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By Keith Henry

On Sabbath, December 27, Oakland Market Street Church stepped beyond its walls to serve the Oakland community through a “Pop-Up Pot of Chili” outreach.

Following the church’s year-end Communion Service, members gathered that afternoon to prepare and distribute 100 bags filled with winter essentials and hygiene items. In addition, volunteers joyfully served more than 100 bowls of hot, homemade chili—offering comfort, nourishment, and connection on a cold winter day.

Edwin Brown, pastor, reflected on the experience, saying, “Though it was a cold day, the gratitude and smiles of those receiving a cup of hot chili filled me with exhilaration and joy. The volunteers were cheerful and seemingly unaware of the cold. Serving the people invigorated them as well. I felt like our church’s mission theme song—‘Let’s go outside these walls and be a witness’—was being fulfilled right before my eyes.”

Stephanie Jolliff, Community Service Director, added, “A bowl of chili may warm the body, but kindness warms the heart. We serve our community to remind every person that they are seen, valued, and loved. The chili was delicious, people were happy, and many wanted to know who we were. That’s mission at its finest hour.”

Through simple acts of service and engaged members, Market Street SDA Church continues to demonstrate community relevance—meeting real needs, building trust, and reflecting Christ’s love in tangible ways where it matters most.

Featured in Northern Lights, January 22, 2026
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Join this important and timely presentation on July 5 at 4:30 p.m

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Jose Marin, NCC Executive Secretary, announced, “We are very excited about our 2025 Redwood Camp Meeting speakers. Jesse Seibel is a chaplain with an incredible ability to connect with people on a personal level. Jon Paulien is a leading scholar and lecturer on Revelation, and we are privileged to have him at Redwood. Gary Venden also returns and anchors our morning programs, a veteran camp favorite.”

Redwood Camp Meeting runs from July 27 to August 2. Information and registration is available on their website.

Featured in Northern Lights, January 30, 2025
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Are you ready to unleash a spirit of generosity and make a lasting impact on your church or school community? With our free 90-minute online course, Creating a Culture of Generosity, you’ll discover “The Formula,” an approach proven to ignite hearts, elevate financial giving, and advance your mission like never before!

Imagine transforming your worship services, events, and school programs into moments that inspire deeper connections with the mission and move people to give joyfully and generously. This course equips you with the tools to make that vision a reality.

In this dynamic and interactive course, you’ll learn how to:

• Cultivate a culture of generosity, as seen in the early church, where giving is a natural, heartfelt response.
• Apply “The Formula” to increase local church and school contributions in ways that last and multiply.
• Inspire ongoing, joyful support by connecting givers more personally to the mission, transforming each donation into a shared victory.

This course is for pastors, administrators, and individuals passionate about furthering God’s work through sustainable giving.

Why?

When you create a thriving culture of generosity, you’re not just funding programs—you’re empowering disciples, growing communities, and helping prepare people for an abundant life with Jesus Christ. The impact is eternal.

To sign up for the course or learn more, visit our development page for more details!

Featured in Northern Lights, September , 2024
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Utilizing social media is one of the least expensive and broad-reaching methods to increase awareness for your church, school, or ministry. By practicing these three helpful hints, you can increase awareness and a buzz for your event.

Quality: First and foremost, create good content. Social media is just that: social. Create an interesting story with engaging visual imagery to draw your audience in. This encourages interaction from the viewer and interest in your event.

Member participation: Actively encourage every church member to leave comments, post pictures, and forward event links to friends and relatives.

Facebook advertising: This inexpensive service is an easy way to grow interest in your event in the surrounding community. You can choose the area where it will be seen, and the number of people you want it to reach.

Helpful hints: The NCC Communication Department is always available for help. We can help you determine the best strategy for your church, school.

You can contact us directly by email or join our Facebook community.

Featured in Northern Lights, September 5, 2024
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We regret to announce the passing of Pastor Sam Alexander on May 20 in Gridley, California.

Alexander’s ministry spanned 40 years, mainly in the Northern California Conference. He faithfully worked in the Alameda/East Oakland district, Paradise, Fort Bragg, Healdsburg churches, and Rio Lindo Academy. After serving in Virginia, he returned to the territory as a district pastor for Yreka and Scott Valley churches, retiring in 2010 while pastoring the Signs Memorial church in Yountville.

According to his family, Sam loved God and wanted others to know how much God loved them.

Jim Lorenz, ministerial director, stated, “The only thing Sam loved more than his family and the outdoors was Jesus. Sam served as a pastor for four decades, lifting up Jesus, most of it in the NCC. He will be missed.”

Alexander passed away with Sue, his wife of 56 years, and family by his side.

Featured in Northern Lights, June 6, 2024
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The energy is palpable as you drive into Leoni Meadows. Work trucks are scattered across the grounds, with construction well underway. In the office, forms are being filled, phones are ringing, and staff is diligently preparing for the upcoming summer camp season.

Final touches are being made at the gleaming new swimming pool, signaling excitement for the upcoming summer visitors. The new pool building, one-third larger than its predecessor, now features expanded shower areas, external-access bathrooms, and improved storage. Craig Heinrich, camp director, said, “The pool and its outbuilding have been a labor of love, and the quality is better than we’ve ever had before. The pool was designed with a purpose that goes beyond just a place to play. We expanded the ramp and purposely made the shallow end a place where many kids will give their lives to the Lord through baptism.”

The new multipurpose room is a sight to behold. It includes a fireside room, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a craft room, expanded storage areas, and cedar trees milled into lumber from the fire have been used in construction throughout the building.

Once devastated by the Caldor Fire, the surrounding hills have been revitalized with over 150,000 pine, cedar, and Douglas fir plantings, offering a glimpse of green on the landscape—a symbol of hope and renewal.

Heinrich explained, “I can’t thank the employees, conference, constituency, donors, and volunteers enough for their support. The camp has been blessed by many who keep this precious facility open and serve others for Christ.”

Featured in Northern Lights, June 6, 2024
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