Recorder PA C I F I C U N IO N
OCTOBER 2026
Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth, and reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:18-20, RSV
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No other being in the universe has the shadow of a claim upon Christ’s purchased possession, beyond that which his new proprietor may consent to grant. Every part of the man, with all that God has lent him in trust, his Godgiven possessions, his God-given capabilities, his time, every moment of his existence, belongs to the Master; for it has been purchased, bought with a price, paid for even with Christ’s most precious blood. —Ellen G. White, Letters and Manuscripts, Vol. 15, Lt 100 (1900)
Recorder PA C I F I C U N I O N
What’s inside 4
All In
8
Grace in Time
12
The Courtship of Ellen Harmon
16
Newsdesk
20
Arizona Conference
22
Central California Conference
24
Hawaii Conference
26
Holbrook Indian School
28
Adventist Health
29
La Sierra University
30
Loma Linda University Health
31
Pacific Union College
32
Nevada-Utah Conference
34
Northern California Conference
36
Southeastern California Conference
38
Southern California Conference
40
Community & Marketplace
44
Sunset Calendars
46
Finding Ourselves on the Hill
The Recorder is a monthly publication reaching approximately 76,000 Seventh-day Adventist homes in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. Our mission is to inform, educate, and inspire our readers to action in all areas of ministry.
Publisher Ray Tetz Editor Alberto Valenzuela Design/Layout Stephanie Leal • Alberto Valenzuela Printing Pacific Press Publishing Association www.pacificpress.com
Adventist Health 916-742-0429 Kim Strobel strobeka@ah.org
Holbrook Indian School 928-524-6845 x109 Jacqui Reed jreed@hissda.org
Northern California 916-886-5600 Laurie Trujillo Laurie.Trujillo@nccsda.com
Arizona 480-991-6777 Alexis Camacho ACamacho@azconference.org
La Sierra University 951-785-2000 Darla Tucker dmartint@lasierra.edu
Pacific Union College 951-809-6777 Gene Edelbach gedelbach@puc.edu
Central California 559-347-3030 Reiss Ramirez rramirez@cccsda.org
Loma Linda 909-651-5925 Ansel Oliver anoliver@llu.edu
Southeastern California 951-509-2258 Taji Saleem taji.saleem@seccsda.org
Hawaii 808-595-7591 Miguel Manzo communicationsdept@hawaiisda.com
Nevada-Utah 775-322-6929 Michael Jenkins Jr. mjenkins@nevadautah.org
Southern California 818-546-8400 Lauren Lacson Llacson@sccsda.org
Editorial Correspondents
Postal Regs: The Pacific Union Recorder (ISSN 0744-6381), Volume 126, Number 10, is the official journal of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and is published monthly. 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.
October 2026 3
4 Pacific Union Recorder AARONAMAT / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS VIA GETTY IMAGES
All In
By Ray Tetz
T
he first time I remember it being displayed was by a very popular star signaling to her fans in concert footage posted on social media. During the World Cup, I saw athletes responding to the crowds with the gesture after a goal. Perhaps you’ve
encountered it online in a video call—used by a young family member in an emotional moment. It is often flashed by friends posing for photographs or shown by someone offering encouragement from a distance. At some point in the last 20 years or so, it became a global sign of affection, encouragement, and appreciation. I’m talking about the hand-heart sign. The gesture is created by bringing both hands together so that the thumbs form a point at the bottom and the fingers meet to form the curves of a heart shape at the top. It is usually held for just a moment, just long enough to register with the intended audience. Sometimes the hands are held high overhead, but usually it is a very personal gesture and held close to the chest or the face. During the pandemic, when shaking hands fell out of standard practice, the hand-heart became a way to communicate warmth without touching. It could be offered across a room, through a window, or on a screen. It required nothing of the other person: no grip, no response, and no agreement about physical contact. As handshakes, hugs, high-fives, and other close-contact greetings were set aside, people turned to fist bumps, waving— and the hand-heart sign. Thanks to Google, there is even an emoji of the hand-sign:
It was added in 2021. It
shows up occasionally, but it is not nearly as common as the individual hearts, the thumbs up or down, and the little round faces that show a range of facial expressions. The hand-heart gesture takes both hands. It is generally expressed close to the heart itself, and it is often accompanied by a smile and a direct meeting of the eyes. It’s personal: the hand-heart is most often displayed by an individual as a direct signal toward another person. What does it mean? One could suggest several definitions: affection, appreciation, encouragement, support, gratitude, or simply delight in another person. The best definition I have heard is that, when someone shares it with you, they are expressing more than affection or appreciation. They are saying, in effect, “I’m all in with you—heart and hands.” It may be the gesture we most need right now.
October 2026 5
As technology intervenes and mediates
world: affection, gratitude, encouragement, loyalty,
relationships, as misinformation and conflicting
and the willingness to direct attention toward
messages fill the interwebs, as AI-generated slop
another person. It is a simple sign, but it depends on
becomes difficult to distinguish from something
a basic human impulse—to say, without speech or
actually created by a person, this simple analog
transaction, “I see you, and I am with you.” Or simply,
gesture requiring both hands held near the heart
“I’m all in.”
starts to carry unusual weight.
The Scriptures are filled with “all in” moments:
Robots or AI-generated agents may mimic it, but
people who respond when called, set out without
it is simply something they cannot do: stand before
knowing where the road will lead, stay when leaving
another person, bring both hands together near
would be easier, and put their faith into action.
the heart, meet another’s eyes, and offer a wordless
Abraham gathers his family close and sets out for a
sign of personal regard. And we love it. We feel
far country. Ruth refuses to abandon Naomi. Jacob
seen, acknowledged, even loved. We are part of the
places both hands on Ephraim and Manasseh when
human family, and we know our tribe when we see
he blesses them. Moses’ hands grow tired as he
them.
holds them up during Israel’s battle, and Aaron and
We catch one another’s eye. We wave across a
Hur stand beside him to support them. Catching the
room. We cheer from the stands. We raise a hand
eye of the angel, Isaiah says, “Here am I. Send me.”
in greeting, reach for another hand in comfort, clap
Jesus places His hands on people who come to
in celebration, and embrace in reunion. In moments
Him for healing. He takes children in His arms and
of distress, we bring our hands to our face. In
blesses them. He tells the story of a stranger who,
emotional moments, we place our hands over our
coming upon a man left to die, lifts him up from
hearts. We sigh, we cry, our shoulders relax as our
where he has fallen, uses both hands to nurse him,
hands come together—human after all.
sets him on the path to recovery, and blesses him
Many of the moments we cherish the most are
with heart and soul, not simply his prayers.
marked by physical gestures in which we connect
As believers, we are raised with examples of
with one another: a child grasping the much bigger
hands raised in prayer, laid on others in blessing,
finger of an adult she trusts, a hand gently held at
and used in selfless service. Scripture states the
a bedside, a brisk and energetic embrace when
principle plainly: “Let us lift up our hearts and hands
we run into an acquaintance in an airport, a high-
to God in heaven” (Lamentations 3:41, NIV), and “Let
five with total strangers during a game, a couple
us not love with words or speech but with actions
walking hand in hand, or old friends linking arms at a
and in truth” (1 John 3:18, NIV).
memorial. From infancy onward, the human touch—
Being “all in” is at the core of Christian witness
connecting—gives us the assurance that people
because the world needs more than our opinions,
know who we are and are attentive to how we are
theological constructs, convictions, and good
feeling.
intentions. What the world needs now is love, sweet
The hand-heart gesture made popular by rock
love—and it is expressed in the way we live, in how
artists and athletes is sustained by values that
we share the road together, in the personal signs
undergird and motivate our engagement with the
that we are paying attention. When our concern
Many of the moments we cherish the most are marked by physical gestures in which we connect with one another. 6 Pacific Union Recorder
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and mean it. Visit someone who cannot easily get out. Bring the meal. Offer the ride. Stay after the meeting to help put away the chairs. Accept the role. Make a sacrifice. Smile at the clerk. Help with a task that has become too much. Be all in. We are called to make every moment matter. Not by trying to do everything for everyone but by being fully present and attentive to the person that God has placed in your life and who is standing before you waiting for a signal that you are willing to respond with what you can give. After the resurrection, Jesus responded to the confusion, doubt, hurt, and fear of His closest disciples by showing them His hands. He came to them behind locked doors and said, “Peace be with you!” Then He showed them His hands and His side (John 20:19-20). Luke describes the moment with particular directness. The disciples were startled and for one another is real, far from looking away when
frightened. Jesus asked, “Why are you troubled, and
someone is in need, we know that we are all in,
why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands
meeting their eyes and their needs.
and my feet. It is I myself” (Luke 24:38-39, NIV). He
Scripture ties this to the love God has shown for His human children but also to how those who have known His steadfast and faithful love will respond
stood among them, spoke peace, and showed them the marks of what He had endured. And then in the closing days of His earthly
to those around them. The injunction could not be
ministry, when Peter and the disciples had returned
plainer: “If anyone has material possessions and
to the fishing nets they knew. Jesus met them on the
sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on
beach at daybreak. They found the Lord tending a
them,” John asks, “How can the love of God be in
charcoal fire and ready with what they needed—His
that person?” He then gives the answer: “Let us not
personal care abundantly prepared and available.
love with words or speech but with actions and in
He invited them, “Come and have breakfast,” then
truth” (1 John 3:17-18, NIV).
took the bread and fish and gave it to them (John
John asks that—through our attention, our commitments, our hearts, and our hands—we
21:9-13). It was a hands and heart moment: the moment
confirm the love we claim to represent. The ultimate
from which a new community—the church— would
hand-heart gestures are the visible indications that
find its way forward. From that moment until now,
we are all in on God’s love for humankind and that
with our hearts and hands combined, we have
our care is personal, steadfast, and active.
sought to faithfully proclaim the gospel of Jesus
So, get your hands moving—you already know
Christ, and in its proclamation, to be all in.
what your own personal hand-heart gestures look
_____________________________
like. It can be almost anything, provided that in doing
Ray Tetz is the director of communication and
it you are all in. Welcome a stranger. Give up your
community engagement of the Pacific Union and the
seat. Text an old friend. Offer to help. Say thank you
publisher of the Recorder.
October 2026 7
8 Pacific Union Recorder
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Grace in Time By Rudy Pardo
T
here’s a quiet question that follows us through life—one we seldom stop to hear, much less answer honestly: Who am I when I’m not striving or producing, not measuring myself by someone else’s
standards, but simply present—with God and with others—without the need to prove my worth? This question is at the heart of the Sabbath. Yet, many of us raised in the Adventist tradition often see the Sabbath differently. We focus on being correct, unique, and set apart, so the Sabbath becomes something we defend and explain, a sign that we are aligned with the truth. Over time, as we gain experience, the clear boundaries we once saw begin to blur. We start to realize that God is not limited to one group, one way, or one practice. As Scripture says, there are sheep not of this fold who still belong to Him, hear His voice, and respond to His grace in ways different from ours (John 10:16). When certainty turns into reflection, we can start to see the Sabbath not as a boundary but as something deeper and more universal. It goes beyond doctrine and touches the very nature of grace. From the start, the Sabbath is not a command forced on us but a gift woven into creation. God stopped working, not out of tiredness but because everything was complete and good. We are invited into that completeness, not as workers but as recipients (Genesis 2:1-3). Before sin and toil, before any need to prove or earn, there was rest and oneness. Humanity lived in harmony with God, each other, and the world. The Sabbath quietly aims to restore that lost unity. So, the Sabbath is not just about stopping work. It is about returning to a lost reality where our identity is not based on what we do but on being created, known, and loved by God. Everything important about us is already secure in Him. This is why the Sabbath can be seen as a metaphor—or better yet, a living expression of grace. Like grace, we cannot earn or control the Sabbath. It comes to us without our effort and invites us to receive it as a gift.
October 2026 9
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When Scripture calls the Sabbath a sign that God
But the Sabbath breaks this pattern. It does
makes us holy, it shows that holiness is not something
not offer a better way to rest for more work; it
we achieve by strict observance. Instead, God does
challenges the idea that our value comes from
this for us, and our role is to rest in Him, the One who
productivity. Like grace, it teaches that our worth is
provides righteousness (Hebrews 4:9-11).
given, not earned, and our identity is about being,
Still, we often turn the Sabbath into another way
not doing. Entering the Sabbath is a practical way to
to strive, to prove our faithfulness, or to compare
live out what grace teaches: we can stop striving, not
ourselves to others. What was meant to free us can
because we have finished everything but because
become a burden, a standard to meet, or a system
God has already done what truly matters.
to master. This is not a new problem. Even in Jesus’
Isaiah’s words deepen this understanding.
time, the Sabbath was tangled in expectations and
He moves us beyond seeing the Sabbath as a
rules, hiding its true purpose. Jesus spoke into
restriction and helps us see it as a delight, as
this confusion, not by ending the Sabbath but by
he writes:
restoring its meaning. Jesus healed on the Sabbath, not to provoke
If, because of the Sabbath, you restrain your foot
but to show that the day was meant to restore life,
From doing as you wish on My holy day,
not restrict it. By saying the Sabbath was made for
And call the Sabbath a pleasure,
man, not man for the Sabbath, He shifted the focus
and the holy day of the Lord honorable,
from our actions to God’s purpose (Mark 2:27-28).
