Pacific Union Recorder—June 2020

PA C I F I C U N IO N

JUNE 2020

New Every Morning

Leadership in the Time of Crisis PAGE 4

By Ricardo Graham

Simple Gifts

PAGE 12

By William G. Johnsson J U N E 2020

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The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness.

LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23, ESV

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Recorder What’s inside PACIFIC UNION

Publisher Ray Tetz Editor Alberto Valenzuela Assistant Editor Faith Hoyt Assistant Editor Connie Jeffery Design/Layout Stephanie Leal • Alberto Valenzuela Printing Pacific Press Publishing Association www.pacificpress.com

4 Leadership in the Time of Crisis 8 Passion Redirected 12 On the Beach 16 “He Who Endures…” Virtual Convocation 17 La Sierra University 18 Arizona Conference 20 Central California Conference 22 Hawaii Conference 24 Holbrook Indian School 26 Loma Linda University Health

The Recorder is a monthly publication reaching approximately 76,000 Seventh-day Adventist homes in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.

28 Nevada-Utah Conference

Our mission is to inform, educate, and inspire our readers to action in all areas of ministry.

32 Pacific Union College

30 Northern California Conference

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENTS

33 Adventist Health

Adventist Health 916-406-0784 Japhet De Oliveira • Deolivj@Ah.org

34 Southeastern California Conference

Arizona 480-991-6777 Phil Draper • phildraper@azconference.org Central California 559-347-3000 Cindy Chamberlin • cchamberlin@cccsda.org

36 Southern California Conference

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38 Community & Marketplace 40 Sunset Calendar

Hawaii 808-595-7591 Miki Akeo-Nelson • mnelson@hawaiisda.com La Sierra University 951-785-2000 Darla Tucker • dmartint@lasierra.edu Loma Linda 909-651-5925 Ansel Oliver • anoliver@llu.edu Nevada-Utah 775-322-6929 Michelle Ward • mward@nevadautah.org Northern California 916-886-5600 Laurie Trujillo • Laurie.Trujillo@nccsda.com Pacific Union College 707-965-7100 Ashley Eisele • aeisele@puc.edu Southeastern California 951-509-2200 Enno Müller • communications@seccsda.org Southern California 818-546-8400 Lauren Lacson • Llacson@sccsda.org Postal Regs: The Pacific Union Recorder (ISSN 07446381), Volume 120, Number 6, is the official journal of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and is published monthly. Editorial office is at 2686 Townsgate Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91361: 805-497-9457. Periodical postage paid at Thousand Oaks, CA, and additional mailing offices.

Subscription rate: No charge to Pacific Union Adventist church members; $16 per year in U.S.; $20 foreign (U.S. funds); single copy, $2. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Circulation Department, Pacific Union Recorder, Box 5005, Westlake Village, CA 91359. Info@adventistfaith.com.

Even as circumstances have forced us to develop new ways of connecting and communicating, each month it is our great privilege at the Pacific Union Recorder to bring the inspiring news of God’s care and blessing to the little flock of Seventh-day Adventist believers in the Pacific Southwest.

The churches, schools, and ministries that serve our region continue to function and fulfill their New Every vital role for worship, learning, Morning fellowship, and witness. We share the stories of God’s providence through the Recorder and other media.

This month we are pleased to begin the serialization of William G. Leadership in the Time of Crisis Johnsson’s new book, Simple Gifts. Read chapter one on page 12.

Simple Gifts PA C I F I C U N IO N

JUNE 2020

PAGE 4

By Ricardo Graham

PAGE 12

By William G. Johnsson

J U N E 2020

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LEADERSHIP IN THE TIME OF

CRISIS

BY RICARDO GRAHAM

W

hen Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin discussed her book Leadership: In Turbulent Times on a series of broadcasts on PBS, she said, “Leadership is the ability to mobilize and inspire people to a common cause for the greater good of the people.”

For the Christian, the common cause is the cause of Jesus, and leadership is always Christ-centered and people-focused. Without godly leadership, the church is bound to wither and lose its ability to be light and salt to the world.

Leadership in the church is always an essential, but it becomes absolutely indispensable in a time of crisis such as now, when COVID-19 is indiscriminately killing people daily.

In order to preserve life and stop the communal spread of the virus, many municipalities have ordered that there is to be no assembling of 4

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people beyond 10 persons. This has temporarily halted activity in most church buildings, including Seventh-day Adventist churches.

However, we must note that the church building is not the church itself. The church is the community of believers called to God and committed to living out, corporately and individually, His principles.

The temporary closing of our worship buildings does not close the church, the Body of Christ.

Remember what Jesus said: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18, NKJV). We may be at the gates, but hell will not prevail against the church. Just remember how the book of Revelation ends: Jesus wins!

God has a plan for His church. To that end, visioning—receiving God’s vision and articulating

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it to others—is significant, especially when the pressures of survival tend to dominate our thinking.

Visioning is a continual process that • discovers where God is moving and joins Him there, • determines what needs to be done to get there, • deputizes disciples and mobilizes them into action, • holds the disciples accountable for their individual role in the process.

Vision is the ability to see imaginatively the preferred future of the institution, the church. This is presented repeatedly in the Bible—most clearly in the story of Jesus.

We remember that John, imprisoned on Patmos Island, was shown the future. He saw a view of the Christian Church throughout history, in good times and bad.

We Adventists often see the book of Revelation as a means of communicating the history and future of the church, focusing on the symbolic representations of nations or entities as beasts— and that is there. However, we sometimes are less specific in presenting Jesus in the leading role. He is the “star” of Revelation and the key to understanding leadership in all of its dimensions.

A spiritual leader must receive from God a vision for the future of his or her leadership. I believe this is done in the very private atmosphere of prayer and meditation.

Prayer is the first and constant essential for church leadership, in and out of crisis. No one demonstrated that better than Jesus, who sometimes spent entire nights in prayer or rose long hours before dawn to pray. He was praying until the Roman soldiers, led by the traitorous Judas Iscariot, accosted him in the Garden of Geth-

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semane. He prayed on the cross, crying to His father. He prayed for His executioners while He was dying. He prayed for the repentant thief on the cross beside Him. He prayed for His mother as He gave watch care over her to His disciple, and He prayed for the disciple to whom He gave responsibility of His mother’s care. If I haven’t said it clearly, Jesus’ life and ministry was bathed in continuous prayer.

And Jesus used Scripture to define, defend, and shape His ministry. He knew the Scriptures thoroughly and consistently quoted from what we call the Old Testament as He fulfilled His specialized ministry as the Lamb of God.

TRUE LEADERS ARE ABLE TO SHINE OUT IN AN EMERGENCY, HAVING BEEN DEVELOPED LONG BEFORE THE CRISIS HITS. Sacred and secular history is replete with stories of leaders whose abilities were demonstrated under the glaring spotlight of adversity or the challenges of a crisis.

In the Bible we find notable examples of men and women who stepped up their leadership game during desperate times for the world and their people. One can turn to almost any portion of the Bible and find narratives of leadership in crisis.

Moses is an example of such a leader. He was chosen by God to serve as the human leader of the Children of Israel, and he relied on his personal connection with God through a great many crises.

Of the several desperate situations Moses

encountered, perhaps one of the most intense occurred while he was on Mount Sinai with God for 40 days. God first spoke the Ten Commandments and then wrote them Himself on the two stone tablets, giving them to His chosen leader, Moses.

Returning to the encampment of nearly 2 million people, Moses found them worshiping a golden calf. A crisis of leadership had ensued due to Aaron’s inability to stand firm for God when the throng demanded an idol to represent God. This crisis was real. Aaron lost his vision, forgetting that everything he did affected the mission fulfillment that God had assigned to Moses and, as Moses’ “vice president,” to Aaron.

Moses demonstrated his godly influential leadership by immediately addressing the issue of the idolatry. He took bold and decisive action to lead the people away from their sin.

How did Moses become this bold person when the Bible calls him the meekest man on the face of the earth? Meekness is not weakness. It is the ability to be humble enough to be led. Moses spent 40 years learning humility while tending sheep in Midian, and his calling came directly from God in the burning bush.

True leaders are able to shine out in an emergency, having been developed long before the crisis hits. It is in the private times with God that a godly leader is prepared to stand for God and move the vision to mission deployment and beyond.

Moses used his leadership to bring the people back into a corporate alignment with God, from which they could choose a personal relationship.

In a crisis, leaders must be able to assess the danger to those whom they lead, access their knowledge of God, and act. They must surrender to God, seek guidance through prayer and Bible

study, articulate the mission, and marshal others to move the mission forward.

Leaders can be effective, even in a time of crisis—understanding the challenges of the moment, being inspired by God through prayerful visioning, moving people forward to its completion, being boldly inclusive and transparent, and gaining courage from God to resist the intimidation of Satan or his human co-conspirators, who are always present.

Ellen White writes, “The church is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God’s plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to ‘the principalities and powers in heavenly places,’ the final and full display of the love of God” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 9).

This terrible long night of suffering will pass. As the Bible assures us: “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5, NKJV).

Hold on. The morning is coming.

Ricardo Graham is president of the Pacific Union Conference.

RICARD O GRAHAM

J U N E 2020

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Passion Redirected

By Connie Vandeman Jeffery

H

e was the perfect man for the job, except for all the times when he wasn’t.

Leadership requires a steady hand, a reasoned approach, and a great deal of tolerance.

He tended to be flighty and impulsive, and he didn’t suffer fools gladly. Yet, when the fledgling Christian church in Jerusalem needed a leader, it was to him they turned.

How does one move from being an emotional tinderbox to the confident leader of an international movement commissioned with taking God’s love to the world?

Simon Peter was used to being in command—of fish. He usually knew where and when to find them.

The Sea of Galilee was vast and deep; however, if you knew where to lower your net, you could usually earn a halfway decent living for yourself and your family. A fish’s number one aim in life is to not get caught. It was a constant battle between those in the boat and those under the boat. Time of day or night, the temperature of the air, and the amount of cloud cover all played a vital role in determining when and where fish schooled.

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Peter knew this and had learned how to use

temper. However, it was that same attribute that

the elements and the position of the sun and

Jesus regarded as a plus—a beneficial trait that

stars to decide the right place and the right time

would be of great value to the mission of the early

to cast his nets. His reward was the heavy tug as

church. It just couldn’t remain in its present form.

he and his partners attempted to pull their catch

It would have to be completely redirected, adjust-

on board. That tug meant that he’d been success-

ed, and fine-tuned.

ful, and he, his family, and his community could eat and survive another day.

Then, one night, it all fell apart.

I find it telling that when Christ rebrand-

ed Peter by giving him his new name, He did so not after the fisherman had learned to live more Christ-like but while he was still fiery-tempered

Rocky road The road leading to that fateful night had

and rough-edged.

He’d just hit a high note by answering Je-

been filled with victories and defeats. It had

sus’ question, “Who do you say I am?” Peter

all begun a few years back when Peter and his

announced loudly and confidently, “You are the

brother Andrew had left their nets to follow a

Messiah, the Son of the living God,” (Matthew

transient teacher named Jesus (Matthew 4:18-20).

16:15-16, NIV).

