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

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Ministries Move With Generous Planned Giving Gift
Ministries Move With Generous Planned Giving Gift 2000 1125 Ken Miller

The Open Door story from Sacramento Korean (see Stewardship Leads to Service Leads to Disciples) is just one of the many testimonies from a commitment to serving our neighbors with contagious kindness and passionate, hard work. During the 2023 year, the following projects have been approved, and the corresponding amounts allocated.

Rio Lindo Academy Men and Women’s Dormitory Remodel Project: $350,000. Albert Miller, superintendent, reported, “We have scheduled a meeting with the contracted architect and engineer in July. We aim to have one or two demo rooms completed by the end of October, followed by remodeling the dorms rooms staggered the following year based on available funding.”

Multi-Campus Hybrid School with Missional Group: $185,000 According to Kevin Robert, evangelism director, “The project is progressing well and has received approval from WASC. We are pleased to announce that academy classes for El Dorado will begin with four confirmed students and possibly a fifth for the upcoming school year.”

Free Dental/Vision Clinics for Communities: $50,000. James Lim, Asian Pacific coordinator, and community service director, reported, “I am happy that our free clinic projects are progressing smoothly. We have many churches participating, and we expect to use the full budget of $50,000 by the end of the year. Our partnership with Life Health Network has resulted in noticeable cost savings. Also, The NCC Women’s Ministry has been a valuable partner, providing event volunteers.”

Hispanic Ministries Center of Hope: $190,000. Paul Guevara, Hispanic ministries coordinator, stated, “Exciting news! Plans are underway to establish a Center of Hope in Hayward. A dedicated committee is working closely with an architect and engineer to ensure the building is used to its fullest potential while remaining within budget. Additionally, there are plans to develop the community service building adjacent to the Center of Hope.”

Cascading Organizational Health: $75,000. Marc Woodson, NCC president, remarked, “Organizational Health will help the conference thrive and accomplish its mission. A healthy organization starts with a cohesive leadership team at all levels. The funds have supported leadership training for pastors, educators, and directors. It also supported developing a team of 20 mentors to support 30 churches’ journey toward organizational health.”

Featured in Northern Lights, July 13, 2023
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Remembering Richard Roderick
Remembering Richard Roderick 1956 1072 Ken Miller

We celebrate the life of Richard Roderick, who passed away on June 19, 2023.

Roderick served as the Northern California Conference Treasurer from 1976 to 1993. He then accepted a call as a full-time auditor for four more years and retired in 1997. Not to be held back by retirement, he returned three years later and worked as a part-time auditor for nine more years until 2009.

Described as a passionate, hard worker, mentor, and visionary, John Rasmussen, treasurer, stated, “Richard will be remembered for being one of the visionaries that made Leoni Meadows a reality.”

Craig Heinrich, Leoni Meadows director, stated, “Roderick was known for his passion and leadership in the building of Leoni Meadows. His financial leadership and project management skills helped make it a program that serves thousands of youth and families eaach year.”

Dick and his wife, Althea, married 68 years, have attended the Pleasant Hill and Napa SDA Church for the last 47 years. They were faithful supporters of mission work and were always inspired by the stories of God working through missionaries.

According to family members, “Dick’s life was an inspiration of love and service to his family, friends, and those he worked with. He loved and served God his whole life and is resting until Jesus returns. He lived to spread the news that Christ loves us, died for us, and is coming soon to take us home with Him.”

A memorial is set for 4 pm, Sabbath, July 8, at the Pleasant Hill Church.

Featured in Northern Lights, July 6, 2023

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NCCSDA.com Wins Prestigious ADDY Award
NCCSDA.com Wins Prestigious ADDY Award 2000 1125 Ken Miller

Part of the NCC’s path to organizational health is to effectively inform, educate, and tell the stories of our churches, schools, and ministries. To do this, a new website was launched in 2020.

The COVID pandemic was a catalyst that accelerated the need for online methods for staying current with news and events. The NCC website was no exception, and its professional look, functionality, and information were revamped with a new look.

Subsequently, the site was entered into the 2022 American Advertising Awards competition, winning an impressive Silver Award. Terrill Thomas, web designer and president of T13 Media, said of the project and award, “It was gratifying to see Christian content, graphics, and web design be recognized for excellence by a secular professional organization.”

The website is constantly updated with important conference information, including employment opportunities, education scholarships, events, and news.

Most recently, the communication and development department has posted an incredible help guide for creating a culture of stewardship in your church. You can visit the website here.