And honor it, desisting from your own ways,
By doing this, Jesus linked the Sabbath to grace.
From seeking your own pleasure
The Sabbath is not just for worship but also for
And speaking your own word,
healing, reconciliation, and restoring oneness with
Then you will take delight in the Lord,
God, others, and even ourselves—which can be the
And I will make you ride on the heights
hardest to regain. The Sabbath also addresses a deeper issue: we often define ourselves by what we produce and
of the earth;
And I will feed you with the heritage
of Jacob your father,
achieve, using society’s standards of success. Even
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken
our rest can become just a way to work better later.
(Isaiah 58:13-14, NASB).
10 Pacific Union Recorder
Isaiah is not just telling us how to act. He is
systems that treat people as just producers. It is a
shifting our focus. “Restraining your foot” is less
commitment to live, even imperfectly, in ways that
about limiting activity and more about stepping
honor others’ dignity and creation’s integrity.
away from a self-centered life. True joy comes not
Even here there is a risk. We can turn the
from asserting ourselves but from delighting in
Sabbath into another project or cause, another
God. So, the Sabbath is not about suppressing joy
way to strive. When we do this, we lose what
but about recovering it. It is not about self-denial
makes the Sabbath special: it is meant to be an
to prove something but about letting go of always
end in itself—a space where we are simply invited
putting ourselves first. This is how we learn to
to be.
delight in the Lord, which is what grace feels like when we stop resisting it.
In the end, the Sabbath asks us to trust: to trust that God works even when we do not, that the
If we are honest, “doing our own pleasure”
world does not depend on our constant activity,
is not just about enjoying activities. It means
and, hardest of all, that we are loved apart from
making ourselves the center of life and measuring
what we do.
everything by our desires. Grace gently challenges
This kind of trust is not easy to build. Everything
this, inviting us to step aside and let God be at the
around us pushes us to prove and achieve, to find
center. So, when Isaiah talks about being lifted to
value in action. Yet the Sabbath comes back each
“the heights of the earth” and fed with “the heritage
week, gently inviting us to step out of that cycle
of Jacob,” he is not describing a reward we earn.
and into a new reality.
Instead, he describes a life that opens up when
You cannot control the Sabbath, speed it
we stop trying to secure everything ourselves and
up, or delay it. You cannot shape it to fit your
enter the rest God has prepared. The Sabbath,
preferences. You can only enter it. In this way,
then, is not a burden but a space where we are
the Sabbath mirrors grace, which also cannot be
carried.
possessed or manipulated, only received.
But this practice is not just individual. The
And when we begin to live with that
Sabbath was never meant to be lived alone. When
understanding, the question shifts, no longer
we talk about “my Sabbath” or “my spirituality,” we
centered on whether we are keeping the Sabbath
miss the communal nature of this gift.
correctly but on whether we are allowing
When we gather, share meals, worship, and rest
the Sabbath to reshape us. It forms in us an
together without pressure to perform, we create
identity rooted in presence, not production;
a different kind of community. This community
in relationship, not achievement; in trust, not
reflects grace, not the demands of culture, and
control. It is a reminder that everything I need has
together we show what it means to be human
already been given, that grace precedes my effort,
before God.
and that the deepest truth about my life is not
This communal side goes beyond our own
what I accomplish but what God has done.
circles. It makes us consider how our lives affect
Maybe this is the invitation for all of us: not to
others, especially those who cannot rest because
defend or prove the Sabbath, or to justify it, but
of their circumstances. Keeping the Sabbath
to enter it as a gift, a sign, a living expression of
truly means not only resting ourselves but also
grace. In learning to rest, we slowly discover who
becoming aware of the world’s restlessness.
we were meant to be.
With this awareness, the Sabbath becomes a quiet form of resistance. It is a gentle refusal to join
_____________________________ Rudy Pardo writes from Southern Florida.
October 2026 11
In September 1989, the Ellen G. White Estate commissioned Elfred Lee, a well-known Seventh-day Adventist artist, to paint a 30- by 8-foot mural based on Ellen White's first vision. The mural was unveiled on October 22, 1991.
The Courtship of Ellen Harmon By Ronald D. Graybill
J
ames White was 23 and Ellen Harmon only 16
by the forceful young preacher. He had already
when they first met. Neither made much of an
acquired a reputation by bringing more than a
impression upon the other—romantically at
thousand people to the hope of Christ’s coming.
least. Ellen was a short girl, 5’ 2”, quite thin, probably
When the two met the next time, much had
weighing less than 100 pounds. She was plain
changed. October 22, 1844, the day set for Christ’s
looking, and a smashed nose plus seven years of
return, had come and gone. Thousands had
poor health didn’t add anything good to her looks.
renounced their belief in the soon return of Jesus
But looks didn’t matter to James White and
and drifted back to their former churches or out of
Ellen Harmon. They were both totally devoted to preparing themselves and others for the most
religion altogether. But by then Ellen had already seen a vision—a
stupendous event in the world’s history—the second
vision of God’s people still walking toward the
advent of Christ, which they believed would happen
kingdom. She saw the mighty message James and
within a few short weeks or months.
others had sounded in the summer of ‘44 as a
The couple were first introduced by a mutual
kind of light behind the Advent band, illuminating
friend in Portland, Maine. “Sister Ellen,” old Deacon
their entire path to the city of gold. Despite their
Pearson must have said, “I’d like you to meet James
disappointment, God had been with them!
White. He and my son John have been preaching together for some months.” “Pleased to meet you, sir.” Painfully aware of her appearance, and only an insignificant girl among the
The vision took place in December of 1844. It took a good deal of convincing on God’s part to get Ellen to go tell others about the vision, but He finally succeeded.
Millerite Adventists of Portland, Ellen Harmon was
The big problem was how a poverty-stricken
quiet and shy and no doubt abashed somewhat
single girl of 17 could get from place to place to
12 Pacific Union Recorder
reach the Advent believers who so needed the
that took place in some of the meetings James and
encouragement of the messages God had sent.
Ellen attended. Later, such incidents were to play an
Her first extended tour was arranged when friends
interesting role in James White’s marriage proposal.
invited Ellen to go on a trip with them to Orrington,
When the trip ended, Ellen returned home. But
Maine. They had a borrowed horse and sleigh they
before long she was with James again, this time with
wanted to return to the owner—James White.
fellow believers in Topsham, Maine.
So, at Orrington, Ellen and James met again, and
Then it was off to Vermont and New Hampshire
this time they noticed and remembered each other.
with a group of friends and—who else?—James
In fact, in the next three months they saw each other
White.
often as they traveled around eastern Maine visiting
No love letters between the couple have survived.
scattered groups of disappointed Adventists. The
Their courtship was different from most because
challenges of the moment put them on common
neither of them believed that time would last long
ground, seeking the same goals. Their working
enough to make marriage a sensible course of
together provided the setting for a growing affection
action. In fact, James and Ellen believed, along with
between James and Ellen. The work was hard, and
most of their friends, that to marry would imply
those who opposed their views often savage. While
a denial of their faith in Christ’s soon coming.
James was preaching, one can easily imagine Ellen
Marriage would testify that they were not so sure
praying silently, “Father, give him strength; help them
Christ was coming all that soon, that there was
to understand him.” And when Ellen was presenting
time to settle down to a family and the pursuits
her visions, James doubtless did the same for her.
of everyday life. If they did write to each other at
Almost the only former Millerites who would listen
this early date, their letters most likely dealt with
to them were a group of fanatics who were called
the joys and discouragements of their religious
“spiritualizers” because they taught that Christ had
experience rather than with romance or personal
indeed come on October 22, 1844—but He had
expressions of affection.
come “spiritually” and was now living in them and making them perfectly sanctified.
They must have had lots of time together on those trips through the snows of Maine and across
They tried to prove their holiness by practicing spiritual marriage (ostensibly marriage without sex), by exchanging the “holy kiss,” by refusing to work (since they had entered the “eternal rest”), and by crawling about on hands and knees to prove they were like little children, worthy to enter the kingdom. As the travelers moved from small town to small town in the area a little north of Portland, Maine, a disturbing letter arrived from Ellen’s mother. She urged her to return home immediately. Eunice Harmon had doubtless heard of fanatical exercises
October 2026 13
the mountains of New Hampshire. Along with their
when a vision was given Ellen a few days before the
traveling companions, they must have talked avidly
date of expectation did they understand that they
about the Bible and its prophecies, seeking to
would again be disappointed.
understand their disappointment. Ellen Harmon’s
During the month of October, James actually
visions at the time did not make everything clear to
went on record as opposed to marriage for true
them, even though her later recollections of those
Adventists. When a couple he knew in Portland
visions may have assigned more clarity to them than
announced their wedding plans, he wrote a letter
Ellen sensed at the time.
saying the couple had “denied their faith, in being
Perhaps, too, James and Ellen made the forests
published for marriage.” Then he declared: “We all
of Maine ring with songs of the Second Advent,
look upon it as a wile of the Devil. The firm brethren
for both Ellen and James liked music and were
in Maine who are waiting for Christ to come have no
excellent singers. While there is nothing to indicate
fellowship with such a move.”1
that any gushingly romantic attachment developed
Apparently Ellen agreed with these sentiments.
between them, their closeness on these trips must
But before many months had passed, James would
have led to a deep respect and mutual trust, a
have reason to regret his strong language. The
sense of dependence upon each other, and finally a
work God laid upon Ellen called for her to continue
particularly personal sense of responsibility on the
to travel. James continued to travel with her. But it
part of James.
wasn’t long before rumors again began to circulate.
But even now they had no thought of getting
James was the one who heard the rumors first.
married. It wasn’t that they considered and rejected
He faced a crisis of decision. The simplest thing
the idea. Their beliefs simply put marriage out of the
to do would be to leave Ellen, letting her travel
question. They still thought the Lord would come in
around without him if she could. But James began
a very, very short time. In the late summer of 1845,
to consider another course, one that under the
their hopes focused on October of that year, just as
circumstances was somewhat surprising: marriage.
they had focused on October the year before. Only
The fact that he would even consider it shows that he didn’t really want to leave her. He wanted
No love letters between the couple have survived. Their courtship was different from most because neither of them believed that time would last long enough to make marriage a sensible course of action.
to stay with her, and in order to do so he was willing to contemplate a step he had denounced not long before. James had a strong argument in favor of marriage. Ellen, after all, needed somebody to travel with her. Her father couldn’t, her brother wouldn’t, and James evidently didn’t want to turn the responsibility over to any other man. There had been some who wanted the job. Besides, doing that wouldn’t quell the rumors. And if Ellen’s witness was to be accepted, those rumors had to be choked off. In short, the rumors, though certainly not the only reason for getting married, provided a good reason for taking a step that had been viewed as a denial of their belief. So James came to Ellen and, as she recalled his
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proposal 60 years later, he told her that “something had come up, and he should have to go away and leave me to go with whomsoever I would, or we must be married. He said something had got to be done. So we were married.”2 But back in 1846 there was still an obstacle in the way of their marriage. Ellen’s parents probably agreed easily enough—they were anxious to preserve her reputation—but what about their friends and fellow believers? Would they accept the idea of marriage? In a letter he wrote just four days before the wedding, James said: “Brother Nichols said he was tried when he first heard of our marriage, or intended marriage, but he is now satisfied that God was in it. Sister Ellen says that the way is made plain. We are published. We shall be married perhaps Monday.”3 Had Ellen not been cast out of the Methodist Church four years earlier for her belief in the coming of Christ, she might have had a real church wedding down on Chestnut Street, with music from one of the only organs in any Methodist church in America. But they had no church and no pastor of their own. So on Sunday, August 30, 1846, James White, who had just passed his 25th birthday, and Ellen Harmon, who was just about to reach her 19th, sought out the justice of the peace in Portland, Maine, and were married. If they had no church of their own to be married in, together they would give their lives to founding one. _____________________________ Ron Graybill, a retired church historian, writes from Corona, California. This article originally appeared in Insight, Jan. 23, 1973, pp. 4-7. 1 James White, letter dated Sept. 27, 1845, published in The Day-Star, Oct. 11, 1845, https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/711.140. 2 Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, p. 208. 3 James White to Brother Collins, Aug. 26, 1846, Ellen G. White Estate, quoted in Merlin D. Burt, “The Historical Background, Interconnected Development, and Integration of the Doctrines of the Sanctuary, the Sabbath, and Ellen G. White’s Role in Sabbatarian Adventism from 1844 to 1849” (Ph.D. dissertation, Andrews University Theological Seminary, 2002), pp. 281-282.
Toward an honest conversation about Ellen White. Nearly two centuries after Ellen Gould Harmon White’s birth, we know more about her life and work than ever before. Yet discussions about her often remain caught in the extremes: either she is dismissed as a thief and impostor or defended as though she could do no wrong. There is another way to read her story. In Reclaiming the Prophet, eleven esteemed Adventist scholars examine fresh evidence on Ellen White’s life, writings, and influence—from her ideas on women in leadership and “holy living” to her use of historical sources and her power as a preacher of the Advent hope. Neither an attack nor an exercise in unquestioning devotion, Reclaiming the Prophet offers a candid, scholarly defense of a remarkable woman—and an invitation to replace old arguments with thoughtful conversation. Candid. Scholarly. Faithful.
