5 minute read
Southern California Conference
On June 30, 2022, Harold A. Crook, Ed.D., will retire after 45 years of service in Christian education. “My emphasis in my career has been promoting Jesus to my students and hopefully creating a spiritual environment where Jesus was mentored to the students,”
Crook shared, “making them feel loved and accepted, even in times where maybe that was difficult.” Crook began his career in
Christian education in 1977 at
Lodi Academy in the Northern
California Conference, spending seven years there teaching Bible and PE as well as being the chaplain. From there, he moved on to
Newbury Park Adventist Academy, where he served as chairman of the religion department and Bible teacher. One year later, he became the vice principal, before eventually becoming the principal. In 2011, he came to the Southern California Conference office as the Superintendent for Education, a title that later changed to Vice President for Education. “As a conference superintendent, I felt my major role was supporting principals so they could be the CEOs of their schools and effectively and spiritually develop an environment where Jesus could be mentored to their students,” he noted. Crook’s time in education was marked with passion for his work. “My philosophy was—and is—no student has ever been denied a Christian education because of finances,” he shared. “I have never in 45 years turned a student away because of finances.” Crook pioneered multiple programs during his time as superintendent. “I’m excited that I was able to develop a principal retention program,” he said, “which essentially rewards principals for continuing to work in the SCC as leaders at their schools and continuing to improve as leaders in their schools.” “I felt it a privilege to work under a president who was so dedicated and supportive of Adventist education
SCC Office of Education holiday photo 2019 and the department of education,” Crook expressed, “and I will always be thankful that I was able to work with leaders like Elder Velino Salazar and Elder Larry Caviness, who both made Adventist education a top priority.” A major takeaway of Crook’s career will be relationships. “The most difficult part for me as I’m leaving the superintendent position is leaving an amazing team of leaders and teachers in SCC that I’ve had the honor to be a part of,” he noted. When asked about his greatest joy in this position, Crook didn’t hesitate: “The lifelong relationships that have been built by those that I’ve had the privilege of having as either students, teachers, or associates,” he shared. “I have found it a privilege to work with my superintendents. All of them have been focused, well trained, and committed to Christian education.” In retirement, Crook looks forward to spending quality time with his family, including his two grandchildren, “and reconnecting and having the time to enjoy all of the relationships that were cultivated as a result of working in Christian education for the last 45 years.” ___________________ By Lauren Lacson
PHOTO: ARAYA MOSS PHOTO: YARA ENAMORADO PHOTO: YARA ENAMORADO DIGITAL ARCHIVES
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: The anniversary celebration welcomed many former members and pastors who share history with the church. Attendees are pictured examining photos highlighting the church’s history. The anniversary included many special music performances by a children’s group, a youth praise team, soloists, and more. Garcia’s daughters, Emily and Cecia, are pictured singing during the divine service. During the divine service, Trujillo shares a message on righteousness by faith. Photo of Paulson Hall at 1825 Michigan Avenue, Los Angeles, taken in the 1940s. The Spanish-American church today.
The Miracle Church: Spanish-American Church Celebrates 40th Anniversary
On April 9, Spanish-American church celebrated 40 years since the Paulson Hall building was amazingly relocated from 1825 Michigan Avenue in Los Angeles to 1815 Bridge Street a few blocks away, the current location for Spanish-
American church. “To speak of the Spanish-American church is to remember the work of Hispanic evangelism in Southern
California and specifically in the city of Los Angeles,” said Jose M. Gonzales, head deacon, who put together a comprehensive booklet of the church’s history for the occasion. “East Los Angeles is where Hispanic evangelism first took place. A church emerged in the 1900s, Hispanic company, which would later be named
Spanish-American church.” The Paulson Hall building, named after David
Paulson, a prominent Adventist surgeon and a respected pastor and philanthropist, was owned by
White Memorial Hospital, now Adventist Health White
Memorial. In 1978, Arnold Trujillo joined Spanish-
American church as its pastor. Around that time, White
Memorial planned to demolish the building to make space for a parking structure. Trujillo had the idea to relocate the building, which was in good condition. He approached hospital administration with a request to donate the building and the money it would have cost to demolish the structure to offset the moving cost, and they agreed. The hospital also donated an apartment complex that was moved with Paulson Hall. Engineers at the time were uncertain that this relocation could happen due to the building’s size, claiming it would take a miracle. The 200-ton building was divided into three sections, each transported separately on 18-wheeler trucks that took up the entire street, in May and June 1981. The anniversary commemorated this miraculous relocation project that gave the church its nickname: the miracle church. “The greatest miracle of ‘the miracle church’ will be to see all the redeemed souls that by God´s grace will be in His kingdom as a result of the faithful testimony of this vibrant church,” said Jaime Heras, Southern California Conference Hispanic region director. Special invited guests were pastors Trujillo and Raul Ernesto Castillo, who both were instrumental in the completion of the building project. The church was in full attendance with current and former members for a day filled with joyous music, storytelling, reunion, and reflection of the century-old history. "I’m glad I was young when this happened, because who in his right mind would embark in a project like this,” shared Trujillo. “Yet God was with us, and to His honor and glory we are here." “This celebration is important to remember how the Lord has been faithful to His people in the SpanishAmerican church,” added Guillermo Garcia, senior pastor. “That day was also an opportunity to connect the old generation with the new generation.”
___________________ By Araya Moss
