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Acts Of Kindness
Acts Of Kindness 1908 993 Ken Miller

On October 7, students from Chico Oaks school served their community in unique ways.

Each class team chose an act of kindness for someone in their community.

The kindergarten class collected donations for the Butte Humane Society and delivered them to the animals. Students in first and second grade gave out flowers and appreciation letters around the neighborhood. Third and fourth graders picked up trash, and grades fifth to eighth cleaned up a local park and wrote letters to local veterans.

Principal Leslie Bartsch said, “These types of service opportunities set Adventist education apart from the rest. When academics and acts of service show love to our neighbors, we can foster an atmosphere of quality instruction and spiritual growth.”

Featured in Northern Lights November 10, 2022

  • Ken Miller
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Adventurers Go International
Adventurers Go International 1807 956 Ken Miller

Recently, 39 families from Adventurer clubs around the conference spent the weekend at Leoni Meadows.

Todo el Mundo en Su Mano Está – He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands was the theme for the Spanish language 2022 Adventurer Family Fun Weekend. Families worshipped God and engaged in activities teaching International Studies, the Olympics, and Country Fun; subjects that are part of the SDA Adventurer curriculum.

Barry van Iderstein director of children and family ministries said, “It was a huge blessing to host this annual event again after the pandemic derailed it.”

The English-language event which was postponed due to a power outage at Leoni Meadows will be rescheduled soon.

Featured in Northern Lights November 10, 2022

  • Ken Miller
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A Haul In Canned Goods
A Haul In Canned Goods 1954 1081 Ken Miller

The Pleasant Hill Pathfinder Club recently participated in an annual canned food drive.

According to Adan Martinez, area coordinator, “The pathfinders really enjoy going through the community collecting food, and the community looks forward to the pathfinders coming.”

Pathfinders canvased the local community knocking on doors. Many residents know of this annual event and had pre-packed boxes ready to go. Counselors and parents followed behind in vehicles to collect the donations.

The collected food was brought back to the church, sorted, and re-boxed. Pathfinders, parents, church members, and tiny tots all helped in the sorting process. The packages were then given to the Pleasant Hill Adventist Community Services.

The Pleasant Hill Pathfinder Club recently participated in an annual canned food drive. According to Adan Martinez, area coordinator, “The pathfinders really enjoy going through the community collecting food, and the community looks forward to the pathfinders coming.”

Pathfinders canvased the local community knocking on doors. Many residents know of this annual event and had pre-packed boxes ready to go. Counselors and parents followed behind in vehicles to collect the donations.

The collected food was brought back to the church, sorted, and re-boxed. Pathfinders, parents, church members, and tiny tots all helped in the sorting process. The packages were then given to the Pleasant Hill Adventist Community Services.

Featured in Northern Lights November 10, 2022

Leif Cano Ordained
Leif Cano Ordained 1200 621 nccsadmin

Leif Cano, the youth pastor at the Placerville church, was ordained on Sabbath, October 22.

An avid musician and energetic leader, Cano is a passionate, hard worker. According to Jim Lorenz, ministerial director, “One of the neat things about Leif are the kids he has impacted for Christ—turning their lives around and influencing them to attend Adventist schools, colleges, or universities.”

Cano said, “The youth of today are tired of religion but have a passion for helping others that needs to be nourished. Our ministry draws about 80% non-Adventists from public schools. We teach them about Jesus Christ, inviting the Holy Spirit to work in their lives.”

Leif and his wife Kenia have been married for nine years, and they have two children: Giovanni, 5, and Lyannah, 3.

Featured in Northern Lights November 3, 2022

Academy In The Mountains
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By Rio Lindo Junior Kaia Miller

Almost 200 Junior and Senior academy students from Northern gathered at Leoni Meadows on the weekend of October 22 for an annual spiritual retreat.

Students enjoyed worship services, group discussions, and time outside in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains forming friendships and learning how to be community-relevant at their schools.

Rio Lindo Senior Isabella Wilmes said, “This weekend taught me much about who I am and how I best connect with God.” Lodi Academy Junior Madie Johnson shared a similar sentiment; she said, “The musical worship part of the event really made me feel the presence of God.”

