“Growing up without a present father, I often questioned how a loving Heavenly Father could exist. Church was always part of my life, yet I struggled with faith—attending only because I had no choice. Like many in my youth group, I felt disconnected.”
That all changed, when Jonathan Navarro ran into two friends returning from Youth Rush. They were happy and excited about God. Navarro thought, “If God could do it for them, maybe He could do it for me.”Navarro, this year’s Youth Rush program head leader, joined the program the following summer in 2019 and had a life changing experience. Through daily worship, he learned that even though he had no earthly father, he had a Heavenly Father who cared deeply.
That summer left a lasting impact, giving Navarro the desire to pursue a degree in pastoral ministry at Southern Adventist University. He shares, “I am driven by the hope of impacting other youth, just as Youth Rush did for me.”
What is Youth Rush?
Youth Rush is Southeastern California Conference’s (SECC) Student Literature Evangelism program, which empowers youth ages 16 to 25 to share the good news while earning funds for Adventist education. Formally known as colporteuring, Youth Rush puts a new face on the long-standing ministry. Students distribute Bible-based literature in local communities on a donation basis, and the funds support their Adventist education. In addition to the ministry benefits, it offers unforgettable experiences—camping weekends, beach trips, and even a retreat to Catalina Island to foster meaningful community.
However, the true purpose of Youth Rush goes beyond literature distribution. It develops social skills, builds confidence, and develops leadership qualities among young people. By engaging in mission, youth are equipped to become the future leaders of our churches and communities.
Over the last few years, Youth Rush has seen remarkable growth in participation, literature sales, and Adventist scholarships:
Each number represents a youth dedicated to mission and each dollar represents a Christ-centered book in a community home. Every summer, many of our youth embrace the challenge to share the gospel and impact our communities. The personal experience of seeing God touch lives through literature, is truly life changing.
If you are a young person seeking a mission opportunity or know someone who might benefit, visit seccyouthrush.com to learn more and apply for our 2025 summer program.
April 30, 2025
RIVERSIDE, CALIF.—Southeastern California Conference (SECC) is excited to announce Isaac Kim as the Interim Youth Director, effective April, 2025. He succeeds Aren Rennacker who served as conference Youth Director from December, 2019 before accepting a call to the Pacific Union Conference.
Kim has served within SECC for over 25 years in ministry, beginning at the Calimesa Seventh-day Adventist Church as Associate Pastor prior to leading our conference Family & Children’s ministry as an Associate Youth Director since December, 2021. He likes to work collaboratively with ministry teams, cheerleading ministry leaders, and creating space for people to share life together. Isaac and his two boys enjoy sports, both playing and watching. He strives to be the best dad that he can be by modeling the love of Jesus and believes that the message of the Gospel shows up in different ways in our journeys.
As Interim Youth Director, Kim will oversee conference Youth department operations, youth, young adult, family, and children ministry programs, and support church youth ministry leaders in various capacities.
Southeastern California Conference is excited to see how God continues to move within our youth ministries. Please join us in congratulating Isaac.
The annual Junior/Senior Bible Conference, hosted by the SECC Office of Education, brought together upperclassmen from academies across the Southeastern California Conference (SECC) and Southern California Conference (SCC) for a weekend of spiritual renewal, fellowship, and inspiration. Held at the newly renovated Pine Springs Ranch from January 29 to February 1, 2025, the event encouraged students to deepen their relationship with God while connecting with peers from other schools.
This year’s theme, "Rhythm," emphasized the importance of intentionally including God in daily life. Keynote speaker Mike Rhynus from the Loma Linda University School of Religion, a former attendee of the conference himself, delivered powerful messages that resonated with students, challenging them to integrate their faith into everyday routines.
Beyond the main sessions, the heart of the conference was found in family group sessions led by student leaders. These small groups, made up of students from different schools, fostered deeper discussions on scripture while also building lasting friendships through team activities. Ethan Gaines, senior at Redlands Adventist Academy shared, “The community that I created with people that I don’t normally see was amazing. Being able to worship with these people made our connections much more personal.”
