I attended once again the annual NAD conference presidents retreat during the first week of February, now in St. Augustine, FL. The highlights were the inspirational devotionals that made us reflect on our call and its implications on serving on this specific leadership role as conference presidents. I’m sure we all left determined to keep fostering and facilitating the growth of our churches in NAD to reach its highest potential sharing the gospel of Jesus within the frame of the Three Angels Messages.
On Friday morning, February 7, I had the opportunity to attend the black history chapel program at White Memorial Adventist School (WMAS). The third and fourth grade classes did an awesome job representing some notable African Americans with costumes highlighting their lives and contributions done along American History. Kudos to Mrs. Peak for leading this outstanding group of students and to the rest of the WMAS educational staff: Principal David Olivares and teachers (Michelle Negrete, Patricia Flores and Michelle Cortner), our appreciation as well for the invaluable ministry they do in this mission field.
Our traditional conference-wide 2020 Pathfinder Convocation was on Sabbath, February 8, and again this gathering drew more than 2,000 people representing 50+ clubs, of which 17 received trophies and special
recognition for completing their annual requirements. I received a framed set of the SCC pins released last August at the last International Camporee in Oshkosh to place it in my office. Those pins were designed by Kesia Anaya, Panorama Spanish Pathfinder Club, who was publically recognized. Also, we all were inspired by the two-part sermon delivered by Abigail Querido (8) & Audrey Chua (16) from Hollydale Community Pathfinder Club, followed by an altar call made by Pastor Kevin Morris and 55 young people responded expressing their desire to be baptized in the near future.
This past week, I was involved in a couple of vital events:
One was the first meeting of the brand new board of education for this new quinquennium. Let me tell you that at one point, the conversation made me feel uncomfortable. But, I was pleased to see these board members with the desire to go out of our comfort zone in order to save our schools. Excuse me, save our children. The feeling that “we must do something” surfaced as a result of discussing the agenda items. It was a sense that we need to refocus our attention to renew our educational program here in SCC, or our loss will be significant within the next 10 years.
The other one was personalized meetings with each of our SCC departmental leaders to share and dialogue about the results of the recent evaluation done for each one of them. This professional assessment is similar to what the SCC officers and region directors went through before any election takes place for the next five years. Although we are three months behind schedule in the process, we feel confident that we had the opportunity to embrace wider and specific audience participation with no deadlines. Let’s keep in our prayers the SCC executive committee as it engages in this election process.
Believe it or not, want it or not, Valentine’s Day embraces us in the spirit of expressing love and affection among spouses, engaged couples, coworkers, classmates, etc. We participate in exchanging cards, roses, balloons, white Teddy bears, etc., but most importantly, the intimate dinners where our attention is focused on the person we love. Last Thursday evening, Esther and I had our date, and we remembered our first Valentine’s dinner 35 years ago.
Do you remember that this is the type of intimate dinner He is looking from us when He said “If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20), setting aside time when we focus our undivided attention on Him and open our heart to Him as a friend, engaged in a loving conversation? Wow! “What a Friend we have in Jesus”!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- General Pastors Meeting: Monday, February 24, 2020, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Vallejo Drive church.
- State of the Conference: This "virtual meeting" on Monday, February 24, is for all SCC employees. Check your email for details this week from our Communication office.
- Annual Pastors' Retreat: This event starts Sunday, March 1 at noon and ends Tuesday, March 3 at noon. The retreat will take place at Pine Springs Ranch.
Your fellow traveler,
Velino A. Salazar
President
Southern California Conference