Transient teachers were common in the land—

What came next should provide an incredible

offering a chance for men and women to become

amount of confidence to any modern-day Peters

more than what they thought they were destined

who doubt their leadership abilities due to an

to be. If you followed the right one, you could

occasional lack of control. It wasn’t that Jesus was

lift yourself out of poverty and into the more

condoning His outspoken disciple’s hot-tempered

accepted world of the learned and respected.

actions. Rather, He was highlighting the passion

Peter and Christ’s relationship had been rocky

that drove them. The same level of passion that is

from day one, filled with a few high points and

needed to accomplish great evil can also be used

many low points along the way. Peter had, at one

to accomplish great good.

time, proclaimed for all to hear that Jesus was the

With an encouraging smile, Christ told him,

Son of God (Matthew 16:16) then later denied

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was

knowing Him (Matthew 26:72). He’d been pres-

not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my

ent to witness loving miracle after loving miracle,

Father in heaven.” Then He added, “And I tell you

yet, when Christ was being arrested, he’d pulled

that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my

out his sword and impulsively cut off a man’s ear

church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome

(John 18:10) in order to save his Master. He’d

it” (Matthew 16:17-18, NIV).

heard the words spoken by Christ—words of assurance and hope—yet he abandoned Him when He needed him most.

Peter’s main barrier to leadership was his fiery 10

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By the sea Which brings us back to the shores of the Sea of Galilee a few short years later and a meeting be-

tween the recently risen Savior and the grief-strick-

gives the hot-tempered man three opportunities

en Peter. You can read it for yourself in John 21.

to reestablish their lost connection. Three times

The disciples had all seen their teacher die— from a safe distance. They’d witnessed His burial.

They’d spent a shattered weekend searching for

He asks, “Simon, do you love me?” Three times Peter responds, “Yes I do.”

“Feed my sheep. Take care of my lambs,”

reasons why. They’d heard Mary Magdalene’s

Jesus urges with each assurance of love from the

report of the empty tomb and had gazed in dis-

contrite man.

belief into its dark, deserted confines.

Christ had visited the disciples a couple of times since the resurrection, but it wasn’t the same. And neither was Peter. Since the death of his Master, his passion had been stilled. Where there’d been fire, there remained little more than a few embers. Without Jesus as a constant presence in his life, he, along with the rest of the disciples, felt adrift, useless, alone.

Finally, they’d returned to their homes, ready to resume life where they’d left it three years earlier.

That’s where we find Peter in John 21, in a boat, with his friends, returning from a night of fishing. In the early-morning fog they see someone on the shore who asks how their fishing is

Jesus ends their back and forth with a repeat of the very same invitation He’d offered years before on the shore. He simply says, “Follow me.”

Something changed forever in Peter at that moment. Not his passion. Not his great desire to act. They were the same as always. No, the change was the motivation for his passions and actions. It was no longer about himself—about acting in his own best interest. It was about the sheep he was to feed. It was about the lambs for whom he was to care. It was all about the Master he was following With his passion so redirected, he was as steady as the rock Jesus had promised he would become. He was now ready to lead. And that’s exactly what he did.

going. “Not so good,” they shout over the still

Connie Vandeman Jeffery is associate director of

waters. “Not a bite all night.”

communication and community engagement of the

“Throw your net on the other side of your

Pacific Union Conference.

boat,” comes the distant reply. They reluctantly do it, and their net becomes full and heavy.

That’s when it hits them. The voice in the fog belongs to Jesus.

There soon follows a heart-rending, private conversation between Christ and Peter. At the trial in Jerusalem, the fisherman had denied knowing Christ three times. There, by the calm sea, as daylight crept over the landscape, Jesus J U N E 2020

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ON THE BEACH

BY WILLIAM JOHNSSON

The beach stretches out, inviting, in a sweeping, endless arc. Far in the distance a headland struggles to emerge through the spray of booming surf. White birds, silver in the sun, dive, wheel, and soar.

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I

strip down to swim shorts and put t-shirt and Nikes in a cache just beyond the reach of the waves. Watch—off, tucked into one of the running shoes.

Setting out for the distant headland, I take off. A glorious day, not hot, not cold.

Blue sky shot through with fluffy clouds. Air on my face, fresh and clean.

Not a person on the beach. No one in the water. No one fishing. Just me, white sand, surf, and sky.

It is exhilarating, delicious. I jog a little, walk, splash through the clear water, dart up the sand as a larger wave builds.

On and on, breaking into snatches of song. The sky turns sullen. A shower sweeps over the beach. On my cheeks and torso the drops feel delicious. Sand, surf, and sky melt into a divine symphony and I am part of it.

Alone on the beach, but I don’t feel alone. I feel very close to the Maker of waves and sand and sky.

The rain stops, the sky clears. The headland is sharper now, but it is still far away.

Not this day; I turn back. It’s a long way back. I keep looking for my t-shirt and shoes, but they don’t appear. At last I spot them, wet and much farther along than I thought.

I don shoes and watch and walk up the sand dunes carrying my shirt, still rain soaked.

What a day! Unforgettable.

A gift, a simple gift.

A simple gift. Simply wonderful.

Of all the blessings that flow from the hands of our loving Lord, the simple gift of walking is one of the best.

English poet John Milton, famous for his epic “Paradise Lost,” also wrote a pair of matching poems that featured walking. In the first, “L’Allegro,” Milton describes the activities of a cheerful, gregarious person. When L’Allegro goes walking, it is among people and everyone sees him. The poem closes with these lines: “These delights if thou canst give, Mirth, with thee I mean to live.”

In sharp contrast, the other poem describes Il Penseroso, a quiet, thoughtful

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person. When Il Penseroso goes walking, he walks alone—alone with the sights and sounds of nature, alone with his thoughts: “I walk unseen On the dry smooth-shaven green, To behold the wandering moon, Riding near her highest noon.”

The final lines of this poem are: “These pleasures, Melancholy, give; And I with thee would choose to live.”

So which of these characters was Milton? On one hand, he was a deeply religious person whose epic and other works arose from many hours of contemplation. Il Penseroso, then, was Milton? Not so fast! Milton lived in a time of religious ferment and played an active role in helping to shape society in a Christian direction.

In these activities he was L’Allegro rather than Il Penseroso.

It seems that Milton was both characters of his matching poems. He liked solitude, was happy being alone, but he also enjoyed interacting with society. He didn’t just observe, he entered the fray.

In these two characters, L’Allegro and Il Penseroso, I see images of life in America in our times. I see myself also.

To get their exercise, some people have to find a group to join. They walk or run with several people. Perhaps they join a gym, where sweating bodies, grunts, pedaling bicycles, and clanking weights rule the air.

Others, however, prefer to work out alone. They get up early and head for the track or the gym. They run long distances, see the sun come up, and go back home when other folks are waking up. They are happiest to do it all on their own.

And I? I have been walking and running for most of my long life. Although I haven’t kept a log of distances, a conservative estimate of the total would be more than 50,000 miles—more than twice around the world. And none of it has been in a group setting.

I don’t need a group to motivate me; I get myself up and go out. I enjoy getting up and going out. And I don’t like a group or anyone pushing me along at their pace: I much prefer to go through life at my pace. I do it my way.

On my own, I can burst into snatches of a song because the endorphins are

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pumping and I feel elated. On my own, I can lift my heart to the good Lord who gives me the freshness of the morning. On my own, all sorts of ideas come from somewhere in my head. Like the idea for this book—it “arrived” during a walk.

Yes, I must be Il Penseroso.

Not quite! For many years and nowadays always, I have someone with me: Noelene. She and I walk together. Most mornings you’ll find us on our well-trod loop in the quiet stretch of Loma Linda, in Southern California.

Year round we walk: bundled up on frosty January mornings when the mountains wear a new white scarf; in shorts and light shirt when rain turns the world green; early on July mornings before the sun’s rays burn holes in our backs; on and into fall’s season of mellow fruitfulness.

Sometimes we talk, often we stay silent, but always we are in the communion of lifelong lovers.

Years ago, when we both carried heavy responsibilities, evening worked best for our walk together. For some time, my enjoyment was muted by Noelene’s recounting of the cares and problems of her day. I felt annoyed: I dealt with plenty of issues myself and needed a break from problem-solving.

Crazy man—so slow to get it. Noelene didn’t expect me to solve her problems; she just wanted me to listen. And I learned to listen, to just enjoy being with her as she processed her day with me, a silent listener. Walking together—praise God for this simple gift of grace!

Now, a question for you, my friend: Who is the greatest walker of all time? I’ll tell you who gets my vote. Not someone who won an Olympic gold. Not someone who walked across continents. Someone who walked off the map, who walked off the world.

We read about this person in the Bible: “Enoch walked steadily with God. And then one day he was simply gone: God took him” (Genesis 5:24, MSG).

Walking, walking with God. Walking until at last Enoch was closer to God’s house than to his own. Walking until heaven came down and merged with earth, and time became eternity.

From the book Simple Gifts, soon to be released

by Oak & Acorn. The book will be serialized during the following months. See page 41 for information about how to get a pdf copy of the entire book.

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JUNE 26 & 27, 2020

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7:00 pm YOUTH PROGRAM

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ADULT PROGRAM HEALTH

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Sabbath June 27, 2020 DOGGETTE

THE MITCHELS

10:00 am CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

Jeremiah Green, Director, Mt. Rubidoux Children’s Ministry

11:15 am PROPHECY

Dr. James R. Doggette, Sr.

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Adult Praise Teams & Special Music Damian Chandler, Coordinator Adult Presentations Hosts Don McPhaull & Carmela Monk-Crawford

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3:00 pm YOUNG ADULT PROGRAM

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4:00 pm SOCIAL JUSTICE

Edward Woods III

Minister/Director Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Lake Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

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La Sierra University

Zapara School of Business

Achieves Key Milestone Toward International Accreditation

By Darla Martin Tucker

L

a Sierra University’s Tom and Vi Zapara School of Business is celebrating a significant milestone in its journey toward achieving accreditation by one of the world’s premier business accreditation organizations. business accreditation body matters to employers and will be of significant benefit in multiple ways to our graduates,” said Thomas.

La Sierra University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Its H.M.S. Richards Divinity School received accreditation from The Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada in 2013, and its School of Education holds various accreditations for teacher education, school psychology, school counseling, applied behavior analysis, Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling, and Marriage and Family Therapy programs. The university’s music department is accredited through the National Association of Schools of Music.

Benefits of accreditation for the Zapara School of Business will include evidence to potential students that the program they’re enrolling in is of globally recognized quality.

It will also provide gold-standardlevel guidance for the school itself regarding curriculum content, staffing, and professional performance. For employers, accreditation represents a clear signal of international-level quality when looking for graduates to hire.

The self-evaluation process,

which resulted in a 100-page report, produced an impactful additional benefit for the business school.

“Members of the faculty and staff have become much more involved in and aware of the process of improving our operations,” said Chartier. “We’re very grateful to the colleagues who worked diligently to ensure the success of our self-evaluation process. This was a stimulating team effort, and it built greater understanding and a new level of commitment and teamspiritedness.”

PHOTO: NATAN VIGNA

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) is a global nonprofit association that provides quality assurance, business education, and learning and development services to over 1,700 member organizations. More than 870 business institutions in 56 countries and territories have earned AACSB accreditation.

“In March, the AACSB Initial Accreditation Committee reviewed and accepted the Initial SelfEvaluation Report of the Zapara School of Business, and we continue working closely with our AACSB mentor to progress toward alignment with the required AACSB Standards,” said Zapara Associate Dean Gary Chartier.

