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Northern Lights

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Mark Blue Series Promotes Clarity, Leadership, and Teamwork
Mark Blue Series Promotes Clarity, Leadership, and Teamwork 2000 664 Ken Miller

April 3- Principals, pastors, and members of the respective leadership teams met at Carmichael Church for the Mark Blue Lecture Series.

The annual in-service promotes teamwork and collaboration between churches and schools.

This year’s subject was creating effective leadership teams. Through presentations and breakout sessions, each team learned and practiced how to build trust, create conflict, and manage an effective meeting while staying focused on our purpose.

According to Michelle Piner, registrar at Sacramento Academy, “The seminar had great lessons and training to clarify an issue down to its core and then effectively tackle that issue as an administrative team.”

Diona Wheeler, a teacher at Yreka, stated, “Our Yreka team practices about ninety percent of the methods I saw today, but it was very eye-opening and helpful to see and learn a framework in which we can tackle each issue methodically.”

Steve Brownell, pastor of the Oroville Church, remarked, “The material and system was a great start to building more effective churches and schools. I hope we will continue to be trained, learn and become better stewards in our communities.”

Marc Woodson, president, wrapped up the day by stating, “Everything presented here today we have put into action over the last two years at the conference leadership level. The tools shared today will make your teams more effective. Sometimes there are bumps and bruises on our journey, but this method works. If implemented at your church or school, you will see positive results.”

Featured in Northern Lights, April 6, 2023

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Pathfinders Cycle To Puerto Rico And Back*
Pathfinders Cycle To Puerto Rico And Back* 2000 1125 Ken Miller

April 2- Northern California Pathfinders gathered at the foot of the Sierra Buttes mountain range for a day of cycling.

Eddie Heinrich, pathfinder, and youth ministry director beamed, “It was amazing how after a brutal winter, the weather cooperated! The sun was out, the temperature perfect, and it was an outstanding day.”

190 riders donned helmets and mounted bicycles to raise money for their clubs. The course, a straight one-mile road up and back, was divided down the middle, and riders moseyed, cruised, or zoomed up and back all day. For one rider, fifty-three laps sealed a 106-mile record of the day.

Another 200 attendees, including parents, leaders, and club cooks, provided tasty treats, including the ever-popular corn dog, cotton candy, pupusas, and potato tacos. Benji Ferguson, associate pastor of the Carmichael Church, stated, “I’ve been to many bike-a-thons, but this one definitely had the best food court! Riding bikes was fun too.”

Heinrich concluded, “Our Pathfinders rode more than a combined 7,000 miles in support of their clubs, which serve the youth of their respective churches and community. I am very proud of each rider, parent, leader, and club participating.”

* Comparative total miles ridden

Featured in Northern Lights, April 6, 2023

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Ending Homelessness Initiative
Ending Homelessness Initiative 979 295 Ken Miller

Are you moved by the growing number of unhoused residents on the streets and parks throughout our cities and towns? Do you wish to be part of the solution?

At the 2022 Northern California Conference Constituency Session, we were challenged to be involved in significantly resolving homelessness in our territory.

We recognize that many churches and schools are addressing this humanitarian crisis. Nevertheless, there is more we can do to begin the work of ending homelessness.

To accomplish this overwhelming and seemingly impossible goal, we seek to hire a full-time person to coordinate the Ending Homelessness Initiative for our conference. The successful candidate will have a master’s degree, five years of experience related to homelessness, and demonstrated expertise and interest in this field. They will have established relationships with civic leaders, state and local governments, and community groups. They must show passion and expertise in bringing various groups together and galvanizing them to end homelessness in our church or school communities. Click here to read the full job description and apply.

We also seek an experienced team of volunteers to serve on our Council of Homelessness. The group’s purpose is to oversee the Initiative and support the coordinator. Click here for The Terms of Reference and a formal application.

Featured in Northern Lights, April 6, 2023

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Socorro Renteria Joins NCC Offices
Socorro Renteria Joins NCC Offices 1097 1644 Ken Miller

The NCC welcomes Socorro Renteria to its administrative offices.

Renteria is an assistant treasurer and describes her church work as an act of ministry. As a professional bookkeeper, she has worked for a Ford dealership, a money management firm, and several restaurants.

But her journey to Christ was a defining moment. “After 9/11, I was shocked and questioned many of my beliefs. I grew up Catholic and had experience as a Jehovah’s Witness. My assistant manager at the time invited me to his SDA church, to which I told him, ‘leave your religion at home.’ His response was to leave his religion at home and bring Jesus to work.”

