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Northern Lights

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Musical Inspires Students and Community
Musical Inspires Students and Community 2000 1125 Ken Miller

On the weekends of February 18 and 25, Pine Hills Academy showcased its live presentation of Les Miserables, which became a community-relevant outreach.

The two-weekend theatrical production marked the tenth year of drama at Pine Hills. First-time Stage Director and Producer Lorelie Krussow stated, “Creating this production was an incredible experience that included community, parents, students, and school staff to pull off.”

The famous story of industrialist ex-convict Jean Valjean’s reformation in 19th century France featured spectacular costumes created by parents Heather Wells, Deborah Price, and a cast of volunteers. According to Krussow, the wardrobe team found or made each garment from curtains, sheets, and any source of fabric they could find.”

Parent Jenell Wareham reported that thirty-one of the school’s thirty-six students were involved in the production. Responsibilities included singing, acting, lighting, audio-visual, curtains, and every other job behind the scenes. Krussow, also the school’s English teacher, gushed, “The transformation we see in students year after year after going through the play is difficult even to articulate – but what we see clearly is authentic teamwork at its peak.”

Musical Director Terri Taaffe was responsible for turning high-school students into Broadway(esque) performers. According to several volunteers, “Terri was an inspiration that motivated and inspired the students to reach deep when performing this complex musical.” A song from the play was even sung live on Sacramento’s TV Fox40.

With the added notoriety, one community attendee, with no affiliation with Pine Hills, said, “I never knew this school was in my community! I couldn’t believe the quality of the production I saw tonight.” Reflecting on similar interactions, Krussow stated, “One lady from our community asked for a stack of flyers to distribute among her neighbors!”

Krussow concluded, “The overall production of a play builds student confidence. We see confidence transfers from drama to leadership roles they take on, their public speaking skills, and their willingness to participate upfront in their local churches.”

Principal David Carreon added, “This wasn’t just another theater production. It was a community builder that included musicians, volunteers, and even donors without school or church affiliation. This event truly connected Pine Hills to our community.”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 9, 2023

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Josie Asencio Installed at Antioch Church
Josie Asencio Installed at Antioch Church 1287 1195 Ken Miller

February 25- Josie Asencio was installed as the head pastor at the Antioch Church.

Most recently, she was the associate pastor of the Vallejo Central Church, where she has been since 2021. She said about her move to Antioch, “Our church shares its name with the city where followers of The Way were first called Christians. It is where Paul and Barnabas first worked together, and I look forward to continuing the model and mission in the book of Acts.”

Acensio received her M. Div. from Andrews University and is working on her Doctorate in Pastoral Care and Counseling. She enjoys adventuring and has participated in skydiving, surfing, scuba, and she is training for her first 10k run.

Featured in Northern Lights, March 2, 2023

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Tongan, Fijian, and Samoan Churches Celebrate “High Sabbath”
Tongan, Fijian, and Samoan Churches Celebrate “High Sabbath” 2000 1125 Ken Miller

February 25- The Sacramento Tongan Church sponsored a combined service, inviting the Sacramento Samoan and Fijian Churches. Over 200 people attended and learned about stewardship.

Pastor Tui Finau stated, “Bringing the church families of Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji together was a ‘High Sabbath’ for us. We share a part of the South Pacific, each with distinct cultures, but all loving Jesus.”

Each church participated by providing two songs and one testimonial. Piano, ukulele, and acapella music were abundant. According to one member, “The message Pastor Harpe shared hit the point that God is Lord of the universe and that our faithfulness in giving back is a privilege and one way to honor God.”

Finau continued, “This celebration weekend was so inspirational; our three churches are planning similar events regularly.”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 2, 2023

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ID:Me – Freshmen and Sophomores At Leoni
ID:Me – Freshmen and Sophomores At Leoni 2000 1125 Ken Miller

February 3- Over 300 Freshman and Sophomore students from the Pacific Union met at Leoni Meadows for a weekend of worship and training. This year’s theme focused on training young people to serve God in small groups and become leaders in their social groups.

Eddie Heinrich, director of youth and young adult ministries, said, “The ID: Me weekend was amazing. We were blessed with a historic number of students that didn’t let a little rain get in the way. They were committed and blessed with the fellowship.”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 2, 2023

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NCC Funds Relief For Earthquake Victims
NCC Funds Relief For Earthquake Victims 1912 999 Ken Miller

Serving the international community has always been an essential concern of members and churches of our territory.

The massive earthquakes that struck southern Türkiye and northwestern Syria on February 6 impacted a 310-mile-wide area populated by nearly 14 million people.

Our conference contributed $10,000 to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in response to the extreme humanitarian need. These funds helped distribute food, water, clothing, and essential supplies, sheltered displaced families, and implemented water and sanitation solutions.

Zoltan Sitkei, ADRA country director for Hungary and search and rescue technician/paramedic, stated. “We rescued six people, including two children. It took us 14 hours to save a lady, who was found by our team. It was very difficult to get her out. We worked with the Turkish fire brigade. But finally, we found a solution and got her out,”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 9, 2023

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Planting A Church In Good Soil
Planting A Church In Good Soil 1983 1110 Ken Miller

The name of the Oakland missionary group Buena Tierra translates to “good soil” and was inspired by Matthew 13:23. It is a lively and vibrant group that loves, helps, shares, celebrates, has fun, and grows.

