• Connecting people to an abundant life with Jesus Christ and preparing them for His return

Northern Lights

  • Ken Miller
  • No Comments

Project Light Ministry
Project Light Ministry 2000 1125 Ken Miller

Vallejo Berea Church strives to be a shining light in its community.

One way they fulfill this purpose is through the Project Light Ministry. Every 4th Sabbath, the ministry team pre-cooks meals in the church kitchen and then serves them at a local unhoused encampment.

Ministry team members serve the food and often pray with receptive persons. The group sings songs during the meals, and many beautiful voices from the community join in; members of the unhoused are usually open about taking the lead in singing.

There is plenty of food, and often, servings reach the 120-meal mark. Everybody is welcome to take extra meals back for friends. On many weekends, leftover meals are taken to other camps in the area, spreading God’s blessings.

Wanetta Daniel, outreach coordinator, exclaimed, “Since the pandemic the old way of doing church has passed. We are bringing the church to the community. We give out sleeping bags, tents, tarps, personal hygiene products, and food because that is the need. We’re even discussing taking pet food; because a dog or cat is often the only companion the unhoused have.”

Roger Williams, head pastor, stated, “Project Light Ministry is how we change the paradigm of what church is. Our focus is, who will we be in the community?”

Featured in Northern Lights, February 23, 2023

  • Ken Miller
  • No Comments

Telling Black American History Like It Is: An Exhibition at Northern California Conference Headquarters
Telling Black American History Like It Is: An Exhibition at Northern California Conference Headquarters 1953 1083 Ken Miller

Jane Toy has been interested in African American history since she was a little girl.

Growing up during the civil rights movement and seeing what was happening in her country troubled her as a young child.

In 1975 when she registered for her first college course, an African American history course was listed, and she quickly joined.

Just seven years prior, in 1968, San Francisco State University students conducted the longest student-led walkouts in history: five months! During their protest, students endured beatings, and dozens were arrested. Why? Because they wanted to have courses that included black history, their history. Jane’s first college course was a direct result of those dedicated students.

Since then, Toy has been collecting memorabilia from the civil rights era. She stated, “Since the first artifact I collected, a slave rental agreement, I determined that this part of our history must be on display.” Every artifact Toy collects another piece of the puzzle that tells the truth about American history.

Through February, you can view Jane’s collection of newspapers, photographs, books, records, and other artifacts of the civil rights era at the NCC headquarters in Roseville. She is there daily to answer questions, relate history, tell stories, and keep civil rights history historical.

Marc Woodson, NCC president, stated, “We appreciate Jane Toy’s willingness to share her valuable, historical collection with us and the public. Every year she brings out artifacts that go beyond my expectations and tell aspects of the Black history narrative otherwise unknown. I love her servant’s heart!”

Contact the front desk for exhibit hours at (916) 886-5600

Featured in Northern Lights, February 16, 2023

  • Ken Miller
  • No Comments

Dr. Leslie Anderson Passes to His Rest
Dr. Leslie Anderson Passes to His Rest 547 547 Ken Miller

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Leslie Anderson, a member of Oakland Immanuel Temple.

Anderson joined the NCC in 1977 as the director of Inner Cities and Community Service Ministries. He was instrumental in the success of inner-city summer programs and vacation bible schools of his era. He was also crucial in providing resources of food, clothing, and financial help for families in need.

During his career, Anderson conducted seminars for disaster preparedness and provided continuing education classes for healthcare workers at Redwood Camp Meeting. After 24 years of service, he retired in 2001.

Marc Woodson, NCC president, said, “I am so proud that Dr. Anderson’s legacy will continue to be a part of our conference’s story. We remain committed to caring about our communities and ministering to those often overlooked. May Leslie Anderson’s life and ministry inspire us all as we hasten the soon coming of Jesus.”

On January 19, 2023, he passed away peacefully, with family by his side.

Featured in Northern Lights, February 9, 2023

  • Ken Miller
  • No Comments

Ashraf Awad (Ash) Joins Payroll Department
Ashraf Awad (Ash) Joins Payroll Department 1474 1967 Ken Miller

Ashraf Awad (Ash) is a new accountant in the payroll department.