NEW FROM
Available from Amazon and AdventSource
October 2026 15
N E W S D E S K
Constituents Vote Eight New Trustees; President Highlights Opportunities, Challenges
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ffective July 1, a slate of trustees that includes eight new members and six incumbents began governing La Sierra University’s operations through 2030, supporting the institution’s pursuit of its vision and objectives under the leadership of President Christon Arthur and his team. The 2026 quadrennial constituency session held on May 13 opened with a state-of-the-university report delivered by Arthur titled “A Place Worth Becoming.” It outlined the institution’s upward transition out of a decade of enrollment declines, a struggling internal culture, and structural deficit, to a place of hope and focused mission encapsulated within a new, three-year strategic plan and fueled by enrollment gains, new initiatives, and national recognitions. The session was anchored with a constituent vote that approved eight new trustees to fill board vacancies, ushering in expertise from the arenas of education, church leadership, law, professional sports management, healthcare, technology manufacturing, and behavioral health. Six current members were voted for additional board terms.
New trustees Margarita (Maggie) CarrilloBlades is a psychologist practicing in the Riverside County Office of Education. She holds a B.A. degree from La Sierra University and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside. Her extensive experience
in K-12 education, along with insights from her Hispanic cultural heritage, will lend valuable perspectives to the board’s work. Karnik Doukmetzian recently retired as general counsel of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, a position he had held since April 2009. He now serves in an Of Counsel position with the Office of General Counsel. He holds a B.A. from York University, Toronto, and a J.D. from the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law. He brings to the board significant legal expertise and extensive experience in denominational organizational management and leadership. Sandra Fermin is the young adult and community pastor of the Loma Linda Filipino church. She holds a B.A. from La Sierra University and an M.Div. from Andrews University. Her experience as a first-generation Mexican American living in the tension of belonging to both cultures, along with her professional pastoral experience, will bring a unique perspective to the board. Brent Geraty is an attorney and independent consultant. He formerly served as legal counsel at Andrews University and the University
“We are changing the way that we do business, the way that we think, the way that we act.” Christon Arthur 16 Pacific Union Recorder
N E W S D E S K of Redlands. He holds an M.A. from Andrews University, a B.A. from Atlantic Union College, and a J.D. from Yale Law School. His years of experience specializing in legal and policy matters unique to Seventh-day Adventist higher education will be invaluable to the board's work. Arnold Gutierrez is a project manager and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) consultant with extensive experience on higher education boards. He holds a B.A. from Loma Linda University and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine. He is an advocate for shared governance and datadriven results, is committed to fostering faculty development and research opportunities, and is a longtime champion of La Sierra University. Zareh Sarrafian is the chief executive officer of the Riverside University Health System. He holds a B.S. from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and an M.B.A. from California State University, San Bernardino. His years of experience in financial operations and long-range and strategic planning will be a valuable asset to the board. Victor Tolan is the president and chief executive officer of B&K Precision, a leading provider of reliable and cost-effective testing instruments used in manufacturing, aerospace and defense, energy, power, transportation, and other sectors. He holds an M.S. in civil engineering from the Technical University in Cluj, Romania, and an M.B.A. from California State University, Fullerton. He is a longtime friend and supporter of La Sierra University and is a staunch advocate for higher education, serving on the boards of multiple charitable educational organizations.
Brian Wright is the general manager of the NBA's San Antonio Spurs. He holds a master's in sports business management from the University of Central Florida and a B.S. in business from La Sierra University. He has co-authored two books and is a frequent guest speaker at the Zapara School of Business, where he meets with and mentors students. Brian's team-focused, servant leadership style and emphasis on results will be an asset to the board.
Returning trustees Jeff Brand is a partner and cardiologist at Southern California Permanente Medical Group. He holds a B.S. from Atlantic Union College, an M.S. from the University of California, Riverside, and an M.D. from Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He joined the La Sierra University Board of Trustees in 2025, completing the vacancy left by the departure of Trustee Don Williams, and currently serves on the Board Educational Quality Committee. Nedd Brown is the dean of Graduate Medical Education at the University of South Dakota. He is an alumnus of La Sierra University, where he earned an M.B.A., and holds an Ed.D. from the University of South Dakota. He has a significant background in higher education administration and has also served for several years in the Adventist K-12 system as a teacher and as a principal. He has been an enthusiastic and engaging trustee over the past four years and was recently named chair of the Board Educational Quality Committee. Carmen Ibanez is the executive director of Pine Springs Ranch and also serves as the associate youth director for the Southeastern
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N E W S D E S K California Conference (SECC). She holds a B.A. from Pacific Union College and an M.Div. from Andrews University. She is deeply committed to her work with the young people of the SECC and to her work on the Board Educational Quality Committee and Strategy Committee. As a trustee, she continues to represent and advocate for students. Kim Godfrey is co-owner and operator of an independent dental practice in Lodi, California. She is an alumnus of La Sierra University and is a vocal supporter and advocate of Adventist education. A trustee since 2020, Kim recently became vice chair-elect of the Board of Trustees. She brings a strong and effective voice that will help lead the board into the future. Chris Oberg is the chief executive officer of Path of Life Ministries, a nonprofit agency serving unhoused, challenged youth and families in the greater Riverside area. She previously served for 13 years as lead pastor of La Sierra University church. She joined the La Sierra University Board of Trustees in 2025, filling the vacancy left by the departure of trustee Kent Hansen, where her background and expertise in the higher-ed church community have helped inform and advance the board's work. Adrian Serna is the operational finance executive at Adventist Health. Serving on the board since 2019, he recently became chair-elect of the Board Finance Committee, where he continues to lend his extensive financial expertise. He is dedicated to ensuring that the university continues to find ways to create and maintain demonstrable measurements for success.
Opportunities in challenges In his report, President Christon Arthur provided an overview of the institution’s recent history
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and noted the stabilizing expertise of interim President Richard Osborn, who served in the position for eight months prior to Arthur’s arrival as president on July 1, 2024. The current environment presents both challenges and opportunities, Arthur noted—challenges established with prior multi-year enrollment declines, significant budget shortfalls, and current federal funding uncertainties; and opportunities presented through hybrid online learning models, new degree programs, scholarships, and funding initiatives that will propel the university toward its goal of enrolling 3,000 students by 2035. In Fall 2025, the university moved the needle— reversing a 10-year enrollment drop, it experienced a 26% increase in new freshmen, a 38% increase in new graduate students, a 24% total increase in new students, and an overall enrollment jump of 5%. Arthur also cited the university’s statewide and national recognitions for its strong missional emphasis on a transformative student experience, in particular for those facing steep challenges. In 2026 best colleges rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked La Sierra University at No. 3 in 15 western states for Social Mobility and the Wall Street Journal ranked the university No. 35 out of 584 nationally in the same category. “We know it’s not only about attracting new students but making sure they feel confident in their abilities, their capacities, in their potential,” Arthur said. “We are the place where potential is harnessed, where everybody becomes what God has created.” Arthur described the current higher education landscape through the lens of an industry term known as VUCA—volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous—a scenario worsened by the longpredicted demographic cliff resulting in a significant decline in college applicants nationwide. “We should not simply react [to challenges], but we should have clarity and discipline about what we do next, and that’s the approach we’re taking,” Arthur said. “One of those approaches is to make ourselves more competitive and affordable and have a wider reach.”
N E W S D E S K The university has been making inroads in remote learning offerings. In January, the Zapara School of Business launched its fully online MBA in healthcare management program in California, and the School of Education provides a fully online graduate program. Additional online courses have been developed, and the H.M.S. Richards Divinity School in June launched its first doctoral program in hybrid format with a first cohort of 18 students. The completion of a unique one-page, three-year strategic plan included the development of new university core values and five priority areas with associated key performance indicators that are tracked in weekly open meetings. A strategic planning committee guides the overall implementation of the plan, which is based upon proven business models common in the corporate world. “We are changing the way that we do business, the way that we think, the way that we act,” Arthur said. “We came up with our core values, the things we want to be known for. We want to be welcoming. We want to serve well. We want to live with distinction. We want to strive for excellence. We want to act in ways that are decisive. We want to be accountable. We think as we put those into practice it will help us to navigate the challenges that are ahead of us.” He noted initiatives that support students and
campus members, such as development of a mentorship program; exploration of spaces for commuter students and new, affordable housing options for employees; the launch of the Office of Philanthropy’s $1,000 for 1,000 campaign to bolster the emergency student aid fund; and the new HOME@LASIERRA Endowment, a $2 million campaign that will provide a college education and housing to youth transitioning out of foster care, beginning in Fall 2026. “Looking ahead we will be academically relevant, financially resilient, grounded in mission,” Arthur said. “La Sierra University is a Seventh-day Adventist university. We believe in the beauty of our dreams, our strategy and plans for this place, and we know that at La Sierra University, we are doing God’s work.” Additional reports from Chief Financial Officer Steve Hemenway, then-Interim Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives Marni Straine, and Chief Information Officer Scott Martell highlighted respectively the university’s debt reduction through strategic initiatives and a strong balance sheet; details about the HOME@ LASIERRA scholarship initiative that will provide comprehensive support, housing, and education to former foster youth; and the university’s migration to a Microsoft-based platform.
October 2026 19
Arizona Conference Holds Town Hall Meetings Ahead of Constituency Session
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s the Arizona Conference prepares for its constituency meeting in October, church members across the state are being given an opportunity to hear directly from conference leadership, ask questions, and take part in conversations about the future of the church in Arizona. The first town hall meeting took place at Glendale church on Sabbath, August 29. The following day, conference departmental directors and executive administrators traveled to Tucson, where they held two additional meetings—one at Tucson Sharon church and another at Tucson Central Spanish church. Throughout the weekend, conference leaders shared updates on work across Arizona and provided information to help members better understand the conference as it approaches its constituency meeting. But the gatherings were about more than presentations and reports. One central purpose of the town hall meetings is to create space for conversation. Members can ask
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questions directly of conference leaders and gain a clearer picture of the ministries, challenges, and opportunities facing the conference. The meetings also help prepare members and delegates for the constituency meeting in October. By sharing information ahead of the formal session, the town halls help participants become more familiar with the conference’s work and the matters to be addressed during the constituency process. For conference leadership, the meetings offer an opportunity to listen and communicate. Bringing administrators, departmental directors, and church members together creates a setting for open dialogue and encourages greater understanding between the conference and its local congregations. As the October constituency meeting approaches, additional preparations continue, along with more town hall meetings across Arizona Conference. The town hall meetings are an important step in that process, reminding members that the church's work is strengthened when its leaders and congregations communicate, listen, and move forward together. ____________________ By Alex Camacho
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United, Loyal, and Committed Leaders Gather for Hispanic Elders and Pastors Meeting
he Arizona Conference Hispanic Department held its Elders and Pastors Meeting on August 14 and 15 at Thunderbird Adventist Academy, bringing together 160 pastors and church elders for a weekend focused on strengthening leadership, unity, and commitment to the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. With the theme “United, Loyal, and Committed Leaders,” the event brought together pastors and elders from Hispanic congregations across Arizona to worship, learn from experienced church leaders, and reflect on their shared responsibility to serve their congregations and reach their communities. Pastors Tony Anobile, Robin López, and Gerardo Oudri enriched the meetings with messages that offered spiritual encouragement and practical guidance for church leaders. Central topics included member retention and evangelism, focusing on how churches can better care for current members and find meaningful ways to welcome new people. The presentations stressed that both start with creating an environment where people feel genuine acceptance, love, and Christian community. Leaders were reminded that keeping members involves more than just programs or activities. It means getting to know people, listening to their stories, understanding their needs, and helping them stay connected to Christ and His church. At the same time, bringing in new members means churches must reach beyond their usual circles and create chances for people to meet Jesus. The focus on acceptance and love reinforced the idea that effective ministry starts with relationships. Pastors
and elders were encouraged to build churches where people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for as they grow in their relationship with Christ. Through worship, teaching, discussion, and fellowship, the weekend also helped pastors and elders in Arizona’s Hispanic churches build stronger connections. Their partnership is essential for building healthy congregations and moving the church’s mission forward. For the Hispanic Department, this gathering was more than just a leadership meeting. It was a chance to equip and encourage leaders to serve with greater unity and purpose. As participants returned to their churches, they brought back a renewed call to lead with commitment, nurture those already in their care, and reach others with the love of Christ. ____________________ By Alex Camacho
Arizona Conference
October 2026 21
An Answer to Prayer:
Elisha’s Story from Youth Rush 2026
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very summer, Youth Rush gives young people the opportunity to step onto the frontlines of ministry and see God work through them in powerful ways. This year, 41 student literature evangelists and leaders served through the Central California Conference’s Youth Rush program for 10 weeks. They spent four weeks in the Central Valley, including Modesto and Fresno, before continuing in San Jose, Salinas, Santa Maria, and surrounding towns. By summer’s end, our students had placed well over 24,000 books and thousands of GLOW tracts while receiving more than $310,000 in donations. They prayed with countless people, conducted more community surveys than in any summer since the covid pandemic,
and saw 258 people request personal Bible studies. This summer, we also partnered with Adventist Connect to connect our Youth Rush App with Thrive, the North American Division’s new church management and interest-tracking software. This helps us connect interested individuals with local churches and strengthen follow-up ministry. But behind every number is a person, a prayer, and a story. For Elisha, now a senior at Mountain View Academy, this was her first summer with Youth Rush. She heard about the program through her friend, Grace Tan, who had participated in 2025. Grace loved the experience and later came to Mountain View Academy, where she and Elisha became close friends. When Grace felt
Mungsuan with a family who received books.