Featured in Northern Lights, July 6, 2023
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Andreia Vivak Joins Administration Offices
Andreia Vivak Joins Administration Offices 336 336 Ken Miller

Andreia Vavrik joins the NCC offices as executive administrative assistant to John Rasmussen, NCC treasurer.

Vavrik was born in Brazil and has lived in the USA for 21 years. For the past eight years, she has been the registrar for Orangevale school, reflecting, “I was honored to be part of the Adventist education ministry.”

On the weekends, she is a dedicated lay pastor at Gracepoint Church with Marcelo, her husband of nineteen years. Vavrik continued, “There are two things I protect dearly in this world: God and Family. I praise God for his mercy and power to conquer any difficult situations I might face.”

When reflecting on her favorite Bible verse, Vavrik quickly noted Psalms 30:5.
For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning. (ESV)

She continued, “It is the most amazing statement of how god takes care of us daily. No matter what has happened in the past, God always presents a new beginning for each of us.”

Andreia and Marcelo have three beautiful children, Kevin, 20; Isabella, 16 and Stephanie, 13.

Featured in Northern Lights, June 22, 2023
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Bernadette Johnson Retires
Bernadette Johnson Retires 384 504 Ken Miller

June 30- Bernadette Johnson retired from the NCC administration office after 19 years of service.

Johnson joined the NCC in 2004 as a clerk for Golden Gate Academy, where she was a substitute teacher and, eventually, treasurer. In 2007 she moved to the NCC administration offices in Pleasant Hill, where she became the administrative assistant for the ministerial department.

According to Jim Lorenz, ministerial director, “Bernadette knew how churches work, making her an outstanding advocate for pastors. She supported many pastors and churches in their day-to-day operations, and her insightful knowledge, dedication, and humor will be greatly missed.”

Johnson was known to be one step ahead of events throughout the territory, from pastor installations and group convocations to dedications and evangelistic series. Jennifer Kendrick, executive administrative assistant, stated, “I will miss her presence and associated laughter in the office. She was so fun to plan events with and would regularly know all the event’s particulars and have them half-planned in advance!”

Also respected as a spiritual mentor, Yolanda Frazier, administrative assistant to the African American ministries coordinator, said about Johnson, “When I started at the NCC, she took me under her wing and guided me to significant spiritual growth. I will truly miss her and am happy for her next mission with her family.”

Marc Woodson, NCC president, said, “Bernadette truly epitomizes our core values. She has a servant’s heart and is a passionate, hard worker. She always looks to help others, lending a helping hand wherever needed. She will be sorely missed.”

Bernadette and her husband, Willy, call Crowley, Texas, their home. They will enjoy their retirement close to their children and grandchildren.

Featured in Northern Lights, June 15, 2023
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We Celebrate Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
We Celebrate Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month 774 224 Ken Miller

In May we celebrated and honored our 23 Asian American and Pacific Islander Churches, companies, and groups in our territory who speak eleven different languages.

Our Asian Pacific Department works with the following cultural groups: Korean, Filipino, Chinese, Indonesian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Hmong, Laotian, Samoan, Tongan, Japanese and Fijian.

We are also proud to have the only organized Fijian Church in the North American Division.

We wish to recognize our fifteen Asian Pacific pastors who are passionate hard workers and demonstrate a servant’s heart.

Featured in Northern Lights, May 25, 2023
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Rosie Sanchez Joins Administrative Staff
Rosie Sanchez Joins Administrative Staff 1877 2326 Ken Miller

Rosie Sanchez recently joined the NCC offices. Sanchez is the new administrative assistant to Jose Marin, executive secretary.

After dedicating several years to family banking at Chase, Rosie found herself on a new and exciting path. Her prayers for a community that shared her deep commitment to Biblical principles and Christian values were answered, leading her toward a more fulfilling personal life. She explains, “I didn’t study the Bible much during my time in another church, but that lack of knowledge made me feel a strong desire to learn more about God.”

To answer her heart’s desire, Emmanuel Escobar, a friend, and member of the Sacramento Spanish Church, began inviting her to Vespers on Friday nights.

There, Sanchez found what she sought. A Bible-based community that she described by saying, “Not only were they friendly, but they engaged and surrounded me with love and care. This is exactly the desire God had put in my heart.”

Rosie was baptized on May 7, 2022. She reflects, “I now profoundly understand that my journey was in God’s hands, which gives me certainty in life. He has given me a church family, a new job serving Him, and assurance of His blessings.”

