-
Student-Run News Show Builds Community at South Bay Christian School
Welcome to South Bay News (SBN), a student-run news broadcast in which middle school students at South Bay Christian School (SBCS) share relevant and interesting news and campus life stories once a month. What began last school year as a project with students meeting once a week—often after school—has grown into an elective that middle…
-
Pathfinders Commit to God and Recognize Achievements at Annual Convocation
White Memorial church was packed and buzzing with energy as 62 Pathfinder clubs—about 1,400 attendees total—gathered for the annual Pathfinder Convocation this February. “For more than 20 years, the Southern California Conference (SCC) has held the annual Pathfinder Convocation to celebrate, reward, and inspire the next generation of Pathfinders in Southern California,” said Sal Garcia,…
-
Ellis Flores Is Ordained
”I knew that God had called me to ministry when, after much searching and asking,” Pastor Ellis Flores said, “I heard God’s voice through the words of Ecclesiastes 11:1: ‘Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days’ (KJV).” At the age of 19, Flores accepted Jesus as his personal…
-
Glendale Academy Hosts Library Sessions
Glendale Adventist Academy (GAA) hosted its second Library Sessions event, a student-led benefit concert, which showcased the talents of GAA students and alumni. The Hernan & Orfi Barros Library was transformed with twinkling lights, the mood was set, and there was a low buzz of excitement among attendees as they gathered to support the student-led…
-
God’s Closet: The Hands and Feet of Jesus
“I needed clothes and you clothed me.” Inspired by the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:36 (NIV), the God’s Closet ministry provides free clothing to families in need. Started 15 years ago, its impact has grown to 49 active locations today. Three Southern California Conference (SCC) churches hosted God’s Closet ministries on their campuses in…
-
More Than 100 Children Attend Kids Worship at Vallejo Drive Church
Vallejo Drive church revived its Kids Worship service in January, a cherished event that occurred twice in the past before the onset of the covid pandemic. As more members are returning to in-person worship services, the desire for this special children’s program resurfaced among the congregation. Though the service was catered to children, Jonathan Henderson,…
-
“Together, We Will Go” • Hispanic Region Year of Evangelism Inspires
In January, 450 pastors and lay members from the Southern California Conference (SCC) Hispanic Region met at White Memorial church to receive plans for the region’s upcoming year of evangelism. “The main objective was to motivate laity ministries to work together for better development of the field and aim for a greater reach,” said Juan Osorio, SCC Hispanic…
-
Day of Prayer Invites Members to Experience the Holy Spirit at Work
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:20, NIV). “When we gather to pray, Jesus is with us,” noted John H. Cress, Southern California Conference (SCC) executive secretary. This January, for the first time since 2020, members from across the SCC territory gathered at the Hollywood church…
-
Gustavo Mendez Is Ordained
In a full-circle moment, Gustavo Mendez was ordained to the gospel ministry at the very church he began his ministry as a youth pastor 10 years prior. Though Mendez recognized from a young age God’s call to ministry in his life, he still had doubts growing up. At 15 years old while at a youth…
-
Hispanic Women’s Ministries Commits to Making an Impact With the Mission
Hispanic Women’s Ministries held its fourth annual convocation at Forest Lawn Glendale last December with the theme “From Woman to Woman: Impacting the Mission.” More than 400 women gathered to hear God’s plan for their lives and reaffirm their commitment to themselves and the mission of the church. In the morning, Cesia Alvarado Zemleduch shared…
-
Six New Members, Including Pastor’s Brother, Baptized After Inspirational Series
In the midst of the “Live Longer, Live Better” series at University church last October, an unexpected and deeply moving transformation unfolded that was close to home for University church Pastor Lawrence Dorsey Sr. His brother, Brandt, after watching the streamed series nightly from New York, embraced a pivotal moment in his faith journey by…
-
One House Plants Seeds of Something New
As the sun dipped below the horizon on a cold November evening, a steady stream of people flowed in and out of With Love and Market Café in downtown Los Angeles. Newcomers were greeted by a vibrant atmosphere filled with welcoming smiles and the sound of lively conversations. One House, the Senior Youth and Young…
-
Kalēo’s HeartDeep Summit Centers on Mental and Relational Health
The second annual HeartDeep Summit at Kalēo church last fall was the culmination of a four-week sermon series centering on mental and relational health. During the sermon series, four mental health experts presented on the ways topics such as intergenerational cyclebreaking, resilience, well-being for the youth, and understanding emotional neglect intersect with faith. The summit…
-
Bethel Church Celebrates Six Baptisms
In 2023, Bethel church celebrated six baptisms. In the fall, Jana Steele and Stephen Stapleton—after studying with Homer Hart, Bethel church pastor, as well as Marsha Browne, Bethel church member— celebrated their baptisms. Jana and Steve are involved in the church in a variety of ways already, from Steve joining the deacon board and helping…
-
Love in Action: Hollywood Church’s Compassion Connection Celebrates a Decade of Service
Compassion Connection, a ministry from Hollywood church that provides shower and personal care services to unhoused individuals in Los Angeles, started in 2013 in response to a simple question: “What resource do you need the most?” Today, Compassion Connection provides mobile shower services, hygiene products, and clothing—all at no cost. Last fall, Compassion Connection celebrated…
-
SCC Hispanic Region Welcomes Juan Osorio
Moving from a senior pastor role to the conference office was never part of Juan Osorio’s plans. But one day, when he received a call to join the Southern California Conference office as the Hispanic Region director, he knew he would follow where the Lord led him. Working in the conference office versus a church…
-
Peter Baptiste Is Ordained
“My journey has not been a solitary one,” said Peter Baptiste, Norwalk church pastor, of his ministry journey thus far. This sentiment was evident at his ordination service this fall by the outpouring of support from friends, family, colleagues in ministry, and members from current and past congregations to whom Baptiste has ministered. “This is…
-
Central Filipino Church Conducts “Journey to Secured Hope” Gospel Summit, a Step Toward a
This fall, Central Filipino church launched a weeklong evangelization summit entitled “Journey to Secured Hope” in collaboration with other Asian/Pacific Region churches in the Southern California Conference. As with many gospel proclamations, the event also included health messages. Pacific Union Conference Vice President for Asian Pacific Ministries VicLouis Arreola III led nightly presentations of the…
-
SCC Reestablishes Children’s Ministries Department
While it’s often said that “our children are our future,” what steps are we taking to nurture our children in the way of the Lord? In the Southern California Conference (SCC), children’s ministries have never ceased to be a priority. Due to changes in organizational structure, children’s ministries was once a separate department before becoming…
-
Día de las Américas at Lancaster Spanish Church
Each October, Lancaster Spanish church celebrates the many Latin American cultures represented by the congregation in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. The annual celebration is a highly anticipated event, and this year’s focus was evangelism. The congregation aimed to share Christ with the community. They were pleased to welcome more than 50 friends with whom…