Central California Conference

Sacrifice of Praise

…and Abound in Hope

“The Lord has told us what is good and acceptable in His sight. What is it that the Lord requires of us? It is to be just, to show mercy and to walk humbly before our God” (Micah 6:8, Clear Word).

TOP LEFT: Brittany Pawluck, first-grade teacher at Miramonte Christian School, prays online with one of her students. Adventist education at its best! TOP RIGHT: Students in a creatively designed classroom at Mother Lode Adventist Junior Academy in Sonora. BOTTOM RIGHT: Some of the handmade cards created by students at the Peninsula Adventist School for those who have lost a loved one during the pandemic. It is amazing what God’s people are able to do, even during difficult times. Ramiro Cano, president of the Central California Conference (CCC), summed it up in one word in his holiday video message to members: resilience! Indeed, it is that and more as the pandemic continues to rage throughout our territory.

It is in that context that we are telling more stories of those who demonstrate the “sacrifice of praise” mentioned in Hebrews 13:15-16. Along with Paul, we pray, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13, NKJV).

That word abound can mean to overflow, to thrive: “abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20, NKJV). This certainly can be the case as we recount some of what God has done in the conference. These stories reveal a multitude of blessings.

CCC K-12 Adventist Education

Mountain View Academy (MVA) continues to see ways to serve their community. They usually throw a Christmas party for a local elementary school with mostly low-income families. Andy Lee, MVA chaplain, described how this year they collected and delivered gifts. Another initiative was started by Sydney Chan, a student, who came up with the idea to collect and deliver school supplies for Foothills SDA Elementary School in St. Helena, which partially burned in the Glass Fire.

Los Banos Elementary School decided to participate in Operation Dear Veteran of the Central Valley. The veterans received a handmade Christmas card with a personal letter from the students. Principal Lea Gilbert pointed out that the school received a “shout out from the local radio station, KMJ 580” for their efforts.

Miramonte Christian School was featured in Pacific Sunrise, an email newsletter from the Pacific Union Communication and Community Engagement

Department, because of all the creativity they have had to use during this pandemic crisis. Also, the eighthgrade class presented a living nativity drive-through performance. As Principal Richard Maloon stated, “Shining a light on Jesus has not dimmed—it is just glowing in different ways.”

Peninsula Adventist School (PAS), also featured in Pacific Sunrise, decided to help students provide handmade cards with biblical references as a way to express support and comfort to family members who have lost a loved one during the pandemic. Shane Frances, a teacher at PAS, explained, “Students learned to be sympathetic to individuals struggling during this crisis. They have also learned that God’s Word can bring love, hope, joy, comfort, and peace.”

Mother Lode Adventist Junior Academy was also recently featured in Pacific Sunrise. They wanted to provide a safe environment for in-person learning. Because that would require some spacing issues, a team effort of teachers, board members, and church members creatively designed and built 75 partitions using PVC pipe and clear plastic.

CCC Churches

Fresno Central church has embraced the true meaning of the Great Commission. Pastor Daniel Gouevia’s preliminary reports indicate that their Adventist Community Services team of volunteers, which distributes food on Tuesday and Thursday each week, resulted in 565 people being helped during December alone. Yearly totals showed that approximately 500,000 pounds of food were supplied to almost 2,400 people. More exciting is that 112 new Bible studies resulted from GLOW tracts that were given out with the food.

Sunnyvale church has coordinated an area-wide free grocery drive-through with the Fight the Hate group. According to Pastor Sandi Colon, some of those in the Young Professionals church group adopted and helped 33 families during Christmas. The church also raised funds to help the homeless as well as to serve monthly hot meals.

Modesto Central has a new ministry that has adopted 20 migrant worker families. Pastor Benjie Maxson said they are providing clothing, school supplies, and personal hygiene and sanitary supplies— and they gave Christmas gifts to the children.

Dinuba and Reedley churches recently shared some exciting stories of praise in their newsletter— especially in their stories of decisions for baptisms and how they received significantly more in offerings than budgeted. Pastor David Pikop could probably tell you that their experience just might be related to the promise in Malachi 3:10 of seeing the heavens open with so many blessings “that there will not be room enough to receive it.”

Clovis church has a fascinating and thrilling story concerning the ministry of Frank and Connie Carpenter. Pastor David Dean interviewed them during a virtual church service in December, and they explained their many service projects—particularly one in a local trailer park. Their inspiring story of the “777 Seeds of Hope” growth group will require a full article that you certainly will not want to miss.

Until we can share more incredible stories that demonstrate how we may "abound in hope,” remember to “continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God,… giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15, NKJV).

____________________ By Deloris Trujillo

LEFT: At the Fresno Adventist Community Center, boxes are packed and ready for delivery to those in need. MIDDLE: Sabbath School for children and youth continues at the Dinuba church—but it’s outdoors now. RIGHT: Volunteers distribute boxes of food at the Reedley church.