Finally taking her boss’ invitation and reflecting on her first experience in an Adventist church, she stated, “My interest was piqued by married couples that had been together for ‘so long.’ Being from a broken home, this was very appealing, and I wanted what they had.”

Socorro and her husband Francisco, who became an Adventist shortly after her, moved to Wildwood Center for Health Evangelism in Georgia. While she trained for medical ministry, her husband, already a professional cook, worked at the local Country Life Restaurant. Through the years, a circuitous route of jobs and ministry eventually found them back in California and now at the NCC.

Her words to live by: “Christians are built for service. Service to our employers as well as our neighbors.”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 30, 2023

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Baptism and Bible Studies Pivot Prayer Meetings
Baptism and Bible Studies Pivot Prayer Meetings 1791 941 Ken Miller

By Larry Siemens

Shasta Lake Bible Fellowship invited community members, local church congregations, and friends to a revival seminar from March 17-25.

The All About Jesus series by Gary and Marilynn Venden drew 50 people on the first night and grew to 100 on the final weekend. One attendee said, “We discovered that Jesus is enough to ensure our winning in the race of life.” The message encouraged all to be friends with Jesus and trust His love and care.

On the final Sabbath, Ronald Yabut, district pastor, baptized one precious soul. Several individuals also requested Bible studies. As a result, the Wednesday night prayer meetings will be turned into an All About Jesus small group with the goal of growth and splitting into separate small groups.

One member reflected, “We all learned practical skills to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. What a joy to be growing to be contagiously kind Christians!”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 30, 2023

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Biblical Sites Inspire Pastors and Spouses
Biblical Sites Inspire Pastors and Spouses 2000 1125 Ken Miller

The NCC Ministerial Department recently sponsored a trip through Biblical Greece and Turkey for pastors and their spouses.

Jim Lorenz, ministerial director, stated, “We had two goals with the trip. The first was to inspire and re-kindle a passion for the Bible and ministry in our pastors. The second was to foster a deeper connection with spouses and fellowship with each other. Ministry can be isolating for pastoral couples.”

Cynthia Marin, a planned giving consultant and spouse of Jose Marin, executive secretary, said, “It was great to finally get to know pastors and spouses that we only say a hello or goodbye to at functions.”

Visiting the seven churches of Revelations in Turkey, the travelers were able to gain a historical context and relate the seven messages to the ancient churches in a new light. Denise Brummund, junior accountant and wife of Shawn Brummund, associate pastor of Granite Bay Hilltop, exclaimed, “Standing in the historical sites brought an otherwise black and white picture of Biblical stories to full color. It was stunning.”

There was something for everyone. If you were steeped in Biblical history and Revelation prophecy, the tour information could come at firehose speed. Other couples found that the food, the culture, and the locations created a sense of awe and inspiration in their lives.

Lorenz concluded, “Visiting the churches of Paul’s journey brought his letters to the Philippians, Thessalonians, and Corinthians to life. Being immersed in the locations, focusing on the history, culture, and locations was like living in the book of Acts.”

Josie Asencio, pastor of the Antioch Church, wrote on her Instagram, “Our last day, I took it all in… at the canal, Corinth, the reason Paul talked about the ‘Body of Christ,’ some church moms and some fun! This afternoon, I put my phone down and enjoyed time with my friends. I am so grateful I came.”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 30, 2023

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Character And Sportsmanship On The Court
Character And Sportsmanship On The Court 582 388 Ken Miller

By Lauren Johnson

Lodi Academy and Central Valley Christian Academy (CVCA) boys’ basketball teams recently faced each other at the PUC Invitational Basketball Tournament.

The two schools often play against each other, and while friends, the competition is always stiff.

CVCA had come to the tournament with only five players, one nursing a hurt ankle. So, when they met in the playoff rounds, the suspense was high.

The game was close, with the lead never more than a few points either way. Midway through the second half, the player with the injured ankle could no longer play. This left the CVCA team with four players. The Lodi team had five players. It looked like it was going to be a five-to-four matchup.

As the CVCA coach gathered his team of four, and the whistle to restart imminent, spectators wondered if the game was figuratively over. The crowd could be heard murmuring understandable comments such as, “this game is over” and “this will be interesting.”

However, on Lodi’s bench, head coach Mike Unterholzner looked to his assistant and asked, “Just to confirm, we’re going with four, right?”