“AACSB accreditation is the global gold standard in business school accreditation,” observed Zapara Dean John Thomas. The Zapara school is currently the only Seventh-day Adventist business program anywhere in the world to reach the selfevaluation stage of the accreditation process, he noted.

“Our business school is continually aiming toward higher objectives and striving to push our boundaries for the betterment of our students’ education and their employment opportunities.

Accreditation by this outstanding

Zapara School of Business Dean John Thomas.

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Arizona Conference

Sowing Seeds

During a Global Pandemic

By Phil Draper

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has caused many obstacles, frustrations, and challenges. But where there’s a will there’s a way, and all things truly work together for good for those who love God. Convinced that this pandemic is a sign from (Left) Pastor Ed Anderson shares Jesus via the internet with men and women God as found in Matthew worldwide who are searching for hope for the future during the COVID-19 24, Chandler, Arizona’s pandemic. (Right) Ed Anderson’s partner in ministry is his wife Angela, a Pastor Ed Anderson put professional vocalist who contributes beautiful music to the program. out his “Gideon’s fleece” to see what he and his wife, Angela, as United States (in all time zones), Saturdays 11:00 a.m. – Divine could do to promote the gospel in Egypt, Bangladesh, Turkey, India, the Worship Service these end times.

Philippines, Israel, and India.

Saturdays 3:00 p.m. – Revelation Anderson put together a plan All broadcasts are done live on Prophecy Seminar to reach out to church members, The Sunday programs are intended Anderson’s Facebook page. “Zips & friends, family, and multiple Nuggets” has a page reach of over to reach people who are accustomed communities. Through the use of 104,500, with a daily average active to worshiping on Sunday but cannot music and the gospel, immersed page view of 2,362. Anderson has because of COVID-19. Many have in much prayer, he launched an been mailing follow-up Bible studies to chosen to listen to Anderson’s aggressive evangelistic series— Sunday keepers and is daily praying for evangelistic and study broadcasts. online. people in crisis as part of his outreach.

The Wednesday studies have Since the pandemic and the The online effort is not the same touched many Jewish believers not implementation of social distancing realizing their Hebrew alphabets point as being in person, but Anderson has orders, Anderson has launched the been able to follow up via personal to Jesus as the Messiah. following evangelistic, Bible study, phone contact, resulting in five The Friday and Saturday Prophecy and worship broadcasts: planned baptisms as soon as it is safe Seminars are up-to-date prophecy Sundays 9:30 a.m. – Messages to do so. studies from the books of Daniel and from Jesus Regarding Health Anderson said, “In the little time Revelation, explaining the current Sundays 11:00 a.m. – A New Day is I find to rest, I remain frustrated and pandemic and world events.

Dawning Evangelistic Series unsuccessful in growing my tomatoes When Anderson first started, only Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. – Ancient 73 from the Chandler church watched and garden plants. Clearly sowing Truths for Modern Times—Study of plant seeds is not one of my spiritual the live broadcasts. By May, just the Hebrew Language gifts, so I am sticking to sowing seeds eight weeks later, over 19,500 were Fridays 7:30 p.m. – Daniel actively following, sharing, and joining of good news found only in the gospel Prophecy Seminar of Jesus Christ!” the programs from countries such

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Arizona Conference

Before setting out on Sunday morning, May 17, the Prayer Biker ministry participants and church members gathered in the Clearview church parking lot for prayers, led by Senior Pastor Dennis Smith and Conference President Ed Keyes.

Following prayer and a devotional thought, the group departed to go pray for and with first responders at fire departments, police stations, and medical centers.

Prayer Biker Ministry in Surprise, Ariz., Uplifts First Responders

By E. Lonnie Melashenko, with Faith Hoyt and Connie Vandeman Jeffery

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ounties around Phoenix, Ariz., became “ground zero” for the state when the initial cases of COVID-19 were reported. As the number of cases continues to grow, first responders bravely provide emergency fire, police, and medical protection—but they themselves are not immune.

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In an effort to support and encourage these frontline workers, retired Arizona Conference Education Superintendent Ivan Weiss, together with pastor Lonnie Melashenko and over a dozen Clearview church

cyclists, decided to storm the gates of heaven on their behalf. The group donned masks and cycled to fire, police, and hospital locations to pray for the frontline workers.

On Sunday, May 17, a dozen “Prayer Bikers” visited the local fire department and Banner Hospital to pray with first responders from a safe distance—and say, “Thank you.” Before setting out that Sunday morning, the Prayer Biker ministry participants and church members gathered in the Clearview church parking lot for prayers, led by Senior Pastor Dennis Smith and Conference President Ed Keyes.

When the cyclists

visited Banner Hospital, a nurse and a physician stopped by the group while they stood by the main entrance sign. They enthusiastically posed for a photo after local head elder Ikey Ogden prayed for the doctors and health professionals who are risking their lives for Phoenix’s citizens.

At the fire department, the chief told Melashenko and Weiss, “I’m a believer! And my! This is so unique and thrilling. The firemen are still asleep, but I will be sure to tell them you’re praying for us. Thanks so much.”

Not only did the group of Prayer Bikers get wonderful exercise, they had the opportunity to pray with many first responders and fellowship with each other on a glorious sunny day in beautiful Arizona.

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Central California Conference

Onward…Forward… Always Upward!

CCC Evangelism never stops!

By Deloris Trujillo

Now is the time when the loyal and true are to arise and shine; for the glory of Lord is risen upon them. It is no time now to hide our colors....Watchmen on the walls of Zion must be wide awake” (Ellen G. White, Selected Messages Book 2, p. 373).

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any evangelistic projects were presented at Soquel Camp Meeting last summer. Giving from their hearts, attendees contributed a little over $655,000 in offerings and pledges. But what has happened to these plans during this pandemic? This small glimpse of some current evangelistic and community service projects is a testimony of the faithfulness of God’s people.

Bay Area and along the coast San Francisco Central church.

When the coronavirus hit, Pastors Mark Ferrell and Roldan Abello quickly adapted schedules and plans to virtual meetings and Bible studies. With some amazing testimonies, there will be a baptism in the future.

San Francisco Latin American church. Pastor Pablo Maldonado found his ministry expanded. Ten or

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more new believers will be baptized as soon as restrictions are lifted, and new potential contacts are now studying the Bible.

Milpitas, Wellspring, Sunnyvale, Mountain View Central, Campbell churches. 1,000 community families received free groceries on April 30.

At an earlier event, a councilmember from the city of Milpitas came to thank Orson Chung, the head elder of Milpitas church, for the food giveaway.

Arroyo Grande church. Feeling compelled to minister to her community, 12-year-old Charlotte Oh used her free time to sew masks for those in need. She included a hope-filled GLOW tract with her gift.

View this story in the May 1 All God’s People, the Pacific Union weekly video series.

Mountain View Japanese and San Francisco Japanese churches.

Initiating Operation Sozo, “wellness callers” contact members weekly to

(Above left) Volunteers get bags ready for a food giveaway at Milpitas/Sunnyvale churches. (Above right) 12-year-old Charlotte Oh sewed facemasks and put in a hopefilled GLOW tract with her gift. check on physical, social, and spiritual needs. Pastor Filipe Ferreira said the churches, along with Fight the Hate young adult ministries and non-profits such as Hope’s Corner, addressed community needs. “While we provided food, it was as if we were the ones receiving the blessing,” explained volunteer Sonomi Rhder. “I felt God’s presence.”

San Jose Vietnamese church.

Making masks and sending them to local hospitals and even to New York became one of their ministries.

Pastor Toan Quach also stated they have a food pantry five days a week in partnership with a non-profit organization in Santa Clara County.

Central California Conference churches helped almost 60 people on March 25 with a wide range of items.

Pastor Francisco Yepez reported, “One lady was so grateful to finally find baby formula!”

The Valley

Good food brings happiness for a child at Living Waters church.

Bakersfield area Bakersfield/Lamont/Oildale churches. Pastor Ricardo Wainz made some sudden changes in planned evangelistic meetings, but nothing slowed down when transitioning to media platforms. Additionally, church members daily unite on digital “Flight 7-1-7.” They sing, pray, and study together at “7 a.m., 1 p.m., 7 p.m.” because they are “7(th)-day Adventists, 1 church, 7 days a week.”

Bakersfield Hillcrest church.

Pastor Timothy Baze reported that members sew facemasks for essential employees. (See the video at https:// bit.ly/3ctck5S.) Asian American and Living Waters Oildale churches. “The pandemic changed how we do ministry,” Pastor Joshua Mura explained. “Our church members help with food and necessary supplies. The community service garnered greater interest, and Bible studies have increased using digital platforms. It is gratifying when prayer and support service can comfort hurting people.”

Bakersfield Hispanic and Arvin Bilingual churches. In partnership with CityServe, which distributes returned items from retail stores, the

Modesto Parkwood church. Plans had to change for the April followup series to the January Voice of Prophecy evangelistic series entitled “Final Empire.” Instead, “God provided the virtual prophecy seminar by It Is Written entitled ‘Hope Awakens’ that started on the very same day our original meetings were to begin!” exclaimed Pastor Jon Tillay. “Now trained, seven church members are virtual Bible workers. We pray that God will do great things through this unique outreach opportunity.”

Ceres church. Pastor Ted Baze reported that over 1,000 facemasks were donated through a ministry started by one of the church members.

Visalia church. Using their YouTube channel, “Visalia Adventist,” Pastor Stephanie Elick posts sermons, updates, and prerecorded Family Bible School classes. Future plans include a July Vacation Bible School, either live at the church or through recorded interaction.

Central Valley church in Fresno.

Buddyboy Endok Ignacio and his wife, Dalia, decided to deliver some home cooking with the help of Joe Esposo to some of their

older members. “The look on their faces was just priceless,” commented Ignacio. The “meals on wheels” now continues twice a week with the help of donations.

Fresno Sunnyside church started a community service project that now involves six other area churches.

Also sponsored by Clawson Honda, the “U Matter to God, Grocery DriveThru Giveaway” began with an event on April 22 that served 128 families in 90 minutes. Another one held on April 25 resulted in 1,000 families receiving free food. Ninety volunteers participated, with 500 cars served in the first hour. “Some of the volunteers had their mission trip canceled,” Pastor Nicholas Lozito noted, “but they are now serving as missionaries at home instead!”

There is much more. Not only do these stories have more to tell, there are many others that reveal how God has blessed. Your support of evangelistic projects may mean that someone will come up to you in heaven to say, “Thank you for your faithfulness. I am here because of you.”

As President Ramiro Cano pointed out in a recent message, “God will see us through. Let’s plan, study, and devise new methods so that the anointing power of the Holy Spirit can touch every soul in our communities with the salvific message for this time.”

(Left) Who wouldn’t want to receive a delicious home-cooked meal! (Above) Encouraging people to come to the food giveaway at the Fresno Sunnyside church.

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Z Hawaii Conference

Jaycee Yoo (Grade 2) with mom and preschool siblings Zachariah and Essie receive school work and garden produce from Keith Hatcher.

Distance Learning at Kahili Adventist School

By Debbie Nakamura

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pushed open the door of my 5th grader’s bedroom to see him sitting in front of his laptop, headphones on and still in his pajamas. It was Spirit Week at Kahili Adventist School and this was Pajama Day, something the students look forward to each year. I am amazed at how easily he adapted to this new way of doing school. As a parent, I want to make sure that the need for social distancing doesn’t have a negative impact on my son. And as a school board member, I want to be confident that there won’t be lapses in the educational process and that our staff and families are not overwhelmed.

