District Assistant Superintendent’s Report
Samuel M. Huddleston
We Miss You.
As I sit in a prayer meeting, with a mask on and distanced from my brothers and sisters, I rejoice that we are here worshipping our Lord. I was singing to the top of my lungs. The first words from my lips as we began to sing were, “I miss being here.”
I missed being with each of you at District Council, Ministers Retreat, Sunday gatherings and prayer meetings. I miss the hugs, high fives and yes even holding your hand as we prayed together. Yes, 2020 had challenges for all of us, but I’m so excited about 2021. This WILL BE an incredible year.
I report that our District Affiliated churches are well. Many leaders have joined me on Sunday mornings at 7 am prayer for over 6 years. Together we have ministered to each other during this pandemic via zoom on a regular basis. It has been a joy watching them support each other by faith when a need arose or was mentioned.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, “However, as it is written: ’No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’ but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.”
May 2021 be a year of revelation for you and I as we seek His face in our gatherings. God bless you and a hearty thank you to our Superintendent, Pastor Bret and his family, Dr. Jay and his family and to our Presbytery for the privilege of serving this great district family. I am grateful to my wife, Linda, our children, their spouses and all of our grandbabies. We are one blessed family.
Be encouraged. The best is yet to come.
OUR CHURCHES and PASTORS
District Affiliated to General Council
Congratulations to the 3 District Affiliated Churches that advanced to General Council status in 2020:
Colfax Assembly of God of Colfax, CA // Pastor Ken Geer
Oriental Christian Center of San Jose, CA // Pastor Perry Wong
RE:Church Assembly of God of Rio Vista, CA // Pastor Sean O’Kelly
New District Affiliated Church in 2020
To Pastor Virly and the church, welcome to the NCN District Affiliated family! It is an honor and privilege to serve alongside you.
New Beginnings Christian Center of Ceres, CA // Pastor Virly Manipol
District Affiliated Pastor’s Zoom with Dr. Sam
During each month of 2020, our District Affiliated pastors joined me, Supt. Bret Allen and Dr. Jay Herndon over zoom to fellowship, pray and talk about district updates. Thank you pastors for taking the time each month to connect with me and your fellow pastors and a special thanks to our Superintendent and Secretary-Treasurer for your ongoing support. We truly are better together.
Intercultural Ministries Report
Director Rev. Dennis Conrad
11 years as the NCN Intercultural Ministries Director…what an amazing blessing! Thank you for your prayers as we continue to enjoy working with and representing our wonderful ethnic diversity!
In 2020, we saw ethnic churches reach-out to the younger generation for help with technology as they learned how to have church online. As a result, the gospel shared by second-language churches in our district has reached people around the world who appreciated hearing worship and messages in their native language.
Please allow me to share a Facebook post by Pastor Rey Bernardes:
“From our experience, the ‘lockdown’ of churches led to ‘open doors’ of ministry far beyond our local influence. The plan of the Lord through His church can never be cancelled.”
At this point, we have at least 20 cultures represented by our second-language churches in our district: Filipino, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Indian, Slavic, Spanish, Chinese, Brazilian, Deaf, Korean, Japanese, Arab, Iranian, Native American, Romanian, Armenian, Ethiopian, Ghanaian and Cameroonian. And I know we have many churches that are working on becoming multi-culture.
My “dream church” would be for a large building with rooms for separate services in native languages aimed at older adults and recent immigrants, but united for children and youth ministries in English. In this "dream international church" the different culture-specific churches would come together for monthly multi-ethnic services, and they would combine efforts to reach out to their community with both compassion and evangelistic ministry.
I must say, ”Thank you” to Dr. Sam, the IMAC Team (Intercultural Ministries Advisory Committee): Stephen Raman, Victor Gaiduchik, Omega Camacho, Eremasi Vabasi, Inoke Baleinauluvatu, Paul Vi, Paul Willis, Rebekah Igafo, Will Nelken, and to wife Lynda Conrad (my “guide at the side”).
Through the love and labor of our directors, leaders and staff, Teen Challenge NorWestCal Nevada (NWCN) was able to celebrate
21 eighteen-month graduations
46 twelve-month completions
3 high school graduations
1 eighth grade graduation
Thank you Teen Challenge NWCN for reaching the lost for the cause of Christ.
RIGHT: What a privilege it was to be able to share a meal together with our West Coast Chi Alpha Directors and our National Director, Rev. Malcolm Burleigh at the Minister’s Retreat. Thank you all for continuing to press on to reach the lives of students across the west despite the challenges this pandemic has presented.
LEFT/BELOW: Pastor Jeremy Anderson, our West Coast Chi Alpha Director, and his team hosted close to 400 students at the 2020 SALT Conference. Thank you for your leadership and dedication. We are truly blessed to have you and your team at the forefront of reaching the next generation.
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