91大神

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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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Leslie Bartsch New Associate Superintendent of Schools
Leslie Bartsch New Associate Superintendent of Schools 3875 2012 Ken Miller

Leslie Bartsch听has accepted the position of Associate Superintendent of Schools for the Northern California Conference, bringing nearly three decades of experience in Adventist education.

Originally planning a career in law, Bartsch studied history and political science at听La Sierra University. During her final year of college, a placement in a second-grade classroom shifted her trajectory. That experience clarified her calling to education, and after earning her teaching credential, she began teaching in Fontana in 1998.

Guided by a belief that every child can learn鈥攁nd that students develop at different paces and in different ways鈥擝artsch has built her career around supporting student growth and helping schools create environments where learning can take root. She joined Chico Oaks Adventist School in 2008 and became principal in 2018. The school also holds deep personal significance, with three generations of her family attending, including her sons, Wyatt and Conner.

In her new role, Bartsch plans to draw on her classroom and administrative experience to support principals and teachers across the Northern California Conference. Her focus remains on strengthening schools and continuing to serve students through strong, mission-centered leadership.

Patty Osborne, 91大神 Vice President of Education, shared, 鈥淟eslie is the perfect fit for our conference. She has earned trust everywhere she has served鈥攚ith her school families, her colleagues, and the principals who work alongside her. I couldn鈥檛 be more excited for our schools to have her support.鈥�

Leslie and her husband, Rob, whom she met while attending听Rio Lindo Adventist Academy, have been married for 29 years. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends

Featured in Northern Lights, June, 25 2026
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Rio Lindo Adventist Academy Students Perform on a World Stage
Rio Lindo Adventist Academy Students Perform on a World Stage 4000 2250 Ken Miller

By Whitney Weems

Recently, the Rio Lindo Adventist Academy Chorale joined participating choruses, soloists, and orchestra members in New York City for the world premiere of Psalmos, a newly commissioned Christian choral work by renowned composer and conductor Mark Hayes. The performance took place in Carnegie Hall鈥檚 Stern Auditorium, where students helped give voice to a new setting of seven psalms.

For Sophomore Uila Satui, the experience began with gratitude and school pride. 鈥淕oing to Carnegie Hall was an experience I will never forget,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hat an honor and privilege to represent our school on one of the most famous stages in the world.鈥�

For Junior Maddy Gibson, the meaning of the performance was tied closely to the music itself. 鈥淧erforming at Carnegie Hall was such an amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,鈥� she said, 鈥渂ut getting to perform brand-new Christian music with the actual composer there conducting us made it even more special.鈥�

Senior Carlyle Bernales remembered the artistic impact of the moment with clarity. Although he had performed with several choirs before, he said, 鈥渘othing compares to singing at Carnegie Hall.鈥� Walking onto the stage and seeing the orchestra and Maestro Hayes nearby was 鈥渢ruly indescribable.鈥�

For the Rio Lindo Chorale, the trip became a living picture of Adventist education at work: faith shaped through discipline, gifts strengthened through practice, and young people sent into the world with purpose. They discovered that ministry is not limited to a pulpit, classroom, chapel, or mission trip. It can be formed in the ordinary labor of rehearsal and carried into unexpected places through beauty, Scripture, and song.

Featured in Northern Lights, June 25, 2026
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Sacramento Academy Disc Golf Tournament Raises Funds for Kids Abroad
Sacramento Academy Disc Golf Tournament Raises Funds for Kids Abroad 3791 1962 Ken Miller

By Mark Janke

In March, Sacramento Adventist Academy (SAA) hosted its first-ever disc golf fundraiser at the Little Oaks course in Carmichael. By the end of the morning, 64 players had shown up鈥攁nd together they raised $2,200 to help provide athletic equipment and musical instruments for children in Peru and Zambia.

The tournament was the idea of fourth-grade teacher Chris Duckett, who also built and cares for the 18-hole course on SAA鈥檚 campus. Watching other teachers find creative ways to raise money for Maranatha mission trips, he wanted to do his part鈥攁nd realized disc golf might be the perfect fit.

With encouragement from Principal Matthew Jakobsons (who even jumped in to cook breakfast), the event quickly took on the feel of a true community gathering. Players came from all backgrounds鈥攆amilies, beginners, and experienced competitors鈥攁nd many others supported the cause even if they couldn鈥檛 attend. One highlight was a raffle featuring a custom electric guitar built by SAA woodshop teacher Duane Calkins, which drew plenty of excitement.

The money raised will go toward simple but meaningful supplies鈥攂alls, recorders, guitars, and keyboards. For Duckett, it鈥檚 personal. His family will be traveling to Peru this summer, where he hopes to help deliver the items in person.

Featured in Northern Lights, May 21, 2026
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Hayward Spanish Church Begins Relational Outreach in Union City
Hayward Spanish Church Begins Relational Outreach in Union City 3887 2016 Ken Miller

In March, members of the Hayward Spanish Church stepped into Union City with one goal: to lay the groundwork for a future church. Every visit, conversation, and act of service was part of building relationships that could grow into a thriving congregation.

Volunteers knocked on doors, listened to neighbors鈥� stories, shared meals, handed out literature, and prayed with residents鈥攎eeting real needs while planting seeds for the church. Youth and young adults led activities, guided conversations, and modeled kindness and a servant鈥檚 heart, showing the community that the church is present, caring, and ready to serve.

