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University Church Brings Hope and Gifts to Its Community
The last Sunday in June was a much-anticipated day for the University church in Los Angeles to work with God for the community. Members from the community received free gifts such as health screenings, literature about the Bible and good health, baby supplies, haircuts, new clothing, backpacks, and more. There was even a Kid’s Zone…
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Women’s Ministries Revival in Southern California Conference
After a period of inactivity, Women’s Ministries in the Southern California Conference (SCC) is experiencing a revival. Known to nurture, encourage, support, and equip women as they follow Jesus and share Him with others, the ministry aims to meet women where they are and empower them in faith, leadership, and emotional wholeness. With quarterly gatherings…
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Called to Serve: Belinda Simoni Is Appointed SCC Human Resources Director
This summer, the Southern California Conference (SCC) Human Resources (HR) Department welcomed a familiar face into a new role. Belinda Simoni, with 24 years of corporate human resources management experience prior to her roles as SCC HR generalist and assistant director, brings her deep faith and passion for people to her new position as HR…
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El Shaddai Celebrates 30 Years of Ministry
In February 1995, a small group from the Central Spanish church decided to step out in faith to form a new church community with a vision to bring the gospel to Central Los Angeles. Carlos Ramirez, who pastored the Central Spanish church at the time, led the church plant. The new congregation, originally named South…
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YOU-TURN Wellness Program Graduates Celebrate Health Transformations
The Better Living Center, a health ministry of Haven company, was created by Terence Tay, who envisioned a place for the community to learn and make lifestyle changes by adapting Hans Diehl’s research and principles in lifestyle medicine. The YOU-TURN Wellness Program is a community-based program designed to arrest and reverse society’s most common chronic…
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Valley Crossroads Church Breaks Ground for New Community Center
Over 65 years ago, a small but mighty group of believers took a bold step of faith after being displaced by eminent domain near Foothill and Paxton,” Valley Crossroads Pastor Roscoe Shields Jr. explained. “We purchased the land you’re standing on today—a three-acre parcel— through sacrifice, fundraising, and God-given vision. The original design called for…
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Ephesus Church Celebrates 45th Anniversary
It was on January 7, 1980, against the backdrop of the social issues of the ’60s and ’70s that the Ephesus church found its start. Beginning with 75 members as an overflow of the 54th St. church, the new Ephesus congregation met first at Inglewood Park, a Presbyterian church on Normandie Ave., then at 53rd…
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The Gospel & Human Worth
The Southern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is home to one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse communities in the Adventist world. Our churches worship in more than 20 languages, and our schools reflect the multicultural fabric of the neighborhoods they serve. This diversity is not a challenge to be solved but a gift…
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Hollywood Church Partners With Studio 526 to Host “We Are the Light” Art Gallery
A “friend to the city for 100 years,” the Hollywood church has fostered relationships in the community that help them meet the needs of those who come through their doors. The church’s current partnership with social services agency The People Concern’s Studio 526 demonstrates the active and practical outworking of the Christian faith that has…
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Glendale Filipino Celebrates 50 Years
Fifty years ago, a small group of members in Glendale came together as the question was asked, “We live in Glendale—why do we have to go far away to go to church when we could have our own church here in Glendale?” The Central Filipino church in Eagle Rock, planted in 1957 as the first…
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Tehachapi Church Celebrates Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
This spring, Tehachapi church held a Law Enforcement Appreciation Day to express gratitude to the men and women who dedicate their lives to keeping communities safe. The church welcomed Chief of Police Richard Standridge into their sanctuary one Sabbath where he shared about the importance in today‘s world of finding common ground to better work…
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Campus Connect Ministry Creates Communities on Campus for Adventist College Students
To address the ever-present need for spiritual community among young people, Southern California Conference (SCC) Campus Connect Ministries launched last fall under Senior Youth and Young Adult Ministries to support Adventist students attending non-Adventist colleges and universities in Southern California. At the heart of this new and growing ministry is Ruth Chung, member of Upper…
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Churches Promote Well-Being During Mental Health Awareness Month
Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month, observed each May, has helped address the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. This May, Bellflower, North Hills, and All Nations churches hosted special programs to raise awareness, offer resources, and create space for open conversations around mental health. Bellflower church invited speakers to…
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2025 GLAR Convocation Inspires
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…
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Conejo Students Spend Class Trip Serving in Dominican Republic
This spring, 29 students and parents from Conejo Adventist Elementary School (CAES) embarked on a class trip to the Dominican Republic. Instead of sightseeing and leisure, the group did manual labor in collaboration with Maranatha Volunteers International, a supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Their primary goal was the construction of a church building…
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From Medicine to Ministry: Geoff Sewell Is Ordained
“If you want to know if Jesus has a sense of humor, just look at my life,” Geoff Sewell said. “I would never have gotten that answer correct on a multiple-choice question that five years after covid started, I’d be getting ordained in Southern California. Not on my list. And yet, God works in truly…
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Turning No One Away: La Voz Sylmar Spanish Church Food Bank Serves Hundreds Each Week
Each week, hundreds of people visit the La Voz Sylmar Spanish church in San Fernando Valley to receive free food. For 10 years, the church has hosted this weekly food bank ministry that does much more than distribute food to people in need. There have been many baptized as a result of the ministry. “This…
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Faith, Friendship, and Fun Thrive Through Teens4Christ Ministry
Teens4Christ, a ministry at Vallejo Drive church where teenagers can safely hang out, have fun, and make connections in a Christian environment, has become an integral part of the church since beginning in 2018. The ministry met the need for an Earliteen Sabbath School class at the time. Initially there was hesitancy; members saw the…
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Shine for Jesus: Glendale Spanish Youth Impacts More Than 200 Families on Global Youth Day
Every year, Global Youth Day is an opportunity for the youth to shine for Jesus. The theme for this year, “ACT: A Community Transformed,” encouraged youth to go out and impact their local communities with the love of Jesus. On Saturday, March 15, Glendale Spanish church participated in this global initiative with a full day…
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Bible Studies Are Planting Seeds of Faith at Glendale Adventist Academy
When a parent in Kevin Camato’s daughter’s fourth grade class at Glendale Adventist Academy (GAA) expressed interest in Bible studies for her child, she asked if Camato would be willing to give them, and an idea sparked. He first shared the idea with GAA religion teacher Jonny Moor and interim principal Nancy Garcilazo. Once he…