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In a remarkable demonstration of faith and service, over sixty pastors, workers, and family members from the Northern California Conference journeyed to Southern Mindanao in the Philippines from June 20 to July 1.

Responding to an invitation from the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, the mission trip was a profoundly impactful outreach endeavor for both the residents of Southern Mindanao and the participating pastors, laymen, and their families. Ron Yabut, pastor of the Anderson church, explained, 鈥淭he pastors, speaking in 24 different churches, encounteredan abundance of first-time listeners, and the Holy Spirit moved, sowing seeds, changing hearts, and leading 1,720 souls to baptism.”

Jeffrey Maxwell, risk management director, expressed, “The churches of Southern Mindanao proved very wealthy in the riches of faith and good works. I was very impressed that the church I spoke in, besides being amazingly hospitable, was a church where 80% of their membership gives 10% on top of their tithe!” This is a culture of generosity that is not unlike what was experienced during the early Christian church.

Sasa Andelkovic, pastor of the Sacramento Yugoslavian church, exclaimed,聽鈥淭he main language of communication between our group and the Filipino people was love expressed through deeds of kindness. I realized from this experience that I must reciprocate in kind, that I must preach about the goodness of God, and I must do so through service as well. People wonderfully responded to our ministry, but they also ministered back to us. It was a wonderful exchange of God鈥檚 love.鈥�

Josie Asencio, pastor of the Antioch church, stated, “It is always a blessing to introduce a community to women pastors. It is a difficult responsibility to steward, and God gave me the opportunity to show how he is using women for His glory in a place that does not have women pastors. I am humbled by the opportunity that God gave me to show that the Holy Spirit can work through female pastors. For an entire week I got to create a new norm for children especially the young girls. I can鈥檛 wait to see how God is going to use these newly baptized children to further his work in Mindanao.”

Featured in Northern Lights, August 8, 2024
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On June 22, Joseph O鈥機onnor was ordained at the Sacramento Fijian Church.

Born in the island country of Fiji, O鈥機onnor credits his mother鈥檚 gentle guidance with leading him to serve God. His subsequent service in Fiji eventually led him to the United States, where he earned a Master of Divinity from Andrews University and, more recently, a Master of Clinical Pastoral Education.

O鈥機onnor spearheaded the formation of the Sacramento Fijian church and has pastored there since 2009. Jim Lorenz, ministerial director, stated, 鈥淛oseph鈥檚 ordination is unique and very special as he is the first Fijian pastor to be ordained in a Fijian church, the only one in North America!鈥�

He shares his life with Sotia, his wife of 28 years. They have three children: Job, Ruben, Wise, and a granddaughter, Kama鈥檡a.

Featured in Northern Lights, July 11, 2024
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Sonja Cartwright was recently installed as the associate pastor of聽the Santa Rosa church.

Cartwright graduated from Sacramento Academy and worked at Leoni Meadows during her college years. She stated, 鈥淢y love for ministry was gradually defined by working with the campers at Leoni and my conversations with God. I love to share Jesus with people and travel with them on their path,聽giving youth and young adults the tools to become disciples and disciple-makers.鈥�

Brad Gienger, pastor, remarked, 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to have Sonja on our team for not only her community-building skills but personality and incredible ability聽to make聽God鈥檚 word come to life.鈥�

Cartwright recently graduated from Andrews University with a Master of Divinity degree. She says her favorite Bible text is Ecclesiastes 3:11: 鈥淗e has made everything beautiful in its time.”

Featured in Northern Lights, June 27, 2024
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