Served Meal Yields Baptism

Yreka Church member Ben Woodruff has been involved in ministry for unhoused people in his community. Through his work with area churches and agencies, it was only a matter of time before he got his home church involved.

Ben and the Yreka church members committed to taking one night per week to serve hot meals to the unhoused at a local church. According to Woodruff, “We soon realized that not many of them were coming to the church. To maximize our effectiveness, we started going out to their camps with food. That decision increased serving 2 to 4 meals in a building to serving 30 to 40 in the camps.”

As the collaborative town program ended with the season, the Yreka team didn’t see any lessening of the need. The church board then voted to keep assembling meals at Yreka church and delivering them to the camps.

According to Bob Mason, district pastor, “We called our new group Ministry of Mercy, and as the months turned warm, the number of meals rose to over seventy.”

Mason continued, “Through choosing this act of service, we now know many in the camps by name. We have made our outreach more relevant to the community and God has opened doors. As opportunities arise, the Ministry of Mercy team converses and prays with our new friends. One man has begun coming to church and has requested baptism. Praise God!”

Storm Nearly Derails Pastors Retreat

January 10- What would have been three days for pastors to share, learn, teach, and collaborate at Leoni Meadows had to be compacted into one day due to storm damage. Subsequently, all pastors from the territory diverted to Gracepoint Church for what was left of their mini retreat.

Jim Lorenz, ministerial director said, “This annual get-together is very important for the pastors. We not only get work done but collaborate and strengthen friendships. It’s as much business as it is therapy. Unfortunately, we had to cut a lot out because of the storm.”

In keeping with the original plan, Craig Heinrich and Leoni staff provided a quality lunch and the camp’s famous cinnamon rolls from the Gracepoint kitchen.

Randy Speyer Installed At Sacramento Woodside

November 5- Randy Speyer was installed as the pastor of Sacramento Woodside Church. He hopes to empower the growth of a loving and healthy community whose joyful pursuit is a spiritual life with God.

Before joining Woodside, he was the director of mission and spiritual care at Adventist Health. He was also pastor of care and counseling at Loma Linda University Church, and former lead pastor at Palo Cedro.

Speyer said, "I have a love for storytelling, music, and art with a passion for shaping people who will go out and shape the communities they are a part of.”

According to Jim Lorenz, ministry director, “Randy has so many talents and has worked in health ministry, been a church pastor, a counselor; we are blessed to have him choose church ministry again at Woodside.”

Randy has been married to his high school sweetheart, Jewel Tryon-Speyer, for 42 years.

Welcome To 10 Days Of Prayer 2023

From January 11 to 21 you can join in the 10 days of prayer event.

Media Attention for Sacramento Academy Sports

Thanks to a hardworking Athletic Director Kenny Johnston, there have been several great media placements recently. Click links below to watch.

NAD Story On Paradise Fire And Rebuilding

Please read the article titled "Community in the Midst of Crisis" published in the August 2022 issue of Adventist Journey

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