A praise band composed of students from various schools led heartfelt worship, creating an atmosphere so powerful it was contagious. Nicholas Borchik, high school history teacher at Mesa Grande Academy, reflected on the impact the worship had. “Our intention for the event was to create a space for authentic corporate worship. Many of my students walked away saying that they want to take their worship experience into other spaces.” As the students return to their campuses, they carry with them the challenge to embrace Christ as an essential part of their lives, shaping their purpose, choices, and relationships.
Another meaningful element was the Prayer Oasis, a space designed by student Prayer Warriors, where attendees could engage in a unique, multi-sensory prayer experience. Youth pastors played a vital role as mentors for student leaders, while Bible teachers and chaperones helped facilitate team-building activities. Faculty and chaplains emphasized that the lessons learned should extend beyond the event, continuing to inspire students throughout the year.
The Junior/Senior Bible Conference remains a cornerstone of Adventist education in SECC, nurturing faith-filled leaders. Organizers look forward to expanding opportunities for students to engage even more deeply, ensuring that each year builds upon the last in fostering spiritual growth and community.
Happy chatter filled the early morning air as the eighth-grade class of Redlands Adventist Academy arrived at the Loma Linda Vietnamese church. They were on a mission to restore the exterior of the church to the respect and beauty that it deserved. The church struggled to find an affordable contractor to paint the outside after graffiti was sprayed on the walls. Peeling old and outdated paint did not reflect the love the church held for its building. They prayed for an answer which arrived in the form of 30 eighth-graders, supportive parents, and their teacher.
After a word of prayer for God’s blessings on their efforts, the students and parents were divided into groups to commence work. Scrapping, sanding, and masking up windows were skills quickly developed. The class worked with determination. It was Friday and the goal was to paint all the exterior walls in time for Sabbath. As soon as a section was prepared, airless spraying of a new coat of paint started, with students coming behind to “cut in” the places the sprayer could not get.
The school carefully planned a food sale to raise funds to support the cost of materials. A paint store providing their best paint at discount price and a local sign company agreeing to make a new sign for the church at low cost was just two ways God was opening doors for the project.
Breaks, music, and a pizza lunch kept the group’s spirit strong and driven to finish the task. By the end of the afternoon’s work, the job of painting the walls was completed and cleaned up for Sabbath worship. “Painting the church was a great experience that brought me closer to my friends and God!” stated Thomas Bullard, an eighth-grade student.
To celebrate the completion of the work, a special Christmas program was held by the Vietnamese church members on Sabbath. The class was invited and honored with gifts. Joy filled the church and hearts of those present as they retold how God had made the transformation possible. “It was a unique experience and left a good feeling,” student Enzzo Kramer stated. Eighth-grader Zara Matthew summed it up by sharing, “The church was truly grateful, we were a miracle to them and an answer to prayer.”
Teen FLOW got its start in 2022 with the mission to nurture the growth of teen leaders of Southeastern California Conference’s (SECC) Pathfinders. With tremendous success and great fellowship, Teen FLOW saw its third annual one-day event occur in December 2024 at La Sierra Academy.
Over 220 teen Pathfinders from across SECC gathered for the one-day event, almost doubling the number of teens from last year. “Teen FLOW is a highlight event of our year,” shared Aren Rennacker, SECC director of youth and young adults. “Our teen leaders have done so much in their clubs throughout the year, and we love gathering together to celebrate them. It’s especially fun to see how they connect with each other as they sing, serve, and play at our gym night.”
With a focus on Faith, Leadership, Outreach, and Witnessing, the day’s activities included worship, breakout sessions, and a message from the main speaker, George Tuyu, youth pastor of Azure Hills church. Tuyu emphasized with attendees how God shapes their lives and works with them and through them for His glory.
The breakout sessions of the day were divided by the pillars of FLOW. For “Faith” and “Leadership,” Pathfinder teens enjoyed crafting care packages and working together on a collaborative drawing activity. “Outreach” and “Witnessing” saw attendees visit Gardens of Riverside, an assisted living facility, and engage with its residents and staff. Rennacker shared his own insights on the valuable skills needed when sharing the gospel with others.
