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

Treasury

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
#nccsda

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
#nccsda

Conference Advance Offering- What Does it Mean?

Conference Advance Offering- What Does it Mean? 1200 675 Ken Miller

The name of this offering category is confusing and lacks a definition. To be transparent and good stewards of your gifts, the purpose is to spread the gospel in our territory.

When you give, with the power of the Holy Spirit, the ministries supported can better connect people to an abundant life in Jesus and prepare them for the Second Coming.

Moreover, Conference Advance gives you the opportunity to support various ministries with one gift.

This week’s offering will support the following five ministries:

  1. Leoni Meadows receives 85% to support camp operations.
  2. With its various projects, Urban Ministries (6%) is making a positive impact and connecting people to Christ with the power of the Holy Spirit.
  3. Education (3%) teaches our youngest members and non-members and sets them up to experience abundant life in Jesus.
  4. Our Church Growth and Evangelism Department (3%) is increasing the number of people exposed to the Gospel truth and attracted to our churches and schools.
  5. The Native American Ministry (3%) is busy serving and reaching this unique population with various projects.

You can return your offering by clicking here, or you can give directly at the offering call on Sabbath.

Featured in Northern Lights, April 20, 2023

Socorro Renteria Joins NCC Offices

Socorro Renteria Joins NCC Offices 1097 1644 Ken Miller

The NCC welcomes Socorro Renteria to its administrative offices.

Renteria is an assistant treasurer and describes her church work as an act of ministry. As a professional bookkeeper, she has worked for a Ford dealership, a money management firm, and several restaurants.

But her journey to Christ was a defining moment. “After 9/11, I was shocked and questioned many of my beliefs. I grew up Catholic and had experience as a Jehovah’s Witness. My assistant manager at the time invited me to his SDA church, to which I told him, ‘leave your religion at home.’ His response was to leave his religion at home and bring Jesus to work.”

Finally taking her boss’ invitation and reflecting on her first experience in an Adventist church, she stated, “My interest was piqued by married couples that had been together for ‘so long.’ Being from a broken home, this was very appealing, and I wanted what they had.”

Socorro and her husband Francisco, who became an Adventist shortly after her, moved to Wildwood Center for Health Evangelism in Georgia. While she trained for medical ministry, her husband, already a professional cook, worked at the local Country Life Restaurant. Through the years, a circuitous route of jobs and ministry eventually found them back in California and now at the NCC.

Her words to live by: “Christians are built for service. Service to our employers as well as our neighbors.”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 30, 2023

THANK YOU

THANK YOU 2000 1125 Ken Miller

Spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ is the most critical task anyone could ever do on this earth, and we are all called to do it equally.

We could not be more grateful to all our members who returned $47.6 million in tithe in 2022. These gifts have funded the ministry in Northern and have helped connect people to an abundant life in Jesus and prepare them for His soon return.

In 2022, there were 682 precious souls who gave their lives to the Lord through baptism, and 119 joined through Professions of Faith:

·       11% of these were children 13 and under

·       17% were teens from 14-17

·       10% were young adults 18 to 29

·       25% were Adults 30-59

·       12% were seniors aged 60+

·       25% were unknown

Additionally, in 2017 only 19% of our churches were growing. In 2022, the number of growing churches increased to 39 percent.

Thank you so much for your faithful and compassionate giving!

Featured in Northern Lights, March 16, 2023

NCC Funds Relief For Earthquake Victims

NCC Funds Relief For Earthquake Victims 1912 999 Ken Miller

Serving the international community has always been an essential concern of members and churches of our territory.

The massive earthquakes that struck southern Türkiye and northwestern Syria on February 6 impacted a 310-mile-wide area populated by nearly 14 million people.

Our conference contributed $10,000 to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in response to the extreme humanitarian need. These funds helped distribute food, water, clothing, and essential supplies, sheltered displaced families, and implemented water and sanitation solutions.

Zoltan Sitkei, ADRA country director for Hungary and search and rescue technician/paramedic, stated. “We rescued six people, including two children. It took us 14 hours to save a lady, who was found by our team. It was very difficult to get her out. We worked with the Turkish fire brigade. But finally, we found a solution and got her out,”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 9, 2023