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Welcome to our new monthly newsletter. You will find inspiration from the ministries of our churches and schools. You will discover upcoming events that will help boost your faith (and fun). And you will be up-to-date with what is happening in our conference.

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Conference News

Media Mondays: Delving into Digital Spaces


One of the benefits of the last two years is that churches were thrust into digital spaces. This has allowed our churches to minister to people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Many churches needed people to come to their building to hear the good news of the Gospel. Now they can communicate God’s love to people in every space they occupy. Ninety-seven percent of Americans own a cellphone and most have other digital devices. Understanding how to connect with people on these devices is changing the game for ministry.


The SECC Communications & Media Department wants to make sure its churches know how to show up in these digital spaces with excellence and creativity. Since May, they have been hosting a monthly virtual training with digital strategist, Jamie Domm. You can watch past trainings on SECC’s YouTube Channel.


“The digital mission field is vast and largely untapped. And I really do believe the next digital awakening will be a digital ones,” says Domm.


In SECC, this is the Year of Evangelism, the Communications & Media department is doing all it can to help our churches tap into the digital mission field. On Monday, July 25, pastors and members alike are invited to learn how to use their technology to touch people for Christ. There were will be practical steps and takeaways that will help members move from viewership to digital discipleship. This training will be streamed lived on our YouTube page. To register to receive bonuses like the PowerPoint presentation, manuals and worksheets, visit  seccadventist.eventbrite.com.

Groundbreaking for Vista de La Sierra


On June15, church and community leaders came together for the groundbreaking of Vista de La Sierra. Vista de La Sierra will be a beautiful new community located in the La Sierra Neighborhood of Riverside, California. Vista de La Sierra will offer 79 affordable apartment homes for individuals and families. Thirty-nine apartment homes will be reserved as permanent supportive housing for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness.


Vista de La Sierra will be built in a Spanish contemporary style to complement the neighborhood. Committed to building high-quality sustainable communities, National CORE anticipates that Vista de La Sierra will receive a LEED for Homes certification at the gold level or better. A spacious community center will serve as the hub for resident services and activities and will include private case management offices. Additional onsite amenities will include a swimming pool, barbecue and picnic areas, an outdoor play area, a community garden, outdoor gathering spaces, and laundry facilities. The Hope through Housing Foundation will provide onsite programs and services, providing residents with the resources and support they need to thrive. Mercy House will provide comprehensive supportive services for residents who were previously homeless, focusing on economic mobility and overall well-being. This project is a joint collaboration between Pacific Union Conference and other community and government agencies.


-La Sierra University Church Instagram

Welcome to SECC!


We are excited to welcome some new people to the SECC team in our churches and conference office.


  • Marlene Ferreras is now serving as the Assistant to the Ministerial Department for Women Pastors.
  • Iki Taimi is now serving as the lead pastor of La Sierra University Church.
  • Cristian Iordan is the new pastor of Palm Desert Oasis Church.
  • Ron Agilera Jr. is the new associate pastor of Crosswalk.
  • Kevin Galeano is the new ministerial intern at OC Grace.
  • Joshua Lopez Padilla is the new pastor for the Blythe and Blythe Central District.
  • Gyunam Bak is the new associate pastor for young adults at Riverside Korean.
  • Eugene Oswarld is the new associate pastor for young life at OC Grace
  • Monique Trevino is the new coordinator for early childhood education and special education in the Office of Education.

Touching Lives through Sunshine Boxes


Laguna Niguel Church kick-started off its Vacation Bible School (VBS) on July 11, 2022, with over 70 kids. The theme was Monumental: Celebrating God's Greatness! The excitement and energy was felt throughout the entire campus as kids participated in the various activities.


One of the things the kids typically enjoy about VBS is the arts and crafts section of the program. This year, instead of creating crafts that typically get thrown away after VBS is over, VBS Director Julie Thomas decided to partner up with the Live Like Jojo Foundation to create 100 Sunshine Boxes for Children at the Loma Linda University Hospital. The kids burst into the room with excitement, ready to paint sunshine boxes that would bring life, hope, joy, and love to children with chronic healthcare challenges at the Loma Linda University Hospital.


-Nicholas Lodge

SECC Issues Statement Against Violence


On June 8, 2022, the Southeastern California Conference Administration issued the following statement in the wake of several shootings:

Our hearts are heavy, and we mourn with the families and loved ones affected by the several mass shootings that have taken place in the last few weeks across our nation. We are saddened by the increased amount of violence and loss of life, and we pray for comfort for those who are hurt and suffering as a result of these senseless acts. We want to be a part of the solution to make our schools, clinics, churches, and grocery stores safe again.
The Seventh-day Adventist World Church issued a statement over 30 years ago that still rings true today. “Pursuits of peace and the preservation of life are to be the goals of Christians. Evil cannot be effectively met with evil but must be overcome with good. Seventh-day Adventists, with other people of goodwill, wish to cooperate in using every legitimate means of reducing, and eliminating where possible, the root causes of crime.”
The Southeastern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists stands against all forms of violence and wishes to be agents of love, compassion, hope, and justice in our communities.  We commit to being a persistent voice for peace. We pray the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

- Southeastern California Conference Administration

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Shift Conference    July 15-16, 2022

SECC Black Ministries Department hosts its annual SHIFT Conference: SHIFTING IN PURPOSE AND POWER! This year’s theme is “Upgrade.” Upgrade means to raise something to a higher standard, to improve on by adding or replacing components. SHIFT 2022 will offer a free installation of an upgrade in you and your family’s life for these times. Expect dynamic worship and immersive learning that will leave you inspired to shift to another gear. Adult, Youth, and Children will be offered their upgrade in a separate service Friday evening and Sabbath morning. Come and let us SHIFT together!

Media Monday   July 25, 2022 | 6:00 p.m.


Learn to help your church members move from viewership to digital discipleship. Churches and individuals can become reach vehicles for souls by using technology to share the gospel message and to practically improve the lives of others. Each church can become a center for positive influence online and in the community. If you are online, you have influence, and what you do with that influence matters.


Each one of us is uniquely positioned to reach someone. Jesus met people where they were with the felt needs or challenges, they were facing. Then He bid them come and follow. Digital Discipleship not only empowers individuals to follow the model Jesus set, but also enables churches to scale up friendship evangelism efforts through strategic use of digital tools and technologies.

 

One Life 2022 August 12-14


One Life 2022 will be held at Camp Cedar Falls in the San Bernardino Mountains from Friday, August 12 through Sunday, August 14. The event is open to incoming 9-12th graders who attend with an approved youth pastor/leader.


This year’s theme is “Sincerely,” and will focus on the various faith experiences and ambitions of our speakers and attendants. The purpose is to help our kids connect socially, think critically, and grow spiritually by focusing on Christ as they begin a new school year.

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PSR Summer Camp     June 29-July 31, 2022

Registration for PSR Summer Camp is now OPEN! Visit PSR.Camp to learn more and to register for an unforgettable camp experience. Camp runs from June 29 – July 31, with sessions offered for ages 7-17 and families. Financial assistance is available. Make this your child’s best summer yet! Check out our promo video here.

EXCEL Media Training | Aug. 28

 

Join us for the EXCEL Media Conference, where we are equipping you for excellence. During this training event you will learn more about videography, photography, social media, streaming, websites and writing articles. This fun, interactive conference will not only inform you but will also inspire you.

 

Click here to register. Registration is free with the promo code: EXCL.

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