Fans sitting near could hear the assistant firmly say, “absolutely!” without hesitation.

At that point, the four remaining CVCA players took the floor, but as agreed, the Lodi team sent only four players out to keep the game even.

Although the Lodi team won, the game was fair because of a character-defining decision by the coach. This decision sent a clear message to the fans and the players that although a competitive sport, the value of good sportsmanship and fair play is paramount.

Another Lodi parent said, “It was a spine-tingling moment to see sportsmanship from our coaches and players like this. It made me proud of the character taught, learned, and exhibited by our coaches and players.”

One parent stated after the game, “Our Christian coaches find character-teaching moments in competitive sports by valuing sportsmanship, fair play, and attitudes toward winning and losing. How you play defines who you are, and true victory is measured not only by the final score but by how you treat your opponents.”

This is a life lesson many of the players took home that night.

Featured in Northern Lights, March 23, 2023

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Storm Cannot Thwart Church Ministry
Storm Cannot Thwart Church Ministry 1936 1013 Ken Miller

By Ariana Rayburn

On February 24th and 26th, the Fortuna, Eureka, and McKinleyville churches engaged their call to ministry by hosting a free medical, dental, and vision clinic.

Snow fell steadily at the Fortuna ACS, making travel impossible for some. Conditions thwarted plans to offer vision services, but an energetic team of volunteers were ready for the 150 patients, some arriving long before the start time.

Volunteers organized the 2-day event with the NCC Health Ministries, which has contracted with the Life & Health Network (LHN).

LHN provided dental equipment and supplies for the clinic. One volunteer stated, “An event of this kind was new in our community and much greater than could be met.” The clinic had reached the capacity of dental patients before 10 AM.

Around the campus, pastoral staff provided childcare, made lunches for the volunteers, and even ran a food preparation class to control diabetes. Other services included orthopedic consults and lab services.

Dr. Reuben Brinkhaus, a volunteer, stated, “This event showed us how the need for care is so close. These are our neighbors. Everybody was blessed, volunteers and patients, and I hope we can find a way to do this regularly.”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 23, 2023

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Magnificent Seven Take to the Streets
Magnificent Seven Take to the Streets 1823 1027 Ken Miller

Seven Rio Lindo Academy students proved they have servants’ hearts by engaging their local community with compassion.

Seniors Jair Barrios, Joseph Chen, Kuria Hamilton, Joshua Jesus, Federio Omolon, Jonathan Palomino, and Lolesio “Junior” Vitaliano recently chose to feed the unhoused residents in Santa Rosa during their last home leave.

Fighting boredom away from Rio, they “just decided to do something good.” Spending their own money to purchase food supplies, they assembled sack lunches of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cheese puffs, and chips. According to one, “It’s what we would have wanted to eat and what we could afford!”

Ambling through downtown Santa Rosa, they found plenty of people who gratefully received the food. Many smiled, shook their hands, and said thank you, and some just ignored them, but all took the food. Joseph Chen, one of the seven, was asked his thoughts on buying, making, and handing out the food. He shyly responded, “I don’t know – I guess I felt kind of proud.”

Jennifer Rich, vice-principal of enrollment, said, “The students returned to school after home leave and presented Principal Mekey Lepulu with a video of their missionary adventure. They didn’t realize they had captured the hope of every educator, parent, and pastor – that young men, less than 90 days from their high school graduation, would spend their free time serving their neighbors.”

Rich concluded, “The act of service these Rio Lindo students exhibited is evidence of how important Christ is in our families, churches, and Adventist schools!”

Featured in Northern Lights, March16, 2023

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THANK YOU
THANK YOU 2000 1125 Ken Miller

Spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ is the most critical task anyone could ever do on this earth, and we are all called to do it equally.

We could not be more grateful to all our members who returned $47.6 million in tithe in 2022. These gifts have funded the ministry in Northern and have helped connect people to an abundant life in Jesus and prepare them for His soon return.

In 2022, there were 682 precious souls who gave their lives to the Lord through baptism, and 119 joined through Professions of Faith:

·       11% of these were children 13 and under

·       17% were teens from 14-17

·       10% were young adults 18 to 29

·       25% were Adults 30-59

·       12% were seniors aged 60+

·       25% were unknown

Additionally, in 2017 only 19% of our churches were growing. In 2022, the number of growing churches increased to 39 percent.

Thank you so much for your faithful and compassionate giving!

Featured in Northern Lights, March 16, 2023

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