Elisha canvassing in a parking lot in San Jose.
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Central California Conference
called to return to Youth Rush this summer, she invited Elisha to join her. Although Elisha’s parents were hesitant at first, they ultimately supported her decision to join the program. One experience in particular showed her how God can work through her. One day, before lunch, Elisha’s leader prayed with her for one last powerful divine appointment. Soon afterward, Elisha noticed a man loading groceries into his van. She had walked past him several times, but now she felt impressed to approach him. As she canvassed him, she showed him the book Peace Above the Storm (a renamed Steps to Christ by Ellen White). He immediately began to cry. His name was Paul. He told Elisha he had given his life to God and had been baptized just 10 days earlier. Since then, he had been experiencing beautiful miracles that helped him see God’s goodness, and he saw this encounter as another one of them. God had set him free from years of drinking and drug use, and now he wanted to know his Savior more each day. The books were an answer to prayer. What Paul did not know was that he was also an answer to Elisha’s prayers. For weeks, she had been asking God to send her to a new Christian who wanted to learn more about Jesus and to someone who was spiritually interested. That same day, she had also prayed for someone to take all the books she was carrying. Paul did. Elisha left him with Simply Fresh, Super Stories, Man of Peace, Peace Above the Storm, The Great Controversy, and The Answer Book. After talking and crying together, they prayed and hugged. Paul also signed up for personal Bible studies and other community services. Elisha’s story brings 1 Corinthians 3:6 to mind: “I
Grace and Charissa praying.
planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (NKJV). Our students may never know the full impact of a book placed, a prayer offered, or a conversation at someone’s door. Their part is to faithfully plant the seed and trust God with what happens next. Youth Rush is much more than a summer job. It is a discipleship and evangelism program for young people ages 16 through college, giving them practical opportunities to grow in faith and share it with others. Thousands of books were placed. Countless prayers were offered. Hundreds requested Bible studies. Seeds were planted across Central California—and Elisha’s experience is only one of many stories from this summer. More testimony videos are available at youthrushcentral.com and on the California Youth Rush CCC YouTube channel. We may not see the full impact of those seeds in this life, but God will continue to water them and give the increase. By His grace, eternity will reveal that heaven is fuller because young people were willing to go. ____________________ By John Miller
Youth Rush Team at Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park.
Central California Conference
October 2026 23
Hurricane Lala Recovery Efforts
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n August 2026, Hurricane Lala brought powerful winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, and significant disruption to the Hawaiian Islands. Hawai’i Island experienced some of the most challenging impacts, including power outages, damaged roads and infrastructure, fallen trees, and interruptions to basic services. While the storm created these challenges, it also revealed the remarkable resilience, faith, and unity of Hawai’i’s communities. In the aftermath, churches, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, and county agencies came together to provide essential resources to those affected. Kurtistown Samoan English church has been actively involved in these efforts, along with the Kona Spanish church, led by Pastor Jacob Moreno partnering with local organizations and the County of Hawai’i to provide food, water, ice, and other necessities to families and individuals in need. Pastor Matthias, one of the pastors serving the Kurtistown Samoan English church, provided the following report on the church’s response and his experience visiting communities affected by Hurricane Lala: Kurtistown Samoan-English has been partnering with local non-profits and the County of Hawai’i to distribute hot meals, water, and ice to help keep food cold. We have also collaborated to use our facility as a distribution center for gasoline, toiletries, and non-perishable foods for our community impacted by Hurricane Lala.
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Hawaii Conference
We continue to leave our church open as a donation site for others to give to those impacted. We are also continuing to work with the county to have our church become a possible permanent partner for distribution in future disaster-relief efforts. Going to Ka’ū and visiting the town of Pāhala was breathtaking, as I witnessed the resilience of the people there. Despite not having power, not having running water, and at times not even having hot meals, the people stood together side by side regardless of their circumstances. I saw God throughout Hawai’i Island as communities came together to aid a neighboring district. I am grateful for this community because they know that we are all we have at the
end of the day. The power of community was exemplified, and I saw heaven on earth when we all came together. The recovery continues, but so does the spirit of generosity and service that has been evident throughout Hawai’i Island. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has prayed, donated, volunteered, served meals, delivered supplies, opened facilities, and continued to support those affected by Hurricane Lala. Thank you for your prayers and continued efforts as the people of Hawai’i recover, rebuild, and stand together. ____________________ By Miguel MotaManzo
Hawaii Conference
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A Seventh-day Adventist Boarding Academy Serving Native American Youth Since 1946
Education Beyond the Textbook
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n 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Paul wrote a prayer for the believers in Thessalonica that still rings true for our mission today: “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful” (NLT). Paul knew that real growth is never just about one part of a person. At Holbrook Indian School, we witness this reality every day. Many of our students arrive carrying heavy burdens of generational trauma, broken trust, and personal loss that keep their minds locked in survival mode. We cannot simply hand a child a textbook and expect them to thrive if their heart hurts and they are mentally and physically exhausted. To help children heal, education must reach into every corner of their lives. That is why we have built our school life around MAPS. MAPS is an initiative created to help students learn, grow, and thrive through four essential areas: Mental, Academic/Artistic, Physical, and Spiritual. For many students, the journey for whole-body wellness begins with emotional safety. On-site licensed counselors and trauma-informed staff give our kids a confidential haven to process grief, work through difficult memories, and build healthy coping skills. When students feel safe, their minds unlock for
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Holbrook Indian School
learning. Small class sizes allow our teachers to meet students right where they are, pairing core academic subjects with hands-on vocational trades like welding and woodworking. Alongside these practical skills, traditional arts like pottery give students space to honor and celebrate their cultural heritage. When students step outside the classroom on campus, they have the opportunity to grow both physically and emotionally. Through equine-assisted learning in the horse arena, they develop trust, patience, and emotional regulation. Just down the path in our campus gardens and greenhouses, getting their hands in the dirt and harvesting fresh produce teaches them practical self-reliance and connects healthy nutrition directly to a clearer mind. Of all the ways we support our students, the spiritual heartbeat of our school is what makes lasting transformation possible. We know that emotional tools and practical skills can only go so far on their own— true, enduring wholeness comes from knowing the God who made them.
Through daily morning and evening dorm worships, weekly chapel services, and quiet, one-on-one prayer with staff and mentors, students are introduced to the unconditional love of Jesus. Many arrive having never heard that their lives hold divine purpose. Here, they discover that they are not defined by past pain but by who they are in Christ. In John 15:5, Jesus reminds us, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who remains in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit. For without Me you can do nothing” (MEV). Just as a branch draws its life and strength directly from the vine, our entire community leans on Jesus. Without Him, our programs are just activities. Connected to Him, they become the soil where deep healing takes root. Whether a student is working in the garden, solving a math problem, bonding with a horse, or kneeling in prayer, MAPS surrounds them with the love, guidance, healing, and spiritual foundation they need to walk through life with confidence, resilience, and wholeness. _____________ By Kirsten Knuppel
A Seventh-day Adventist Boarding Academy Serving Native American Youth Since 1946 Holbrook Indian School (HIS) is a first- through 12th-grade boarding academy operated by the Pacific Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Eighty-seven 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.
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT P.O. Box 910 • Holbrook, Arizona 86025-0910 • (928) 524-6845 (Ext. 109) • Development@hissda.org • HolbrookIndianSchool.org
Holbrook Indian School
October 2026 27
Jahdiel Matos Ordained to Gospel Ministry
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ahdiel Matos was ordained on July 25 at the San Fernando Spanish church surrounded by family, friends, colleagues, mentors, and church family from around the world. “To see so many people at my ordination was very meaningful because I believe my ministry is fulfilled in people,” Matos said. “It was an affirmation of God’s calling to know I have been a part of their lives. It is humbling, and I feel very grateful and blessed.” Matos is a staff chaplain at Adventist Health Glendale where he provides spiritual and emotional care for patients, their families, and hospital staff. He ministers across several clinical areas, including orthopedics, neuro-telemetry, the intensive care unit, and the emergency department. Matos was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. He traveled to Southern California in 2019 to work for the summer as a Bible worker at the Rialto Spanish church. During that time, Pastor Abdul Guzman gave him a tour of Fuller Theological Seminary. The visit made a strong impression, and Matos remembers praying, “God, if you ever give me the opportunity to study here, that would be a dream.” He returned to the Dominic Republic and became the associate pastor for the Piantini Adventist Church. Two years later, while Matos was participating in youth evangelism in California, Pastor Sam Del Pozo encouraged him to apply to Fuller despite concerns about tuition and finances. Matos stepped out in faith, applied, and was accepted. Weeks went by. Then on a Friday evening
From left: Kathleen V. Diaz, treasurer, CFO, Southern California Conference (SCC); Angela Li, associate director, NAD Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries; Royal Harrison, executive vice president, SCC; Jahdiel Matos, staff chaplain, Adventist Health Glendale; Danny Chan, executive secretary, SCC; Sam Leonor, chief mission officer, Adventist Health; John H. Cress, president, SCC.
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Adventist Health
as Matos listened to someone singing “Way Maker” at an Adventist Youth meeting, his phone buzzed. It was Pastor Del Pozo calling with unexpected news: The Pasadena Spanish church had decided to sponsor him while he pursued a Master of Divinity degree at Fuller. In 2022, Matos moved to California and began serving at the church while completing graduate studies. From admission to Fuller, financial support, and securing a visa during the pandemic, “God aligned everything,” Matos said. In his work as a chaplain, Matos finds his purpose within the ministry of Jesus. “Jesus didn’t save people from the distance of heaven,” Matos said. “He became flesh and dwelt among people. That has deep implications and significance in my ministry. I believe God called me to be with people, to see them, to love them, and to let them know that although this world is broken and there is pain and suffering, He is with us. When I walk into a hospital room, I see the pain, but I also see how we can share the pain together.” In addition to his work at Adventist Health Glendale, Matos is a pastor at the San Fernando Spanish church. He completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Adventist Health White Memorial, along with additional advanced training. He is board-certified through the Association of Professional Chaplains, has bachelor’s degrees in business administration and theology from Dominican Adventist University, a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, and ecclesiastical endorsement from Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries. The importance of people and relationships to Matos was evident during his ordination when church members from throughout his journey gathered to celebrate with him—people from Rialto, Pasadena, San Gabriel, San Fernando, and beyond, including his home church in the Dominican Republic via livestream. “I don’t think anyone gets where they are by themselves,” Matos said. “There are always people who have poured into us their time, their resources, their wisdom, their prayers. Seeing the people at my ordination, I was reminded I am here because of God and because of all of them. It’s because of their prayers, support, advice, and mentorship, and because they gave me the opportunity to serve them and to love them.” ____________________ By Kim Strobel
To read more, go to lasierra.edu/news
La Sierra Prof’s Team Selected for DOE Genesis Mission AI Research Award
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La Sierra University
PHOTOS: FUHAO LI
heir project was among 278 selected from more than 5,000 applications nationwide. La Sierra University assistant professor of computer science Fuhao Li, together with researchers from the University of North Dakota, the University of WisconsinMadison, and Clean Republic SODO, LLC, was recently selected for Phase I support through a new federal research and development initiative for an artificial intelligence-based project aimed at strengthening the security and reliability of electric vehicle battery systems and other critical energy infrastructure. Dr. Fuhao Li, assistant professor of computer science, poses in front The project was selected in July under of a banner featuring the DOE Genesis Mission grant awards. the inaugural Genesis Mission effort spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Genesis showcase La Sierra University’s strengths in artificial Mission is a national initiative designed to accelerate intelligence, computer science, and cybersecurity scientific discovery by bringing together government, through this national initiative.” industry, academia, and other partners. The initiative “Securing the Department of Energy's Genesis integrates artificial intelligence, supercomputing, Mission grant is a powerful testament to the fact that quantum systems, and advanced scientific instruments faith-based higher education and world-class academic to support advances in energy, scientific discovery, and excellence go hand in hand,” said Enoch Hwang, chair of national security. La Sierra’s computer science department. “Being chosen Li serves as La Sierra’s principal investigator for the for this federal award highlights the computer science project, which is led by the University of North Dakota. department’s competitive strength on a national level. The award supports an initial nine-month phase of the It serves as another bright example of excellence in three-phase project. During this phase, the research Adventist higher education.” team will develop and evaluate AI-based methods Li started his role as an assistant professor at La Sierra in simulated adversarial scenarios involving battery in July 2025 after his postdoc research fellow role at the management systems. The researchers aim to identify University of North Dakota. Over the past year, Li has compromised or manipulated data and strengthen AI worked with Hwang on research involving humanoid models so they can operate securely and reliably under and quadruped robots. He has also worked with and adverse conditions. mentored computer science students on research The 278 projects selected for the Genesis Mission accepted by peer-reviewed conferences and journals, involve 342 participating institutions, including 142 including flagship IEEE conferences in multiple sectors. higher education institutions. The project funding will “I love it here,” Li said of his experience at La Sierra. help support research activities, including student “The students in our department are very energetic, research assistance and dissemination of research curious, and eager to learn. It is very rewarding to help findings. them take what they learn in the classroom and apply it “La Sierra University is one of only 13 higher to real research projects.” education institutions in California participating in the ____________________ DOE Genesis Mission,” said Li. “It is an honor to help By Darla Martin Tucker
October 2026 29
LLU Health and Lifepoint Rehabilitation Break Ground on New Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital
L
oma Linda University Health and Lifepoint Rehabilitation, an operating division of Lifepoint Health, celebrated a major milestone in August as they officially broke ground on the new Loma Linda University Rehabilitation Hospital, a freestanding hospital that will include 80 dedicated rehabilitation beds. “For three decades, our East Campus Hospital has provided comprehensive rehabilitation services to those recovering from life-altering conditions,” said Anthony Hilliard, MD, president and CEO of Loma Linda University Health. “Today’s groundbreaking allows us to nearly double our capacity and ensures we can continue meeting the growing needs of our community with the highest standard of care.” Loma Linda University Rehabilitation Hospital will be built and operated via a joint venture partnership
See the latest news and Health & Wellness stories from Loma Linda University Health at news.llu.edu.
