Shower Truck Ministry: Concept to Reality 7 Apr 2025, 4:50 pm

Thanks to the support of the Northern California Conference Planned Giving Department, the Urban Ministries department is excited to introduce its new shower RV—a mobile resource designed to bring practical relief to those experiencing homelessness.

Rudy Peters, urban ministries director, welcomed staff at the NCC offices to tour the new vehicle, which features three shower rooms, changing areas, washer-dryer units, and a towed support trailer. Peters explains, “Our goal is to serve urban areas where the need is greatest. We will partner with local churches that form teams, receive training, and bring this service to their communities.”

The program will begin in Oakland, Richmond, Vallejo, Antioch, and Concord, where churches will use the RV to offer more than just a warm shower. It will also be stocked with hair-cutting supplies, bicycle repair tools, clothing, and hygiene items. Peters added. “More than anything, we want to help restore dignity and show people they are not forgotten. Peters also expressed gratitude to Spencer Gibson and the team at RV Country for their efforts in transforming this RV into a meaningful tool for service.

Urban Ministries is one of the five ministries supported monthly by the Conference Advance Offering, providing hope, practical assistance, and spiritual renewal to communities facing real challenges. Support makes it possible to expand these efforts, to meet immediate needs, and to foster long-term spiritual growth and unity in urban communities.

Featured in Northern Lights, April 3, 2025
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PUC Hosts Academy Music Festival 7 Apr 2025, 4:48 pm

Over 200 students from 9 academies, including NCC schools Lodi, PUC Preparatory, Paradise, Pleasant Hill, Rio Lindo, and Ukiah Junior Academies, met at Pacific Union College for the 2025 Music Festival.

The musicians included high school musicians from the choir, strings, and band. Rachelle Berthelsen-Davis, music department chair and orchestra director, exclaimed, “This weekend saw some excellent music making, and everybody had so much fun! The students were a wonderfully responsive group of musicians who rose to the occasion and did a wonderful job of bringing the music to life.”

Musicians met for breakout sessions that included improving skills and techniques and practicing the music selected for the Sabbath evening concert. One concertgoer and student from PUC, shared, “I am just impressed at the quality of music presented by our high-school children for this concert and Messiah during the last Christmas season.”

Berthelsen praised, “Bravo to Becky St. Clair, administrative director, who made this event come to life, all the academy performers, teachers, parents, and my co-directors, Will DeWitt for the band, and Ronnie Zanella, who directed the choir.”

Featured in Northern Lights, April 3, 2025
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Did You Know? Planned Giving & Trust Services/Property Management Departments 7 Apr 2025, 4:36 pm

The Planned Giving & Trust Services/Property Management Departments support the Northern California Conference.

Led by Richard Magnuson, director, offers members a meaningful way to leave a legacy of support for the Church. Knowing they can positively impact the mission they love—now and in the future—engages members and gives them peace of mind.

• Planned Giving: In 2024, the Planned Giving and Trust Services Department distributed approximately $1.8 million to Conference churches, schools, and ministries. Additionally, the department assisted 249 members with their estate plans and administered 29 matured ones, ensuring meaningful legacies and responsible resource stewardship.

• Property Management: In 2023, the Property Management Department facilitated the purchase of a $2.2 million church facility for the Sacramento Ukrainian Church. In 2024, our churches and schools saved more than $3,311,500 through property tax exemptions, significantly expanding the financial resources available to support our core mission.

Through strategic planning and careful stewardship, these efforts ensure that God’s work continues to grow and flourish for future generations.

Featured in Northern Lights, April 3, 2025
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Orangevale Students Excel in National Mathing Contest 27 Mar 2025, 6:36 pm

The third and fourth-grade classes from Orangevale Adventist School (OAS), taught by Shelley Kramer, recently celebrated an incredible achievement at the 2025 Tang Math President’s Day Tournament.

The Tang Math Tournament is for Kindergarten through fifth grade, and the math model uses a systematic and streamlined approach to instruction, using visual models, cleverly designed problems, games, and puzzles.

Competing against 6,000 students from 330 classrooms nationwide, OAS students excelled in the following categories:

• First Place for the 3rd and 4th grade level
• Second Place overall for first, third, and fourth grades
• Individual Competition, Levi, a fourth grader, won for his grade level
• Individual Competition, Oliver, a third grader, won for his grade level
• Overall competition, First Places for Levi and Oliver in their grade levels

Additionally, 15 OAS students ranked in the top 100 for the number of puzzles completed, solving over 3,000 puzzles each and over 15,500 math fluency puzzles.

