“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” — 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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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’s 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’s 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. “By God’s grace, it has been wonderful,” he said.

Daniel Garza, pastor, shared, “The 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.”

Featured in Northern Lights, April 23, 2026
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Vacation Bible School season is almost here! To get ready for these transformative weeks of children’s evangelism, 91´óÉń 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—with 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 “round-up” sessions to fun station rotations, this program gives kids a week of faith-filled adventure they won’t 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—an opportunity your church won’t 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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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—but important—details 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: “One developmental aspect we intentionally address, is adding to a pastor’s 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.”

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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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 the Northern California Conference, noted that “the air was filled with expectancy and promises of an amazing covenant relationship.”

Pastor Holness expressed gratitude for the call, stating, “I 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’s leadership.

Featured in Northern Lights, January 22, 2026

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—but 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. “From the moment I walked through the doors, I was welcomed with genuine love,” she recalled. Ronda and Jerry Charlton had a similar experience, sharing. “We are both very blessed to be members of the Dobbins Church. My husband and I were both baptized, renewing our relationship with God,”

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, “Pastor John’s teaching helped me to understand the Bible and how to study it.”

The Dobbins Church continues to be a place of welcome for all. Whether you’re 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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Keynote speaker Travis Sandefur, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer for Volunteers of America, opened the summit with a compelling message titled “The Reason Why.” He illustrated how love becomes the catalyst for action, inspiring us to serve those in need.

A panel of regional Ending Homelessness Initiative task forces highlighted ongoing projects within the 91´óÉń community, emphasizing ways local churches can connect with their area’s continuum of care and partner with agencies to maximize impact.

Central to the discussions was the need for affordable, sustainable housing solutions. Four 91´óÉń churches are currently exploring how they can use their land to provide housing within this framework. Joelle Chinnock, 91´óÉń Ending Homelessness Initiative Coordinator, shared, “I am continually inspired by our congregations as they explore transforming real estate and other significant assets into living spaces for those in need. This is the tangible result of investigating, planning, and dedicating land to combat homelessness, and it is the most exciting part of this initiative.”

The summit underscored that addressing homelessness requires more than just programs—it demands leveraging community assets, fostering partnerships, and mobilizing congregations to take bold, practical steps toward solutions rooted in faith, compassion, and long-term sustainability.

Featured in Northern Lights, December 25, 2025
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Deena’s journey shows just how life-changing that process can be. Born to a prayerful mother and inspired by her grandmother, a lifelong member of the Anderson Church, she grew up surrounded by faith. Yet life’s challenges tested her deeply. The loss of a beloved daughter left her grieving and searching for hope. Feeling the pull back to God, she reached out to the church community, unsure where her journey would take her.

“She was one of six individuals who reached out to our church for Bible study,” says Rio Mabugay, a Bible Worker serving Anderson and Shasta Lake Churches. “From there, we started a study that took four months.” Over that time, Deena immersed herself in Scripture, asked questions, and shared her heart. The Bible study became more than lessons—it became a place of healing, support, and growing friendship. Slowly, hope returned, faith deepened, and her heart found peace and led to her baptism.

Deena’s story is a reminder that leading a Bible study isn’t just teaching—it’s walking with someone through life, helping them find God’s hope, and guiding them toward the abundant life Jesus promises. Every study is an opportunity to plant seeds of faith, nurture hearts, and participate in God’s work in a meaningful, lasting way.

Featured in Northern Lights, October 23, 2025
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Huh previously served the Contra Costa Korean Church for the past eight years. His official installation services were held at the Vacaville church on September 6  and at the Woodland church on September 13.

Pastor Huh grew up in the Adventist school system in Korea and later earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. He shares that his mother prayed fervently for him to become a pastor, and he is grateful to see those prayers answered. One of his favorite Bible texts is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

He shared, “My heart is filled with thankfulness and gratitude. By His grace and power, we can become genuine praying churches, so that He may pour out His abundant blessings upon us. The longer I serve as a pastor, the more deeply I am convinced that prayer is the key to evangelism.”

Pastor Huh and his wife are honored to serve as a pastoral family in their new district. They have two sons, ages 23 and 21, both currently studying at Loma Linda University. Huh concluded, “We pray that one day they will collaborate closely with gospel workers like myself as medical professionals.”

Featured in Northern Lights, September 25, 2025
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Chaplain Erwin Pajares delivered powerful sermons that touched hearts, while Jeb J. Bersabal led Bible studies, helping attendees grow in God’s Word and take steps toward a personal relationship with Christ.

The series was a true team effort. Members welcomed guests, assisted with seating, and lifted their voices in worship, creating an atmosphere of care and unity. By God’s grace, five precious souls chose to follow Christ through baptism. The week was a joyful reminder that every life story matters to God—and when His people come together in love, lives are transformed.

Featured in Northern Lights, September 25, 2025
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