In advance the teams set up posters with messages of hope, invited residents to gatherings, and filled the streets with Christian music, creating spaces where neighbors felt welcome and engaged. The result? Residents opened up鈥攕ome asking for prayer for family health, others eager to join a Bible study, and a few expressing interests in community meals or youth programs. Several shared contact information, giving the team a path for follow-up and ongoing relationship-building.

“Seeing neighbors open up and share their needs reminded us why we serve together,”听said Stennett Nash, pastor of the Hayward Spanish Church.听“Every visit, every conversation, every act of service is a step toward planting a church here.“The day ended with new friendships formed, prayer requests collected, and a sense of hope for what鈥檚 to come鈥攁 first step in a journey that will continue as the church grows alongside the community it serves.

<em>Featured in Northern Lights, April 23, 2026</em>

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Connecting With Local Moms
Connecting With Local Moms 3791 1962 Ken Miller

Hi there!

I run a Mom and Me playgroup at Paradise Adventist church that has been slowly growing the last few months, and it鈥檚 been amazing to connect with local moms. We have become more than half of the community moms who gather weekly for our kids to play in the Sabbath school room, eat snacks, do crafts, and moms chat and hang out. It鈥檚 been a nice way to naturally then invite them to come to church with us too.

We also recently partnered with the Adventist Health Foundation and started giving away diapers to anyone in need.
It鈥檚 been a beautiful ministry to care for local moms and babies, and I thought I鈥檇 share it with 91大神.
Thank you!

Yvette Reiber

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Student Leaders Training Student Leaders
Student Leaders Training Student Leaders 3875 2008 Ken Miller

The Northern California Conference Youth Department recently hosted its annual Freshman-Sophomore Retreat at Leoni Meadows, bringing together 375 students from our schools. The weekend offered more than just activities鈥攊t was designed to help students deepen their understanding of the truth found in biblical stories and develop new tools to apply that truth in their daily lives.

Guiding the retreat was a dedicated team of 58 juniors and seniors who had completed a two-day training with the youth ministry team. Eddie Heinrich, youth and young adult director, explained, 鈥淲e guide these leaders on how to engage with the younger students from the very first day, creating a steady progression of intimacy and reflection. By Sunday, the goal is to have fostered real, meaningful connections.鈥�

By the end of the weekend, students left equipped with not only a more in-depth understanding of the Bible but also strengthened skills and a renewed sense of purpose. Heinrich concluded, 鈥淥ur hope is that they return to their schools ready to demonstrate what they鈥檝e learned and model Christlike behavior with their classmates.鈥�

Featured in Northern Lights, March 26, 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, 91大神 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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A Visit That Taught Us to Care
A Visit That Taught Us to Care 3997 2006 Ken Miller

By Beatrice Ahn

In January, Tracy Elementary School students, parents, and teachers traveled to McHenry House Tracy Family Shelter as part of a community engagement experience.

The visit gave students a closer look at housing insecurity in their own area and the role local organizations play in responding to it. As they toured the facility, students asked questions, listened carefully, and began to understand how quickly circumstances can change for families.

With support from the VersaCare Fund and a donor gift, the school was able to provide $1,500 in supplies just as the shelter was updating bedding in each room. Students helped organize and deliver the items, witnessing how ordinary goods can have an extraordinary impact. For many students, the visit made the needs in Tracy feel closer and more real.

On the drive back to school, conversations continued鈥攁bout fairness, about gratitude, and about what it looks like to help in practical ways. Some students talked about donating items from home; others simply reflected on what they had seen. It was a shared experience that gave our school community something to think about long after the visit ended.

Featured in Northern Lights, February 26, 2026
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  • Ken Miller
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Finding Community in the Mountains: Young Adults Gather at Leoni Meadows
Finding Community in the Mountains: Young Adults Gather at Leoni Meadows 4004 2250 Ken Miller

In a season of life when many young adults are searching for connection, purpose, and a place to belong, a simple weekend at Leoni Meadows became something more鈥攁 reminder that authentic community is still possible, and that the 91大神 and its churches are committed to supporting this age group.

One hundred twenty-five young adults gathered for the retreat, and from the start, the atmosphere felt warm and welcoming. Presenters encouraged participants to engage fully in the weekend. They emphasized the importance of creating spaces where young adults can听ask honest questions, explore doubts, and discover their personal faith, while also building meaningful relationships with peers and mentors.

Question and answer sessions highlighted the honesty and curiosity of the group. Questions submitted anonymously on phones sparked open conversations, and the panel鈥檚 transparency modeled the kind of spiritual authenticity this generation values. Young adults are seeking听authentic relationships, safe spaces to share struggles, mentorship, and opportunities to actively live out their faith鈥攁ll of which were reflected in the weekend鈥檚 activities. The prayer room quickly became a favorite place, offering a quiet space to reflect, while the growing prayer wall invited participants to share hopes, concerns, and prayer requests.

This weekend also marked a new chapter. Plans are underway for a听mission trip to Alaska in August 2026, during which young adults will help run a summer camp. The annual Leoni retreat will now move permanently to January, with the next gathering scheduled for听January 8鈥�10, 2027.

Featured in Northern Lights, December 25, 2025

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Northern Lights, the official monthly news source of the Northern California Conference, shares how churches, schools, and members are connecting people to an abundant life with Jesus Christ and preparing them for His soon return.

漏 2026 91大神 Conference听| 2100 Douglas Blvd. Roseville, CA 95661 | P. O. Box 619015 Roseville, CA 95661-9015听| (916) 886-5600 | info@nccsda.com

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