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

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Danny Kwon Joins Administrative Team as HR Director
Danny Kwon Joins Administrative Team as HR Director 1399 1028 Ken Miller

Danny Kwon recently joined the NCC administrative offices as the Director of Human Resources, bringing a wealth of expertise that strengthens both the HR department and the broader mission of the NCC.

With experience in human resources, payroll, and employee relations, Kwon’s leadership plays a crucial role in enhancing our organization’s efficiency, employee engagement, and overall workplace culture. His previous accomplishments, including spearheading health ministry initiatives and organizing national dental and medical clinics, reflect his deep commitment to service and ability to manage complex, large-scale projects.

Kwon has a background in legal and humanitarian efforts. Growing up in Manitoba, where he earned his law degree from the University of Manitoba, he has actively advocated for underserved communities. His involvement with medical and dental outreach programs continues to support many within our territory. Additionally, Kwon’s pro bono work assisting refugees and preparing asylum applications through immigration services showcases his passion for justice and compassion.

His appointment strengthens the HR department by integrating his legal expertise and a unique understanding of community needs. This dual perspective enables him to address employee relations with a balance of empathy, legal compliance, and practical solutions. Under his direction, the HR function will better serve the diverse needs of the NCC’s employees, furthering our ability to attract, retain, and nurture talent within a mission-driven framework.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the challenges ahead, Kwon shared a favorite passage, Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” He trusts that God will guide his service to the NCC, aligning his efforts with divine purpose and strength.

Jose Marin, executive secretary, praised Kwon’s diverse skill set, stating, “Danny brings a wealth of experience to his role as HR Director. His knowledge of California law and his entrepreneurial spirit in founding community service ministries will be a blessing to our employees and entities in Northern California.”

President Marc Woodson echoed these sentiments, remarking, “We are thrilled to welcome Danny Kwon to our office family. His extensive HR experience and legal background make him an invaluable asset to our conference, and we look forward to the positive impact he will bring.”

Kwon shares his life with Lisa, his wife of 18 years, and together, they lovingly raise their three children. Ava and Aaron attend Pine Hills Academy, while Jonah is in the 6th grade at Orangevale Elementary.

Featured in Northern Lights, September 26, 2024

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Douglas Barahona Ordained at Chico Church
Douglas Barahona Ordained at Chico Church 4000 2250 Ken Miller

September 14, Douglas Barahona was ordained at the Chico church.

Born in El Salvador to a military family, Barahona’s family immigrated to the USA in the 1990s. Douglas admitted that while the family settled in Tacoma, Washington, “I started making many poor choices.”

Over the next several years and into high school, these choices led him closer and closer to a gang-influenced life. But with every dangerous turn, the love of his parents and family continually challenged him to study the Bible. He shared, “Reading the Bible, I was drawn to the practical application and wisdom that flowed from it. By the grace of God, I gratefully accepted Jesus into my life in 2011.”

The Holy Spirit continued to work in his life. Through the guidance of many positive groups and people, Douglas eventually decided to pursue a degree in religion at Union College, graduating Cum Laude in 2016.

Joining the NCC in 2017 at the Ukiah church, he joyfully worked planning youth ministry events and mission trips, keeping area youth engaged with Jesus. In 2020, he attended Andrews University, earning his Master of Divinity degree with honors. Subsequently, he returned to the NCC as the Associate Pastor of the Chico church, where he is passionate about bringing the joy found in serving others.

Douglas shares his life with Natalie, his wife of eight years, and they enjoy raising their son Luka, age 2.

Featured in Northern Lights, September 26, 2024
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Spanish Company Reaches Church Status
Spanish Company Reaches Church Status 4000 2250 Ken Miller

On September 7, the Richmond Spanish Company celebrated becoming a Church of the Northern California Conference.

This dedicated congregation marks a new chapter in their faith journey. In 2002, a small group of believers set out to form a new congregation led by Thelma Gamboa and Carlos Deras. Inspired by Pastors Juan Acosta and Raúl González, they began their meetings in a member’s garage.

As a result of steady growth, they made several location changes over the years. One of those stops was meeting at the Richmond Beacon Light Church. David Woolcock, pastor, helped the group apply in 2019 to become a Company as they grew. Woolcock reflected, “This congregation is hardworking and passionate about their church and continuing outreach to the Spanish-speaking community. I’m proud of this milestone they’ve reached.”

Paul Guevara, Hispanic Ministry Coordinator, shared, “I am inspired by the passion, hard work, and dedication that members of Richmond Spanish have shown. They genuinely connect people to an abundant life in Jesus and prepare them for His soon return.”