Ash is from Egypt and went to Nile Union Academy and Andrews University. On his path to the NCC, he worked in Lebanon with Syrian refugees and for Adventist TV. He recently earned an MBA in marketing from La Sierra University.
 
Awad exclaimed, “I love working in the Northern California Conference because we work as a team to create a unique connection between the community and God. There are so many people to be reached and prepared for the Second Coming.”

Featured in Northern Lights, February 9, 2023

  • Ken Miller
  • No Comments

Melany Quintero Joins NCC Offices
Melany Quintero Joins NCC Offices 1474 1967 Ken Miller

Melany Quintero is the new administrative assistant supporting the Hispanic and Asian Pacific Ministries coordinators.

Quintero was born in Costa Rica but attended school in Arizona and Tennessee. After graduating, she went to a university in Costa Rica and became an English professor.

Regarding her new position, she stated, “I enjoy being part of a ministry team that supports our ethnic churches and community outreach.”

Quintero is contagiously kind and a passionate, hard worker. Her hobbies include hiking, music, and cooking, and she has a passion for personal growth and serving God.

Featured in Northern Lights, February 9, 2023

  • Ken Miller
  • No Comments

Wai “Larry” Chu Ordained
Wai “Larry” Chu Ordained 793 608 Ken Miller

January 28- Larry Chu was ordained at the Alameda East Bay Chinese church.

Chu has served as the full-time pastor of the Alameda East Bay Chinese Church and with a Chinese language group from Stockton Central since 2016.

Chu stated, “This ordination gave me encouragement from the NCC and church members, strengthening my faith to share the great news of Jesus.” Jim Lorenz, ministerial director, said, “Pastor Chu is a kind and gifted pastor dedicated to his church community and serves them well.”

A passionate, hard worker, Chu said, “My goals are to continue sharing the gospel among my members but also increasing ministry to young people, bringing more of that age group to church, and connecting them with Jesus.”

In 2015, Wai and his wife, Zi Yang, married and have served God together. They welcomed daughter Dorcas into their family in 2020.

Featured in Northern Lights, February 9, 2023

  • Ken Miller
  • No Comments

Prayer Ministry Retreat
Prayer Ministry Retreat 1912 999 Ken Miller

  • Ken Miller
  • No Comments

Religious Liberty Weekend
Religious Liberty Weekend 850 425 Ken Miller

  • Ken Miller
  • No Comments

Blake Jones Installed At Orangevale
Blake Jones Installed At Orangevale 1082 1600 Ken Miller

January 21- Blake Jones was installed at Orangevale Church. Blake joined our territory from the Florida Conference. He explains, “I wasn’t looking to move to California until my friend talked me into it. From there, I felt this is where God wanted me to go.”

That friend was Kevin Robert, church growth and evangelism director. Robert said, “I got him into this. Blake clearly sees the pastoral ministry and how it is a calling to be an equipper of the saints, but not one that hovers over the members. He will do a great job!”

Jones describes, “I’m very passionate about equipping people to be fruitful disciples of Jesus.”

Blake has been married to Cris, his wife of 16 years. They have two children, Lucas-12, and Sofia-8.

Featured in Northern Lights, February 2, 2023

  • Ken Miller
  • No Comments

Adventurers’ Adventure At Leoni
Adventurers’ Adventure At Leoni 2000 1125 Ken Miller

January 27-29- The English language version of the annual Adventurer Family Fun Weekend was held at Leoni Meadows after being postponed in October. The same event in Spanish was held in November without a hitch.

This year’s theme, He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands, gave NCC Adventurers and their families a weekend of international cultures, languages, food, and games. More than 85 people attended from all over the conference.

Leoni staff opened the Leoni House Museum, where the children were delighted to find a perfect layer of snow, making it possible to sled down the hill in front of the meadow in spectacular weather!

Chef Ed and cafeteria workers went above and beyond to prepare a special kid-friendly menu.

Barry van Iderstein, director of children and family ministries, said, “I am so amazed by the perseverance and kindness I have experienced at Leoni Meadows. The camp’s willingness and creativity are examples of their passionate hard work that never ceases to impress. Leoni’s team is a huge blessing.”

Featured in Northern Lights, February 2, 2023

Enter your
text here