For Jared Gonzalez, SECC assistant director for youth media, his first Teen FLOW experience was one he won’t forget. “To see the excitement and drive for ministry these pathfinders had in them was amazing,” said Gonzalez. “Pathfinder teens were so eager to learn and grow spiritually together.”
The growth of Teen FLOW has been inspiring–the benefits teen leaders gain from it even more so. “It [is] a reminder that we should continue to equip and provide resources for our youth so that they can continue life in the path God wants for their lives,” Gonzalez reflected. Rennacker added: “We are grateful for the leadership of our Teen FLOW coordinators, Mercy and JJ Martinez, and to Pastor George for his timely messages! We look forward to the next event!”
January 30, 2025 | Columbia, MD
From the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church: An Appeal for Human Dignity and Decency
There are many in the United States who are afraid for their futures, and for the lives of family members. As a Christian denomination in the U.S., the Seventh-day Adventist Church supports the rights of all persons, no matter their country of origin—the equal rights provided in the U.S. Constitution and fair treatment as immigrants and refugees in this country.
As members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, we believe that “we are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another; we are to serve and be served without partiality or reservation” (Fundamental Belief No.14).
“We maintain our allegiance to the biblical principles of equality and dignity of all human beings in the face of historic and continuing attempts to use skin color, place of origin, caste, or perceived lineage as a pretext for oppressive and dominating behavior. These attempts are a denial of our shared humanity, and we deplore all such aggression and prejudice as an offense to God” (Seventh-day Adventist Church statement “One Humanity: A Human Relations Statement Addressing Racism, Casteism, Tribalism, and Ethnocentrism”).
The Bible declares that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female—all are one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28). We are one humanity. Dehumanization and margination by law or the implementation of the laws or policies are diametrically opposed to the Bible. Therefore, it is inhumane and robs people of their God-given dignity in Christ to have policies that make them afraid to go to church and school because of the threat of being deported.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America encourages its churches and schools to be warm and welcoming places for all people. All are created by God and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
In light of the fact that we have a shared humanity, in light of the fact we all are created equal, in light of the fact we should love our neighbor as ourselves, and in light of the fact that Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40, NIV), our appeal is for us, as Adventists, to show our immigrant families that we love them by lifting up our voices and standing by their side in these times of uncertainty.
Our appeal to our policymakers and government leaders is found in The Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual (p. 92): “All are in search of wholeness. All are gifted, needed, and treasured. All are created in the image of God with an inherent dignity regardless of any limitation they may have.” Therefore, let our laws and the implementation of our laws treat all of God’s children, who are created in His image, with the dignity and decency they deserve.
Sincerely,
G. Alexander Bryant, DMin
President
Kyoshin Ahn, PhD
Executive Secretary
Judy Glass
Treasurer/CFO
SECC Hosts Fourth Annual Youth Ministries Summit
By Aren Rennacker
In March, the youth ministries pastors of Southeastern California Conference (SECC) gathered for the fourth annual Youth Ministries Summit. Hosted this year at Azure Hills church, the Summit is an opportunity for the pastors of SECC to build camaraderie, inspire mission, and equip each other for effective youth ministry.
The day began with a breakfast spread and time in worship, then they took time to celebrate weddings, births, and ordinations from the past year. The morning session included a keynote message from Chris Oberg, pastor and CEO of Path of Life Ministries, and a collective ministry Q&A session on topics relevant to the field. About 60 children’s, youth, and young adult pastors were in attendance.
“We are blessed to set aside one day to create space to support, bless, and express our appreciation for our pastors,” said Isaac Kim, associate youth director and conference lead for family and children’s ministries. “We do not say it enough but, ‘Thank you, pastors!’”
The afternoon session began with an acknowledgement of SECC’s female youth ministry leaders, followed by a keynote address from Sam Leonor, mission and spiritual care executive for Adventist Health. “Meekness does not mean weakness,” Leonor stated, reminding the pastors to set healthy boundaries. “Always guard your hearts.” The day finished with a prize giveaway that included a new espresso machine and tickets to Disneyland.