God had more blessings in store for Rosie. Emmanuel and Rosie’s connection grew stronger, and they will be married on May 28th, 2023.

Featured in Northern Lights, May 18, 2023
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Mark Blue Series Promotes Clarity, Leadership, and Teamwork
Mark Blue Series Promotes Clarity, Leadership, and Teamwork 2000 664 Ken Miller

April 3- Principals, pastors, and members of the respective leadership teams met at Carmichael Church for the Mark Blue Lecture Series.

The annual in-service promotes teamwork and collaboration between churches and schools.

This year’s subject was creating effective leadership teams. Through presentations and breakout sessions, each team learned and practiced how to build trust, create conflict, and manage an effective meeting while staying focused on our purpose.

According to Michelle Piner, registrar at Sacramento Academy, “The seminar had great lessons and training to clarify an issue down to its core and then effectively tackle that issue as an administrative team.”

Diona Wheeler, a teacher at Yreka, stated, “Our Yreka team practices about ninety percent of the methods I saw today, but it was very eye-opening and helpful to see and learn a framework in which we can tackle each issue methodically.”

Steve Brownell, pastor of the Oroville Church, remarked, “The material and system was a great start to building more effective churches and schools. I hope we will continue to be trained, learn and become better stewards in our communities.”

Marc Woodson, president, wrapped up the day by stating, “Everything presented here today we have put into action over the last two years at the conference leadership level. The tools shared today will make your teams more effective. Sometimes there are bumps and bruises on our journey, but this method works. If implemented at your church or school, you will see positive results.”

Featured in Northern Lights, April 6, 2023

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Ending Homelessness Initiative
Ending Homelessness Initiative 979 295 Ken Miller

Are you moved by the growing number of unhoused residents on the streets and parks throughout our cities and towns? Do you wish to be part of the solution?

At the 2022 Northern California Conference Constituency Session, we were challenged to be involved in significantly resolving homelessness in our territory.

We recognize that many churches and schools are addressing this humanitarian crisis. Nevertheless, there is more we can do to begin the work of ending homelessness.

To accomplish this overwhelming and seemingly impossible goal, we seek to hire a full-time person to coordinate the Ending Homelessness Initiative for our conference. The successful candidate will have a master’s degree, five years of experience related to homelessness, and demonstrated expertise and interest in this field. They will have established relationships with civic leaders, state and local governments, and community groups. They must show passion and expertise in bringing various groups together and galvanizing them to end homelessness in our church or school communities. Click here to read the full job description and apply.

We also seek an experienced team of volunteers to serve on our Council of Homelessness. The group’s purpose is to oversee the Initiative and support the coordinator. Click here for The Terms of Reference and a formal application.

Featured in Northern Lights, April 6, 2023

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Biblical Sites Inspire Pastors and Spouses
Biblical Sites Inspire Pastors and Spouses 2000 1125 Ken Miller

The NCC Ministerial Department recently sponsored a trip through Biblical Greece and Turkey for pastors and their spouses.

Jim Lorenz, ministerial director, stated, “We had two goals with the trip. The first was to inspire and re-kindle a passion for the Bible and ministry in our pastors. The second was to foster a deeper connection with spouses and fellowship with each other. Ministry can be isolating for pastoral couples.”

Cynthia Marin, a planned giving consultant and spouse of Jose Marin, executive secretary, said, “It was great to finally get to know pastors and spouses that we only say a hello or goodbye to at functions.”

Visiting the seven churches of Revelations in Turkey, the travelers were able to gain a historical context and relate the seven messages to the ancient churches in a new light. Denise Brummund, junior accountant and wife of Shawn Brummund, associate pastor of Granite Bay Hilltop, exclaimed, “Standing in the historical sites brought an otherwise black and white picture of Biblical stories to full color. It was stunning.”

There was something for everyone. If you were steeped in Biblical history and Revelation prophecy, the tour information could come at firehose speed. Other couples found that the food, the culture, and the locations created a sense of awe and inspiration in their lives.

Lorenz concluded, “Visiting the churches of Paul’s journey brought his letters to the Philippians, Thessalonians, and Corinthians to life. Being immersed in the locations, focusing on the history, culture, and locations was like living in the book of Acts.”

Josie Asencio, pastor of the Antioch Church, wrote on her Instagram, “Our last day, I took it all in… at the canal, Corinth, the reason Paul talked about the ‘Body of Christ,’ some church moms and some fun! This afternoon, I put my phone down and enjoyed time with my friends. I am so grateful I came.”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 30, 2023

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