As I entered the school office where Keith Hatcher sat at a table, intent on the activity on his laptop in front of him, I heard the excited chatter of a student telling Mr. Hatcher something about a bird, birdseed, and nuts. This was nothing like the classroom I had come to know at Kahili Adventist School. Where once there were students either at tables working or standing around in a group activity and Mr. Hatcher writing on the white board, now he sat at a table talking to his students via a Zoom classroom. While he excused himself to the students to talk with me, they took advantage of the opportunity to chat with each other.

I asked Keith how distance learning had affected Kahili and how the students had adapted to the new normal. He responded first of all with

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what I would expect from a teacher, indicating that the classroom was lonely now. This was not the teaching experience he signed up for! But he brightened up while sharing how quickly his students in grades 2-8 had adapted to the technical world of distance learning. They had no difficulty learning to log into their Zoom classroom each morning.

They started their day with worship, just as they did in their physical classroom, and Keith noted that often several parents joined for morning worship. The class schedule followed much the same as always and, even in a Zoom classroom, students could work together in small groups.

Keith noticed that some students were taking advantage of the opportunity to complete work early and move ahead at a faster pace. None

seemed to be lagging behind. I asked where this motivation came from.

Mr. Hatcher replied, “I think it comes from their work ethic, and maybe it’s because they have been well trained to know what is expected of them.”

He added that they have parents who want education, not busy work, for their children. I think that maybe it is also because teachers like Mr. Hatcher and Auntie Vergie are incredibly good at their jobs.

Other aspects of school, beyond the academic work, were not being neglected. Time was taken during each day to do calisthenics, just as they would on the physical school campus.

The garden project was not being neglected either. Every Friday, teaching assistant Vergie Same, volunteers Paul and Sandy Rivera, or Miss Mel, the preschool teacher, took time to harvest

Hawaii Conference

(Far left) Teaching Assistant Vergie Same prepares student work packets for Kindergarten/ Grade 1.

(Left) Preschool Director/Teacher, Melba Gapuz takes advantage of a closed classroom to do spring cleaning.

produce from each student’s row in the garden and see that each family got whatever produce they would like.

Friday was also the day of the week that Mr. Hatcher said was the best, with warm fuzzies. Each Friday he delivered to the students their work sheets and supplies for the next week, along with their produce order. Even though he had to keep his distance, it was great to see the students, and, in some cases, he had more interaction with parents than before.

It seemed to be working pretty well for grades 2-8 and for students who could work independently, but there were different challenges for the kindergarten and 1st grade students.

Kim Acierto and her husband have a 4th grader and a kindergartner.

She is also a mom who works from home 30 hours a week, which meant she had to adjust her schedule to accommodate her paying job with her mom job and her teacher mom job. She told me that “having a child who can’t independently read yet means mom has to do the instruction. There are many days that we’re doing some form of work (whether it’s school or professional) from morning until evening. That can be draining.” Kim was frank about the stress that trying to fulfill all these roles had on her, yet she expressed gratitude to Mr. Hatcher

and Auntie Vergie for keeping her children on track.

Distance learning has challenged the staff, students, and parents to learn new ways to teach, learn, and communicate. They continue to look for ways to improve how school happens. Kahili has often expressed its education model as the best of homeschooling with the best of traditional school. That model is being put to the test. Technology has certainly made it possible for distance learning to happen, but human communication is crucial to make the transition smoother and adjust to each home’s specific needs.

2 Kings 4 tells the story of a woman facing a crisis and not knowing what to do. She discovered her needs were met when Elisha asked her “What do you have in your house?” All she had was a small jar of olive oil, but that was enough.

God has already provided the resources we need to overcome our current crisis. As we have followed the guidelines to shelter at home, this question, “What do you have in your house?” is more relevant than ever before. Kahili Adventist School is God’s house, and we gratefully acknowledge

that He is the Giver of all good things, the Comforter in troubled times, and the Source of our salvation, knowledge, and wisdom.

The words of Jesus to His disciples just prior to His death and resurrection are as true for us today as they were then: “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:32-33. NIV).

Kahili has been blessed in many ways. Mr. Hatcher summed up his experience, “I feel honored to work with these students.”

Principal/Head Teacher Keith Hatcher conducting Zoom classroom.

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Holbrook Indian School Kallie (red shirt) and Katelyn (standing) enjoy a field trip with their friends.

A Seventh-day Adventist Boarding Academy Serving Native American Youth Since 1946

Blessings In Chinle

By Pastor Dale Wolcott with Nicole Potgieter

The coronavirus pandemic has affected the lives of our students in very real ways. In order to slow the spread of the virus, the Navajo Reservation has instated strict stay-at-home orders and weekend curfews. Pastor Dale Wolcott serves at the Chinle church on the Navajo Reservation. The church is located next to our satellite elementary school, Chinle Adventist Elementary.

He recently shared this wonderful story about two of our elementary students, Katelyn and Kallie.

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atelyn and Kallie’s mom, Catherine, was smiling as she walked across the Chinle church yard toward our trailer.

Like all Holbrook dorm students, Katelyn and Kallie have been back home due to the coronavirus shutdown. And like most Reservation families, they don’t have internet access at home. Since the one-room log cabin where they live is just a few doors down the road from the Chinle church, and since their mom volunteers a lot at the church, they’ve been able to do some of their daily schoolwork online using the church

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internet in a Sabbath School room.

One morning, their mom wanted to explain why their family hadn’t been with us as usual for our phonein midweek prayer service the night before. They had decided to take a little walk down to Chinle Wash for evening worship, she said. They took a Bible story book, and they sang songs the girls had learned at Holbrook.

Then she said, “And we took the neighbor kids with us.”

“Which ones?” I wondered aloud.

“The ones right next door here,” she replied, gesturing toward the

east side of our campus.

“Next door” is our infamous local “drug house” or bootlegger. Its unkempt yard and constant stream of random foot and vehicle traffic lend credibility to its local reputation as a supplier of illegal liquor and more.

We aren’t exactly located in Chinle’s best neighborhood (although we have several fine neighbors, including a Navajo Nation police officer). We have discussed in campus staff meetings how we should best relate to these “undesirable” neighbors. We have prayed for them, even visited a time or two, praying with them and

Holbrook Indian School again tomorrow night. My children have been touched by the Lord, and they can tell.”

(Above) Shawnewa rides her horse. (Left) Israel uses different recipes to bake delicious pastries, cakes, and cookies for his family.

sharing literature and invitations to church events. The children have occasionally attended VBS and other kids’ programs. But we’ve definitely seen no breakthrough and no visible change in the adults’ behavior.

“How did that come about?”

I wanted to know. Catherine’s family is not closely related to these folks, and I wasn’t aware of any previous interaction between the two households. In fact, Catherine and her husband have talked repeatedly about relocating to a nicer neighborhood—although that is much easier said than done on the

Reservation with its severe housing shortage and clan-based land allotment system.

“Well,” Catherine smiled proudly, “Their big sister told me they had been noticing how happy our girls seem to be every day when they walk by their house on the way to the church to do their schoolwork.

She wanted to know why Katelyn and Kallie smile so much instead of looking mostly sad like her little sisters do—and why they are always singing.

So, we decided to invite them. My husband wasn’t sure it was a good idea, but I told him maybe the Lord wants us to share Jesus with them. So that’s what we did.”

“How did it go?” I asked.

Catherine was still smiling, obviously savoring the memory. “At the end, they asked if we can do it Isis and her sister make masks.

Holbrook Indian School (HIS) is a first- through twelfth-grade boarding academy operated by the Pacific Union Conference of the Seventhday Adventist Church. HIS also manages a first- through eighth-grade day school on the Navajo reservation in Chinle, Arizona. Eighty percent of funding comes from individuals who have a desire to support Native American ministries and Christian education. Your generosity makes a difference in the lives of our students, their families, and the communities they serve. Thank you for your support.

As we communicate with our students throughout the week, we are learning about ways they are coping with this pandemic. Isis, a junior, and her sister are sewing masks for elderly veterans on the Reservation. Israel, a junior, is experimenting with different recipes and baking delicious pastries, cakes, and cookies for his family.

Shawnewa, one of our graduating seniors, is spending quality time with her brothers and caring for her horse.

Our students share that they are lonely and miss their friends. Many even say they are missing HIS staff and want to be back on campus.

We are so delighted to see evidence that God is working through Holbrook Indian School to teach our students to serve Him, their families, and their communities. Please keep HIS staff and students in your prayers as we find new ways of ministering to our students while they are away from campus, and pray that they will return to us soon.

Seventh-day Adventist DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT P.O. Box 910 Holbrook, Arizona 86025-0910 (928) 524-6845 (Ext. 109) Development@hissda.org HolbrookIndianSchool.org

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Loma Linda University Health

Rachelle Bussell, senior vice president for Advancement, extends her gratefulness for the lifesaving protective equipment.

ADRA Donates Thousands

of Personal Protective Equipment Items to Frontline Healthcare Workers

By DonaJayne Potts

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dventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) donated more than 45,000 items of personal protective equipment (PPE) to Loma Linda University Health to aid frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ADRA, based in Silver Spring, Maryland, is the humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and serves in 118 countries. It works to empower communities and change lives around the globe by providing sustainable community development and disaster relief.

“Time is life, and getting essential workers proper lifesaving resources during these uncharted times is critical,” said Michael Kruger, ADRA’s president.

“The staff at Loma Linda University Health are putting their lives on the line for as many people as possible, but they need to be equipped with reliable gear to continue providing top-notch care. We are honored that Loma Linda thought of us, and we’re proud to help provide immediate assistance where it’s needed most.”

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Securing PPE has been a lingering challenge as hospitals and clinics around the nation face supply chain shortages, in part due to medical supply rationing fueled by the pandemic.

“One often does not recognize the value of a family until a need arises,” said Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, president of Loma Linda University Health. “This has been the situation for Loma Linda University Health over the past month as we have faced the COVID-19 pandemic with many possibly positive patients arriving to our hospitals and clinics. We are deeply grateful to ADRA, our sister organization in service, for providing a large amount of personal protective equipment to protect our employees during this critical time.”

The nearly 3,000-pound shipment

included six pallets of N95 masks, face shields, gloves, and isolation gowns, among others—arriving within days of the request.

“Our highest priority will always be the health and safety of our patients, employees, students, and community,” said Rachelle Bussell, RN, MA, CFRE, senior vice president for Advancement at Loma Linda University Health. “This gift will help us to provide lifesaving protection—a necessity during one of the most urgent public health crises in generations.”

See the latest news and Health & Wellness stories from Loma Linda University Health at news.llu.edu.

Loma Linda University Health

Coronavirus and Reusable Grocery Bags: Use Them or Pitch Them?

By DonaJayne Potts

Don’t use reusable grocery bags during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Sinclair says supermarkets are a prime location where food, the public, and pathogens can meet. In a 2018 study published by the Journal of Environmental Health, Sinclair and his research team found that reusable bags are not only highly likely to be contaminated but are also highly likely to transfer pathogens to store employees and shoppers, particularly at high-contact points like check-out conveyors, food scanners, and grocery carts.