Kramer praised her students, “We are extremely proud of the class for their dedication, perseverance, and outstanding performance in this tournament. We are committed to helping each student at Orangevale reach their full academic and personal potential. This achievement reflects the values of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance that we strive to instill in our students.”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 27, 2025
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Adventurers’ Adventure at Marin Headlands 27 Mar 2025, 6:34 pm

On March 2, 300 Adventurers and their families gathered for the annual Adventurers Family Fun Day in the Marin Headlands. This outing focused on offering families a chance to enjoy the outdoors and strengthen their connections with one another.

The day included visits to the Marine Mammal Center, Battery Townsley, and Rodeo Beach. A family from the Lodi Adventurers club shared photos of their children reaching the top of the hill to see the rare California newts at Battery Townsley. The strong winds made the hike a bit more challenging, but the stunning ocean views and the excitement of seeing the newts made the effort worthwhile. For many, this was their first visit to the Marin Headlands, offering a fresh and memorable experience.

At the Marine Mammal Center, Adventurers had the opportunity to learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals like seals and sea lions. They also discovered ways they could help protect wildlife by reporting injured animals and keeping the beaches safe for marine life.

The NCC Adventurer program provides a space for children and their families to grow spiritually, enjoy the outdoors, and make lasting memories.

Featured in Northern Lights, March 27, 2025
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Missional Minded Ministry 20 Mar 2025, 6:27 pm

Placerville SDA Church is actively implementing a community engagement plan to create discipleship opportunities.

Launched last year, the initiative has already led to transformative outreach efforts. During Christmas, the church converted its sanctuary into the Town of Bethlehem, offering an immersive experience for the community. Then, in March, they transformed the Life Center—where the congregation currently meets—into a fully operational health clinic.

The clinic served 213 people, with 100 health professionals generously donating their time. Services included health screenings, dental work, eye exams with eyeglass fittings, skin examinations, well-being therapy, and a dedicated prayer room. Volunteers welcomed attendees with warm smiles, guiding them to the appropriate services with care and compassion.

One attendee, a woman who came in for an eye exam, expressed her astonishment at the quality of care she received. She shared, “When I saw the flyer at the town clinic, I was skeptical that any healthcare service would actually be free. I thought it might just be a way to collect my information. But when I arrived, a real doctor examined me, and everything was so professional. After this, I’m scheduled to get my teeth cleaned and then a massage. I feel loved and cared for!”

The congregation wholeheartedly supports these outreach efforts, fostering a culture of generosity by giving their time and resources. The church’s food bank serves over 200 people weekly, and other ministries actively engage members and the broader community. Additionally, the church maintains a strong partnership with its school, viewing it as a vital part of its evangelism ministry.

Pastor Andrew Uyeyama emphasizes the church’s mission: “Having worked as an evangelist, I know how crucial it is for the church to embrace and become relevant to the community. Through interactions like today’s clinic, we can draw people in and minister to them where they are. Seeing our members and community participants so engaged and enthusiastic is exciting!”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 20, 2025
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John Rasmussen, NCC Treasurer Retires 20 Mar 2025, 6:24 pm

John Rasmussen retired on March 13, 2025, after 50 years of denominational service, including 31 years of dedicated leadership as the Northern California Conference Treasurer.

Before joining the NCC, Rasmussen served seventeen years between the Montana, New Jersey, Potomac, and Washington conferences, joining the NCC in 1994. During Rasmussen’s tenure as Treasurer, he has worked with five conference presidents, starting with Don Schneider, 1989-1994 (Deceased).

His former presidents said the following about their time with Rasmussen:

Darold Retzer-President of NCC 1994-2001

“When I arrived as president, NCC was experiencing some challenging financial times due to the economy. John was already the treasurer, and we struggled to get a balanced budget. He worked with our team to accomplish this within a couple of years. He quietly and efficiently did his work. I enjoyed working with him. Toward the end of my time there, I especially enjoyed the time we took off to go skiing with him and Ricardo Graham. We were a good team.”

Ricardo Graham-President 2002-2006

“I had the privilege of serving beside Elder John Rasmussen for 11 years in the Northern California Conference administration. Elder Rasmussen was dedicated to assisting the schools, churches, and their personnel by caring for their financial needs. John always respected others” opinions and focused on protecting the financial strength of NCC. His godly influence helped shape the work of God in NCC, the Pacific Union, and the North American Division. I pray for God’s continued blessing on him and Raylene as he enters this new phase of life.”

