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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

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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

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Religious Liberty Weekend at Berkeley
Religious Liberty Weekend at Berkeley 1284 1992 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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Missional Church Planting
Missional Church Planting 2000 1125 Ken Miller

For several weeks, groups have been meeting in churches to strategize and train.

The attendees are volunteers, each called by the Holy Spirit to step out in faith. Their ages range from young to old, appearances grizzled to refined, and personalities subdued to outgoing. Their quest will be to plant missional church groups in their neighborhoods.

Kevin Robert, evangelism director, said, “Several groups will be creating micro-churches in their communities. These groups will engage neighborhoods with a New-Testament style work where every day is an outreach and Sabbath is to celebrate the weekly work, a day of mercy and blessing.”

Robert continued, “This missional and incarnational living is modeled after the church of Acts and was heavily encouraged by Mrs. White. Instead of fitting church into their lives, workers will focus on serving every day within their community; it will be their life and lifestyle.”

One of the goals of these micro-churches is to reach parts of communities that traditional services cannot.

Featured in Northern Lights, February 23, 2023

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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

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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

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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

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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

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