1. The dentistry team enjoys their appointments with children. ↩︎
2. Volunteers tear down a wall for the labor and delivery room renovation at La Loma Luz. ↩︎

At the close of the 2023 fall semester, Orangewood Academy launched an innovative initiative aimed to create ministry, college, and career-focused opportunities for its seventh- through 12th-graders. The preschool to 12th-grade academy considered the fact that they have international students and that families often go on vacation over the Christmas break. Recognizing this, they decided to move their finals one week ahead, allowing students to not only take their exams but also receive meaningful feedback from their teachers. With the last week of school now fully available, the team decided to launch a career and college readiness week.

Each day of the week, teachers and staff provided different activities and opportunities for students to help them anticipate college, make informed decisions about potential careers, and engage in ministry, as explained by Zaidy Olivarria, the assistant principal. Each activity was curated to be appropriate and relevant for the different grades. The school also partnered with OCGrace church and Relove church to provide ministry opportunities for the students, such as painting fences in an art garden and cleaning out the church closets.

Both students and faculty felt that this week was informative and meaningful. “Dedicating an entire week of school to getting a better understanding of how to apply for colleges, student athlete scholarships, what type of degrees there are, and how to sign up for government-funded programs to help further my education was definitely a big help,” said Victoria Perez, a 10th-grader. Kimberly Analco, another 10th-grader, said that this week helped her and others consider possible expectations for different careers and narrow down potential fields they may like to pursue in their future.

Olivarria explained that this initiative was successful because of the significant amount of teamwork that went into planning. More than a year of intentionality went into developing this event, and they are hopeful that this is something they can continue in the future. Congratulations to Orangewood Academy for finding dynamic new ways to engage and prepare their students for not only a life of service but of excellence.

1. Students paint fences with art as a ministry opportunity.
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2. Gatra Suhari speaks to students on Career Day about being a pastor. ↩︎

In December 2023, Southeastern California Conference (SECC) Youth Department held its second annual Teen FLOW event at Escondido Adventist Academy. This gathering aims to provide leadership and ministry opportunities for teens within the conference. The event saw a total of 170 attendees, including Pathfinder directors, church leaders, and 140 teens.

FLOW stands for Faith, Leadership, Outreach, and Witnessing. The objective of this ministry is to offer hands-on experience in outreach and leadership training for teens. When asked about the importance of Teen FLOW for the community, Meshach Soli, SECC associate director of club ministries, emphasized that the initial inspiration was to cultivate leadership at a young age. Many teens aren't exposed to outreach, so providing them with hands-on experience at an early stage lays a foundation for a better understanding of being a witness for Christ. "Every youth is already a leader,” said Soli. “Every youth has influence, so each of them is a leader.”

The one-day event featured sermons, breakout sessions, and an active afternoon outreach. Aren Rennacker, SECC director of youth and young adult ministries, and Taji Saleem, assistant director of youth media ministries, were two of the keynote speakers. Saleem, who is not in pastoral ministry, encouraged youth to pursue ministry in non-traditional ways by leveraging their gifts and passions as a means for effectively sharing the gospel. Additionally, the event included hands-on breakout sessions in which teens navigated obstacle courses to learn about faith-building puzzles as a group, highlighting perseverance and teamwork. In the afternoon, they had the opportunity to visit various homes and communities in Escondido, collecting non-perishable and canned goods to donate to Interfaith Outreach, their partnering organization. This engagement allowed the youth not only to hear about the impact of ministry but also to experience it firsthand.

Through Teen FLOW, SECC continues to pursue avenues of growth and empowerment for the youth. As this ministry is in its early stages, there are high hopes for the future. One aspiration is to eventually organize a Teen FLOW short-term overseas mission trip.

1. A pair of attendees work together in a hands-on breakout session. ↩︎
2. Taji Saleem encourages teens to take a non-traditional approach to ministry. ↩︎

In October 2023, the men’s ministry of Valley church, also known as MOVE (Men of Valley Engage), organized their first Men's Week of Prayer. The theme of the week was “Courage.”

The men, with the guidance of MOVE director Trevor Conner, took it upon themselves to create and carry out a special prayer line preceding the week of prayer. This prayer line strove to let the Holy Spirit lead, guide, and direct the men of MOVE. “It was astounding and a blessing to hear the men sing from their heart,” said Paulette Jumalon, a guest musician. What was planned as a traditional week of prayer turned out to be an exhilarating outreach opportunity, resulting in other men expressing interest in joining MOVE. “It was an awe-inspiring week,” said Alfonso Small, a MOVE member.

