Faith and Creativity: Equipping Kids with the Armor of God
By Denna Scott
In November, Mayfair church hosted a special Paint and Craft Event for children ages 5-13, led by Children’s Ministry and Mental Wellness Ministry. The event’s theme was “The Armor of God,” based on Ephesians 6:10-20. Through a fun and interactive lesson, the children learned about the spiritual protection God provides to help them stay strong in their faith and stand against life’s challenges with confidence and courage.
Children created paintings and crafted armor pieces—helmets, shields, and swords—which they took home as learning reminders. Each child also received a folder with reference materials to reinforce the lesson and continue growing their understanding of God’s truth.
While the kids enjoyed their activities, parents gathered in a designated hangout space hosted by the Family Ministry Department, where they engaged in a meaningful parenting workshop. This time of fellowship allowed parents to gain wisdom, encouragement, and tools to support their children’s spiritual growth.
It was a joy to witness young minds growing in faith and creativity. Seeing their excitement as they discovered God’s love and protection was genuinely inspiring. As Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV) reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” We are grateful for the opportunity to pour into the next generation and look forward to more events like this, where faith, family, and fun come together beautifully!
A Chorus of Faith: 25 Years of Song
By Ashley Folsom
On the evening of Jan. 3, 45 young women from across the country went to Orangevale Adventist School with the same purpose: to sing together again. They came from different places and spanned generations—from the first Girls Chorus group to the newest members. The oldest was 35 and the youngest was just 10. For many, it had been years since they had last seen each other. But the years melted away as soon as they stepped into the familiar school hallways decorated with children’s artwork.
Brad Davis, Orangevale principal and choir director, gathered everyone around his well-loved piano. The room buzzed with energy as old songs were dusted off, harmonies were fine-tuned, and new friendships were formed. Despite the age differences, their shared love for singing erased any gaps, creating an instant bond. In communities like theirs, there is often a natural divide between generations, but in this space, music and faith brought everyone together, side by side.
Over the years, nearly 100 young women have found their voices in the choir. On Jan. 4, an audience of nearly 400 people came to celebrate 25 years of Girls Chorus. A legacy of teaching young women to sing and lift their eyes to Jesus was celebrated through it all.
Delta Convocation
By Ken Miller
Delta area churches and schools convened for a weekend convocation to create a more collaborative environment and engage members. The Delta area incorporates the Northern California Conference southern region, with Sutter Hill, Angels Camp, and San Andreas in the east; Manteca and Tracy to the south; Lodi, Stockton, and Galt in the central region; and Antioch to the west.
On Sabbath, Feb. 1, over 800 people gathered at the Lodi Academy gymnasium for the Third Annual Delta Area Churches Convocation, a collaborative event uniting 16 area churches in a day of worship and fellowship. One attendee said, “It’s like a one-day mini-camp meeting.”
The church service featured uplifting performances by the Lodi Academy Lodian Singers, the Delta Choir, and the Korean Chorale. The keynote address was delivered by Sam Leonor, chief mission officer of Adventist Health. After a lunch supplied by Adventist Health, all were blessed with an afternoon of music by talented area soloists, groups, and school music ensembles.
Lisa Nuss, principal of Lodi Elementary, reflected on the event’s significance: “It is an opportunity to reconnect with friends from other area churches, students, speakers, and musicians from our local community. It is a wonderful time to worship God.”
The convocation continues to be a cherished gathering, fostering spiritual renewal among Delta-area churches. As hearts were uplifted and faith strengthened, attendees left inspired to carry Christ’s love into their communities, sharing His message of hope and grace throughout the year.
Napa Spanish Hosts Community Health Day
By Ken Miller
The Napa Spanish church recently held its annual free community health fair with the support of the Northern California Conference Health Ministries Department.
Residents were invited to the event, with 49 people receiving essential dental procedures and 159 undergoing health screenings. Adventist Health’s Mobile Health Clinic also gave attendees flu and other seasonal shots. Healthy food and cooking advice were also offered as a service.
Pastor Ruben Vargas said, “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Northern California Conference and the St. Helena Hospital Foundation to impact our community. Additional partners included The Community Health Initiative, Puertas Abiertas, and the Napa County Health and Human Services Agency. This joint effort reminds us that collaboration can make a greater impact on God’s kingdom.”