30 Pacific Union Recorder
Loma Linda University Health
between Loma Linda University Health and Lifepoint Rehabilitation and is anticipated to open in the summer of 2028. Upon completion, Loma Linda University Health will transition its existing inpatient rehabilitation unit to the new facility located in Redlands. A team of expert rehabilitation professionals will provide intensive nursing, physical, occupational, and speech pathology services for adults recovering from conditions such as stroke, neurological disease, brain or spinal cord injury, and other debilitating illnesses or injuries. Specially designed to create a therapeutic environment for patients, this rehabilitation hospital will be equipped with leading-edge amenities, adaptive units, multidisciplinary therapy gymnasiums, and more to encourage patient movement and activity. “Providing high-quality, evidence-driven specialty care is the driving force of this partnership,” said Russ Bailey, president of Lifepoint Rehabilitation. “We are deeply committed to investing in the people, facilities, and cutting-edge technologies that empower patients to reclaim their independence, close to home.” ____________________ Staff Report
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PacificQuest: Motivating Young Students for Higher Education
rom June 28 to July 3, Pacific Union College (PUC) hosted 42 students from sixth to 12th grade for PacificQuest. Through this annual college early program, students from academies throughout California had the opportunity to participate in programs focused on STEM, aviation, and film. Wayne Borin, PacificQuest academic director and PUC associate professor of kinesiology and health sciences, and Andrianna Massena, PacificQuest program director, welcomed students and their families, introduced them to the PacificQuest instructors and staff, and shared the event's theme of "Intelligence," highlighting PUC's biology, psychology, and math departments. "PacificQuest is a direct reflection of our Pacific Union College experience: Learn with Purpose, Rise in Faith, Serve with Love," said Borin. "This short week provides middle and high school students the opportunity to experience the academic rigor of higher education, participate in daily worship, and develop social and emotional awareness, building connections with their fellow student-campers." Fitting the theme, the STEM program, known as PQSeek, focused on several lessons surrounding intelligence. In biology, PUC biology chair and professor John Duncan taught students about human intelligence through anatomy and physiology, while PUC psychology professor Michael Jefferson had students examine various methods for evaluating intelligence in the psychology portion. PUC math professor Victoria Wambua challenged students in analytical thinking as they live in a world of artificial intelligence. To help them explore the intersection of humans, data, and AI, Wambua had students use real wildfire data to learn that while AI can help analyze information and identify patterns, people still have the responsibility to ask insightful questions, consider consequences, and make ethical decisions. For PQFlix, five students learned about the world of filmmaking by attending lectures on storytelling,
directing, screenwriting, and cinematography held by PUC film professor Melissa Henry Pratt and film instructor Nephtali Marin. With their first assignment to write two short scripts, the students were eager to start learning and creating. As they independently developed stories and scripts, they moved into pre-production, storyboarding, camera blocking, and preparing their actors for the shoot day in the PUC forest, their film location, to bring their work to life. Across campus at the Angwin Airport, 15 students had the incredible opportunity to take flight lessons in PUC's airplanes and flight simulators during PQSoar. PUC flight center director Nathan Tasker and aviation office manager Janel Tasker organized various on- and off-campus activities, including a short trip to Mike's AeroClassics in Angwin. On campus, they also had lessons about aerodynamics with paper airplanes and then modified an airplane design in X-Plane Plane Maker. Off campus, they enjoyed a fly-out to Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville to tour the on-site Rowland Freedom Center Aviation Museum. With support from other departments such as marketing, digital services, records, and faculty and staff, PacificQuest is another prime example of PUC's commitment to ensuring students have a valuable educational program and a memorable time on campus. "It takes a village to be able to provide a program of such high caliber as PacificQuest," said Borin. On the last day of the event, the students created presentations to showcase their week at PUC. For example, the PQFlix students made a movie celebrating what they had learned and showed it to their parents, faculty, and staff. Parents shared how pleased they were with PUC and that they plan to enroll their children again at PacificQuest. To learn more about PacificQuest or have your child participate in next year's event, please visit puc.edu/ pacificquest. ____________________ By Ally Romanes
To read more, go to puc.edu/news
Pacific Union College
October 2026 31
Boots, Bulls, and Prayer: Youth Ministry Turns a Sabbath Into a Night to Remember
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s the sun set over Las Vegas, the parking lot at Vegas Valley Adventist Academy filled with cowboy hats, flannel shirts, and a whole lot of anticipation. The youth ministry team of Living Water Fil-Am had invited the whole church for sunset worship. That was just the opening for a full-blown country night celebration, complete with a mechanical bull, a jellybeanguessing jar, and a lineup of games and activity stations that kept kids, teens, and grandparents moving around for three hours. The evening was the grand finale of a special program that had begun in the morning with a worship service planned and led by the youth. Pastor Delberth Castillo, associate youth director for Nevada-Utah Conference (NUC), preached that morning about the place the youth generation holds in the mission of the church. One of the most popular stops of the night was the "Wanted" station, where guests were surprised to see their photos turned into hilarious old-West wanted posters. Meanwhile, tables filled with food brought by church members turned the courtyard into one big
32 Pacific Union Recorder
Nevada-Utah Conference
potluck, and the line for the mechanical bull never seemed to get shorter. Mario Navarro, pastor of Living Water Fil-Am, said the night proved what the church already is. "We have an amazing church family, always happy to serve, happy to be part of the mission." Pastor Michael Jenkins, NUC youth director, also attended the celebration and praised the youth team for pulling it all together. For Mary Moura, the youth leader who organized the day alongside her associate, Sofia Sharpe, the night was never about the bull or the boots. "Every one of them led some part of the special program. This is one more proof that our youth are ready and willing to serve, and we cannot miss the opportunity to trust them now with the mission." The night closed the way it began: in prayer, thanking God that everything, down to the last jellybean, had gone smoothly. Moura and Sharpe are now looking ahead to the next event: the GYC, in Salt Lake City this December. ____________________ By Elio Moura
Staying Faithful in a Shifting World
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he 2026 Nevada-Utah Conference Regional Convocation brought together members and guests from across Nevada, Utah, and beyond for a powerful weekend of worship, fellowship, and spiritual renewal in Las Vegas, Nevada. Held June 5-6 at the Abundant Life church, the convocation centered on the theme “Staying Faithful in a Shifting World.” The weekend began Friday evening with Pastor Debleaire K. Snell, speaker/director of Breath of Life Ministries and senior pastor of the Oakwood University church. His opening message, “The Power Is in Doing,” challenged attendees to put their faith into action. On Sabbath afternoon, his message, “No Matter What, He’s Still Worthy,” encouraged believers to trust God through every circumstance. He concluded the convocation Sabbath evening with a powerful charge entitled “It Should Be Obvious,” calling Christians to live lives that clearly reflect the transforming power of Jesus Christ. The convocation also provided opportunities for fellowship across all generations. Sabbath evening featured a youth and young adult gathering at Vegas Valley Adventist Academy led by Kenny Dupree II and supported by youth leaders from the regional churches. Through worship, devotion, games, sports, and fellowship, young people strengthened friendships and their connection with Christ. The weekend concluded with activities for children coordinated by the Abundant Life Adventurer Ministry, including skating and fellowship. Immediately following the convocation, regional churches throughout Las Vegas united for a week of revival meetings led by Jerrold Thompson, the newly appointed pastor of the Abundant Life church. The meetings served as an introduction to his ministry and brought together members and guests from across the city for worship, prayer, preaching, and spiritual renewal.
While four precious souls publicly entered the waters of baptism, many others continue to study God’s Word and prepare for baptism in the months ahead. Special appreciation is extended to the convocation committee, whose members worked tirelessly for many months to make the event a success, and to the revival committee and regional churches of Las Vegas for their united efforts. Particular thanks are extended to Pastor Donald McLeod, chair of the revival committee, for his leadership and dedication throughout the planning process. We also express our sincere gratitude to the Abundant Life church for hosting both the convocation and revival, and we congratulate the congregation on its beautifully renovated facility. Special recognition is due to Michael Jenkins, former pastor of Abundant Life, whose leadership helped guide much of the renovation process. Plans are already underway for the 2027 NevadaUtah Conference Regional Convocation, which will be held June 4-6, 2027, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The keynote speaker will be Carlton P. Byrd, president of the Southwest Region Conference and former speaker/ director of Breath of Life Ministries. ____________________ By Oniel Madden
Nevada-Utah Conference
October 2026 33
Summer Gatherings Keep the Family Growing
T
here is something familiar about summer in the Northern California Conference (NCC). For generations, it has meant old friends, shared meals, worship, and time set aside to reconnect as a church family. This summer, three gatherings carried those traditions forward while creating space for new friendships, new generations, and deeper faith. Redwood Camp Meeting: Along the Eel River, Redwood celebrated 50 years at its current location. Campers from across the conference and other states settled beneath the redwoods for morning meetings, children’s programs, afternoons along the river, and evening worship. Speakers included NCC President Marc Woodson, Jim Lorenz, Sam Leonor, Gary Venden, Mark Haddad, and others, with Jose Antonio Batiste among the presenters in the Hispanic Amphitheater. West Coast Korean Camp Meeting: Held at Pacific Union College, more than 1,300 attended, including more than 800 young people and English Ministry adults. Children’s programs, youth activities, and Korean- and English-language meetings reflected a community honoring its heritage while preparing for its future. Growing participation by young families offered an encouraging picture of generations worshiping, learning, and spending time together. Hispanic Ministry Celebration: At Rio Lindo
34 Pacific Union Recorder
Northern California Conference
Adventist Academy, approximately 650 gathered for the annual celebration. Under the theme “Ready for the Harvest,” members worshiped, fellowshipped, and celebrated ministry across Northern California. The weekend concluded at the river, where baptism provided a visible reminder of the mission that brings the community together. Three gatherings, each with its own language, traditions, and setting, offered a familiar picture: old friends returning, families worshiping together, new generations finding their place, and new believers entering the water. The gatherings end, and everyone heads home. But year after year, God’s people keep coming back—and the family keeps growing. ____________________ By Communication Staff
Made to Thrive:
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A Summer of Growth at Leoni
eoni Meadows welcomed 1,431 campers during its 2026 summer season, filling the camp with families, children, youth, and the unmistakable sounds of summer—laughter, worship, horses, water activities, and plenty of happy commotion. Across five weeks, campers participated in family camps, Cub and Junior camps, aquatics programs, cowboy and cowgirl camps, and Wrangler in Training. Yet the summer’s most meaningful number was 27—the number of people who chose baptism. Under the theme “Made to Thrive,” 87 summer staff
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members joined Leoni’s year-round team to create experiences that helped campers grow in confidence, friendship, faith, and their relationship with Jesus. “God has blessed us with a great summer in 2026,” said Elias Esquivel, director. “Our staff shared Jesus and continued the legacy that Leoni Meadows is known for. To God be the glory.” Summer camp may be over, but Leoni is hardly growing quiet. Fall brings church retreats, group gatherings, and youth events from across the NCC territory and beyond. Work also continues on a new cabin, bell tower, and another cabin at 49er Camp, with a children’s playground planned for summer 2027. The swimsuits and saddles may see a little less activity, but Leoni’s ministry continues year-round— welcoming people, strengthening relationships, and creating a place where guests of every age can connect with Jesus and thrive. ____________________ By Ken Miller
A Summer of Connection
or more than 500 young people across Northern California, summer brought waterslides, climbing walls, games, crafts—and opportunities to discover a deeper connection with Jesus. Summer on the Run, a ministry of the NCC Youth and Young Adult Department, visited six locations with a mission to connect young people with an abundant life in Jesus and their local Adventist church community. High school- and college-age staff led music, team building, relational Bible studies, and activities, while local churches provided support, meals, and places for traveling staff to stay. Throughout the summer, campers were invited to give their lives to Jesus or take the next step by studying for baptism. More than a dozen young people, many without a church background, responded. At
the Crescent City stop alone, six campers requested baptismal studies. Behind those decisions were young people ministering to young people—and relationships built through Bible study, music, cinnamon rolls, games, climbing walls, and waterslides. What looked like summer fun became an opportunity for trust, friendship, and conversations about faith. Each red heart in the photo symbolizes a child giving their heart to Jesus at Redwood Creek Camp. By summer’s end, many campers had made decisions of the heart themselves—reminders that sometimes the most important moments of summer happen between the activities. ____________________ By Eddie Heinrich
Northern California Conference
October 2026 35
Making an Impact Through Volunteering
N
ow a junior biology major at Southern Adventist University, Alejandro Robles saw opportunities everywhere from the moment he set foot on campus. A member of the Loma Linda University church, Robles quickly became involved in service-centered activities at Southern. He enrolled in the biomedical program and was drawn to the Red Cross Club, which hosts quarterly blood drives in the community. He also joined the Student Association, where he helps distribute food through the school’s food pantry and submits proposals to improve campus life. In the Latin American Club, he helps host Sabbath services for several local churches and participates in community outreach activities such as assembling and delivering beds for local children. “I believe service is an important part of education because it complements what we learn through academics at Southern,” Robles said. “Serving others helps us grow in leadership, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that are needed in everyday life and future careers.” Robles had always been interested in medicine, but his interest was elevated to the next level when he participated in a 2025 medical mission trip to Cajamarca, Peru, through Southern’s Evangelistic Resource Center (ERC). The ERC in Southern’s School of Religion prepares student volunteers to share the gospel and sends them worldwide on short-term mission trips. During the first week of the trip, the group operated a medical clinic—treating infections, removing lesions, and addressing many other medical needs. Robles operated a station where he took patients’ vital signs and served as a translator between patients and medical providers. The clinics were supposed to serve
Robles and the church congregation take a photo after the evangelistic series.
