The annual Greater Los Angeles Region (GLAR) Convocation convened at White Memorial church for a weekend of worship, fellowship, and faith under the theme “Next Step: Moving by Faith.”
Friday night, singer-songwriter Nic Miller led praise and worship, and MyRon Edmonds, pastor and leadership coach, was the evening’s speaker.
Sabbath morning continued with Sabbath School programs for all ages: Lawrence Dorsey Sr., pastor of University church, and Roscoe Shields Jr., pastor of Valley Crossroads church, led the adults. Justino Jorge, associate pastor of Tamarind church, and Tammie Lindsey, associate pastor of University church, led the youth and young adults. Southern California Conference children’s ministries team, Jaime and Jenny Heras, led children’s Sabbath School.
Special moments from the service included a tribute to Altadena church as their community recovers from the Eaton Fire, plus moments of acknowledging retired workers, honoring those who have passed, and introducing GLAR pastors.
In his sermon, Debleaire K. Snell, senior pastor of Oakwood University church and speaker/director of the Breath of Life Television Broadcast, spoke of the uncertainty that is sometimes experienced when following God’s plan.
“Faith is not in the details, because the more details God gives,” Snell said, “the more room it gives you to doubt what God said.” He encouraged attendees, saying, “As long as I know God is leading me, I don’t need to know where I’m going.”
The afternoon program introduced a new “family feud” style game called “The Church Says,” where teams competed to answer questions related to general Bible knowledge and Adventist church culture. Miramonte/Maranatha, Berean, and Tamarind churches won prize money that went toward their church’s children’s or youth ministry. The evening concluded with a concert by gospel artist Jonathan Nelson and an additional message from Snell.
“This convocation is more than an event,” said Lawrence Dorsey II, GLAR director, “it’s a declaration that we are moving forward together, trusting in the God who makes a way, even when we cannot see it.”