“Unless reusable bags are sanitized regularly—by washing with a disinfectant soap and high-temperature water in the case of cloth bags and

wiping non-porous slick plastic models with a hospital-grade disinfectant— they present a significant public health risk,” Sinclair says.

Leave your leather purse at home, too.

Think about what you do with your purse at the grocery store. It typically gets placed in the shopping cart until it is set down on the payment counter at checkout. Sinclair says these two surfaces—where high volumes of other shoppers touch—make it easy for viruses to spread from person to person.

“Before grocery shopping, consider transferring your purse contents to a washable bag to allow for proper sanitization when you return home,” Sinclair says. “Bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia-based cleaners are among the best for sanitizing surfaces; however, they can damage, lighten, or cause cracking on materials like purse leather.”

After the outbreak, switch to cotton or canvas shopping totes.

While polypropylene bags are one of the most common types of reusable bags sold at grocery chains, they are difficult to disinfect. Made from a more durable plastic than lightweight, singleuse plastic bags, their construction material prevents proper sterilization with heat.

“Spraying bags with a disinfectant doesn’t reach the germs that are lodged in the crevices or accumulated on the handles,” Sinclair says. “Don’t purchase bags you cannot wash or dry on high heat; the best and easiest to use are totes made from natural fibers, like cotton or canvas.”

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upermarkets across the United States are asking shoppers to leave their reusable grocery bags at home amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

But does discontinuing the use of these bags actually reduce risk?

Ryan Sinclair, PhD, MPH, associate professor at Loma Linda University School of Public Health, says his research confirms that reusable grocery bags, when not properly disinfected, are carriers for both bacteria, including E. coli, and viruses—norovirus and coronavirus.

Sinclair and his research team analyzed reusable bags shoppers brought to grocery stores and found bacteria in 99% of reusable bags tested and E. coli in 8%. Findings were first published in Food Protection Trends in 2011.

To reduce risk of possible bacterial and virus contamination, Sinclair asks shoppers to consider the following:

“Leaking milk, poultry juice, and unwashed fruit can cross-contaminate other foods,” Sinclair adds. “Designate separate bags for specific food items to limit germ breeding grounds.”

The best way to disinfect bags What’s the best way to disinfect reusable grocery bags? Sinclair recommends washing bags before and after trips to the market using these methods: • Launder cotton or canvas totes in a washing machine on a high-heat setting and add bleach or a disinfectant containing sodium percarbonate like Oxi Clean™.

• Dry totes on the highest dryer setting. Or use sunshine to sanitize: turn washed bags inside-out and place them outside in direct sunlight to dry for at least an hour; turn right-side out and repeat. “Ultra-violet light that occurs naturally from sunlight is effective at killing 99.9% of pathogens like viruses and bacteria,” Sinclair says.

Healthy grocery hygiene habits: • Always wash your hands before and after grocery shopping.

• Sanitize shopping cart baskets and handles using disinfecting wipes or sprays.

• Once home, place grocery bags on a surface that can be disinfected after your groceries have been unloaded and immediately place plastic bags in the recycle bin.

• Keep in mind that disinfectants must stay on a surface for a specific amount of time to be effective. It also depends on the disinfectant. The common ammonia-based grocery cart wipes need at least four minutes.

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Nevada-Utah Conference PHOTOS: JOSEPH CADIZ

The NUC virtual convocation was streamed on Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube Live, connecting church members from across the Nevada-Utah Conference.

“What is the Church?”

Virtual Convocation Helps Provides an Answer

By Joe Cadiz

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hat is the church? Seventh-day Adventists across the world are being forced to come to grips with this very question as church doors close and congregations cannot meet together. However, even more questions arise: If the church is closed, can I still worship God? How can I stay connected with my church family? When will I be able to worship with my friends?

Maybe the most important question isn’t “What is the church?” but “Who is the church?”

The leadership of the Nevada-Utah Conference (NUC) endeavored to answer these questions through a virtual convocation service streamed live on social media, unifying a membership that spans over 200,000 square miles of geographic territory and covers four (Top) NUC Executive states.

Secretary Carlos Camacho On April 25, preaches on the story of church members Joseph from the book from the 57 of Genesis. (Below) NUC churches in Las President Leon Brown, Sr. Vegas, Salt Lake continues the sermon time City, Reno, Bishop, on the story of Joseph.

Price, Ely, Quincy,

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Nevada-Utah Conference and everywhere in between fellowshipped together—sharing the blessing of corporative worship through Sabbath School, the worship service, and an afternoon program. Each service combined Bible study with prayer and music, showcasing the diversity of God’s people in the NUC. This diversity was especially apparent in the special music segments shared in their native languages by the Las Vegas Korean, Las Vegas Spanish, Las Vegas Filipino, Utah Samoan, and Utah Tongan churches.

At its conclusion, the NUC’s first virtual convocation had a viewership of over 6,000 people across Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube Live. This number is not just a lifeless statistic— it represents thousands of Adventist families that came together to worship God in unity and in truth. On YouTube, Norman Lujan commented, “Thank you to all the brothers and sisters who made this possible!

God has a small church in every home represented [by each viewer].

Blessings to all, happy Sabbath!”

In this time of social distancing, God’s people must find ways to press together—if not physically, then spiritually. It can be argued that in this era of COVID-19, the churches in the NUC are closer than ever before. On Facebook, Stacy Mondesir exclaimed, “I wish we could do this every week…

[I] feel much closer to our church family!”

Elder Dan Jackson, the president of the North American Division, put it

Youth and Children’s Ministry Director Darriel Hoy creates an object lesson illustration with an egg, salt, and water during the children’s story. best as he introduced the convocation service to the NUC family: “How blessed and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! And though you are isolated at home, alone, during this period of the coronavirus, I know that God has a special blessing for you this day.”

What is the church? What happens when church buildings are closed and God’s people cannot congregate together as normal?

Does the church disappear? Does worship cease? The answer to these questions could be found in the

blessings experienced during the virtual convocation.

In spite of separation, the church can find unity. In spite of distance, its people can find intimacy. Through a virtual convocation service, which employed the talents of so many across the NUC, an important truth was discovered: God’s church can never close, because as long as His people worship, His church exists.

What is the church? We are the church.

Who is the church? YOU are the church.

"And though you are isolated at home, alone, during this period of the coronavirus, I know that God has a special blessing for you this day."

The Las Vegas Korean church shares a special musical selection in Korean, “The Lord is Behind Me.”

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Northern California Conference

Bread of Life Offers

Food and Friendship During Crisis

By Diane Butler

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ince 2012, the Bread of Life food bank has served 60-100 people each Wednesday. A ministry of the Palo Cedro church, located in the community center on the Redding Adventist Academy campus, Bread of Life became more than just a source of food. It turned into a place of fellowship and comfort for its customers, many of whom welcomed the opportunity for prayer and relationships. distribution. “Because of Bread of Life, we can have the essentials like milk, bread, eggs, and cereal that I wouldn’t be able to provide for my family otherwise,” she said. “The volunteers are always so friendly and full of compassion. When I need prayer, they pray with me. It fills my life with hope, strength, love, and joy.”

People like Murdick and her seven-year-old son, James, are the reason Bread of Life continues to operate. “Even if we had decided not to stay open, our customers could have gone to other food sources in the area,” said McCloud. “But there is a connection between them and us that makes them want to be here.

That is the hard part. We miss each other and hugging one another. Our customers are our friends. We were determined to continue serving them during this time.”

Another customer, Carrie Atkinson, acknowledges NORTHERN LIGHTS O F F I C I A L N C C N E W S L E T T E R how the food SIGN UP AT NCCSDA.COM bank impacts lives. “The Bread of Life team has remained available to provide stability R E A D , C O N N E C T, A N D E N G A G E and provision

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PHOTOS: GINNY YOST

Then the coronavirus came along and changed the way people went about life.

Bread of Life modified its operations to comply with new state and county guidelines. Instead of bringing customers into the food bank to choose items, volunteers now hand out bags of food at the entrance. They have discontinued the weekly devotional message, long conversations, and hugs.

“It is a big change from our usual operation,” said Janet McCloud, coordinator for Bread of Life. “We drop a tract or Scripture verse into the bag each week and try to visit a bit when they pick up their groceries, but we’re aware that people are having to stand in a long line. Before, we had more time to visit and connect with people.”

Longtime customer Carrie Murdick is grateful for the continuation of food

(Above) Customer Ella Huffman made a sign to thank Bread of Life volunteers. (Top left) Bread of Life Coordinator Janet McCloud serves customers during the public health emergency. to those of us in need,” she said. “My family and I wouldn’t have made it without the resources they provide.”

Word of the food bank is spreading.

“We are still having four or five new people each week,” said McCloud, who is currently doing an online Bible study with a customer. “The important thing is that we share the love of Jesus and open the door for them to come into the fold.”

Bread of Life volunteers continue to touch lives as they can. “It’s a challenge to reach people with social distancing in place, but we still pray with them as we are able and give them air hugs,” said McCloud.

Read an extended version of this article at: nccsda.com/bread-of-life.

Northern California Conference

TOP PHOTOS: MARK PADEN

NCC Members

Engage Their Mission

By Julie Lorenz

I

n the midst of the current crisis, Northern California Conference members continue to support the three initiatives of the NCC strategic plan: Engage Your Calling to Ministry. Engage Your Church in Planting. Engage Your Community with Compassion.

Engage Your Calling to Ministry NCC educators encourage students to engage their calling to minister to their peers. During Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy’s online spring week of prayer, high school students gave devotional talks for their own meetings as well as for the K-8 meetings. The elementary students took turns reading Scripture, praying, singing, and presenting the special music. “It was one of the best weeks of prayer I’ve ever seen,” said Principal Lisa Bissell Paulson.

“To see our young people take on this challenge and be as articulate, convincing, powerful, and committed as they are, it is remarkable.”

Second-grader Tessa Leal plays a song for Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy’s online week of prayer.

Engage Your Church in Planting Feeling the call to engage their churches in planting, two NCC congregations have formed missional groups as the first stage of the process. Earlier this year, the San Anselmo Spanish church started the Novato Spanish missional group, which currently has about 50 members. The Novato church is in the early stages of starting the Southern Marin County missional group, with about nine core leaders.

Marin County, where both groups are located, is one of the highest-income areas in the state.

“Although these church plants come with a lot of unique challenges and opportunities, we have a call from God to reach those people, as Christ did with Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea,” said Executive Secretary Jose Marin. “Please keep these local leaders in prayer as they go into uncharted territories to expand the kingdom of God.” Engage Your Community with Compassion Food for the Town is an initiative led by The Veg Hub ministry and six Oakland-area churches—Elmhurst, Immanuel Temple, Grand Advent, Market Street, San Leandro Spanish, and Oakland Spanish—whose members desire to engage their community with compassion.

Many church members have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the Oakland Spanish church alone, 68 families lost their jobs and 11

Volunteers pack healthy groceries for the first Food for the Town distribution event at the Grand Advent church in Oakland. members were infected with the virus.

“We recognize that many families, including those with children, are unable to have healthy food during this crisis due to their financial challenges,” said Chef G. W. Chew, director of The Veg Hub ministry.

The initiative’s first event took place at the Grand Advent church on April 25. Volunteers packed 100 boxes of healthy groceries, including beans, grains, fruits, and vegetables.

In addition to the NCC, several food distribution companies supported the effort. Boxes were available for pick up or delivery.