120 people a day but often helped up to 300 patients. During the second week, each student preached an evangelistic series at a different church, and 19 people were baptized from Robles’ group. He was eager to go on an ERC mission trip again in 2026, this time to Lima, Peru. As a result, his supervisors trusted him with additional responsibilities. Before the clinics began, he led the students in setting up the materials. Instead of staying at one station throughout the day, he circulated and stepped in whenever things became busy or chaotic, helping organize patient flow and making sure everything ran as smoothly as possible. “I plan to go again in the summer of 2027,” he said. “These medical mission trips with Southern have broadened my perspective. I’ve discovered how much I enjoy performing procedures and—even more importantly—building relationships with patients. Being able to talk with them, answer their questions, and help them feel less worried has been so rewarding.” ____________________ By Angela Baerg
LEFT: Robles takes a selfie at his medical booth. RIGHT: Robles stands in the water with Pastor Julca and the baptismal candidate in Peru.
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Southeastern California Conference
Yohalmo Saravia Joins Pacific Union Conference as Vice President for Hispanic Ministries
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n August 17, Pastor Yohalmo Saravia was announced as the new vice president for Hispanic Ministries for the Pacific Union Conference. Upon assuming this role, Saravia brings over 30 years of leadership and ministry experience within the Southeastern California Conference (SECC). Saravia’s call to ministry developed early in his life through a growing conviction. “God was inviting me to dedicate my life to leading people into a deeper relationship with Christ and equipping the church for mission,” he said. In the late 1980s, he was pastoring at the Greater New York Conference until he received an invitation from SECC to join their ministerial team. After prayer, Saravia and his wife felt as though God was opening a unique opportunity to serve in one of the most diverse, inclusive, and mission-oriented conferences. “I consider this the best decision in my ministerial journey,” he said. Saravia began his ministry at SECC as pastor of the Hemet Spanish church. He subsequently served the Costa Mesa Spanish church until accepting a call to the San Diego Spanish church, providing pastoral leadership there for 13 years. Saravia then served as the conference Hispanic evangelist, supporting the growth of Hispanic ministries throughout the conference. In
2018, he joined the conference administration as vice president for Hispanic Ministries, continuing to provide strategic leadership and strengthen Hispanic ministry initiatives. There have been several moments within his ministry that allowed him to witness God’s transforming work in the lives of both individuals and congregations. These include an evangelistic series that concluded with 87 individuals making the decision to be baptized. Another significant milestone was the establishment of a Hispanic media ministry, allowing for the gospel to be shared and connect with Hispanic communities through multiple media platforms. Additionally, QR Esperanza was launched, a missional initiative designed to create new opportunities for outreach and community engagement. Throughout his time with SECC, Saravia is grateful to have served alongside an exceptional team of pastors and church leaders whose unwavering commitment to Christ and His mission have been inspiring and impactful. At the Pacific Union Conference, he looks forward to partnering with Hispanic conference coordinators, pastors, and local churches to invest in the next generation of leaders and create healthy leadership cultures. Above all, Saravia looks forward to serving as a collaborative leader and encouraging creativity and innovation to fulfill the Great Commission. ____________________ By Ysa Dennis
Southeastern California Conference
October 2026 37
PHOTOS: KARY CAMACHO
Attendees at Lincoln Heights Spanish church circle around the sanctuary for prayer.
I
Around 30 Churches Collaborate for Monthly Youth Vespers in Hispanic Region
t began with a monthly soccer night. For the past few years, youth from several churches in the Hispanic Region have gotten together once a month on Saturday nights to play soccer. These sports nights easily drew upwards of 70 people every month. Last year, a shared thought stirred among youth leaders from Spanish-American, Huntington Park Spanish, El Camino A Cristo Spanish, and Eastmont Spanish churches: What if they brought youth together in this collaborative way, but for vespers? Last October, a few months after those initial conversations, Spanish-American church was preparing for their weekly vespers. That same group of youth leaders decided to use that gathering as a trial run for a joint vespers with multiple churches, and they invited people to come. By the end of the night, about 40 people attended—four times the usual
Attendees get to know each other through a “Find Someone Who…” icebreaker activity.
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Southern California Conference
amount of attendees at the weekly vespers. The next joint vespers, hosted at Huntington Park Spanish church, saw about 60 people, with additional churches participating. After this, a call was made to youth leaders at these churches to see if they’d be interested in doing this regularly. Jonathan Ortiz, a youth leader from Eastmont Spanish who was a part of the initial planning, recalled how they came up with three core tenets for this United Vespers: The group is Christ centered, a social network of youth leaders, and a support for churches. “We wanted to introduce youth leaders to other youth leaders to show them that, ‘Hey, you’re not alone in all this,’” Ortiz said. “Some churches are struggling with bringing and retaining youth, and some churches have a lot of resources and potentially can help out other youth groups. We wanted to make United Vespers the doorway where a youth leader can come in, sit down, meet everybody else, and come out of there supported. If they need to rebuild their youth group or create programs, they can find the people to help them within that group.” United Vespers is a collaboration at every turn. There isn’t one designated leader; leadership rotates as each church hosts the vespers. Host churches aren’t expected to handle every aspect of the program themselves. Multiple churches will work together by handling one of the areas—such as music, the speaker, food prep, or an icebreaker activity—to put on the vespers each month. United Vespers officially launched this January. Right
now, around 30 churches are actively involved, and the number of attendees has rapidly grown, averaging 150-200 people every first Friday of the month. The vespers are comprised of primarily Hispanic Region churches, but the program is expanding. “It’s nice to spend time with youth from other churches,” Jocelyne Rojas, co-youth leader at SpanishAmerican, said. “That’s what happens once a month. You see everybody come together, and it brings just a level of joy of fellowship. My hope is that it continues to grow, not just in numbers but in unity and in spirit.” ____________________ By Araya Moss
Praise and worship at El Shaddai Spanish church.
John Strehle Joins SCC Office Team as Director for Planned Giving and Trust Services
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ohn Strehle has worn various hats throughout his career. For the last 12 years, he served as a pastor here in the Southern California Conference (SCC). Before joining SCC, he pastored various churches outside SCC, was a district pastor, served as a school chaplain and Bible teacher, and was the Natural Church Development (NCD) director in Wisconsin. But before these ministry posts, he was in a different field altogether. “God was blessing in mighty ways, and I was like, no, I don’t need to do pastoring. But God kept opening doors,” Strehle recalled. “And when He kept opening the doors, I finally said, ‘Well, Lord, if you keep opening them, I’ll just keep walking through.’” That led to his transition out of a seven-year physical therapy career working in outpatient orthopedics. Now, Strehle has walked through another open door to join the SCC office team as the director for planned giving and trust services. In this new position, he’s drawing on his different positions and experiences. “Each of them helped me appreciate a greater scope of a variety of ministry and concepts,” Strehle noted, adding that each experience he had in the past “in some ways set up stepping stones
that I didn’t realize then to a moment where I was asked to consider planned giving and trust services.” Another perspective Strehle brings into this position is his coaching background, which began when he was introduced to the North American Division Evangelism Institute and Christian life coaching almost 20 years ago. From there, he has expanded from becoming an NCD coach and a Christian life coach to relationship and marriage coaching and, in 2018, he began specializing in conflict coaching and mediation. While the department deals with things like power of attorney, wills, and trusts, “we don’t just prepare documents,” Strehle said. “It’s about the heart of the individual and helping them reflect on what God is doing and where He is leading. Our motto is ‘planning today, blessing tomorrow.’” When asked what he looks forward to in the future of planned giving and trust services in SCC, Strehle said “creating a ministry where we walk alongside you, to help you follow the Lord’s leading as you bless your family and bless God’s mission in your faithful stewardship. God has blessed us so much, let’s give Him room to multiply what He has given us as we respond to His presence.” ____________________ By Lauren Lacson
Southern California Conference
October 2026 39
Calendar
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. How to Submit Advertising Classified ads must be sent with payment to the Recorder office. Display ads should be arranged with the editor (recorder@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 The Pacific Union Recorder is published 12 times per year with a circulation of approximately 75,000. For more information about advertising, please email to recorder@adventistfaith.com. Upcoming Deadlines These are the advertising deadlines for the Recorder. Your local conference news deadlines will be earlier. November: October 1 • December: November 3 Contributions The Recorder pages are assigned to the local conferences, colleges, and healthcare 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-artof-writing-news.
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40 Pacific Union Recorder
I Community & Marketplace
La Sierra University
Sabbath on the Sierra. La Sierra’s Sabbath on the Sierra event will be held on Sabbath, Oct. 24, 2-5 p.m. Family activities will provide opportunities for fellowship and worship on La Sierra’s beautiful Founders’ Green, campus departments, and museum. For information, contact Strategic Enrollment Management Ministerial Liaison Jason Decena at jdecena@lasierra.edu. Archaeology Discovery Weekend 2026. The 18th Annual Archaeology Discovery Weekend, Sat. and Sun., Nov. 14-15, on the theme “People & Places of the New Testament World,” will include lectures by top scholars, a Saturday evening reception, Sunday family activities, ancient artifact displays, and refreshments in a Bedouin-style tent. For information: archaeology@lasierra.edu, 951-785-2632, or https:// lasierra.edu/centers/near-eastern-archaeology/. Golden Eagles Athletics. Enjoy athletics? Check out La Sierra University’s Golden Eagles athletics teams and game schedules for 13 men’s and women’s teams. Join an event near you and cheer on the NAIA award-winning La Sierra Golden Eagles. Information: https://lsugoldeneagles.com. The La Sierra Report. To keep in the know about La Sierra University events, its people, programs, and impact, subscribe today to The La Sierra Report newsletter. Send a subscription request with preferred email address to pr@lasierra.edu. University Events—From art exhibits, music concerts, intriguing lectures to varsity sports events, La Sierra University offers a wide variety of activities each school year, with athletics events beginning in advance of the start of classes. For university events and academic calendars visit https://lasierra.edu/ calendars-events/.
Pacific Union College
PUC’s Girls’ Volleyball Tournament, Oct. 1-3. PUC will host several academies for their girls’ volleyball teams to compete, starting on Thursday and continuing through the championship on Saturday night. Academy students will also get a glimpse of the PUC experience during their time on campus. Connect Ministries is a group of Pacific Union College students passionate about Jesus and sharing through music and worship. The bilingual team leads worship services, retreats, youth events, and any programs where they can inspire other young people to become worship leaders. Any school or church interested in having them visit, please visit puc.edu/connect.
Add PUC News in Your Church Bulletin. With many updates to share at Pacific Union College, we designed a printable bulletin insert for churches to use. Just print the PDF double sided and cut in half, then include as a bulletin insert. Download at puc.edu/bulletin. Subscribe to the PUC Now Newsletter. Stay up to date with Pacific Union College by subscribing to their monthly newsletter at puc.edu/subscribe. From campus stories and alumni features to student interviews, you’ll be in the now with PUC.
