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

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  • Ken Miller
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Students Turn Ice and Sugar Into Aid For Maui
Students Turn Ice and Sugar Into Aid For Maui 1893 981 Ken Miller

On August 23, students, alumni, parents, teachers, and grandparents met at Pine Hills Academy to play and watch football.

The event, attended by Paradise Academy, Chico church, and players from several schools, provided an excellent opportunity for several enterprising students with servant’s hearts. Their goal was to raise money for victims of the Maui wildfires.

Students Kylie, Megan, and Audrey demonstrated passionate, hard work by selling shaved ice all morning to over 200 fans. Their efforts benefitted the Maui SDA education fund, and the proceeds were sent through the Hawaii Conference.

Sam Munoz, Pine Hills athletic director, stated, “It’s great to see young people coming together to have fun and support a cause. Our thoughts and prayers continue with our Ohana (family) in Maui.”

Featured in Northern Lights, August 7, 2023
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Summer On The Run
Summer On The Run 2000 1125 Ken Miller

The NCC Youth Department recently concluded its Summer on the Run traveling caravan of fun and evangelism.

This annual summer outreach program served almost 800 youth at ten locations throughout our territory. Eddie Heinrich, NCC youth director, stated, “It was an outstanding summer connecting with not only our Adventist kids but countless others in each community we visited.”

One of the larger turnouts the last two summers has been the days spent at the Crescent City church. This year, 124 local children came to play on the waterslide and engage in the activities.

Doors were specially opened when the troupe arrived in Vallejo, California. Heinrich noted, “What began with a cool yet professional reception from the public park system turned enthusiastic when officials realized that we were coming to serve the youth of their community for free. They even cut the fee in half to set up at the park. The Holy Spirit was certainly moving there.”

Heinrich concluded, “The response to this outreach never ceases to amaze me.

Featured in Northern Lights, August 7, 2023
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Racing Through Childhood
Racing Through Childhood 2000 1125 Ken Miller

The first time I laid eyes on little Nova, she was bolting from her kindergarten classroom, left arm adorned in a fresh pink cast, running like her chariot was on fire.

Her teacher had instructed me to prohibit any running. She flew past us, gaining speed, hurling herself over the three-foot retaining wall that separates the elementary school playground from the soccer field… And she just kept going. I thought to myself, “I like this kid already.”

My bond with her grew over the next five years until I became an auxiliary grandmother to her rambunctious family. They were not part of our SDA church, but occasionally, Nova attended church with us.

One summer, I invited them to my favorite place on Earth, Redwood Camp meeting. The casual, hundred-acre-wood style would be a comfortable introduction to worshipping our great God. Nova, her younger brother River, and their mother relished the cool, oxygen-rich air filtered by thousand-year-old Redwood trees. At Redwood, running is encouraged between the Christ-centered children’s programs.

During the invigorating morning classes, River learned about creation. He would find me in the Redwood office later and, with his newfound knowledge, quiz me on who made the giant trees and the sun and tigers and monster trucks and the mountains. I fielded question after question about where God lives, why we can’t see him, and how we talk to Him.

One afternoon, River returned to the question of who God is, paused, and then blurted out, “Oh! I met God yesterday!” I answered, “That’s so cool!” River continued, “You showed him to me in your office! His name is Ed!”, My amusement was growing, and I responded, “Who?” River squealed, “You remember? I asked if he was God… that guy named Ed. I think he is God because he was so nice!”

Ed just happened to be Ed Fargusson, assistant to the president of the NCC. Indeed, a lovely man who interacted with River that day he exploded into the office. But to no avail, no matter how many times I tell River that Ed is kind but not God, River continues to address God as Ed.

Halfway home from Campmeeting, the children’s mom called to ask if it was too late to enroll them in our local Adventist school. She stated, “I want my kids in a wholesome environment with kids like the friends they’ve made at Redwood Campmeeting.”

In the end, River, Nova, and even Nova’s best friend all started school on August 16th at our local SDA school.

Inviting our community to experience uplifting events like campmeeting, a potluck, or a school program can have resounding results both here and in Heaven. I am so grateful for our Adventist culture, exemplifying the love of God, commitment to family, and for connecting people to an abundant life in Jesus.