Many church members who received the boxes shared food with their neighbors. “This initiative creates a bridge from the hearts of the members to the community,” said Urban Ministries Director Willie Johnson. “It has opened avenues to reach people for the kingdom.”

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Pacific Union College

PUC Nursing Program

Granted Continuing Accreditation through 2027

By Ashley Eisele

P

acific Union College’s associate nursing program has been granted continuing accreditation through 2027 by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

“Congratulations on this outstanding achievement! We look forward to continued successes for your nursing program,” the formal notification from ACEN’s Chief Executive Officer, Marsal P. Stoll, read. “On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, we thank you and your colleagues for your commitment

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to quality nursing education.”

The college’s associate nursing program is part of the department of nursing and health sciences, PUC’s largest department. The college also recently received a Top 25 ranking

by Gradreports for undergraduate nursing schools.

“We are very pleased to receive

this long-term continuation of our accreditation,” said Milbert Mariano, PUC’s academic dean.

“This achievement speaks to the excellence of the program and the trust that ACEN has in our longevity.

Most importantly, it validates the commitment we have to our nursing students today and into the future.”

Adventist Health

Adventist Health Glendale Auditorium is Named for Dr. Ronald and Georgiana Wu

By Vic Pallos

T

he Adventist Health Glendale Foundation is proud to announce that the medical center's main auditorium is being named in honor of Dr. Ronald S. and Mrs. Georgiana Wu. The naming recognizes the Adventist couple's longtime service to the hospital and Glendale community, spanning more than five decades.

Born in China to a colporteur in charge of selling Bibles and other religious books, Dr. Wu graduated from medical school at Loma Linda University and joined Glendale's medical staff in 1972.

An obstetrician widely known for helping women with difficult pregnancies, Dr. Wu retired from private practice in 2017. During his career, he was involved in the delivery of an estimated 20,000 babies.

Georgiana, a third-generation Adventist, and Dr. Wu were married in 1968 at the Alhambra church. They are currently members of Glendale City church.

She has performed an important supporting role at the hospital, twice serving as president of the Guild and as a member of the hospital’s Board of Directors, while also working on multiple fundraising campaigns to enhance patient care. She continues to be active as both a Guild and Foundation Board member.

"It's so fitting to have Dr. Wu's and Georgiana's name on the wall of this very precious space that we have for our community," said Alice Issai, president of Adventist Health Glendale.

"All of our different communities— associates and physicians, businesses, residents and local leaders, civic and

non-profit organizations—attend events in our auditorium," added Foundation President Irene Bourdon.

"Dr. and Mrs. Wu have been of service to so many families, patients, and healthcare providers. Their names

displayed at the hospital will be recognized by many thousands of people."

Dr. and Mrs. Wu reside in Glendale.

They have two grown daughters and one granddaughter.

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Southeastern California Conference

Continued Excellence:

SECC’s Instructional Coaching Team Partners with Teachers

By Becky St. Clair

F

our years ago, Amy Cornwall became Southeastern California Conference’s first director of instructional coaching, located at Mesa Grande Academy. This unique position was created in an effort to better support K-12 teachers.

“Instructional coaches work sideby-side with teachers on instructional goals in the classroom, as well as on their professional development,” Cornwall explained. “We work both one-on-one and in a group as a school.”

Though initially Cornwall was the only instructional coach in the conference, interest grew, and today there are five in total. The other four are Vicki Karsten at La Sierra Academy, Aime Cuevas at Orangewood Academy, Heather Blaire at Redlands Adventist Academy, and Rachel Romero, SECC small schools coach, who rotates between three schools.

When COVID-19 closed school doors, the coaches knew they needed to expand their work.

“Though our dream is that every school has an instructional coach, that isn’t a reality yet,” she said. “With traditional school temporarily on hold, we knew we had to help our teachers adjust and adapt to the new educational reality.”

First, they established grade-level brainstorming sessions so teachers could talk through what distance learning would look like for their kids.

Second, they sent out a survey, asking teachers what would be helpful, which yielded many excellent ideas.

They set up a series of online professional development

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Third-grade teachers and instructional coaches gather for their round table discussion through a Zoom meeting during the pandemic. opportunities, starting with the basics of how to use online educational tools such as Zoom, SeeSaw, Flipgrid, Class Dojo, and Google Classroom at various class levels.

“These are all common vocabulary now,” Cornwall pointed out, “but two months ago, many of us knew nothing about them.”

Teachers who were already experts at using various online platforms presented training sessions, as did the coaches. Altogether they’ve produced over 30 online workshops and training sessions on teaching various subjects Maria Stratton, teacher at Loma Linda Academy, presents a workshop on how to use and maximize Google classroom.

and managing class projects and AP classes. Each live session is recorded for those who can’t attend, and nearly 200 people have attended/watched the training videos.

“This wouldn’t have happened without everyone coming together,” Cornwall stated. “If one teacher knows how to do something and another doesn’t, they show them how. All of our teachers are really pitching in, utilizing all these different methods to make sure the instruction they’re providing is at the same high level they and the students are used to.”

It’s not just on the academic side that teachers are striving for continued excellence; Cornwall points out that across the conference, schools are taking steps to ensure the valued spiritual connection is still present, too.

“We all want everyone to be successful, and we want to be there for our kids,” she added. “They’re why we’re here.”

Southeastern California Conference (Far left) Volunteers follow protective guidelines as they ready supplies for the morning's distribution at a pull-through necessities pick-up. (Left) Food programs of churches across Southeastern California Conference have found ways to continue serving the needs of their communities while also adhering to proper social distancing requirements.

A New Model:

SECC Food Programs Still Serving…Differently

By Becky St. Clair

H

aving just begun as Adventist Community Services director for the SECC in December, Marquis Johns was barely getting acclimated to his new role and responsibilities when COVID-19 closed everyone’s doors. In February, around 45 churches in the conference were operating food pantries or distribution programs. By mid-March, there were only 20, and the process looks very different.

Typically, community members are invited to come into the distribution center and share their needs with volunteers as they receive their food bags. This allows the church to follow up with community members later and invite them to events.

“The meet-n-greets at distribution centers and the hands-on prayers can’t happen anymore,” Johns said.

“Overnight, everything became less personal and more time-intensive.”

Johns decided to pilot a new approach at Mt. Rubidoux church in Riverside. They began recruiting volunteers from the less vulnerable population and split them into groups of 7-10. One group got

everything set up the night before, using proper sanitization and social distancing procedures, and another would come in the morning for distribution.

“Drivers pull into the parking lot, greeted by a church member wearing a mask and gloves who finds out what they need,” Johns explained.

“The rest of the group gathers supplies, puts them in bags, and deposits them in the trunk. The driver never leaves the vehicle.”

This model worked well, and Johns quickly distributed the procedures to food programs across the conference. Many instituted a similar setup. And when the NAD offered limited funding to conference food programs, Johns made sure the SECC was on their list.

Johns is also working on other options for funding, including utilizing budgets that won’t be used this year due to COVID-19, including evangelism funds typically used to pay Bible workers and print materials related to events.

“Food programs are evangelism,” he said. “I want to offer financial aid to

each operating food program in our conference so they can continue the good work.”

These programs are essential. With so many people filing for unemployment, many families are unable to afford basic necessities, and children whose sole daily meal is a school lunch are suddenly without food.

“Jesus said we will have the poor with us always,” Johns said. “The pandemic has simply magnified the need that was already there.”

Johns mentioned Ellen G. White’s concept of “disinterested benevolence,” exemplified by their current distribution model.

“We should mingle with people who need our help, show sympathy and love, but never expect anything in return,” Johns explained. “No asking for phone numbers or urging them into a Bible study— just meeting their needs. Jesus followed this model; He met the people’s needs, and once He had their confidence, then He bade them follow Him. We’ve truly shifted into a full Jesus model in our service to the community, and it’s beautiful to see.”

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Southern California Conference

Evangelism Continues

at El Monte Vietnamese Church

By Araya Moss

E

l Monte Vietnamese church has maintained a large presence in its community by opening its doors seven days a week between Sabbath services and by hosting the Vietnamese Adventist Heritage School, which provides tutoring for students Monday through Friday and a language school on Sunday.

Although these services are not available in person during the pandemic, the congregation remains accessible to their community and continues to be a safe haven for those in the surrounding neighborhood who are facing financial difficulties at this time.

The church has set aside a monthly budget to help 200 families with food. They have also partnered with a local bakery that provides 100 free baguettes each week and with local grocery stores that give discounts on rice and noodles.

Pastor Vinh Nguyen and his team of volunteers reached out to families PHOTOS: VINH NGUYEN

Nguyen shares a message on Facebook Live.

from their after-school program.

Volunteers purchase rice, seaweed, bread, and ramen noodles to distribute every two weeks. In some cases, they have even helped families with rent payments. “We look for families of single-parent households to deliver food to,” said Nguyen. “We know the children; we know which families have parents who have lost their jobs.”

Nguyen has received positive feedback from this outreach, noting that one mother was particularly grateful for the El Monte Vietnamese church because no one else sought

to donate food or money for rent as they had.

In addition to this outreach, the church has learned how to reach new people and remain connected with active and non-active members, using a tool that wasn’t previously utilized as thoroughly as it is now: online evangelism. Livestream worship services in Vietnamese and English are hosted on Facebook Live.

Members who don’t use computers can call in and listen to these Sabbath services. Additionally, Nguyen connects with members through Zoom Bible study groups and 5-minute recorded devotionals.

Throughout this experience, Nguyen has realized how important it is to educate, train, and motivate people for different methods of online evangelism. “I constantly seek God for direction in how to reach people through social media,” said Nguyen.

“More people are on social media than ever before. I need to learn what the needs of the people are so that I can reach them.”

“Evangelism still continues,” added Nguyen, “but in a different way.”

(Far left) The Nguyen family gets together for song service for an online worship service. (Left) Nguyen and his team identify families in need by asking if they know anyone else who needs help in their neighborhood.

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Southern California Conference

Women’s Ministry Gathers

for a Social-Distancing Fellowship Tea

By Kris Stevenson with Araya Moss

U

nusual times produce unusual adaptations. Instead of mourning the cancellation of their traditional spring fellowship tea, Santa Clarita church’s women’s ministry group had the bright idea to host a social-distancing version.

“I was grieving the loss of the tea when I realized we could do it in a new way,” said Kris Stevenson, Women’s Ministry co-leader. “Even though we’re in quarantine, we need something to look forward to and a way to connect with each other.”

For more than a decade, the fellowship tea has attracted 60 to 100 ladies a year who have enjoyed the special festivities. Each tea features fancy tea attire (including a hat), fabulous home-baked treats and specialty teas, and a devotional by a guest speaker.

This year’s tea, held April 26, included all of these things, but it was packaged in a new way. The 18 guests met on Zoom, each one dressed in their tea attire, including the hat, although many omitted the high heels. Every lady was responsible for her own tea cuisine and place setting.

“It was great to see ladies enjoying fellowship with one another with elegant place settings, afternoon treats served for one, and fancy attire—even if we couldn’t enjoy each other’s company in person,” remarked Naomi Smith, Santa Clarita church member.

After a welcome and introductions, there was a quiz about tea, with a prize for the lady who got the most correct answers. Each guest was

responsible for their own set up, which allowed them to showcase their place settings and share the history of the items that they had displayed.

