Northern Lights

“No church building? No problem,” says Joelle Chinnock, administrator of disaster relief and development at the Paradise church.

Featured in Northern Lights • July 14, 2022

On our journey to organizational health, the NCC employees recently participated in two events that built teamwork and connections.

A team-building day at the NCC headquarters included games and exercises that encouraged problem solving, communication, and even good, ole competition for points.

According to Albert Miller, superintendent of schools, and director of the day’s events, “I think we all got to know each other a bit more, and made strides to better serve each other and the territory.”

The second event was a conference-wide picnic at Orangevale Elementary. Employees and their families were treated to excellent food prepared by Pathfinders and carnival style games for all.

Members of the NCC leadership team took turns in the dunk tank while kids AND coworkers took aim.

According to Marc Woodson, NCC president, “I was dunked so many times, I think it might have been rigged!”

Featured in Northern Lights • July 7, 2022

All new Kindergartners in our schools benefit from the New Beginners Fund.

Your gift to this fund is a powerful tool for our schools to recruit new Kindergartners. Prayerfully consider donating to the New Beginners Fund.

Featured in Northern Lights • July 7, 2022

Pastor Stennett Nash was installed as pastor at the Hayward Spanish Church on May 7th.

Jose Marin, executive secretary of the NCC said, “Before accepting a call to ministry, he was invited to be a part of a major-league baseball team as a pitcher, but decided to join the major league Kingdom of God team as a pastor.”

Pastor Nash joins the NCC from previous positions in Arkansas-Louisiana Conference.

Featured in Northern Lights • June 23, 2022

“Dr. D.! Dr. D.! Will you help me with my computer?” “Is it time for Bible yet?”

These are some comments by students AND teachers at PUC Elementary regarding David Dick, beloved principal, retiring after 17 years of service.

Professional and grace-filled, his popular Bible classes brought students to a deeper spiritual understanding of Christ’s love for us.

As a leader, a particularly shining moment was during the pandemic. He was able to connect his staff of six teachers with the entire student body on Chromebooks in a week’s time.

Teacher Tania Duncan noted, “James was born for such a moment! He helped some technophobic teachers keep their students moving forward. He truly served his school well.”

Featured in Northern Lights • June 23, 2022

Since 2017, the Northern California Conference (our network of schools, churches, and members) has faced the top 16 of California’s largest and most destructive wildfires in its history. Those disasters impacted 26 of the 31 counties in our territory.

Several years ago we established the Disaster Response Team and the Disaster Relief Fund. As part of this work, we also created the “Be Prepared Tip List”.

The information contained in this document comes from wildfire survivors in our conference as well as links to outside sites that contain valuable information.

As with any disaster, you never know when you will have to face it. We wish you to be prepared and care about the well-being of you and your loved ones.

Click here to download the “Be Prepared Tip List” PDF. 

Featured in Northern Lights • June 23, 2022

We are sad to announce that Lester Bennett passed away at age 97 on June 8, 2022, in Napa, Calif.

Throughout his career, he pastored for the Northern California, Hawaii, and Central California Conferences, as well as an assignment in Malawi.

He and his wife Leona served in multiple churches across the NCC territory starting in 1958, including Eureka, Vallejo Central, Woodside, Concord, Oroville, Galt, Stockton, and Oakland Grand Advent.

Leona preceded him in death in 2014 and he is survived by his three children: Larry Bennett (Diane), Lyle Bennett (JoAnna), and Lynette Kinsey (Fred), along with eight grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his second wife, Eloise Mattison. There will be a “Celebration of Life” for friends and family at the Napa Community SDA Church on Sabbath, June 25, at 3 p.m.

Featured in Northern Lights • June 16, 2022

One of the ways the IMPACT Community Cares Group engages their call to ministry is by doing yard work and household chores to connect with their neighbors.

Matt Mattzela, pastor of the Novato Sonoma district says, “We have been working at a neighbor’s yard for a few weeks now, and from that we received a call from her friend. A week later, we started work and getting to know this new friend.”

Mattzela continues, “We are not professional gardeners, we are simply extra helping hands for our neighbors. In this way we’re making ourselves relevant to our community.”

Featured in Northern Lights • June 16, 2022