A Church Rises from the Ashes

On May 2, Paradise church held a groundbreaking ceremony for their sanctuary, which was lost in the massive Camp Fire of 2018.

Over 150 people, including church members, the mayor, city council members, NCC administrators, and builders, gathered to hear a few words of remembrance, purpose, and inspiration.

Maureen Wisener, communication chair, remarked, “We are thrilled that we have commenced construction. The members of this church have waited a long time for this moment—waiting patiently and turning the focus from themselves to meeting the needs of our community.”

Steve Hamilton, head pastor, stated, “Losing the church brought a clarity to our lives—that it was not about a building but about people. Its loss accelerated the gospel in our lives.”

Joelle Chinnock, director of disaster recovery, concluded, “We are so delighted that this project is finally underway. It will be a great resource for connecting with our community and sharing the love of Jesus for generations to come.”

By Ken Miller

Breaking Bread at Breakfast

Oakland’s Market Street church recently added a delectable incentive to its list of communityrelevant ministries: breakfast.

Following the “Each One, Reach One” mission statement, they began distributing flyers and word-of- mouth invitations throughout their neighborhood for a complimentary breakfast every first Sabbath of the month.

Stephanie Jolliff, ministry leader, stated, “Through canvassing the neighborhood and passing out invitations for this outreach and our church services, our members get a chance to actively engage people and share the Word and bounty of God.”

The first Sabbath of May was a trial run with a small turnout, but the breakfast staff got good practice on all the work involved. Jolliff concluded, “Our efforts were not in vain as one breakfaster came to Sabbath School and stayed for church! We have high hopes for this ministry and the spirit of service by everybody involved.”

By Ken Miller

Escondido Church Hosts Easter for the Community

On Easter Sabbath, the Escondido church hosted an event dedicated to connecting with their community. Planning for this event began in November of 2022. Pastor Laffit Cortes, who started as lead pastor just a month prior, said the committee leaders expressed their sincere desire for the church to continue effectively investing in the local community. Escondido church previously hosted block parties on their campus, so Cortes felt that developing a similar event but hosting it in a public space would increase the number of people with access to it. "We could bring church to the community," said Cortes. And so, planning for the Easter celebration began.

The planning team began by securing a location. They contacted City Hall to inquire about Grape Day Park. This park was ideal as it is in the city's center and across from a children's museum. Initially, the City Council declined the request, but with the help of Deputy Mayor Joe Garcia, a fellow local Adventist pastor, the team was eventually able to secure the location. Along with choosing an easily accessible site, the team wanted to offer food to everyone who attended the event. They were able to utilize contacts from their previous block parties and provide a food and ice cream truck. They also offered exciting activities such as face painting, inflatables, balloon animals, and games for the attendees.

Perhaps the most impactful part of the day came from the intentional spiritual aspects of the event. The children's director and team organized children's programs. They wrote and performed a skit, and a special message was curated for the attendees.

In total, there were 600 meals served. "Some of the people that ate likely didn't have anything else to eat that day," said Cortes. The team collected 40 Bible study interests, and some youth attendees exchanged contacts. During subsequent weeks, different visitors to Escondido church expressed that the event led them to know about the church. "That was the purpose," said Cortes. "The community doesn't know us, and we intend to change that." He aims to do this every Easter and Christmas to foster trust and a consistent connection with the community.

By Ezrica Bennett

My job is to hook kids on music so they don’t lose that vital part of the human soul that is fed when they make music together,” said Michael Spencer, vice principal and performing arts teacher at Escondido Adventist Academy. Spencer brought students to all four of the music festivals sponsored by the Southeastern California Conference (SECC) Office of Education in February and March: choir, band, intermediate handbells, and advanced handbells.

“These events were designed specifically with junior high students in mind,” explained Datha Tickner, SECC education superintendent. Around 450 students from 13 schools attended the annual festivals. Each daylong intensive ends with a performance. Students work on the music ahead of time, but the festival is where the magic happens.

Most pre-college bands are instrumentally incomplete,” Spencer said. “At a festival, you get to hear all the pieces and parts come together. We bring out the best in each other.”

Clinicians spend the day working with ensembles, offering tips and strengthening technique before directing the final performance. Students present a variety of music—everything from scripture songs to civil rights anthems, from film pieces to original compositions, and more.

“I’m really glad I attended,” commented Liana Leukert of Loma Linda Academy. “It gave me a chance to do what music does best: connect with people, express my creativity and talent, and show God’s love.”

Spencer added that keeping kids engaged in music supports the church’s future.

“The purpose of music in church has always been to strengthen the faithful,” he said. “Music gives us hope, and that’s why we come to church on Sabbath morning.”

Tickner agreed, saying often she leaves a church service moved more by the music than the spoken word.

“Music is powerful,” she concluded. “Music feeds your soul and being part of it is an emotional, spiritual experience. Ensembles build confidence and motivates them to be part of praise bands, play instruments with the hymns, lead the singing, or present special music. Music is a unique ministry, and it is vital that we continue to provide that for our schools, our churches, and our communities.”

By Becky St. Clair