Some of these items included a traditional Japanese tea service, a samovar, and china that came from China before World War II. Many items had been carefully collected over the years from thrift stores and yard sales.

There were prizes for the best attire and the best place setting. Guest speaker Sherrell Lewis finished the event with a devotional, encouraging everyone to continue to trust God during these difficult times.

The exciting thing about a virtual tea is figuring out ways to incorporate both familiar and newer elements of the gathering. Typically, the planning process for the tea is labor-intensive

Santa Clarita church spring tea in 2019. and requires different people to shop, bake, advertise, decorate, set up, clean up, etc. This time, planning involved only advertising and arranging for gifts and prizes, which were dropped off at homes afterward.

One bonus was that guests from far away were also able to attend. One presenter from Northern California shared her beautiful watercolor paintings with the group.

“The virtual tea provided an opportunity for ladies to be creative in their own homes,” said Nelly Castellanos, Santa Clarita church member. “Some even prepared new food ideas for our next tea. We didn’t let COVID-19 take away the joy and fellowship that our tea provides.”

This spring, Women’s Ministry co-leaders Stevenson and Karen Walsh decided to host the annual fellowship tea virtually.

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Community & Marketplace Advertising

Advertising is accepted as a service to Seventh-day Adventist church members in the Pacific Union. The Recorder management reserves the right to refuse any advertisement, especially ads not related to the needs and practices of the church membership. Acceptance of any advertising shall be considered a matter of accommodation and not a matter of right, nor shall it be construed to constitute approval of the product or service advertised.

Payment in advance must accompany all classified advertisements or they will not be published. Display ads for known advertisers will be billed. To pay by credit card, please call 805-413-7280.

How to Submit Advertising Classified ads must be sent with payment to the Recorder office (Sali.butler@adventistfaith.com).

Display ads should be arranged with the editor (info@adventistfaith.com).

Classified Rates $70 for 50 words; 75 cents each additional word.

Display Rates (Full Color Only) Back cover, $4,200; full page, $3,800; 1/2-pg., $2,200; 1/4-pg., $1,200; 1/8-pg., $700; $160 per column inch.

Information Circulation is approximately 76,000 homes, and magazines are scheduled to arrive in homes by the last Thursday of the previous month. For more information about advertising, please click on the Advertising tab at www.pacificunionrecorder.com, email info@adventistfaith.com, or call 805-413-7280.

2020 Deadlines These are the advertising deadlines for the Recorder. Your local conference news deadlines will be earlier.

July: June 8 August: July 6

Contributions

The Recorder pages are assigned to the local conferences, colleges, and health care institutions, and all content comes through the communication departments in those organizations. If you have a news story/idea, calendar announcement, etc., please contact your local communication department.

See the masthead for contact information. Want tips for writing for us? See www.dailywritingtips. com/the-art-of-writing-news.

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CALENDAR Central California Conference

Stay Connected: Engage with the various ministries throughout the Central California Conference by going to CentralCaliforniaAdventist. com or as listed below.

ABC Christian Books and Health Foods can be found on their website clovisabc. com, Facebook at ABC Christian Books & Health Foods, or on Instagram @abcbooksandhealthfoood.

Children’s Ministries offers podcasts and countless other resources on Facebook at ChildMin.Info and online at https://www.childminchat.com/.

GLOW Literature Ministries can be found on their website glowonline.org, Facebook at GLOW – Giving Light to Our World, or on Instagram @glowtracts.

Health Ministries can be found on Facebook at CCC Health Ministries or on Instagram @ccchealthministries.

Hispanic Ministries can be found on Facebook at CCC Hispanic Ministries or on Instagram @ccchispanicministries.

Life Hope Centers can be found on their website lifehopecenterscentral.com, Facebook at CCC Life Hope Centers, or on Instagram @ lifehopecenterscentral.

Prayer Ministries can be found on Facebook at CCC Prayer Ministries or on Instagram @ cccsdaprayerministry. There are a few weeks left of the 100 days of prayer; join us today.

Young Adult Ministries can be found on Facebook at CCC Young Adult Department or Instagram @cccyoungadults_.

Youth Ministries can be found on Facebook at Youth Evangelism Department or Instagram @ youthevangelismdepartment.

Dias en el Aposento Alto” and “Clamando Por El Espíritu Santo.” Info: Hispanic Ministries, Coordinator Roman Leal, roman.leal@nccsda.com.

La Sierra University

Prayer Ministries: Join the NCC Prayer Line every Thursday morning from 7-8 a.m. The hour includes a short devotional and the opportunity to pray with people from around the conference. Call: 916-637-8111, use code 669648#.

La Sierra celebrates graduates. La Sierra University will honor its 2020 graduating class with an on-campus drivethrough celebration on June 21 and with a commencement ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 13.

These events will have limited participation and involve health and safety measures due to the ongoing pandemic. The university is providing details to the senior class.

Summer classes. La Sierra University summer session is open for registration. Classes begin June 22. To find classes and register, visit https:// lasierra.edu/summer-program/ summer-courses/.

2020 Fall Quarter. Instruction for La Sierra University's Fall Quarter begins Sept. 21. For information about admissions and 120+ bachelor and graduate degree programs, visit https://lasierra.edu.

Learn about #LaSierraTogether. La Sierra University has been gathering together online through stories of students' experiences, videos, games, and activities.

Visit https://lasierra.edu/ together/ and join the fun. For up-to-date information on the campus's operational responses to the pandemic, visit https:// lasierra.edu/covid-19/.

Northern California Conference

Get the news: Engage with the Northern California Conference by subscribing to the NCC’s weekly emailed news source, “Northern Lights.” Sign up: nccsda.com.

Hispanic Ministries: Don’t miss these programs in Spanish, June 4-13, from 7-8 p.m. “10

Youth Ministries: Join the online NCC Youth Group, hosted by Youth Director Eddie Heinrich and NCC youth pastors, every Tuesday at 7 p.m. Info: eddie.heinrich@ nccsda.com.

CLASSIFIED At Your Service

A well-established, In-Home Care business for seniors/ disabled, located in beautiful Northern California. We have some government contracts in place as well as an excellent staff. Email inquirers to: aiello. franchiseconsultant@gmail.com or call 800-957-5166.

California Adventist Federal Credit Union, your "One Stop Finance Shop." Serving our Adventist Community for over 65 years with financial products and services, along with wealth building education.

Please visit our website at www.SdacreditUnion.com for updates on all that CAFCU has to offer. Call our office and speak to our friendly staff or manager for additional information: 818-246-7241.

SDA Immigration Attorney. We handle family and employmentbased immigration cases for clients throughout the United States and around the globe. We also provide free immigration law seminars for churches and other groups. Please contact Jason Mustard at 831-249-9330 or Jason@surowitz.com.

Community & Marketplace SDA Realtor: Let us help you sell your property or buy the ideal home here in gorgeous northern California. Rural properties abound. Perfect for families and retirees. Jerry Kea, Realtor, 707- 888-9613, email: thomaskea.tk@gmail. com, CA BRE Lic#02080864, TREG INC, dba The Real Estate Group.

TN/GA Realtor. Specializing in buying or selling affordable homes in the Collegedale, Chattanooga, North Georgia or surrounding areas. Howard

Karst, Realty Specialists of Ooltewah, is your best partner for experienced professional service. 301-332-8471 or tsrak@msn.com.

For Sale

Adventist Books: Looking for new Adventist titles to encourage and grow your daily walk? Visit us at www.

TEACHServices.com. For used Adventist books, visit www.

LNFBooks.com. Authors: If you’re interested in having your book published, call 800-3671844 for a free evaluation.

Real Estate

Beautiful custom Fresno home, 2.5 acres, fruit trees, gardens, large attached carport, in-ground pool, large storage building, 2,000 sq. ft. metal shop, 16 ft. tall RV carport, additional 6 carports, children’s playground, 40 ft. trailer (for grand mom, guests, or renter). House has 2 master BDRMs; 4 BDRMS, 3 baths; an 18x20 ft. office (or extra bedroom), walk-in pantry, and

more. Only $650,000. Call Curt, 559-273-8271.

Vacation Opportunities Maui vacation condo in Kihei. Relaxing and affordable.

Only a 3-minute walk to the beach! 1-bdrm w/king bed.

Clean, comfortable, wellmaintained. Sleeps 4. Fullyfurnished kitchen, washer/ dryer, and more! Free parking, Wi-Fi, and calls to U.S./Canada.

Friendly Kihei SDA church nearby. Visit us at: <http:// www.vrbo.com/62799> Email: mauivista1125@gmail.com or call Mark 909-800-9841.

Sunriver, Central Oregon.

Four-bedroom vacation home on the North Woodlands golf course. Two master king suites, two queens, one bunk set, hot tub, loft, Jacuzzi bath, gas log fireplace, BBQ, W/D, bikes, all resort amenities, sleeps 10, no smoking, no pets. For rates, photos, and reservations, call: 541-279-9553 or email: schultz@crestviewcable.com.

AT REST Barron, Norman Earl – b. March 26, 1948, Clinton, Iowa; d. Feb. 6, 2020, Auburn, Calif. Survivors: wife, Susan; daughter, Sarah Shenefield; three grandchildren.

Benton, Marna Jean (Hooper) – b. Aug. 31, 1954, Scotia, Calif.; d. March 28, 2020, Etna, Calif.

Survivors: husband, George; daughters, Susan, Sharon; mother, Lila Hooper; father, Omer Hooper.

Botnik, Iris Eloise – b. Feb. 2, 1927, Wayne, W.V.; d. April 1, 2020, Burbank, Calif. Survivors: sons, Bernie, Sam; daughters, Lisa Rosenbloom, Susan; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; one great greatgrandchild.

Bryan, G. Edward – b. Jan. 5, 1934, Duluth, Minn.; d. Mar. 2, 2020, San Marcos, Calif. Survivors: wife, Karen Curtis; three

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Community & Marketplace grandsons. Served as a pastor in the South American Division; Lents, Ore.; and Carlsbad, Calif.; as a chaplain at Glendale Adventist Medical Center and Simi Valley Hospital.

Caviness, Lanny Eugene – b. Nov. 15, 1945, Huntington Park, Calif.; d. April 25, 2020, Chico, Calif. Survivors: sisters, Janice Taber, Judy Gibson.

Served in the food services department at Feather River Hospital, Paradise, Calif.

Condon, Patrick M. – b. Feb. 10, 1941, New Hampton, Iowa; d. Sept. 27, 2019, Carmichael, Calif. Survivors: wife, Kasalaini; daughters, Beth, Lori Schneider; five grandchildren; six greatgrandchildren.

Conner, Muriel Mary (Wise) – b. Sept. 30, 1923, Crivitz, Wis.; d. April 7, 2020, Appleton, Wis. Survivors: son, Glendon, Jr; five grandchildren; 10 greatgrandchildren.

Crispin, Joan – b. Aug. 29, 1939, Fresno, Calif.; d.

March 19, 2020, Oakdale, Calif. Survivors: son, Kent Teters; daughters, Melva Holloway, Brenda Vance, Lorna Hammond, Danyell Crispin; eight grandchildren; 11 greatgrandchildren.

Gandy, Ron – b. July 4, 1948, St. Paul, Minn.; d.

March 30, 2020, Modesto, Calif. Survivors: wife, Myna; daughters, Heather Anguiano, April Bula; three grandchildren.

