Northern California Adventists in Action

09/04/2026

Successful fundraising is not about asking for money—it is about building lasting relationships that advance God's mission.

The Adapted Fundraising Fundamentals session, created by the Director of Communication and Development at the Northern California Conference, Laurie Trujillo, CFRE, and sponsored by the Center for Community Change at Andrews University, introduces proven fundraising strategies adapted specifically for churches and schools.

Learn how to plan and strengthen your Annual Fund, Special Program Fund, and Capital Campaigns using the Fundraising Cycle to cultivate long-term donor relationships and create a sustainable culture of generosity.

Learn more at:
www.nccsda.com/cultivate-generosity

09/03/2026

Pastor José Marín Named President of the Northern California Conference

ROSEVILLE, Calif. — September 2, 2026 — The Northern California Conference Executive Committee elected Pastor José Marín as president of the Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists on September 2. Marín fills the vacancy created when Dr. Marc Woodson was elected president of the Pacific Union Conference during its August Constituency Session.

In accordance with the Northern California Conference Bylaws, the Conference Executive Committee is authorized to fill officer vacancies between regular constituency sessions.

Marín has served as executive secretary of the Northern California Conference since 2018 and as a member of the Conference’s executive leadership team, helping guide organizational strategy, ministry, leadership development, and mission throughout Northern California.

Born in Long Beach, California, Marín attended public schools before spending his senior year at San Diego Academy. During spring break that year, he participated in a mission trip that helped clarify his calling to ministry.

“I realized what my life purpose was—to serve God in ministry,” Marín recalled.

Marín earned a degree in theology from Montemorelos University in Mexico and has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Washington, Texas, Arizona, and California. Over the course of his ministry, he has held increasingly broad leadership roles in church planting, pastoral ministry, evangelism, Hispanic ministries, Sabbath School, ministerial leadership, and conference administration.

His ministry in Northern California began in 2014 as Hispanic ministries coordinator. After gaining additional executive leadership experience in the Arizona Conference, he returned to Northern California in 2018 as executive secretary. Throughout his ministry, Marín has remained focused on sharing the grace of Jesus Christ, developing leaders, strengthening churches, and helping people grow in their relationship with Christ.

As president, Marín will continue advancing the Conference purpose of connecting people to an abundant life in Jesus Christ and preparing them for His soon return. He is also committed to continuing the Conference’s emphasis on organizational health through the NCC Advantage, strengthening clarity, teamwork, healthy leadership practices, and mission alignment throughout its churches, schools, ministries, and other entities.

The NCC Advantage has become an integral part of the Conference’s organizational culture, providing a shared framework for how leaders and teams work together to accomplish the mission.

Marín’s election provides continuity in executive leadership while building on the mission and organizational priorities already established. His years of experience working alongside pastors, educators, employees, church members, and ministry leaders throughout Northern California provide a strong foundation as he assumes the presidency.

The Northern California Conference invites members to pray for Pastor José Marín, his family, and the Conference leadership team as they continue serving the mission throughout Northern California.

09/03/2026

A New Season of Ministry Begins at Vallejo Berea.

The Vallejo Berea Seventh-day Adventist Church gathered on Aug. 1 to welcome Edwin Brown, pastor, during a special installation service marking the beginning of his ministry with the congregation.

Brown brings decades of pastoral experience to Vallejo Berea. Friends, family, church members, and Northern California Conference leaders gathered to celebrate God's leading, honor his years of ministry, and pray for the work that lies ahead as he joins the Vallejo church family.

Rudolph Peters, African American Ministries director, described an atmosphere of excitement and appreciation within the congregation and expressed confidence in the ministry God will accomplish through Brown's assignment.

As Vallejo Berea enters this new season, the congregation looks forward to growing in faith, strengthening its ministry, and continuing to share the hope of Christ with the community.

09/02/2026

What brings you satisfaction and fulfillment in your work? What are your frustrations? Join Marc Woodson, Jose Marin, and Laurie Trujillo as they break down The Working Genius in all of us and how it fits into organizational health.

Northern Lights, the official monthly news source of the Northern California Conference, shares how churches, schools, and members are connecting people to an abundant life with Jesus Christ and preparing them for His soon return.

08/31/2026

Get connected with your churches and schools. Sign up for Northern Lights, our monthly email of Northern news. https://nccsda.com/northern-lights/

08/27/2026

A New Chapter of Ministry Begins at Immanuel Temple

The Immanuel Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church welcomed James Willis as their new pastor during a special installation service in June, celebrating the beginning of a new season of ministry together.

Church members, family, friends, and Northern California Conference leaders gathered for worship and prayer as they affirmed God's calling on Willis' life and committed to partnering with him in ministry.

Rudy Peters, African American Ministries coordinator, emphasized the importance of unity between pastor and congregation.

“There is a spirit of hope and expectation at Immanuel Temple,” Peters said. “I believe God has brought Pastor Willis to this congregation for such a time as this, and I look forward to seeing how God will use this partnership to strengthen the church and expand its ministry.”

We invite members throughout the conference to pray for Willis, his family, and the Immanuel Temple church family as they begin this new chapter of ministry together.

08/26/2026

Are you a communicator for a church, school, or ministry? Whether you manage social media, write newsletters, capture photos, or want to communicate more effectively during a crisis, ClearVoice is for you.

Created by the Northern California Conference Communication and Development Department, ClearVoice webinars and podcasts provide practical training in storytelling, crisis communication, trauma-informed communication, ethics, organizational health, cultivating generosity, and more.
Grow Clarity. Earn Trust. Transform Engagement. Cultivate Generosity.
Visit www.nccsda.com/communication or listen to NCCSDA ClearVoice on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

08/25/2026

Meet Our New Principals! Dana Van Hook, Chico Oaks Adventist School.

Dana decided in grade 3 that she wanted to become a teacher. More than 17 years later, it appears her third-grade self chose wisely.

Van Hook brings experience teaching every grade from kindergarten through grade 8 in both public and private schools. She has worked in single-grade and multigrade classrooms, served as a school administrator, and helped schools implement programs to strengthen their curriculum. She holds a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology and audiology and has training in differentiated instruction, advanced instructional strategies, assessment tools, and kindergarten-readiness evaluations.

She also had the privilege of team-teaching with her mother, adding a special family connection to the profession she chose so many years ago.

Hands-on learning is central to Van Hook’s approach. Her classroom projects have included starting seeds beneath grow lights and hatching salmon eggs. Yes, every educator talks about helping young minds grow—but Van Hook occasionally has the seedlings to prove it.

These experiences reflect her desire to create a safe, engaging environment where children can explore, ask questions, and reach their full potential. Above all, Van Hook’s greatest desire is for the students of Chico Oaks Adventist School to know and personally experience the love Jesus has for them.

08/24/2026

You are part of something bigger. Stay in tune with what's happening in the Northern California Conference. Join our monthly email and be up on the latest! Read the latest and sign up here: https://nccsda.com/northern-lights/

08/22/2026

Put Redwood Campmeeting on your summer schedule next year!