海角社区

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

Church Growth/Evangelism

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A Backpack Full of Love
A Backpack Full of Love 4000 2250 Ken Miller

The 2026 Back 2 School at the 鈥淟ight鈥� & Health Family Event helped families start the new school year with a little less on their plates鈥攁nd a little more in their backpacks.

A collaborative effort between Beacon Light鈥檚 Health Department and Spanish Congregation Outreach Department, the event served more than 120 families. Children received free backpacks and school supplies, while families also had access to groceries, haircuts, health screenings, refreshments, and a bounce house for some back-to-school fun.

For parents, the practical help meant fewer items on an already long back-to-school list. For Beacon Light, it was another opportunity to build relationships with families in the surrounding community.

Much of what was given that day came through the generosity of church members and individual donors who contributed supplies, resources, time, and financial support.

The larger goal went beyond what could fit inside a backpack. It was an opportunity to show families that Beacon Light is a church in their community ready to welcome them, serve them, and build relationships that last beyond a single event.

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Dear Northern California Conference Family
Dear Northern California Conference Family 4000 2250 Ken Miller

It has been a great honor to serve this conference for the past 19 years, first as executive secretary and then as president for the last eight years.

海角社区 is truly blessed, and my wife, Marlene, and I have been grateful for the opportunity to serve and minister here. We have seen firsthand this conference鈥檚 deep commitment to connecting people to an abundant life in Jesus Christ and preparing them for His Second Coming.

With my recent election to serve as the president of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the time has come to say farewell. I will deeply miss the pastors, principals, teachers, and support staff who faithfully give their best each day to advance God鈥檚 kingdom. I will also miss serving alongside my fellow officers, ministry department directors, and office staff, whose tireless commitment strengthens and supports our churches, schools, and ministries across 海角社区.

It has been an incredible journey, and by God鈥檚 grace and power, we have accomplished much. Looking back, several moments stand out to me:

I am grateful that we have expanded opportunities for women in pastoral ministry, with more women serving as pastors than ever before in our history. I am thankful that our Conference headquarters moved to the greater Sacramento area, helping us serve our territory from a more central location. I have also deeply valued our journey toward organizational health, which has brought greater clarity, alignment, and a rich perspective as we advance God鈥檚 mission.

And I am especially encouraged by the launch of our Ending Homelessness Initiative to significantly decrease the number of those experiencing homelessness throughout our territory.

We could not have accomplished any of these things without Divine providence. So I say, 鈥淭o God be the glory, great things He has done!鈥�

Thank you, 海角社区 family, for granting me the opportunity to help lead this great conference. It has been a privilege and a joy. Let鈥檚 together remain faithful until our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ comes to take us home!

Marc. K Woodson

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Lizeth Momanga Named 海角社区 Director of Church Growth and Evangelism
Lizeth Momanga Named 海角社区 Director of Church Growth and Evangelism 4000 2250 Ken Miller

We are pleased to announce that Lizeth Momanga is the new Director of Church Growth and Evangelism.

Momanga brings more than 15 years of experience in pastoral ministry, church planting, and evangelism. She has served congregations in the United States and Australia, planting churches, strengthening congregations, developing leaders, and creating initiatives that help churches connect with their communities.

Jos茅 Mar铆n, president, shared, 鈥淚 believe Lizeth鈥檚 experience and passion for mission and mentorship will be a tremendous resource to our pastors and churches. She understands that healthy church growth begins with making disciples, equipping leaders, and helping our churches connect meaningfully with their communities.鈥�

A graduate of Pacific Union College with a degree in theology, Momanga is currently completing dual Master of Divinity and Master of Social Work degrees at Andrews University. Her graduate studies have further shaped an approach to ministry that integrates evangelism, pastoral care, church health, and a deeper understanding of the people and communities churches are called to serve.

Throughout her ministry, Momanga has planted and pastored congregations, served on church planting and evangelism task forces, trained pastors and lay leaders, led international evangelistic efforts, and presented on church planting, leadership, and ministry.

Most recently, Momanga has served as senior pastor of the Tracy Seventh-day Adventist Church and as a member of the 海角社区 Evangelism Task Force.
Momanga and her husband, Richard Ogeto Momanga, have shared much of their ministry journey together. During their years in Australia, they served the Wallsend church for four years before returning to the United States in 2022.

In her new role, Momanga will work with pastors, churches, and lay leaders throughout the conference to strengthen congregations, support church planting, develop leaders, and advance creative, community-focused approaches to sharing the gospel across Northern California.

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Anderson Church Takes 鈥淕rowing in Jesus鈥� to the Mountains
Anderson Church Takes 鈥淕rowing in Jesus鈥� to the Mountains 4960 2488 Ken Miller

For one weekend in August, church looked a little different for the Anderson Church.

