to reflect, while the growing prayer wall invited participants to share hopes, concerns, and prayer requests.

This weekend also marked a new chapter. Plans are underway for a mission trip to Alaska in August 2026, during which young adults will help run a summer camp. The annual Leoni retreat will now move permanently to January, with the next gathering scheduled for January 8–10, 2027.

Featured in Northern Lights, December 25, 2025

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STEMpossible at Rio Lindo’s “Spy” Academy
STEMpossible at Rio Lindo’s “Spy” Academy 4000 2250 Ken Miller

By Nicholas Sigler

Rio Lindo Adventist Academy transformed its campus into a world of secret missions and scientific discovery during its “Spy” Academy STEM Camp, the first since 2018.

Middle school “agents-in-training” from six NCC schools spent two days diving into hands-on activities that blended creativity, curiosity, and real-world science. As Emma, an eighth grader from Feather River, shared, “It was a great opportunity to meet other schools and make new friends. The teachers were friendly and helpful. I learned that lasers show up better in the dark and fog, and the light bounces off mirrors.”

Students began their mission by constructing their own laser mazes. Using geometry and spatial reasoning, they positioned mirrors to guide a laser beam through a complex path, learning how light reflects and how real security systems operate. Agents then moved into the cryptography lab, where they created ciphers and used mathematical patterns to crack secret messages. By applying logic and number sequences, they decoded clues that revealed new “intel” throughout the camp.

Next, participants experimented with invisible ink, testing everyday substances—from lemon juice to baking soda to cabbage-based indicators—to discover which solutions could hide or reveal messages using heat or chemical reactions. Campers finished their training by engineering LED magnetic trackers, wiring small circuits with lights and magnets to create devices that could flash or stick to metal surfaces, mimicking tools used in real investigations.

Through experiences like “Spy” STEM Camp, Rio Lindo isn’t just making science fun for students in the NCC—it’s helping them imagine their futures. By blending teamwork, problem-solving, and hands-on engineering with a mission to make science exciting, accessible, and unforgettable, the camp equips young people for advanced coursework, technical careers, and real-world challenges.

Featured in Northern Lights, December 25, 2025
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Redwood Camp Meeting is on the Horizon
Redwood Camp Meeting is on the Horizon 3856 2053 Ken Miller

Looking ahead to warmer days and summer events, Redwood Camp Meeting leaders are already preparing the grounds for July.

Nestled beneath towering redwoods on California’s North Coast, the camp is a place many families return to year after year—often describing it as a reunion in the trees.

Each winter brings new challenges. A flood year can leave logs, silt, and debris scattered across the property. Coupled with fallen trees, branches and foliage throughout the canopied campsite, spring cleanup becomes essential to restore the peaceful, welcoming atmosphere campers’ treasure.

To address this, the camp organizes its annual Memorial Day Weekend volunteer cleanup, scheduled for May 23–25, 2026. The cleanup also prepares the site for Camp Pitch, which takes place the week before Camp Meeting.

This year, the camp launched a new website: redwoodcampmeeting.com. Camp officers report the site will grow as a resource for online reservations, essential documents, and details about speakers, children’s programming, and upcoming events.

The 2026 Redwood Camp Meeting runs from July 26 to August 1. With these dates set, everyone is invited to enjoy God’s magnificent redwoods, the North Coast, and the joy of gathering in the trees to learn and serve together.

Featured in Northern Lights, December 25, 2025
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