On August 1, 2021, the Oakland Spanish Church established a core group of fourteen members. Each member was tasked with recruiting two additional members to form the new Buena Tierra congregation.

Within two months, this core group began a search for a rentable church building in their East Oakland neighborhood, which has one of the largest Hispanic populations in the city.

After an extensive search on December 25, 2021, the new group was inaugurated and held its first official service with 41 members at the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Luis Manrique Pena, the pastor of Oakland Spanish Church, helped train and equip the members during the first four months. Members then surveyed their community to determine its essential needs.

The Family Harmony Evangelistic program started on April 26, 2022. It provides guidance and solutions common to marriage, family, and relational issues with a Biblical emphasis. There was an average of eight to ten visitors each week.

In August 2022, Buena Tierra partnered with the Alameda County Food Bank to distribute groceries to the community. Approximately forty households have been blessed weekly, and Buena Tierra continues this outreach each Sabbath.

By February 2023, Buena Tierra connected to 87 families in the community through their missional efforts. As a result, eight people from the community were baptized. Currently, the group has an average attendance of seventy people each week, including fifteen visitors from the community receiving Bible studies.

With their success, the group is excited to start three new missional efforts: An Adventurer club, a Pathfinder club, and a monthly health seminar program.

Its mission continues to be “each one reaches one”. They look forward to the future when they can bear more fruit, plant more churches, and continue to reach Oakland until the day Christ returns.

Featured in Northern Lights, March 9, 2023

  • Ken Miller
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School Roof Collapses
School Roof Collapses 1924 1008 Ken Miller

March 5-Echo Ridge Christian, our Pre-Kindergarten through 8th-grade school in Nevada City, was dealt a severe blow over the weekend when the gymnasium roof collapsed under heavy snow and rain.

The building, in use, since 1963, collapsed sometime between 6:00 PM Saturday and 4:30 PM Sunday. Patti Osborne, the principal, stated, “We are thankful that school was not in session nor any of entities who use the space were there. Our gym was a critical part of the education program because it was not only used for physical education, but also housed the library, music department, chapel, art, and cooking class.”

Osborne continued, “Our gym was recently remodeled, including coverings for the gym floor. Additionally, for safety, and to protect the gym, we also spent $10,000 to cut down trees—and it was the snow that destroyed our gym. With the renovations, we rented the space to five local entities including a Sunday Church. We have all lost the space and the financial support so crucial to our small school.”

Laurie Trujillo, director of communication and development, stated, “The snow accumulated quickly and mixed with the rain; the roof could not withstand the weight. The destroyed gym will significantly impact the 42 students and teaching staff of four. However, all classrooms are on a separate part of the campus and sustained no damage. The school will remain in session during cleanup and rebuilding.”

Osborne concluded, “The Nevada County Office of Emergency Services declared a local state of emergency after the recent snowstorm that took our gym, so permitting could happen sooner than normal.” If you wish to support the school, click here.

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Featured in Northern Lights, March 9, 2023

  • Ken Miller
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Religious Liberty Weekend at Berkeley
Religious Liberty Weekend at Berkeley 1284 1992 Ken Miller
  • Ken Miller
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Black History is American History
Black History is American History 1030 1402 Ken Miller

Social Justice and Emancipation is the title of the black history month study guide. It came about as a project envisioned by Drs. Calvin B. Rock and Mervyn A. Warren. It was written for churches and schools that want to study what the Word of God says about Emancipation.

Multiple authors, such as Barry Black, chaplain of the U.S Senate, provide lesson studies that inform and inspire on subjects such as the context of Old Testament enslavement, the interaction of Biblical nations of African heritage, and how God’s power, grace, and redemption plan permeate the lives of diverse cultures time and again.

Progressively the study guide showcases peoples, nations, and heroes of the Bible who were of African and middle eastern descent and gives proof and hope that the people of God are intended to be of one body and one mission.

Marc Woodson, NCC president, and contributing author said, “This is the second guide on social justice. I felt it a privilege and honor to be a contributor. It is essential to tell the story of black history, which is American history.”

In its second year as a guide, Woodson has been invited to present the lesson he authored via Zoom to the Lake Region Conference, South Atlantic Conference, Allegheny East Conference, and the Bermuda Conference.

Locally, Sacramento Academy offered it as a lunchtime bible study guided by Carmichael associate pastor Benji Ferguson. He stated, “As a pastor, I’m so impressed with the scholarship and content of the study guide. I am seeing things from angles I should have noticed before and enjoying the scope of scripture for my students.”

Featured in Northern Lights, February 23, 2023

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A Big Move Not Very Far Away
A Big Move Not Very Far Away 2048 1350 Ken Miller

February 4- Nate Furness was installed as head pastor of the Pacific Union College Church, a short drive from his previous position at Napa Community Church.

Garrison Chaffee, Napa youth and associate pastor, said, “It was truly a pleasure to work with Nate; he is one of the most inclusive pastors I have ever worked with. He genuinely cares about each person and will be a great minister to his new church and community.”

Furness stated, “My family and I are excited to join the PUC Church family. I believe God has called us to be part of the life-changing work happening on campus and in the community. We are so impressed with the talent and dedication of the faculty, staff, and students here.”

Jim Lorenz, ministerial director, stated, “Nate has an uncommon pastoral sense that is perfect for the PUC Church community and students.”

Furness shares his life with Jennie, his wife of 17 years, and sons Alex, 14, and Anders, 11.

Featured in Northern Lights, February 23, 2023

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