Jim Pederson-President 2006-2018

“What a joy it was to serve with John. There were very few dull moments and many interesting discussions through the years. He is a man of integrity with a great sense of humor. The treasurer’s job is to sometimes say no, with an eye on the bottom line. John did say no many times in our years but also found many ways to say yes. This wisdom and commitment to the mission of God and the NCC made it a pleasure to work with him.”

Marc K. Woodson-President 2018-Present

“John and I have worked together for seventeen years, and it has been a great time. John is a man of wit and wisdom and a great steward of God’s resources. I consider myself blessed for the time we have worked together. I often asked whether we could afford a ministry, and he would almost always find funding to make it happen. Our finances are in good order, a legacy of his core values and missional approach. His dedication and wisdom will be missed.”

John and Raylene, his wife of 54 years, plan to spend more quality time with their children and grandchildren. They reside in Paradise, California.

Celebrating the 2025 NCC Advantage Awards Nominees 13 Mar 2025, 6:20 pm

Contagious Kindness Educators Cyndee Westenrider, principal at Middletown Adventist School Michael Rosich, kindergarten teacher at Sacramento Adventist Academy Wendy Henry, principal at Foothills Adventist Elementary School Pastors Robert Mason at Yreka and Scott Valley Church Steve Brownell at Oroville Church Zachary Reiber at Paradise Church

Engaged and Enthusiastic Educators Chase Weideman, teacher at the Napa Christian Campus of Education David Vixie, principal and teacher at Paradise Adventist Elementary School Lisa Nuss, principal and teacher at Lodi Adventist Elementary School Pastors Damon Washington, at Pittsburg and Oakland Immanuel Temple Churches Jaime Calvo, at Sacramento, Woodland, and North Highlands Spanish Churches Josie Asencio, at Antioch Church

3rd Annual Religious Liberty Summit 13 Mar 2025, 5:50 pm

On March 1, the Northern California Conference and the Church-State Council hosted the 3rd Annual Religious Liberty Summit at the Pleasant Hill Church. The event attracted 330 attendees for a day filled with insightful discussions, expert panels, and interactive conversations about the importance of religious freedom.

Bettina Krause, editor of Liberty Magazine, was the keynote speaker. Her topic was the trend among many Christians, who believed that increasing secularism in society justifies the church uniting with the government to improve society’s morals.

In the afternoon, an interactive panel discussion titled “Faith and Justice in the Public Square” featured Krause, Jeanice Warden-Washington, Chief Consultant at California State Assembly, Alan Reinach, President of the Church State Council, Jose Marin, NCC Executive Secretary, and Marc K. Woodson, NCC President.

The conversation, moderated by Steven Allred, NCC volunteer religious liberty coordinator, encouraged attendees to explore the intersection of faith and public policy. Allred noted, “The panelists discussed current church-state issues and took questions from the audience.

Building on the success of this year’s event, the NCC and Church-State Council look forward to expanding next year’s summit and continuing the conversation about faith’s rights and responsibilities in an evolving society.

Featured in Northern Lights, March 13, 2025
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Church Community Extends Love and Hope 13 Mar 2025, 5:47 pm

Several members of the Arcata McKinleyville Church suffered a tragic fire on February 3, leaving the church and community mourning the loss. In response, the community has shown an outpouring of love and support.

Matthew Baker, pastor, stated, “The church quickly rallied around the twin sister and children affected by the tragedy, establishing an emergency fund and aiding wherever they could.” The family now consists of a twin sister of the deceased, now responsible for her children as well as the children left behind.

As the church, community, and family grapple with their sorrow, they turn to their faith for strength. One church representative remarked, “What truly matters is that we are reminded that evil and suffering were never intended to exist, and that one day all our questions will be answered. We must remember that through all the evil and suffering, God experiences it infinitely more than we do. When we hurt, He hurts. When we cry, He cries. Our pain comes before Him.”

The bereaved twin reflected, “My church has helped us with money, clothes, calls to Red Cross, prayers, food deliveries, and shopping trips with the kids. So much love has been poured out on us by our Heavenly Father through His faithful children. Through this tragedy, our church and community’s faith is growing. We feel blessed! Before we even realize a need, God has already fulfilled it. We are learning to trust God and take Him at His Word. We are living out Bible verses moment by moment as we draw close to Jesus for comfort, safety, forgiveness, peace, reconciliation, redemption, and love.”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 13, 2025
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