Eddie Heinrich, director of youth ministries said, “The Junior Senior Retreat is a way to bring a personal relationship with Jesus into focus, nurturing contagiously kind students with a servant’s heart.”

Featured in Northern Lights November 3, 2022

 

A Journey That Began During The Pandemic
A Journey That Began During The Pandemic 1200 614 nccsadmin

October was a busy month at the Sacramento Spanish church. Twenty-eight people gave their lives to the Lord in baptism.

According to Jaime Calvo, district pastor of Sacramento Spanish, North Highlands Spanish, and Woodland Spanish churches, “There is one more person who wants to give his soul to the Lord, and we are excited for that day as well!”

Since the pandemic, the church has been preparing for this reaping moment. With an interconnecting system, Calvo calls EMI or Every Member Involved, which prepares the church membership for evangelism outreach.

The church created small groups, learned to give bible studies, and prayed. Calvo explains, “We created a network where members take responsibility for new members, creating a spiritual home that is contagiously kind and community-relevant.”

Calvo said, “It has been a privilege to work with church leaders and church members that have real compassion for people, showing that they have experienced the love of Christ. Through all of this, I have seen a real transformation in our church body, and it is wonderful to see the results.”

Featured in Northern Lights November 3, 2022

Andriy Mykhaylovskyy Ordained
Andriy Mykhaylovskyy Ordained 1200 620 nccsadmin

Andriy Mykhaylovskyy pastor of the Sacramento Ukrainian church was ordained on October 22.

He joined Northern in 2018 as a youth pastor at the Sacramento Slavic church. While there, the congregation grew and planted the Ukrainian group, which became a church in 2021.

Sacramento Ukrainian church is the only one of its kind in the Pacific Union Conference. Recently, Pastor Mykhaylovskyy has been providing refugee assistance and resources for local Ukrainian families.

Jose Marin, executive secretary said, “Pastor Andriy is not only gifted in leading his church congregation but also at engaging the Ukrainian community abroad with his unique skills.”

Featured in Northern Lights • October 27, 2022

Deer Park ACS Back From The Ashes
Deer Park ACS Back From The Ashes 1200 675 nccsadmin

On a cloudy, cool Napa Valley morning, the newly rebuilt ACS Center in Deer Park opened its doors just 4 months after final plans were approved.

“Because of the new Napa County building codes, it looked like the Center would not be allowed to be rebuilt,” stated Vincent Saunders, the newly installed head pastor at The Haven church.

“Because of its historical significance and important role in the community,” stated Diane Dillion, Napa County Supervisor, at the ribbon cutting ceremony on October 16, “We needed this center back in the community. I am pleased the doors are now open!”

Over 100 people gathered on opening day. Susy Ermshar, a long-time community resident said, “I am so thrilled to have the center back! It serves many in the community and is a blessing to all of us.”

Saunders continued, “I have watched the center emerge from the ashes and the hand of God working to restore this ministry.”

Marc Woodson, president, stated at the ceremony, “This ministry is the hands and feet of Jesus and, in its unique way, connects people to Christ.”

Featured in Northern Lights • October 27, 2022

150th Anniversary For Woodland Church
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The Woodland church celebrated its 150th anniversary on October 22.

According to Daniel Garza, district pastor of the Woodland and Vacaville churches, “The sanctuary was absolutely packed, spilling into the foyer for the program. Cars filled the parking lot and ran down the street.”

Active since 1872, Woodland has a unique history tracing back to the beginning of Adventism in California. The first church building was built in 1873, and in 1913 the members built a small school offering kindergarten, academy, and a vocational school.

The Woodland church has a history of being community relevant. It started in 1959 by opening the Community Clothes Closet. Later, it partnered with the county court system to provide supervised visitation for non-custodial parents. During the pandemic, the church members developed an interactive online media ministry for homebound members.

Garza continued, “We were thrilled to have our guest speakers trace the history of the Woodland church and give inspirational messages. Our members were absolutely thrilled and honored by this anniversary and are motivated to continue serving their community.”

Featured in Northern Lights • October 27, 2022

Pathfinders: Empowering Youth
Pathfinders: Empowering Youth 1200 800 nccsadmin

Article published in the October Pacific Union Recorder

Click here for pictures and story

Featured in Northern Lights • October 20, 2022

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