Southeastern California Conference
Laguna Niguel Church Guest Speaker Series invites you for two exciting presentations. First, on Sabbath Oct. 17th at 11:00 a.m., hear from Pastor Shawn Boonstra, former speaker/director for "It Is Written” and the "Voice of Prophecy." After the fellowship lunch, Jean Boonstra will speak on children’s ministry. Second, on Oct. 30 at 7:00 p.m. and all day Sabbath, Oct. 31, starting at 10:00 a.m., hear a powerful sermon series from Dwight Nelson, former lead pastor at Pioneer Memorial Church, entitled “The Gift” on the life and ministry of Ellen White. For more information, please call the church office 949-4950311. The church is located at 29702 Kensington Dr., Laguna Niguel, CA.
Southern California Conference
SCC Children’s Ministries Leaders Vespers, Oct.
9, 7:00-9:00 p.m. SCC’s Children & Family Ministries Department invites all Children’s Ministries leaders, VBS directors, Sabbath School leaders, teachers, and volunteers for a special evening of worship and fellowship. Enjoy an evening filled with an uplifting message, connection with other ministry leaders, and a renewal of your call to serve. Guest speaker: Seth Yelorda. The event is free, but registration is required to secure your meal. Registration: scc.adventist.org/ departments-ministries/childrens-ministries. Eagle Rock church, 2322 Merton Ave, Los Angeles, 90041.
Classified Employment
Elmshaven Historian/Caretaker: The Pacific Union Conference is looking for 2 part-time Historians in Residence/Caretakers for Elmshaven, the Ellen G. White home in Napa Valley, California. Positions require a strong understanding of Ellen G. White's life and writings and the history of the Seventhday Adventist Church. Individuals must have good communication skills (Spanish speakers preferred) for guided tours and ability to climb stairs and assist with grounds/maintenance. Ideal for a semi-retired couple. Work schedule: 1 week on/off alternating with 2nd team. Modest hourly pay with residence and utilities provided on the grounds of Elmshaven. Starting
Community & Marketplace
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immediately. E-mail résumé and cover letter to: stephen.mayer@adventistfaith.com; call: 805-413-7218. Camp Cedar Falls is hiring! Live and work in God’s beautiful nature. Positions available include: Camp Ranger/Custodial and Camp Ranger/Maintenance. Opportunities available to singles, couples, and families. To learn more or apply, visit https://scc. adventist.org/departments-ministries/humanresources/job-openings. For questions, call Camp Cedar Falls at 909-805-4104. Pacific Union College seeks a skilled Certified Electrician with expertise in Medium Voltage Systems to join our team. C10 Contractors License or California Fire Alarm Installation Certification required as well. This role requires a strong understanding of electrical codes, safety protocols, and hands-on experience in industrial or commercial settings. https://www.puc. edu/campus-services/human-resources/careers/ electrician. Email hr@puc.edu, 707-965-6231. Pacific Union College seeks dedicated Executive Director to lead Human Resources operations and strategy and oversee well-being and development of talented team members. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills are essential.
https://sdawest.pub/job_posting. Email hr@puc.edu, 707-965-6231. Pacific Union College seeks qualified candidates to fill open positions in fulfilling our mission to Learn with Purpose, Rise in Faith, and Serve in Love. Beautiful mountain campus, minutes to shopping, an hour+ drive of ocean and skiing. Current openings at https://sdawest. pub/candidates. Live-in companion in Madera, CA. Seeking an SDA woman to share home with a mostly independent elderly woman. Evenings/overnight preferred; minimal assistance, presence in the home. Must be reliable, kind, and comfortable with one gentle, mostly outdoor cat. Room and board plus stipend provided. Email ayomoon@gmail.com with references and brief bio. Discover Life Church and Mother Lode Junior Academy are seeking a regular part-time Maintenance Director to provide oversight of grounds and facilities. This role includes supervising volunteers and contractors, performing basic maintenance as needed, and supporting long-term facility care. Experience in maintenance, grounds, or facilities management preferred. For more information or to apply, please contact the church office at 209-532-3337 or office@ discoverlifesonora.org.
Real Estate
PUC commercial space for rent. Pacific Union College has commercial real estate space available for lease. The spaces are in various sizes and functionality and are available for inquiries. For additional information, please email Sam Heier at sheier@puc.edu. Cottage for rent. Are you looking for serenity and peace? Then this rental is the perfect place for you. A small and private cottage, complete with picket fences and gardens. 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms, skylights, and unique shower. Located in foothills by Collins Lake, CA. Contact John at Mountains.skyz@gmail.com. Summit Ridge Retirement Villages, an Adventist community in a rural setting, offers affordable homes or apartments and caring neighbors, with fellowship you will enjoy. Onsite church, planned activities, and transportation as needed. Onsite Wolfe Living Center offers independent living and nursing homes. Visit SummitRidgeVillage.org or call Bill Norman, 405-208-1289. Southern Oregon, Days Creek, country living: 10acre property, 4+bdrm, 3.5-bath, 4,000 sq. ft, well with 3,000-gallon tank, septic system, big garden area, grapes and fruit trees, large workshop, greenhouse, woodshed/ carport, lots of storage, Adventist schools and church nearby, ideal place for country living or wellness center. Call 541-825-3823, email janmay92@aol.com.
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hilltop views and breathtaking sunsets with end-of-road privacy. Amber Buchanan, 415-676-0358, SunnyHill Realty. http://highsierramedia.hd.pics/7995-Bullard-Dr.
For Sale
Outpatient physical therapy and aquatic therapy in the foothills above Sacramento, CA. Turn-key practice, in business for over 30 years. Great referral base and solid practice. Lots of potential for growth. Great opportunity for someone wanting to establish a medical mission outpost or wellness center as well. 5400-sq-ft facility. $450,000. Flexible options to the right party. Contact levi2000@sbcglobal.net or leave message at 209-304-7455.
Vacation Opportunities “BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF MEMBERS HELPING OTHERS ATTAIN FINANCIAL STABLITY AND SECURITY.”
Off-grid solar, 4+ sloped acres. Shared well, older mobile, 2 bd/1bath with 3 sheds. Near Mexico and Arizona border. God willing, moving overseas. Church with school nearby. Estimated $130K invested. No conventional financing. Cash offers. Much to include. Materials for strong greenhouse. Text, 520-858-6674 message, or email poolman52@hotmail.com. 45-acre retreat estate in Valley, Washington. This 45-acre estate offers a remarkable opportunity for Christian ministry, retreat, or community living. The main residence spans over 15,000 sq. ft. with 10 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms—ideal for hosting church retreats, leadership gatherings, discipleship training, or extended fellowship stays. Amenities include an indoor pool and spa, elevator, multiple family rooms, and spacious common areas designed for rest and renewal. Beyond the home, the property’s 45 acres feature barns, shops, guest quarters, and horse facilities—perfect for outdoor ministry, youth camps, agricultural projects, or creation care programs. Surrounded by serene mountain views, this estate provides a peaceful environment for prayer, worship, and community connection. Offered at $2,300,000. For more information, please contact: Riley Knutson, knutsonrealtor@gmail.com, 509-279-9797; Clive Osbourne, clive@cliveosbourne.com, 971-901-5350.
2027 Great Controversy Tour, April 9-22. See the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation come alive! Visit Reformation sites in Italy, the Waldensian Valleys, France, Germany, and Switzerland. gctours@naver.com or +1-202-714-8751. Angwin home. Five-bedroom, three-bathroom vacation home 2 miles from PUC. Fully furnished, large kitchen, dining room, living room, family room, piano, vineyard views, WiFi, washer and dryer, BBQ, sleeps 10. Call for rates, photos, and reservations: 415-539-7980 or email nroger1965@gmail.com.
Bulletin Board
Get Free Stickers—LifeTalk Radio has free stickers for kids. Order at: LifeTalk.net/stickers. Let others know LifeTalkKids.net has awesome programs for kids of all
For sale Southern Oregon country home near Milo Adventist Academy—ideal for academy families. This 3-bedroom, 2-bath home features vaulted ceilings, skylights, central heat/AC, pellet stove, attached 2-car garage, office/hobby building, new Tuff Shed, deep well, septic, and mature landscaping. Chris Gritton, Oregon broker, 541-802-6997, chris@grittonproperties.com. Home for sale in Newcastle, CA, on 7.8 acres. Completely remodeled 5880 sq. ft home with an exceptional large family room with kitchenette and a comfortable apartment for family or income. Gorgeous
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ages. Discover exciting adventure, captivating history, amazing Bible stories, and more. Check out LifeTalk.net.
At Rest
Adventist Singles Wanted! Looking for meaningful, faith-centered connections? Join AdventistDating. com—where single Seventh-Day Adventists meet for friendship, companionship, and love grounded in shared beliefs. Safe, sincere, and free to join. Start your journey today at AdventistDating.com—where faith meets love!
Belko, Lorene L. – b. Feb. 8, 1939; d. June 21, 2026. Survivors: husband, Ivan; six children; nine grandchildren; five great grandchildren. Lorene served the Turlock church for more than 44 years as administrative assistant and treasurer. She worked alongside eight pastors over four decades and was often the first face people encountered—a source of kindness, encouragement, wisdom, and compassionate care. She traveled the world with the Belko Brass, participating in evangelistic meetings across Russia, Africa, the Philippines, and many other places.
TEACH Services: Authors, transform your manuscript into a globally distributed book. Get free evaluation from trusted SDA publisher (42 years). If accepted, we edit, design, layout, market, and distribute worldwide. Submit today: www.teachservices.com. Look for red “Submit Manuscript” button top of homepage. We buy/sell used SDA books, www.LNFbooks.com. 706-504-9192. Widow seeking single/couple to share maintenance of garden, solar, and water system plus firewood cutting on 36-acre off-grid property in high desert in exchange for living space (24’ yurt) and vegetarian meals. Approximately 35 miles to post office. No money exchanged. Call for more information at 775-761-1836.
Brett, Andrew – b. Jan. 17, 1958, Birmingham, England; d. July 28, 2026, Waldport, OR. Survivors: daughters, Alanna Morse, Zara Melcher; sister, Elain Benjamin; three grandchildren. Andrew was a longtime member of the Loma Linda University church and, in recent years, was a member of the Waldport church, where he volunteered at the church clothing center and was one of the elders. French, Katty – b. Nov. 14, 1945, Yakima, WA; d. Aug. 4, 2026, Portland, OR. Survivors: brother, Loren L. Fenton.
November 2026 Sunset Calendar
October 2026 Sunset Calendar Alturas (Shasta) Angwin Bakersfield Calexico Chico Death Valley (Furnace Ck) Eureka Four Corners [E] Fresno Grand Canyon (South Rim) Half Dome Hilo Holbrook (Sun City) Honolulu Joshua Tree Lake Tahoe Las Vegas Lodi-Stockton Loma Linda Los Angeles McDermitt [N] Moab Monterey Bay Mt. Whitney Napa Nogales (Rio Rico) Oakland Paradise, CA Phoenix Pu‘uwaiau, Ni’ihau [W] Reno Riverside Sacramento Salt Lake City San Diego San Francisco San Jose Santa Rosa Sunset Beach Thousand Oaks Tucson
OCT 2 6:40 6:50 6:38 6:25 6:47 6:29 6:56 6:57 6:40 6:10 6:39 6:07 6:02 6:17 6:27 6:40 6:22 6:46 6:31 6:35 6:30 6:59 6:49 6:31 6:50 6:07 6:50 6:46 6:11 6:08 6:39 6:32 6:46 7:07 6:31 6:50 6:48 6:51 6:48 6:37 6:06
OCT 9 6:30 6:40 6:28 6:16 6:36 6:19 6:45 6:47 6:30 6:00 6:28 6:01 5:53 6:11 6:18 6:29 6:12 6:35 6:22 6:26 6:18 6:48 6:39 6:22 6:39 5:58 6:39 6:35 6:01 6:02 6:28 6:22 6:36 6:56 6:22 6:40 6:38 6:41 6:38 6:28 5:58
6:19 6:29 6:19 6:07 6:26 6:09 6:34 6:37 6:21 5:51 6:19 5:55 5:44 6:05 6:09 6:19 6:03 6:25 6:13 6:17 6:07 6:38 6:29 6:13 6:29 5:50 6:29 6:25 5:53 5:57 6:18 6:14 6:26 6:45 6:14 6:30 6:28 6:31 6:29 6:19 5:49
6:08 6:20 6:10 5:59 6:16 6:00 6:24 6:28 6:12 5:42 6:09 5:51 5:35 6:00 6:01 6:10 5:54 6:16 6:05 6:09 5:56 6:28 6:20 6:05 6:20 5:43 6:20 6:15 5:45 5:52 6:08 6:05 6:16 6:35 6:06 6:21 6:19 6:21 6:20 6:11 5:42
5:59 6:11 6:03 5:52 6:07 5:52 6:14 6:20 6:04 5:34 6:01 5:46 5:28 5:56 5:54 6:01 5:46 6:07 5:57 6:01 5:47 6:20 6:12 5:58 6:11 5:36 6:12 6:06 5:38 5:48 5:59 5:58 6:08 6:26 5:59 6:12 6:11 6:13 6:12 6:04 5:35
[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
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City/Location
OCT 16 OCT 23 OCT 30
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!
!
