Scan QR Code Arise & Go Digital Academy: Training seminars for church officers such as deacons/deaconesses, elders, and more are also available.
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Growing God’s Kingdom Through His People
he Arise & Go training seminars have taken the next step in focusing the Central California Conference churches on the mission of growing God’s kingdom. Each area of the conference was being visited by leaders, and the churches were brought together for a training seminar. This year, the emphasis is on creating new small groups. Eight to ten seminars were provided each Sabbath, with an emphasis on transforming adult Sabbath Schools, creating digital evangelists in the territory, starting Pathfinder clubs, and more. Seminars in Spanish were provided as well, emphasizing evangelism and outreach.
26 Pacific Union Recorder
Central California Conference
The goal was to train, equip, and mobilize the people of each community. Training has been provided, but mobilization has been more difficult in the past. “Our new conference president is very focused,” said Antonio Huerta, vice president of ministries. “My job is to execute the vision our conference president has provided to us. And by the grace of God, it’s working very well.” Baptisms more than doubled in the last two years. In 2021, the baptism number was about 200. In 2022, it increased to about 500. And Huerta said the goal for 2023 is 1,000 baptisms. “I believe we’re going to reach that goal,” he added. Six new church groups were planted in 2022, and the goal for 2023 is to plant 10 to 15 more. Huerta said this has already started happening. Some church groups have been planted, and more are in the process. Huerta added that this is all about the vision. When the vision is clear, people are more willing to embrace it and help make it happen. “So many things can distract us from the real mission,” he said. “We exist to grow God’s kingdom, to expand, to make disciples, to win souls— that’s why we exist. God is good, and we’re excited about what’s happening in our conference.” ____________________ By Brennan Hallock