Church Ministries
Charla Blair
Dear Superintendent Allen, Presbytery and District Council:
Thank you for giving me this amazing opportunity to invest into the lives of this generation and the next. 2021 was a year of flexibility! Making plans and being prepared to pivot on a dime.
Prayer Ministry:
Pastors Brian and Cindy Johnson at Bethel Church Grass Valley led another year for our NCN Prayer Ministry. In January, we kicked the year off right with our National Week of Prayer. This week long focus brought together our district as we surrounded our churches, family, friends, missionaries and our Nation in prayer.
We have been able to hold multiple prayer conference calls in 2021 and are excited to see God continue to move in our NCN churches and pastors.
NCN Kids Mission Statement:
We are a team of uniquely skilled leaders that exist to see kids ministry within the center if every church. Our kids are needed and the future of the church depends on their growth, empowerment and service as future leaders.
Virtual VBS Kids Sports Camp
Participants: 300
Due to the Dixon fires, we were unable to meet in person for our kids summer camp. This didn’t stop our great NCN Kids Pastors from brain storming and making camp happen for their students. From hosting day camps to creating new lessons in the virtual VBS sports camp our students had a summer time experience that was fun, interactive and one that they will always remember.
We are excited to see what God has done in our students’ lives when we gather together for our 80’s themed: Totally Awesome Righteous Summer Camp 2022.
A special thanks goes out to the Nut House Crew consisting of our NCN Pastors shown left to right: Frank Pereria from New Life Galt, Caleb Sanders from New Life Church Fair Oaks, Sean Marshall from Destiny Rocklin, and Erika Diehl at High Point Assembly Red Bluff.
Leadership Connections:
A special thanks goes out to Mark Entzminger from the National office for his leadership session specifically for our Kids Pastors and leaders during the shelter in place orders. With encouragement and fun ideas to reach our students with online services to when we are back together again.
Girls Ministries:
This fall we hosted a virtual Girls Ministries Retreat. With special guests of Rev. Amy Miranda and Char Blair challenging the girls to FOCUS on their relationship with God and his voice.
With impactful messages, interactive questions and games, the girls walked away feeling refreshed and ready to FOCUS on God.
As the coordinator for Girls Ministries, Rev. Cindy Sampson has spent the year building relationships with GM clubs and their leadership. Cindy is also one of our main coordinators for Kids’ Council and the childcare at Minister’s Retreat. Thank you, Cindy, for your dedication to the kids of all ages in our NCN district.
Royal Rangers:
This year gave our Royal Rangers an opportunity to gather again for their Derby races. Through out our district, boys of all ages took time weekly to form blocks of wood into the perfect Derby car.
In May and October brought few camping restrictions. However, our FCF (Frontiersman Camping Fellowship) Trek and Trace were able to meet. These weekend events were filled with sleeping in tepees, throwing tomahawks and axes with over 30 Royal Rangers participating.
To the right, we have a few of our Royal Rangers whom have gone through the process to become leaders in their Ranger Outposts.
Youth Pastors’ Congress - Virtual:
Attendance: 150
January’s Congress was a tremendous success. With over 150 youth pastors and their leaders gathered together virtually for leadership training and a special message about reaching our Generation Z students. This virtually event couldn’t have happened without our great hosts of Regional DYDs Pat McConville of Hillside in Napa and Ross Morrill (formerly at Legacy Church Los Gatos). Working behind the scenes a special shout out to Sean and Ben Marshall for making this virtual event run smoothly.
Thank you Superintendent Bret Allen, National STL Director Eric Hoffman and Gen Z Guru Rev. Terry Parkman for pouring into our NCN Youth Pastors and leaders.
Leadership Drive Ins:
Participants: 120
2021 we were able to hold multiple Youth Drive Ins. With the first one held virtually then our fall one held at Trinity Life Center in Sacramento. A special thanks to Pastor Andrew Huson from River City Church in Elk Grove, Regional DYD Pat McConville and William Nous from The House Modesto for sharing with our Youth Pastors. and Leaders.
2021 saw the launch of CALLED with our District. This new ministry with the youth department was presented to the District Presbytery in October. CALLED exists to mobilize C.E.O.’s with the local church. C.E.O.’s are those who are called to ministry, quipped for ministry and original to the culture of the church in which they serve. Being able to offer students a commissioned certificate and classes that will help them work towards their licensing once they graduate is one of the tools we offer.
The summer of 2022 we’re launching our first CALLED Camp, July 11-13. ncncalled.com was launched to connect this generation to ministry with the assemblies of God. If you have a student that is called to ministry within your church, we will help you equip them to serve
Speed The Light:
We are so proud of our NCN students for stepping up their giving for STL with raising $201,330.36 for missions.