More than 70 members, friends, and visitors headed to Lost Creek Group Campground near Lassen, Aug. 28鈥�30, for the church鈥檚 鈥淕rowing in Jesus鈥� campout. Tents replaced pews, the surrounding forest became the backdrop for worship, and three days together offered plenty of time for people to reconnect.

The weekend included Sabbath worship, music, prayer, activities, shared meals, and messages centered on the campout theme. Even the setting played a part. Surrounded by trees, campers were reminded that growth takes nourishment and time鈥攁nd that a growing relationship with Jesus is much the same.

Some of the best parts of the weekend were less formal. There was laughter, time to talk without rushing off to the next thing, meals together, music, and the work of volunteers who kept everything moving. Families, longtime members, visitors, and friends simply had time to be together.

By Sunday, the tents were packed, the campfires were out, and everyone headed home. After three days of worship, meals, conversations, and plenty of time together, the Anderson church family left Lost Creek knowing each other a little better than when they arrived. And that fit the weekend鈥檚 theme, 鈥淕rowing in Jesus,鈥� pretty well.

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Church in the Park: Faith in Action, Hope for the Community
Church in the Park: Faith in Action, Hope for the Community 4000 2250 Ken Miller

By Keith A. Henry

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” 鈥� Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)

On June 27, approximately 200 people gathered at DeFremery Park in Oakland for the second annual Church in the Park, hosted by Market Street Seventh-day Adventist Church.

For six hours, the park was filled with worship, fellowship, community resources, and opportunities to serve. Church members welcomed their neighbors with a free fish fry, diapers, laundry detergent, children’s activities, and community resource booths. Music and preaching encouraged those in attendance while creating a joyful atmosphere where faith was shared beyond the walls of the church.

Community Services Leader Stephanie Joliff reflected, “This Sabbath was a good day! We all came together to fellowship, enjoy one another, and praise the Lord!”

Associate Community Services Leader Eric V. Williams added, “It’s an awesome time when believers can come together outside our church four walls. We’re loving the faces of the community, and hopefully we can do it all again soon, especially with other churches in our Oakland community.”

Senior Pastor Edwin F. Brown summed up the day this way: “With Church in the Park, we are having a great time serving the community. It’s been a powerful day, with the singing, preaching, working together, and blessing the people.”

Church in the Park served as a reminder that ministry happens wherever people are willing to meet needs and share Christ’s love. As the outreach continues to grow, the Market Street church family looks forward to building even stronger connections with their Oakland community in the years ahead.

Featured in Northern Lights, July 23, 2026
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Finding Common Ground in Yuba City
Finding Common Ground in Yuba City 2048 1536 Ken Miller

The Yuba City Church recently restarted a ministry for local families from the Punjabi community, drawing nearly 50 attendees鈥攊ncluding both Sikh and Christian households. The gathering offers a spiritual home where many first-generation residents can worship, learn, and connect with one another in a welcoming environment.

Yuba City is home to one of the largest Punjabi populations in the U.S., with many families settling over the past century to farming and support careers. Their long-standing presence gives the church a unique opportunity to connect with a community that is deeply woven into the region鈥檚 culture and daily life.

The weekly service at Yuba City Church is led by Aamir Masih, chaplain at Rideout Hospital and lay pastor. It is held in the church鈥檚 youth chapel, where services in Punjabi and space for families to worship together help create a welcoming environment. Masih, inspired by the warmth he received from the church upon his return to Yuba City, wanted to be part of their mission and subsequently, lead this ministry. 鈥淏y God鈥檚 grace, it has been wonderful,鈥� he said.

Daniel Garza, pastor, shared, 鈥淭he effort reflects something important about ministry today. Our community is diverse, and part of our calling is learning how to serve people in ways that make sense in their world. What began as a single Sabbath gathering is a daily reminder that being community relevant ministry is less about programs and more about relationships.鈥�

Featured in Northern Lights, April 23, 2026
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Saddle Up for VBS Season!
Saddle Up for VBS Season! 3875 2012 Ken Miller

By Barry van Iderstein

Vacation Bible School season is almost here! To get ready for these transformative weeks of children鈥檚 evangelism, 海角社区 Children and Family Ministries Director Barry van Iderstein hosted nearly 80 guests at the annual VBS Workshop, introducing the newly reimagined SDA VBS program, Cactusville.

Seasoned VBS leaders may recall Cactusville from over six years ago. The North American Division, which produces SDA VBS programs, retooled this classic as part of early preparations for the 2027 VBS program鈥攚ith music videos already recorded! Sharing the program in advance gives VBS leaders a head start in planning, helping them formulate implementation strategies, create scripts, and determine how many actors will be needed for this classic summer ministry.