Featured in Northern Lights, September 19, 2024
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Zach Reiber Installed at Paradise
Zach Reiber Installed at Paradise 549 444 Ken Miller

September 7- Zach Reiber was installed as pastor of the Paradise Church.

Rudy Peters, NCC African American Ministries Coordinator, stated, “There is a fantastic sense of excitement and anticipation from Pastor Reiber and the church congregation about what they will accomplish together through their ministry.”

Reiber started his ministry in our territory in 2011 as the Assistant Pastor of the Pleasant Hill church until he attended seminary training. He earned his Master of Divinity in 2017 from Andrews University and returned to the NCC in 2018 as the pastor of the Yuba City church.

Reiber commented about his new position, “My family and I are so blessed to be welcomed in by such a warm and loving community. The ministry leaders here desire to earnestly seek God’s will and head passionately in that direction. I can’t wait to see what God has planned for our time together as we serve the community of Paradise.”

Reiber shares his life with Yvette, his wife of 14 years. They find great joy in raising their daughter Caroline, age 3.

Featured in Northern Lights, September 12, 2024
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Transformative Mission Trip
Transformative Mission Trip 4000 2250 Ken Miller

In a remarkable demonstration of faith and service, over sixty pastors, workers, and family members from the Northern California Conference journeyed to Southern Mindanao in the Philippines from June 20 to July 1.

Responding to an invitation from the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, the mission trip was a profoundly impactful outreach endeavor for both the residents of Southern Mindanao and the participating pastors, laymen, and their families. Ron Yabut, pastor of the Anderson church, explained, “The pastors, speaking in 24 different churches, encounteredan abundance of first-time listeners, and the Holy Spirit moved, sowing seeds, changing hearts, and leading 1,720 souls to baptism.”

Jeffrey Maxwell, risk management director, expressed, “The churches of Southern Mindanao proved very wealthy in the riches of faith and good works. I was very impressed that the church I spoke in, besides being amazingly hospitable, was a church where 80% of their membership gives 10% on top of their tithe!” This is a culture of generosity that is not unlike what was experienced during the early Christian church.

Sasa Andelkovic, pastor of the Sacramento Yugoslavian church, exclaimed, “The main language of communication between our group and the Filipino people was love expressed through deeds of kindness. I realized from this experience that I must reciprocate in kind, that I must preach about the goodness of God, and I must do so through service as well. People wonderfully responded to our ministry, but they also ministered back to us. It was a wonderful exchange of God’s love.”

Josie Asencio, pastor of the Antioch church, stated, “It is always a blessing to introduce a community to women pastors. It is a difficult responsibility to steward, and God gave me the opportunity to show how he is using women for His glory in a place that does not have women pastors. I am humbled by the opportunity that God gave me to show that the Holy Spirit can work through female pastors. For an entire week I got to create a new norm for children especially the young girls. I can’t wait to see how God is going to use these newly baptized children to further his work in Mindanao.”

Featured in Northern Lights, August 8, 2024
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Jon Cicle Joins Administrative Team
Jon Cicle Joins Administrative Team 1600 1200 Ken Miller

Jon Cicle recently accepted the position of Assistant to the President.

Cicle returns to the Northern California Conference from the Eagle Rock Church in Southern California, where he was the senior pastor.

His career began in the Southeastern California Conference as a youth pastor of the Victorville Church. He was ordained while pastoring in the Valley Center and Poway Church district. Moving to Northern, he served for 21 years, which included youth pastor of Pacific Union College Church, pastor of the Vallejo Central church, and pastor of the Orangevale church.

He remarked about his career, “I’ve learned to try things that have never been tried before, grown to understand the complexities of diverse congregations, and learned to listen for understanding rather than for response. Through it all, my goal has been and continues to be lifting up Jesus with vision and a sense of mission.”

Cicle has enhanced his Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University with professional development, including coaching certifications with StrengthsFinder, Natural Church Development, and Prepare-Enrich Marriage counseling. He stated, “The passage of scripture that keeps me grounded is Hebrews 12:2 ‘fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.’”

Marc Woodson, president stated, “I’m so glad that Jon came back to Northern to serve as Assistant to the President after a short stint away. His many years of pastoral ministry experience and his giftedness will serve our conference well. I’m so glad to have him as a part of my team.”

Featured in Northern Lights, August 8, 2024
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Larry Unterseher Memorial
Larry Unterseher Memorial 4000 2250 Ken Miller

Elder Larry Unterseher, whose work left an indelible mark on the NCC community, passed to his rest suddenly on July 22 at the Redwood Camp Meeting near Eureka, California.