“The content and camaraderie of the Youth Summit was, as always, extraordinary,” said Lindsey Haffner, youth pastor at Redlands church. “It was a combination of important updates and meaningful presentations and conversations that connect us as partners in ministry.”
One special guest in attendance was Steve Case, president of Involve Youth and author of numerous books on youth ministry. “This one-day gathering for pastors who focus on ministry to and with young people combined inspiration, worship, food, and fun,” Case reflected. “I left feeling connected, energized, and eager to serve.”
“When I come to the Youth Summit, I feel like my time and work is respected and valued,” Haffner said. “These check-ins are such a refreshing reminder of why it’s a privilege to work in ther SECC."
Last fall, Alexy Mondak, pastor and Southeastern California Conference (SECC) assistant director of summer camp, had an idea. She recalled attending a women’s retreat as a teenager with her mom and wondered what something similar could look like in SECC. As summer camp director, she had seen firsthand the impact of youth ministry in her territory—so what if she helped create a retreat specifically for teen girls?
Mondak recruited a team of female pastors who began dreaming of what a retreat could look like, particularly one that celebrated the female experience. “We knew we wanted to create something different,” Mondak said. “We wanted a space where these girls could feel empowered in their identity, their beauty, and their relationships.”
Those dreams came to reality on March 8-9 with the first-ever Bloom Conference, hosted at Camp Cedar Falls. Over 100 teen girls arrived to receive goodie bags, sing together in worship, and hear messages from Dilys Brooks, campus chaplain at Loma Linda University, on how to thrive as young women. They also enjoyed a range of breakout activities, from making vision boards and flower crowns to learning self-defense and relationship resilience.
“We wanted it to be a weekend where the girls didn’t just sit and listen but were actively learning together,” said Elizabeth McDonald, family and children’s pastor at La Sierra University church and a member of the planning team. “It was so exciting to see something that we had all worked so hard on actually come to fruition.”
Perhaps the highlight of the weekend was “The Bloom Experience,” a makeshift fashion show where the girls made outfits out of wrapping and tissue paper before walking down the runway to applause from their peers. “All the girls immediately became one at that moment,” McDonald said. “It went from a space of uncertainty to one where we were together.”
“The Bloom Conference was truly a beautiful experience,” said Autumn White, a teen from the Azure Hills church. “I made so many new friends and had so much fun. I cannot wait for next year's retreat!” Another attendee told Mondak, “You all literally thought of everything we like!”
“We wanted to give them something we didn’t have at their age,” Mondak reflected. “To know they felt their needs were met makes all of the stress and planning worth it.”
On a Saturday evening in late February, Southeastern California Conference (SECC) hosted the second annual Young Adult Night at the Crosswalk church in Redlands, California. The “Wonder”-themed evening drew more than 400 attendees, ages 18 to 39, from over 100 churches throughout SECC.
The event started outdoors with free food, a coffee bar, a photo booth, live music, and a DJ.
“We weren’t selling them on anything,” said Aren Rennacker, director of SECC youth ministries. “We wanted to create a space to connect with our young adults without pretense. It’s simple: We love them and want them to know it.”
Halfway through the evening, attendees were invited inside for worship, led by Laia and Jo Amaya. The pair organized a young adult orchestra and choir with over 30 participants. Attendees shared testimonies, followed by a short message delivered by Rennacker.
Recognizing a gap in engagement and a need for a shared space where young adults could connect, worship, and be inspired, the night aimed to serve as a catalyst for reigniting, launching, or relaunching young adult ministries in local churches.
“Part of my message focused on how we all come from somewhere—our local churches,” Rennacker explained. “The message was that when you return, pour into your church and grow young adult ministries there too.”
“I feel honored to be part of a movement within SECC to reimagine effective ways to make our young people feel valued by the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” said Rennacker.
“Our goal, both this year and last year, was to provide a space specifically catered to the wants and needs of young adults. We want our young adults to know that they’re a priority and that they’re seen and heard. We’re already excited about next year.”
For more information, visit seccyouth.com and follow their Instagram page @SECCYouth.
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.