Featured in Northern Lights, September 14, 2023
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The Public Face of Our Ministries
The Public Face of Our Ministries 2002 1125 Ken Miller

Northern churches are busy this summer! This can be seen and read on their Facebook pages, websites, and other social media. As part of the NCC’s path to organizational health, a premium is being placed on our churches, schools, and ministries to use their social media tools.

Laurie Trujillo, director of communication and development, states, “Online tools such as websites, Facebook, and Instagram are essential communication tools for our churches. When it comes to reaching the community, our members are only the tip of the iceberg of who we can reach. With social media, we can tell the stories of our ministries, post sermons, and invite communities into our churches. It is the public face of our territory.”

A quick look around the social media accounts of several churches reveals a telling of those stories pictured above, such an essential part of modern ministry and community relevance.

The Auburn church reported holding its first VBS in fifteen years, stating it was a blessing to their volunteers and the 35 children that attended. Across the valley, Pleasant Hill church just finished a week of hosting “Messiah’s Mansion,” a life-size replica of the Mosaic tabernacle that features hosts in period costumes that explain the tabernacle service and its relevance. At LIFE church in Berkeley, they reported” inviting neighbors to help plan activities for “National Night Out,” a nationwide event that encourages and promotes police-community relationships, neighborly activities, and safety. Redwood Campmeeting is chronicling the steps that volunteers go through disassembling and packing away each summer.

All of these stories are testaments to a mission-minded territory. In some cases, these churches and ministries have 1,500 to 3,500 followers who can interact with each story. What a fantastic opportunity and tool to spread the gospel, tell your stories, and reach your online viewers, connecting them to an abundant life in Jesus Christ and preparing them for His soon return!

Featured in Northern Lights, August 10, 2023
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Surfing Trip Creates Unity
Surfing Trip Creates Unity 2000 1125 Ken Miller

The Carmichael church has facilitated a mid-summer surfing trip to Santa Cruz for nearly ten years, open to youth and parents.

About sixty surfers, primarily beginners, some experienced, from several churches and schools, attended this year. Even a few recently graduated seniors, and college students made the trek. The surfing, setting, and friendships are a strong glue that makes this trip memorable.

Benji Ferguson, Carmichael church associate pastor, and trip leader, stated, “This trip is super fun and provides a great bonding experience for kids in the summer. Events like this are more than fun; they are important to pastors, teachers, and parents to help connect the church with our young people.”

This spiritual connection is not lost on Sacramento Academy senior ­­­Simon Tache who stated, “Beyond the surfing and hanging out with friends, this trip is time for me to disconnect and reflect on God, nature and find a personal peace.”

Garrison Chaffee, PUC church associate pastor, remarked, “It’s refreshing to worship amidst God’s nature at the beach. Because parents are also invited, it offers a really cool intergenerational experience. We pray these experiences will pay long-term dividends, keeping our students tied to Jesus and their church families.”

Sometimes, when the waves are not big enough or don’t come at all, you can see groups of friends on their boards, linked together and having fun in the ocean. They laugh, splash each other, toss seaweed around, and even pretend to catch waves. But when a great wave comes, ten to fifteen of them paddle hard to catch it, surf it, wipe out, and cheer each other on. One parent watched this all afternoon and commented, “Bonding.”

Chaffee summed up the trip, “I love when youth groups get together because it builds relationships and unity between the students and our churches. It creates meaningful memories that will resonate in each person’s life and hopefully keep them returning to church.”

Featured in Northern Lights, August 3, 2023
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Keith Jacobson Retires
Keith Jacobson Retires 765 634 Ken Miller

Keith Jacobson recently announced his retirement as pastor of the Carmichael church. He summed up his 45 years in ministry by saying, “It’s been a career of extraordinary experiences, people, and events that I could never have imagined.”

Jacobson has been a chaplain for Pacific Union College, pastored at Palo Cedro, and finished his career at Carmichael. Not raised in an Adventist home, he pondered, “How did one disconnected kid get to live so many diverse experiences? I was born to a military family and became a pastor; who would have guessed?”

Wherever he worked, Jacobsen remembers two constants: “I worked with incredible associates, youth pastors, lay workers, and members. But one person gets all my respect, my wife, Kari. She brings talents to the table that I don’t have. She’s done the bible studies, the programs, the ministry. And I benefitted from her work, spirituality, and magnetic personality. When I say I’m retiring, I mean that a team is retiring.

Jacobson does not hesitate when asked what retirement has in store. He stated, “There are some opportunities in the works,” but notes that it ‘won’t be far from ministry.’