During his career, he worked as a pastor and elementary teacher with the Upper Columbia Conference, a Dakota Conference principal, a Montana Conference Director, and the Nevada-Utah Conference President. He joined NCC in 2014 as the Pastor of Small Schools.

Albert Miller, NCC Superintendent of Schools, expressed, “Larry was a man who loved Jesus and kids, and it showed in everything he did. He took his ministry to the students and staff of our small schools seriously and invested an enormous amount of time and energy to ensure they knew about his friend Jesus! Larry is already greatly missed.”

Marc Woodson, NCC President, stated, “Our NCC family is devastated by the loss of Larry Unterseher. Pastor Larry was passionate about connecting young people to Jesus Christ and preparing them for His soon return. He was so gifted in ministry and had a wonderful and creative way of sharing the gospel with those he met, especially the children he served. Many times, Larry would drop by my office to encourage me as a spiritual leader. I know that he did the same with many other leaders as well. He will be sorely missed. Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife, Rhonda, his children, and the entire Unterseher family. We long for the day Christ shall return and we will be reunited with those loved ones we lost along the way. May Jesus soon come!”

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the Loma Linda University Church Auditorium. The service will be in-person and live-streamed. Please visit the family’s special dedication page for more details on how to join the online stream.

Featured in Northern Lights, August 1, 2024
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Dudley Galusha Passes to His Rest
Dudley Galusha Passes to His Rest 696 928 Ken Miller

We regret to announce that Dudley Galusha, a member of The Haven church, passed away peacefully on June 6.

Galusha will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his family, country, and church. His legacy is inspiring, having contracted the building of numerous institutions in Northern California and beyond. He built schools such as Clearlake School, Foothills Elementary School, Humboldt Bay School, and Rio Lindo Academy. He also constructed churches in our territory, including Cloverdale, Fort Bragg, Meadow Vista, Napa, Pacific Union College, Pleasant Hill, and The Haven. Moreover, he constructed Leoni Meadows, Newton Hall (PUC), and Redwood Creek Camp. His influence even reached international shores with constructing the Frogmouth Chapel in Cooroy, Queensland, Australia.

Vince Saunders, pastor at The Haven, expressed, “Throughout his life, Dudley had a tremendously positive influence within our church and community. Even now, his legacy of support for education and church ministry continues through his family as they rebuild our school. He will be greatly missed, and the reunion in Heaven will be exhilarating!”

His daughter Cynthia wrote, “His long life was very full, and he leaves a lengthy & outstanding legacy in the field of construction in Northern California. His mental sharpness and dry wit remained intact to the very end of his 98 years on earth.”

A celebration of life will be held on July 27, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. at The Haven SDA Church,15 Woodland Rd., Saint Helena, CA. In place of flowers, the family has requested any gifts be sent to the following:

Cookson Ranch Foundation (Redwood Creek)

P.O. Box 973, Blue Lake, CA 95525

Friends of Foothills School

711 Sunnyside Rd., St. Helena, CA 94574

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Joseph O’Connor Ordained
Joseph O’Connor Ordained 912 1049 Ken Miller

On June 22, Joseph O’Connor was ordained at the Sacramento Fijian Church.

Born in the island country of Fiji, O’Connor credits his mother’s gentle guidance with leading him to serve God. His subsequent service in Fiji eventually led him to the United States, where he earned a Master of Divinity from Andrews University and, more recently, a Master of Clinical Pastoral Education.

O’Connor spearheaded the formation of the Sacramento Fijian church and has pastored there since 2009. Jim Lorenz, ministerial director, stated, “Joseph’s ordination is unique and very special as he is the first Fijian pastor to be ordained in a Fijian church, the only one in North America!”

He shares his life with Sotia, his wife of 28 years. They have three children: Job, Ruben, Wise, and a granddaughter, Kama’ya.

Featured in Northern Lights, July 11, 2024
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Sonja Cartwright Installed at Santa Rosa
Sonja Cartwright Installed at Santa Rosa 2542 3381 Ken Miller

Sonja Cartwright was recently installed as the associate pastor of the Santa Rosa church.

Cartwright graduated from Sacramento Academy and worked at Leoni Meadows during her college years. She stated, “My love for ministry was gradually defined by working with the campers at Leoni and my conversations with God. I love to share Jesus with people and travel with them on their path, giving youth and young adults the tools to become disciples and disciple-makers.”

Brad Gienger, pastor, remarked, “We’re excited to have Sonja on our team for not only her community-building skills but personality and incredible ability to make God’s word come to life.”

Cartwright recently graduated from Andrews University with a Master of Divinity degree. She says her favorite Bible text is Ecclesiastes 3:11: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

Featured in Northern Lights, June 27, 2024
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