It was a Sabbath, in many ways, like any other. Church members and visitors gathered for worship—receiving a message, singing praise, joining in prayer, and fellowshipping over food. But this day was special. It was the culmination of 25 years of God’s leading for a congregation that would on that day be organized into a company.

“Your story, from humble gatherings in homes and community spaces to becoming a vibrant and multigenerational spiritual family, is a powerful testimony to the grace of God and the determination of faithful believers,” the Southern California Conference (SCC) executive officers wrote in a letter to the congregation commemorating the occasion. “Through the years, you have remained steadfast in your mission to proclaim the everlasting gospel and minister to the whole person, spiritually, physically, and emotionally.”

Members of the Glendale Filipino church choir sing at the Wellspring company organization. Glendale Filipino church was the mother church to the Wellspring congregation when it was a group.
Members of the Glendale Filipino church choir sing at the Wellspring company organization. Glendale Filipino church was the mother church to the Wellspring congregation when it was a group.

The congregation’s story began in the city of Gardena. During “a time when waves of Filipino immigrants arrived in California seeking new opportunities and a better life,” several church members recognized that there was no Filipino Adventist church in that area, shared Jose Leones Jr., head elder of the Wellspring congregation. 

As the church grew and moved from place to place, the congregation soon found themselves in Carson, The Journey of Wellspring Congregation: A Living Story That’s Still Being Written and their name changed from Gardena Filipino group to Wellspring. Through health fairs, Bible studies, radio ministry, food distribution, support of ministry efforts in the Philippines, evangelistic outreach, and much more, their focus stayed fixed on mission.

(Left to right) Royal Harrison, SCC executive vice president; Kathleen V. Diaz, SCC treasurer/CFO; Jose Leones Jr., Wellspring company head elder; Loewen Recalde, associate in pastoral care for Glendale Filipino church and Wellspring company; Miriam Soriano, Wellspring company lay pastor; Danny Chan, SCC executive secretary; John H. Cress, SCC president; Don Ferrolino, head elder at Glendale Filipino church; and Vinh Nguyen, SCC Asian Pacific Region director.
(Left to right) Royal Harrison, SCC executive vice president; Kathleen V. Diaz, SCC treasurer/CFO; Jose Leones Jr., Wellspring company head elder; Loewen Recalde, associate in pastoral care for Glendale Filipino church and Wellspring company; Miriam Soriano, Wellspring company lay pastor; Danny Chan, SCC executive secretary; John H. Cress, SCC president; Don Ferrolino, head elder at Glendale Filipino church; and Vinh Nguyen, SCC Asian Pacific Region director.

“Your church name, ‘Wellspring,’ beautifully reflects the life-giving spiritual renewal that flows from Christ,” SCC leadership wrote. “You have truly been a wellspring of compassion, culture, and community. Your embrace of Filipino traditions like bayanihan has made your congregation a place of warmth and welcome, while your commitment to youth, education, and multi-language worship shows your ability to adapt and thrive across generations.”

“The history of the Gardena Filipino, now Wellspring Seventh-day Adventist church, is a living story, one still being written by its members, leaders, and supporters, rooted in faith and enriched by Filipino culture,” Leones Jr., shared.

As lay pastor Miriam Soriano said, “May the next chapter of our journey bring even greater opportunities to glorify God and to proclaim the good news of salvation.”