With these funds we were able to provide vehicles and transportation to the following NCN Missionaries:
· Jordan & Vanessa Abina
· Nate & Marie Arzouni
· Joyce Baergen
If your church and youth haven’t given to STL—it’s never too late! Contact our student ministries office for a current list of our STL Projects.
KIDMIN LEAD - Virtual:
Attendance: 60
In mid-January we hosted our third annual KidMin LEAD. With great leadership from the National Kids Ministry Director Mark Entzminger and funny ministry skits by the Nut House Crew. This Saturday event gave us the opportunity to pour into and refresh our NCN Kids Pastors before they head into another busy season.
I would like to thank Pastors Caleb Sanders from New Life Community Church in Fair Oaks and Michele Preslar from Real Life Church Natomas for hosting our virtual KidMin Lead.
KIDMIN CREATIVE:
Participants: 56
In October, we were able to energize our Kid Pastors with KidMin C3: CREATE, CONNECT & COLLABORATE. This Friday event was full of special times with Missionary Joyce Baergman, and The Nuthouse Crew lead by Sean Marshall.
A special thanks goes to my KIDMIN Team: Brent Way, Caleb Sanders, Erika Diehl, Frank Pereira, James Hall, Eric and Tiffany Saathoff.
BGMC: $116, 943.63
National BGMC had a record year!
The kids of NCN have out done themselves! From raiding the couch cushions to raising money for an opportunity to cream their Kids Pastors. Your children stepped up to accept the challenge and have raised $116, 943.63 for BGMC.
If your church has not given to BGMC in the past, it’s never to late to teach your church and children about this vital missions educational program. To learn more visit bgmc.ag.org
Boys Ministries:
This year we had our first ever Jr. Man Up coinciding with the October Man Up Conference. This two day event hosted games, activities and a lesson for boys ages 6 - 12 while their dads attended the conference. Join us next year as we have another event for sons and their father figures to spend some time together at Man Up and Jr Man Up 2022.Thank you to our Boys Ministries Coordinator Pastor Sean Marshall for your dedication to not only the kids but to the NCN District.
NCN Student Ministries Missions Statement:
To see the development of a healthy, growing youth ministry in each of our churches in Northern California and Nevada, by partnering with the District Youth Department.
Fine Arts Festival 2021:
Participants: 45
For the second year in a row we had Virtual Fine Arts Festival. Our NCN students didn’t let this hold them back from participating in this event. Student recorded their performances, Youth Pastors then submitted their students videos for evaluation and judging. Special thanks goes to Pastors Aaron Perez, Dave Diggs and Amanda Edwards for making this an event our students were still able to participate in.
Youth Summer 2021:
Our summer camp team, NCN students and youth pastors were ready for camp to start in less then a month when we needed to change to a new camp ground. This didn’t phase our team one bit when we had to pivot on such short notice.
Fearless Summer Camp: 360
The power of God fell on our camp throughout the whole week. With great messages and worship lead by Derik and Sarah Scott from Rise City Church in Redwood City.
A special thanks goes to Mt. Lassen Campground for opening their doors to us. Our Camp team: Pastors Justin Blattel from Refuge Church Manteca, Nick Whitestone at Trinity Life Center Sacramento, Jen Gunter from Seaside Monterey, Dominic Rodrigues at Calvary Yuba City and Anthony Garza from High Point Red Bluff.
Reckless Summer Night: 280
With having to find a new camp ground midseason our Regional DYD Jason Smotherman and his team were able to put on a one night Reckless Youth Camp. With powerful messages from Daniel Chavez at Cornerstone Church in Antioch and Jason Smotherman from Harvest Church in Vacaville.
Speed The Light Tour:
October, brought us the opportunity to bring back the Speed The Light Tour. With special guest Eric Hoffman from the Speed The Light National Office. This tour held rallies for our youth students and pastors in many different regions of our district. A special thanks goes to Regional DYD Pat McConville of Hillside Church on Napa for spearheading these events.
Youth Convention 2021:
Participation: 1,250
This November, we held our biggest event of the year with over 1,200 youth students, pastors and leaders. Our Unconventional Dreams themed Youth Convention was held at Trinity Life Center Sacramento. With powerful worship led by Missy Cruz from E2 Church and messages from Evelyn Ku, Jared Ellis, Jason Smotherman, John Zick and our very own NCN youth student Riley Bethke.
Thank you, Pastors Abe Daniel and your staff at Trinity Life Center Sacramento, for hosting Youth Convention.
Thank you to all of the pastors and leaders who have partnered with us to further the Kingdom of God.
Church Ministries Director
Rev. Char Blair