Cactusville transports kids to a Wild West desert town where they discover gold nuggets of faith in every Bible story. Each day features interactive games, crafts, skits, and theme songs that bring the Bible to life, helping children understand how God is calling them to follow Him. From opening 鈥渞ound-up鈥� sessions to fun station rotations, this program gives kids a week of faith-filled adventure they won鈥檛 forget.

VBS continues to be one of the most popular and impactful summer programs for churches, offering a highly engaging way to teach children the Bible, develop leadership skills in volunteers, and make a lasting impression on families. Investing in VBS is investing in the next generation of faithful disciples鈥攁n opportunity your church won鈥檛 want to miss.

For more information on VBS programming or training to host a VBS week, contact Barry at barry@nccsda.com today. Yee-haw!

Featured in Northern Lights, February 26, 2026
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Pastors Meetings Seek to Engage and Teach
Pastors Meetings Seek to Engage and Teach 4000 2250 Ken Miller

In January, pastors came together at Gracepoint Church for their annual business meeting鈥攁 time set aside for learning, alignment, and connection.

The gathering provided policy updates, moments of inspiration, and dedicated Q&A sessions with leaders from various administrative departments. Some of the topics covered were practical and necessary, including employment matters, hiring, administrative processes, and even routine鈥攂ut important鈥攄etails like expense reimbursement.

The event also offered pastors a forum to share with administrators the everyday challenges they face, giving leaders better perspective on the realities of leading and pastoring in their communities.

Jim Lorenz, ministerial director, highlighted the value of these gatherings: 鈥淥ne developmental aspect we intentionally address, is adding to a pastor鈥檚 professional toolbox with new or improved skills. There is also the communicational part, where different initiatives can be discussed and clarity can be gained, and lastly, there is the camaraderie of colleagues who might not get to see each other very often.鈥�

Interacting in a setting like this strives to build a stronger, more unified team, better equipped to spread the love of Jesus Christ and navigate the challenges and joys of ministry together.

Featured in Northern Lights, February 26, 2026
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Eric Holness Installed at Richmond Beacon Light
Eric Holness Installed at Richmond Beacon Light 3583 1883 Ken Miller

On January 3, Eric Holness was installed as pastor of the Richmond Beacon Light Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Holness comes to Richmond after being the associate pastor of Oakland Market Street church since 2024. The service marked the beginning of a new covenant relationship between pastor and congregation, grounded in prayer, Scripture, and a shared commitment to ministry.

Reflecting on the occasion, Rudy Peters, African American Ministries Director for 海角社区, noted that 鈥渢he air was filled with expectancy and promises of an amazing covenant relationship.”

Pastor Holness expressed gratitude for the call, stating, 鈥淚 am humbled and amazed by the opportunity to serve.”

The Richmond Beacon Light family looks forward to a new season of Spirit-led ministry and community impact under Pastor Holness鈥檚 leadership.

Featured in Northern Lights, January 22, 2026

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The 20% Growth Sabbath!
The 20% Growth Sabbath! 3791 1962 Ken Miller

By Susan Fleming

Photos by Mark Anthony Carter

On November 1, 2025, the Dobbins Church experienced a remarkable 20% growth! Lay Pastor John Fleming baptized six new members, adding to the one baptized earlier on August 16. For a small congregation, this increase was especially meaningful鈥攂ut the truth is, many of these newcomers had already felt like part of the Dobbins Church family, just as countless non-members who regularly attend do.

That welcoming spirit is what first drew Maggie Jackson to the church one Sabbath in the fall of 2023. Raised in the Seventh Day Church of God, Maggie had drifted away for a time, and years later she was searching for a church home. 鈥淔rom the moment I walked through the doors, I was welcomed with genuine love,鈥� she recalled. Ronda and Jerry Charlton had a similar experience, sharing. 鈥淲e are both very blessed to be members of the Dobbins Church. My husband and I were both baptized, renewing our relationship with God,鈥�

For some, the journey into the Dobbins family began with Wednesday Bible study rather than Sabbath worship. Pastor John leads this weekly study, serving a meal beforehand to nourish both body and spirit. Two of the newest members have been preparing these delicious meals, while Pastor John guides thoughtful, engaging Bible discussions. Ronda reflected, 鈥淧astor John鈥檚 teaching helped me to understand the Bible and how to study it.鈥�

The Dobbins Church continues to be a place of welcome for all. Whether you鈥檙e traveling through the Yuba County foothills on a Wednesday evening or a Sabbath morning, everybody is invited to join in study, fellowship, and food.

Featured in Northern Lights, December 25, 2025
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