Hebert, Suzanne Robinson – b. Sept. 27, 1947, Santa Barbara, Calif.; d. April 5, 2020, Yucaipa, Calif. Survivors: husband, Lucien J.; daughters, Robyn Allen, Loryn Tate, Erin Hoch; 10 grandchildren; sister, Cindy Steffes. Served in different positions at Loma Linda Medical Center and several churches and schools in Southeastern California Conference.

Sunset Calendar

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City

June 6

June 2020 June 13

June 20

June 27

Alturas 8:33 8:37 8:39 8:40 Angwin 8:32 8:35 8:37 8:38 Bakersfield 8:09 8:12 8:14 8:15 Calexico 7:48 7:51 7:53 7:53 Chico 8:33 8:36 8:38 8:39 Death Valley (Furnace Ck) 8:03 8:07 8:09 8:09 Eureka 8:46 8:49 8:51 8:52 Four Corners [E] 8:33 8:37 8:39 8:39 Fresno 8:16 8:19 8:21 8:22 Grand Canyon (South Rim) 7:43 7:46 7:48 7:49 Half Dome 8:18 7:21 8:23 8:24 Hilo 6:58 7:00 7:02 7:03 Holbrook 7:32 7:35 7:37 7:38 Honolulu 7:12 7:14 7:16 7:17 Joshua Tree 7:55 7:58 8:00 8:01 Lake Tahoe 8:24 8:27 8:29 8:30 Las Vegas 7:56 7:59 8:01 8:01 Lodi-Stockton 8:25 8:29 8:31 8:32 Loma Linda 7:58 8:01 8:03 8:04 Los Angeles 8:02 8:05 8:07 8:08 McDermitt [N] 8:23 8:27 8:29 8:30 Moab 8:40 8:43 8:46 8:46 Monterey Bay 8:24 8:28 8:30 8:30 Mt. Whitney 8:09 8:13 8:15 8:15 Napa 8:30 8:34 8:36 8:36 Nogales [S] 7:26 7:29 7:31 7:32 Oakland 8:29 8:32 8:34 8:35 Paradise, CA 8:32 8:36 8:38 8:38 Phoenix 7:36 7:39 7:41 7:42 Puuwai, Ni’ihau [W] 7:22 7:25 7:26 7:28 Reno 8:24 8:28 8:30 8:30 Riverside 7:53 7:56 7:58 7:58 Sacramento 8:28 8:31 8:33 8:34 Salt Lake City 8:56 9:00 9:02 9:03 San Diego 7:54 7:57 7:59 8:00 San Francisco 8:29 8:33 8:35 8:35 San Jose 8:26 8:29 8:31 8:32 Santa Rosa 8:32 8:36 8:38 8:38 Sunset Beach 8:01 8:04 8:05 8:06 Thousand Oaks 8:05 8:08 8:10 8:11 Tucson 7:28 7:31 7:33 7:34

[N]=Northernmost [S]=Southernmost [E]=Easternmost [W]=Westernmost point in the Pacific Union

“So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9

40

PA C I F I C U N I O N R E CO R D E R

Krieg, Helena (Grasst) – b. March 7, 1921, Memel, Germany; d. July 18, 2019, Roseville, Calif. Survivors: husband, Manfred; daughter, Milda Mulholland; two grandchildren; four greatgrandchildren.

Manolescu, Paul – b. June29, 1928, Romania; d. April 1, 2020, Magalia, Calif. Survivors: wife, Elizabeth; son, Vas; two grandchildren.

Mason, Donald V. – b. Dec. 28, 1929, Kalamazoo, Mich.; d. March 21, 2019, Merced, Calif. Survivors: wife, Edna; son, Brent; daughters, Celeste Allgood; three grandchildren.

McCorkle, Robert (Brian) – b.

July 13, 1958, Los Angeles, Calif.; d. April 19, 2020, Loma Linda, Calif. Survivors: mother, LaWanda A.; brothers, Bruce, Brent; sister, Barbara K. Bongers; three nephews.

Mickelsen, Lloyd J. – b. Sept.

9, 1929, Edberg, Alberta, Canada; d. April 8, 2020, Highland, Calif. Survivors: daughters, Branda Merizam, Wendy Rolf, Karen; sister, Helen Shutt.

Miel, Merle – b. July 23, 1925; d. Jan. 28, 2020, Hollister, Calif.

Myers, Carol (Giffen) – b.

Oct. 19, 1928, Manteca, Calif.; d. Oct. 13, 2019, Rancho Cordova, Calif. Survivors: husband, Jim; son, John; daughter, Shelley Kramer; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Served as secretary for the school of nursing at St. Helena Sanitarium.

Ortner, Betty – b. Nov. 22, 1927, Sapulpa, Okla.; d. March 4, 2020, Riverside, Calif.

Survivors: daughter, Judy Ortner–Hosterman; three grandchildren.

Perman, Ruth (Gessele) – b.

Nov. 25, 1926, Goodrich, S.D.;

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Community & Marketplace d. April 14, 2020, Lodi, Calif.

Survivors: daughter, Vickie Richards; four grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren.

Rapp, Peggy J. – b. Feb. 24, 1927, Spencerville, Ohio; d.

April 17, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.

Survivors: sons, Tim, Todd; daughters, Tana, Trindy.

SIMPLE GIFTS

R

Richards Sr., Kenneth Halbert Eastman – b. Nov. 18, 1930, Los Angeles, Calif.; d. April 5, 2020, Camarillo, Calif. Survivors: sons, Kenneth Jr., Kirk; four grandchildren.

He was the second son of H.M.S. Richards of Voice of Prophecy.

Rosa, Noemy J. (Brizuela) – b. Feb. 19, 1951, San Salvador, El Salvador; d. Sept. 24, 2018, Elk Grove, Calif. Survivors: husband, Walter; son, Isaac; daughter, Karla Meza; three grandchildren.

Watson, Rick W. – b. Jan. 26, 1950, New York, N.Y.; d.

Nov. 16, 2019, Redlands, Calif. Survivors: wife, Diana M.; sons, Jonathan, Michael; three grandchildren; sister, Debbie. Served the Los Angeles City Fire Department, most recently as captain.

Wiesseman, George James – b. Dec. 24, 1921, Creston, Iowa; d. March 20, 2020, Loma Linda, Calif. Survivors: wife, Jeanne; son, Gary; seven grandchildren; 21 greatgrandchildren; three great– great-grandchildren. Served as an orthopedic surgeon at Loma Linda Medical Center.

Wright, Virginia (Strickle) – b. Aug. 30, 1924, Orlando, Fla.: d. April 22, 2020, Santa Rosa, Calif. Survivors: son, Kenneth; daughter, Kathryn M. Heilig; sisters, Anna Shaver, Donna Ahrlich, Alberta Enright.

Wuchenich, Nanette Emilie – b. June 25, 1947, Pittsburgh, Pa.; d. April 6, 2020, Redlands, Calif. Survivors: siblings, Danielle, John, Valarie, Melanie. Served as a medical physician in OB/GYN.

IS BILL JOHNSSON AT HIS BEST!

R

ecorder readers can receive a free e-book of Dr. William G. Johnsson’s new book Simple Gifts by signing up to receive the inspiring news from around the

Pacific Southwest, including All God’s People, the weekly

videoblog with Connie Vandeman Jeffery, and Pacific Sunrise, the twice weekly email of good news from our schools and churches.

Scan the QR code in this ad or go to adventistfaith.

com/subscribe to subscribe and for instructions on how to download Simple Gifts in pdf format. This book will be serialized in this magazine and on our website and will also be published by Oak & Acorn.

S IM PLE G IFTS WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON

NEW FROM

OAK & ACORN PUBLISHING IS A PUBLISHING MINISTRY OF THE PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE

J U N E 2020

41

The Gift and the Giver What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to me?

P S AL M 116:12

42

PA C I F I C U N I O N R E CO R D E R

T

he offering the widow gave at

As churches grapple with reopening, God’s

the temple may have seemed

providence continues to flow through His

insignificant in comparison to the

people. The challenges are great and the

offerings of others who were present.

costs are daunting, but God’s message of

But the words of Jesus to His disciples

love and care still flow through us.

make clear that God is not as interested in our monetary offerings as He is in

As churches struggle to reopen, the

our compassion and obedience: “Truly I

support your church needs to carry on

tell you, this poor widow has put more

the work of Christ in your community is

into the treasury than all the others”

greater than ever. Now is the time for us

(Mark 12:43, NIV). What is of greatest

to bless and be blessed through faithful

value in the economy of providence is

support. Now is the opportunity for us

the heart that overflows with gratitude

to both serve and be served through

and thanksgiving to the God who saved

the ministries of our churches. Every act

us and provides for us. As Christians,

of worship is part of our life in Christ;

we learn that through providing for

in all things we are able to both give

the support of the ministry of the local

and receive. Even the smallest gift is

church, the blessings flow through us and

transformed by faithfulness and love.

to our church community as well as to the community in general.

AdventistGiving allows you to return your tithe and give your offerings online.

A heart that gives generously, willingly, and

There is no cost for this service, and

cheerfully in response to God’s love and

gifts can be made with credit or debit

grace is doubly blessed as it participates

cards and ACH transactions. You can

in the privilege of providing for His earthly

even set up recurring donations for

house and contributes to the treasures

both tithe and offerings. Your tithe and

of His kingdom. God’s love pours into

offerings are processed securely, quickly,

our lives—and through our faithfulness it

and efficiently. Smartphone apps make

pours out into the lives of others!

participation even easier.

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, our

Worship happens whenever we lift our

churches have found new ways to come

hearts to God. The AdventistGiving

together in worship, in service, and in

program enables your worship to include

witness. Remote locations do not mean

your faithful return of tithes and offerings.

that we are remote from one another.

It enhances the mission of the church and

Church life and online services have

carries a blessing for you and for your

become lifelines during the pandemic.

local church.

J U N E 2020

43

PACIFIC UNION

P.0. Box 5005 Westlake Village CA 91359-5005

P E R I O D I CA LS

Recorder

H

Visions & Revisions

BY RONALD D. GRAYBILL

H

ave you ever thought about the way Ellen White’s books were written? Have you ever considered the enormous quantity of writing she produced?

Ellen White enlisted more than 20 literary assistants to convert her handwritten manuscripts into proper, polished prose. Then, both before and after her death, her

published writings were corrected, combined, excised, expanded, revised, modernized, adapted, simplified, translated, reprinted, and reformatted.

This book is the story of how her visions underwent these revisions. It explains the editorial

processes that began when she first dipped her pen in ink and put it to paper. It even describes that pen and paper.

A century after her death, Ellen White’s writings continue to generate interest and fascination, and

people continue to wonder how she was able to produce so many books and articles in her lifetime.

In his latest book, Ron Graybill shows how studying her original handwritten documents illuminates her work. He also delves into the work of White’s literary assistants and how they helped to shape her publications. The online availability of most of Ellen White’s manuscripts and published writings makes such a study possible, one that is both intriguing and revealing. This is not a book disputing White’s inspiration, but one that attempts to understand the intricate process that went into the publication of her books and articles.

This is a study that is long overdue and one that will generate further research and a better understanding of White’s publications.

—Denis Fortin, Professor of Historical Theology, Andrews University

NEW FROM

Now available on amazon.com 44

PA C I F I C U N I O N R E CO R D E R