City/Location
Alturas (Shasta) Angwin Bakersfield Calexico Chico Death Valley (Furnace Ck) Eureka Four Corners [E] Fresno Grand Canyon (South Rim) Half Dome Hilo Holbrook (Sun City) Honolulu Joshua Tree Lake Tahoe Las Vegas Lodi-Stockton Loma Linda Los Angeles McDermitt [N] Moab Monterey Bay Mt. Whitney Napa Nogales (Rio Rico) Oakland Paradise, CA Phoenix Pu‘uwaiau, Ni’ihau [W] Reno Riverside Sacramento Salt Lake City San Diego San Francisco San Jose Santa Rosa Sunset Beach Thousand Oaks Tucson
NOV 6 5:22 5:04 4:56 4:46 4:59 4:45 5:06 5:13 4:57 5:27 4:54 5:43 5:21 6:42 4:47 4:53 4:39 5:00 7:07 4:55 4:38 5:12 5:05 7:06 5:04 5:30 5:05 4:58 5:31 5:45 4:51 4:52 5:00 5:17 4:53 5:05 5:04 5:05 5:04 4:57 6:41
NOV 13 5:14 4:58 4:50 4:41 4:53 4:40 4:59 5:07 4:51 5:22 4:48 5:41 5:16 6:36 4:42 4:47 4:33 4:54 6:58 4:50 4:31 5:06 4:59 6:57 4:58 5:26 4:58 4:52 5:26 5:42 4:45 4:47 4:54 5:10 4:48 4:59 4:58 4:59 4:59 4:52 6:32
NOV 20 5:08 4:53 4:46 4:38 4:47 4:35 4:54 5:03 4:46 5:17 4:43 5:40 6:12 6:29 4:38 4:42 4:29 4:49 6:48 4:46 4:25 5:01 4:55 6:47 4:53 5:22 4:54 4:47 5:23 5:41 4:40 4:43 4:49 5:05 4:45 4:55 4:53 4:54 4:54 4:48 6:22
NOV 27 5:03 4:50 4:44 4:36 4:44 4:33 4:50 5:00 4:44 5:17 4:40 5:39 5:09 6:22 4:36 4:39 4:26 4:46 6:38 4:44 4:21 4:58 4:52 6:38 4:50 5:20 4:51 4:43 5:20 5:41 4:36 4:41 4:46 5:01 4:42 4:51 4:50 4:51 4:51 4:46 6:13
[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
Hartman, Charlotte – b. April 9, 1935, Dinuba, CA; d. July 21, 2026, Maryland. Survivors: husband, Cyril; five children (Charilyn, Calvin, Catherine, Charles and Curtis) and their families; sister, Kathie Weis. Charlotte and her husband served as missionaries in various Adventist hospitals in West Africa. When the family returned to the States, they spent four years at Monument Valley Hospital in UT. They then settled in Ceres, CA, and eventually retired to Orofino, ID.
and Sabbath School teacher for decades. Worked as an attorney for 40 years.
Hayden, Mary Ellen – b. March 2, 1948; d. Aug. 11, 2026, Redlands, CA. Survivors: sons, Robert, John; brother, Daniel Martin; sister, Marcia Sarver.
Rafuse, Donald D. – b. July 26, 1934, Loon Lake, Saskatchewan; d. Sept. 1, 2026, Coupeville, WA. Survivors: spouse, Ruth Rafuse; children, Bradley, Beverly, Jonathan; siblings, Joye Thorn, Bruce Rafuse; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.
Heft, Dorothy Marie Winn – b. Sept. 15, 1925, Galt, CA; d. Aug. 3, 2026, Brookings, OR. Survivors: five grandchildren. Dorothy and her husband taught at Cedar Lake Academy in MI, at Ozark Academy in AR, and at Adventist elementary schools in CA: Sonora, Hollister, Crescent City, Willets, and Sacramento.
Phillips, Nola Jo – b. Jan. 12, 1937, CA; d. June 12, 2026, Georgetown, TX. Survivors: husband, Donald Phillips; daughters, Meri Holm, Sheri Hill; one granddaughter; two great-grandchildren; brother, Kenneth Wheeler. Nola enjoyed helping in the children's classrooms in church as well as helping with Vacation Bible School.
Rojas, Miguel A. – b. June 18, 1958, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico; d. Aug. 20, 2026, Loma Linda, CA. Survivors: spouse, Terry Rojas; children, Michelle, Ricardo, Veronica, Jonatan; brothers, Rick, Alex, Ronaldo; four grandchildren.
Johnson, Rudy H. – b. Sept. 18, 1931, Spring Hope, NC; d. May 9, 2026, Livermore, CA. Survivors: wife, Ann; daughter, Cynthia Kinzer; son, Mark Johnson; two granddaughters.
Shennar, Shake – b. Nov. 30, 1926, Istanbul, Turkey; d. Aug. 28, 2026, Loma Linda, CA. Survivors: nephew, Arek Shennar.
Jordon, Joyce Irene – b. Nov. 23, 1942, MI; d. Aug. 8, 2026, Redlands, CA. Survivors: children, Paul Jordon, Matthew Jordon; one grandchild.
Soloniuk, Thora F. – b. Feb. 20, 1927, Powell River, British Columbia, Canada; d. Aug. 14, 2026, Loma Linda, CA. Survivors: children, Vicki, Ronald, Donald, Leonard; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Lim, Swee T. – b. May 3, 1945, Pekalongan, Indonesia; d. Aug. 2, 2026, Loma Linda, CA. Survivors: spouse, Lely Lim; children, Annelise Lim, Clifford Lim; two grandchildren. McGinnis, Lisa K. – b. Nov. 14, 1953, Trinidad; d. July 18, 2026, Yucaipa, CA. Survivors: son, Michael McGinnis; siblings, Keston Barker, Cheryl Philbert. Millard, William W. – b. Nov. 7, 1943, Salem, OR; d. May 6, 2026, Redlands, CA. Survivors: spouse, Anita Millard; children, William Millard II, Andrew Millard; siblings, Verna Travis, LauraLee Meador; five grandchildren. Miller, Della Keiko – b. Nov. 21, 1943, Honolulu, HI; d. June 3, 2026, Laguna Woods, CA. Survivors: spouse, Doug Miller; children, Marc Ewing-Chow, Shelley Henggeler; sibling, Glenn Ashimine; three grandchildren. Nelson, Donna – b. July 11, 1936, Walla Walla, WA; d. Aug. 18, 2026, Riverside, CA. Survivors: four children; three sisters, one brother; nine grandchildren; 14 greatgrandchildren. Donna served more than 35 years as a nurse, including five years of mission service in Africa and a term on a cardiac surgical team in North Korea. Nicholas, Clark Dwayne – b. March 14, 1948, Loma Linda, CA; d. Jan. 2, 2026, Redding, CA. Survivors: wife, Judith; son, Jonathan; daughter, Elizabeth Becraft; brother, Benton Nicholas; two grandchildren. Served as an elder
Su, Mary – b. March 22, 1933, China; d. Aug. 17, 2026, Loma Linda, CA. Survivors: sister, Elsie Chan; children, Andy Su, Diana Su-Erickson, Beverly Haller; two grandchildren. Thomas, Nelson – b. Aug. 25, 1938, Riverdale, MI; d. June 18, 2026, Greeneville, TN. Survivors: wife, Nancy; siblings, Eleanor, Clay, Chuck, Bill; sons, Rob, Scott; stepsons, Jeremy Arter, Jonathan Arter; many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a career educator and administrator who impacted many lives at Shenandoah Valley Academy, Southern Adventist University, La Sierra University, and Walla Walla University. Torres, Fred Capule – b. Oct. 7, 1955, Loma Linda, CA; d. Aug. 2, 2026, Loma Linda, CA. Survivors: spouse, Lucille; children, Marvin, Anthony; four grandchildren. Wise, Patricia – b. April 25, 1938, Meridian, ID; d. June 1, 2026, Meridian, ID. Survivors: husband, Ronald; children, Patricia Wren, Rochelle Rose, Scott Wise, Rick Wise. Zimmerman-Griffith, Grenith – b. Nov. 15, 1936, Grantsburg, WI; d. July 19, 2026, Loma Linda, CA. Survivors: children, Carl, Mark, Nick; three grandchildren. Grenith was a professor of biostatistics at Loma Linda University for 45 years.
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The Last Word
By Alberto Valenzuela
Finding Ourselves on the Hill
E
very morning begins the same way for me: waking with anticipation, stepping outside, and walking toward a small hill behind the apartment complex. Nothing dramatic. No thunder. No voice from heaven. Just a walking stick taken in hand and a heart quietly hoping to discover what the day will reveal. The small hill is home to the Conejo Valley Botanical Garden, and its trails are walked daily by many, including me. Scripture knows this rhythm well. “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24, ESV). Not the extraordinary day. Just the day. The one we wake into with stiff joints, lingering memories, and quiet hope. In many ways, this simple ritual becomes a parable of faith itself— faith not as conquest, but as return; not as certainty, but as grace received anew. The hill is modest. It does not compare to the hills of my youth, climbed with strength, confidence, and perhaps a bit of bravado. This hill is different. It is climbed slowly, attentively, sometimes with fatigue, sometimes with sweat, always with awareness of limitation. And yet, it is precisely here—on this smaller hill—that something quietly theological unfolds. The Bible places some very important events on various mountains. We find Moses receiving
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the ten commandments on Mount Sinai or Horeb (Exodus 19-24); the ark rests on Mount Ararat after the flood (Genesis 8:4); Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18); Moses saw the promised land from Mount Nebo (Deuteronomy 34). Yet Scripture also tells of profound encounters not on the grand mountains but on the ordinary paths of daily life. Jesus meets fishermen while they are washing their nets (Luke 5). He speaks to a Samaritan woman while she draws water (John 4). He joins two disappointed disciples on a road as they walk away from Jerusalem (Luke 24). Grace, it turns out, does not wait for us at the summit of our achievements; it meets us on the way, in motion, in process. For me, my morning walk becomes a liturgy. The preparation—water, cap, gloves if needed— mirrors the quiet readiness of prayer. The waiting for dawn echoes the psalmist’s confession: “My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning” (Psalm 130:6, NKJV). And as the light breaks, creation itself seems to participate in the welcome. Flowers open. Birds take flight. Fragrance fills the air. The world does not demand anything; it simply offers itself. This is grace.
Grace is not earned by climbing higher or faster. Grace is received when we show up— when we step outside despite stiffness, despite memories, despite fear of what our bodies can no longer do. After surgery, after long months of limited movement, the return to the hill is not an achievement—it is a resurrection of sorts. Not the triumphant kind, but the quiet kind: I am still here. I am still alive. Jesus’ resurrected body bears scars. That detail matters. The risen Christ does not erase pain; He carries it forward, transformed. Likewise, each step up the hill carries history—age, injury, loss, longing. And yet, none of these disqualify the walk. On the contrary, they deepen it. Isaiah reminds us, “Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you” (Isaiah 46:4, ESV). Grace does not restore us to who we once were; it meets us as we are. Along the path, I have companions and strangers—coyotes, quail scattering, roadrunners, a crow watching from above—all of them probably wondering what I am doing so early in the morning. Even absence becomes part of the landscape: the woman I used to see before covid is no longer seen; a young man who once slept there isn’t around anymore either. Faith, too, is shaped as much by who is missing as by who is present. The Christian life is never static. People come and go. Seasons change. But Christ remains the faithful companion on the road, even when we do not recognize Him at first. At the top of the hill, the view opens. Houses below. The Thousand Oaks Adventist church dominates part of the panorama. Other hills beyond. Life continues in all directions. And for a moment, there is perspective. Not mastery—just clarity. This is what grace offers: not control over life, but the gift of seeing it rightly. And then comes the return. This is perhaps the most important movement of all. The goal is not to remain on the hill, not to build a shelter there, not to freeze the moment. Peter once wanted to stay on the mountain. “Lord, it is good for us to be here” (Matthew 17:4, NKJV), he anxiously said. But Jesus led them back down. The Christian life is not about remaining in moments of clarity; it is about returning to daily life carrying what we have received.
The goal is to return—with oneself. To descend, carrying what was found: breath, gratitude, awareness, joy. In the Gospel story, the disciples do not remain at the Mount of Transfiguration. They must come down, back into the world, back into need. And every day, I head back. Christian faith is not an escape. It is a return— again and again—to daily life, bearing within us the quiet assurance that we are held. That we belong. That even in fatigue, even in uncertainty, even in the ordinary rhythms of morning walks and measured steps, Christ walks with us. The hill does not save us. The walk does not redeem us. But in grace, Christ uses small, faithful acts to remind us of who we are: beloved, alive, and still becoming. And so each morning, my prayer is simple—not for strength to climb higher, but for grace to show up. Not to conquer the hill, but to meet myself. And to return—whole, held, and thankful. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV). That is the gospel I walk into each dawn. And that is the Christ who walks with us—up the hill, and all the way back down. _____________________________ Alberto Valenzuela is the associate director of communication and community engagement for the Pacific Union Conference and editor of the Recorder.
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Recorder PACIFIC UNION
Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists P.O. Box 5005 Thousand Oaks CA, 91359-5005