Northern Lights

Recently three of our departments hosted weekend events to provide resources to local ministry leaders.

The Women’s Ministries Department hosted a leadership workshop to spiritually strengthen and help reconnect women in ministry. This event offered practical tools and techniques to revive ministries and connect volunteers after two difficult years of pandemic restrictions.

Angela Fusilier, director of women’s ministries, said, “The web of connection activity highlighted the importance and value of networking and pooling resources. Judging from the feedback of our fifty women leaders, the weekend was a great success.”

At Leoni Meadows, youth director Eddie Henrich with children and family ministry director Barry van Iderstein, led the Pathfinder and Adventurer Leadership Convention.

According to van Iderstein, “Our main theme and purpose was making sure our Pathfinder, and Adventurer groups are meeting the spiritual needs of our children through club ministries. Each event presenter was specifically chosen to support, inspire, and equip leaders to advance the spiritual growth of children.”

Featured in Northern Lights • September 15, 2022

The Sacramento Slavic church engages with its community by hosting a summer camping experience for members and friends.

Since 2012, the church has hosted youth camps every summer to connect friends and family from around the United States.

According to Roman Tsyganiuk, pastor of the Sacramento Slavic church, “This year, our camp had just over 140 people, and for the Sabbath service, another 50 people joined us.”

Tsyganiuk continued, “Thirteen people decided to make a covenant with God through baptism. It was an incredibly joyful event, and we are very grateful to God for these young hearts!”

Featured in Northern Lights • September 8, 2022

The Napa Spanish, a community-relevant and mission-driven church served their community on August 14 by hosting their second annual health fair.

This event was a very important collaboration with the St. Helena Hospital Foundation, Napa County Health Department, Open Doors, and Feeding it Forward.

The health fair focused on healthy living, cooking, and self-sufficiency for the local community. Additionally, enthusiastic youth delivered food to those who requested it.

According to Jose Diaz, pastor of Napa Spanish, “We had about 200 people attend our second health fair, and we thank all of our volunteers and all of the entities for their support of this important service.”

Featured in Northern Lights • September 8, 2022

Principal Lisa Bissell-Paulson is excited for the new school year at Redwood Academy, “We are so blessed to welcome back 90 Kindergarten through eighth-grade students and we expect more to arrive!”

The Redwood campus, a victim of the Tubbs wildfire in October 2017, has slowly progressed back towards normalcy since one of the most devastating fires in California history.

Although students still meet in temporary classrooms, one can start to see outlines of where the new classrooms and administration building will stand.

In a commanding location sits a shiny new gymnasium. Bissell-Paulson continued, “We’re so close to an occupancy permit for our brand-new gym! Complete with Basketball and Volleyball courts, it has a large commercial kitchen as well.

Bissell-Paulson exclaimed, “It will be such a welcome addition when open, and will connect our students, and families to our community through sports and events.”

Featured in Northern Lights • August 25, 2022

The Mosquito wildfire is burning in El Dorado and Placer counties near Foresthill, and Oxbow Reservoir. The town of Foresthill is under evacuation order. Stay up-to-date by visiting the CAL FIRE incident page.

Many church members have evacuated the area. Let’s keep them in our prayers. The NCC Disaster Response Team is in close contact with the church leaders on the ground and continues to monitor the situation.

Disaster relief funds will be deployed as needed.

Featured in Northern Lights • September 8, 2022

Craig Heinrich, camp director of Leoni Meadows looks back on a camp season once in jeopardy with an air of incredulity, “We had a phenomenal summer!”

He gushed, “Regardless of the intermittent problems like finding water pipes that the fire damaged, and a few sewer backups, we may have seen the best staff, volunteers, and campers ever!”

As you look out from the lodge, the fog bank-like wall of Douglas firs is gone. Yet, beauty has sprung up as ferns and undergrowth are quickly winning the war on grey ash and red soil. Heinrich continued, “God brought the Spring and Summer reminding us He can make all things new.”

Cowboy Camp was the most affected by the fire as it ripped through the barn, wagons, stables, and trails. It was the one camp that almost didn’t happen.

The weeklong “cowboys” bunked in temporary canvas bivouacs, an experience harkening back to visions of the wild west. “Cowgirl” Darci Miller, a first-time camper exclaimed, “I know we couldn’t make the famous long trail rides due to the burnt trees and blocked trails but being part of the camper rodeo was the best part of my week!

Heinrich spoke on behalf of the staff saying, “Thank you to all who donated time, funds, muscle, and skills to save the Leoni Meadows experience.”

Featured in Northern Lights • August 25, 2022

Miguel Verazas was ordained at the Pleasant Hill church on Sabbath, August 13.

Verazas said, “I am humbled by the grace and mercy that God has shown me in my spiritual journey. I am also extremely grateful for those who have mentored me along the way.”

Verazas has served the northern territory as a youth pastor since 2014, beginning at the Napa Community church, and since 2016 at Pleasant Hill. During his service at Pleasant Hill, he also earned a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Andrews University.

Miguel and wife Ashley have welcomed two beautiful children to their family: Annalise and Noah.

When asked, Verazas reflected, “My favorite part of ministry is giving Bible studies and preparing children of God to be baptized.”

“A Very Close Call”

In response to the McKinney Fire, NCC Disaster Relief Funds were distributed through district pastor Bob Mason to 31 members and those connected to the Yreka Church and School.

One member felt very blessed and grateful for this support. She was at her grandson’s home when the fire spread. She evacuated successfully not knowing if she had lost her home or business.

Upon returning, she learned two of her good friends died in the fire, her grandson lost everything, and the restaurant she had developed to help the local community was ashes.

She stated, “I cannot question what God’s purpose is for my life; but who am I to doubt the wisdom of my creator? I am so blessed that my home was spared, and I can take care of my family. This extra help from the church is such a blessing. It was an answer to prayer because I was not sure where the money was going to come from to pay for the generator gas. I am just so blessed!”

Laurie Trujillo, director of communication and development said, “Gifts to this fund and other funds like the New Beginner’s Fund provide significant help to people, and minister to their needs. Our compassionate givers make a difference and bring joy to others.”

Featured in Northern Lights • August 18, 2022