Featured in Northern Lights, August 3, 2023
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  • Ken Miller
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Pleasant Hill Mission Trip to the Philippines Results In Baptisms
Pleasant Hill Mission Trip to the Philippines Results In Baptisms 2002 1127 Ken Miller

July 4- Twenty-two youth and adults from Pleasant Hill and Oakland Grand Advent churches returned from a life-changing mission trip to the Philippines.

Working primarily at an SDA-run orphanage, they also participated in a community clothing drive that served over 300 local families. Other projects included teaching basic dental skills to 800 local elementary students and leading VBS for 100 or more children. Other projects included finishing the construction of a wall around the orphanage campus and painting.

Mission trips are usually known for being gritty, different, and often uncomfortable. Trip co-leader Bonnie Gottke reported, “This energetic group was met with cold showers, sleeping under mosquito nets, and nearly 100% humidity. Regardless of the unfamiliar climes and other challenges, the young workers started each morning with worship and gave 110% effort all day.”

Norma Rilveria, sponsor and trip nurse, added, “My heart was full when our young people shared their daily reflections at our morning and evening devotionals.” The service, interaction, and sharing of God’s love certainly were felt by the group. By the trip’s end, eight kids that were on the mission trip and three children from the orphanage were baptized.

When asked how this trip impacted her life, Pleasant Hill Junior Betsy Carmona reflected, “It helped me grow my relationship with Christ, and I learned how to love a community within days. Although languages can be a barrier to communication, showing God’s love is the best way to communicate.”

Featured in Northern Lights, July 27, 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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  • Ken Miller
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Summer On The Run Serves Church Youth and Their Neighbors
Summer On The Run Serves Church Youth and Their Neighbors 653 605 Ken Miller

Summer on the Run is the annual summer pop-up day camp program for kids ages 7-13 that travels between churches in Northern California.

It is staffed by a committed group of adults and college/high school-age camp ministry professionals dedicated to providing each camper with a fun, faith-based, and nurturing experience.

The program includes worship, small group activities, big group games, lunch, basketball, and a giant 32′ water slide!

According to Eddie Heinrich, youth director, “Summer on the Run continues to provide safe, friendly, God-centered activities for our youth each summer. It gives youth pastors and churches a unique outreach to their young members and community, regularly drawing in new friends from their communities.”

Featured in Northern Lights, July 6, 2023
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Roseville Youth Motivate To Finish The Work
Roseville Youth Motivate To Finish The Work 1954 1025 Ken Miller

“And so, in these days, the young men and young women of the Advent movement have been given an important part to act in the closing drama of earth’s history.” (E.G., White, MYP 7.1)

With the unwavering support and encouragement of their parents and leaders, the Roseville church’s youth group came together to organize a remarkable event called Mission Agape. The purpose of this event was to foster connections and build bridges with individuals of their generation. By taking this initiative, the youth group demonstrated their commitment and dedication to creating a positive, inclusive community that values genuine human connections.

One of the young leaders, Nicole Mann, explained, “I wanted to start Mission Agape because I saw how desperately young Christians needed to feel God’s love. Sometimes it seems the world is against Christians, and it’s easy to be swayed by the world’s current trends. I wanted youth and young adults to come to Mission Agape and feel comfortable worshiping God with other Christians just like them, who are just as passionate about their relationship with Christ.”

The parents helped find musicians and food preparers, while the youth leaders spread the word to reach beyond the usual churchgoers. Mann continued, “I was expecting 40 to 50 of my friends and maybe a few kids from our schools. But over 100 showed up!”

Kalini Fifita, an attendee, stated, “I loved Mission Agape because of its purpose: to spread God’s unconditional love to the youth of our generation. When I heard about what Mission Agape was and what its goal was, I was excited. I said yes immediately with two reasons in mind. The first reason was to bring the people of our generation closer to God through us, and the second was to bring me closer to Him, both of which were accomplished.”

The words and purpose of the Mission Agape event serve as a testament to the sincere dedication of young individuals toward seeking Jesus Christ. They are prepared to take the necessary leap of faith toward a life of positivity and fulfillment. Mann concluded, “The Roseville church is committed to keeping youth engaged and is working with us young people to reach our age group seeking community centered around Christ. Our first Mission was so successful we now have them scheduled for every third Sabbath evening.”

Featured in Northern Lights, June 22, 2023
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