The week of prayer featured distinguished guest speaker Dan Smith, retired pastor. During the week, Smith inspired and reached church members and nonmembers alike. One Valley member discharged from the hospital was motivated to come directly to the prayer service. She expressed how thankful she was that there was a weekday service, and she was thoroughly blessed by Smith's message. In addition to Smith’s services, the attendees also participated in afternoon potlucks. At the final Sabbath afternoon potluck, “several individuals expressed interest in joining the [church],” said Eric Penick, pastor of Valley church.

MOVE’s main purpose is to use service as a vehicle to bring men into a union of brotherhood that fosters an intimate relationship with God, their families, and each other. 

On one occasion, MOVE provided a cleanup service for Harold Aronson, a member of the community who lost his wife. Grateful and inspired, he began attending church.

On another occasion, the men helped Phyllis Kunkel, a fellow member of Valley, by visiting her home and providing cleanup services. She was given roses in appreciation of giving MOVE the opportunity for service. The overall attitude of MOVE is the more service we provide, the more we are blessed. Jesus Himself said that it is more blessed to give than to receive. We hope this may reach other men and inspire them to MOVE!

1. MOVE members help clean up a yard in the community.
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2. MOVE members present Kunkel with flowers.
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This was not the first Thanksgiving community dinner or the first community activity held by the church. Corona Main Spanish church has been an active member of the community through a community resource fair. This made their mark on the community, yet the church saw that it wasn’t meeting a core need: unity. From that revelation, the church team embarked on hosting small groups and dinners to create meaningful connections with the community.

Of the 90 members present, 60 took an active role by helping to cook, serve, clean, set up, run the sound system, or register guests. Some members opposed an event not focused on the congregation, believing the community would be disinterested in the event. The weather report was another potential obstacle, forecasting rain and winds. However, God blessed the event by providing excellent weather and doubling the numbers from last year. 

As community members left that evening, they departed with a greater sense of community and a frozen turkey donated by the pantry. Many commented on the sense of belonging they found and how loved they felt to receive such focused attention. Last year's Thanksgiving paved the way for 10 baptisms, further supporting the church’s outreach efforts.

Mendoza reflected on the importance of thinking outside the box and anchoring each effort in God: “God will bring it all together and provide resources to make it work because it is not our event but His. God was the one who hand-picked all the volunteers and all those who joined and participated. We have humbly created momentum with this event, and now comes the responsibility of asking God to lead the next steps in moving forward.”

1. People begin to gather for the dinner. ↩︎
2. Attendees take home turkeys after a lovely night. ↩︎

January 25, 2024

We are pleased to announce the Executive Committee has elected Andrea King as the Vice President of Black Ministries for Southeastern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. King most recently served as the Communication and Media Director for SECC. Please continue to keep her in prayer as she steps into this new role.

Last October, the Azure Hills church family came together at the table to celebrate the dedication and refurbishing of the long-awaited kitchen and fellowship hall. The dedication service for these remodeled facilities was celebrated with music, reflection, gratitude, words of congratulation, a scriptural blessing, and prayers of dedication. Special guests included Christian Edition; Bill Hussey, Grand Terrace mayor; and Patty Marruffo, executive secretary of the Southeastern California Conference.

Those who came to celebrate were reminded by Tara VinCross, Azure Hills senior pastor, “Fellowship at the table—enjoying a meal together—is a core part of Christian worship.”

This project closes the first phase of the Vision Capital campaign, which was envisioned in 2017 as a $1.8 million capital development program for the Azure Hills campus to better meet the ministry needs of our congregation and community. Phase one included the creation of the Elias Community Center and the long-awaited expansion and renovation of the original kitchen into a 1,400-square-foot modern stainless-steel kitchen to support ministries and community events.

Phase two is now underway with the completion of the new cool roof system over the main campus buildings. The fellowship hall has been fully remodeled with new ceiling tiles, energy efficient LED recessed lighting, new flooring, new banquet seating, a new audiovisual system, and new window coverings to provide a modern design for over 700 guests. The ten classrooms, powerhouse, and hallways are being remodeled with new ceilings, LED lighting, and new flooring to provide a fresh modern design for Sabbath School and other ministries.

The Lord has led throughout the peaks, valleys, and delays of the Vision Capital project. The church is grateful to the many people who made it possible by giving their time, energy, and ongoing financial gifts to support the Vision Capital fund. Azure Hills is also excited to come to the table and put these new expanded and remodeled spaces into action, providing thriving ministries for all who come onto the Azure Hills campus.

1. Guests celebrate in the new fellowship hall. ↩︎
2. The congregation and leaders gather to cut the ribbon for the renovated facilities. ↩︎
3. The newly renovated kitchen. ↩︎

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