District Superintendent’s Report

Bret Allen

He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV84

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 1:1 NIV84

As I reflect over 2020 my primary response is gratitude and celebration.  I am grateful to God for His unswerving faithfulness to us, His church.  God's faithfulness is reflected time after time across the life of our district.  Stories of provision and ministry breakthroughs are commonplace as God protected and provided.  At the same time, I celebrate your faithfulness to God as the Apostle Paul did when addressing the believers in Ephesus.  It has been noteworthy and a point of celebration to watch Assemblies of God pastors across our district stand strong and while demonstrating incredible flexibility and creativity.  I commend you, I salute you, for your faithfulness to the One who called you.

The 2020 District Council meeting was groundbreaking on several levels.  On April 28, 2020 we hosted our first ever Remote District Council.  Business was conducted and elections held as NCN ministers and missionaries from across the country and around the world were able to join in.  We hosted 801 registered participants at the April 28th Remote District Council.  In addition, the ordination class of 2020 was the largest in our District’s history.  69 candidates for ordination were approved for frontline ministry from our district! The ordination service was also impacted as we were unable to gather that crowd in a single venue.  The 69 ordination candidates received the “laying on of hands” in multiple locations across our district.  We rejoice in the creativity and flexibility that allowed this significant aspect of district life to occur.  However, we are determined to do all we can to have in person gatherings for this celebration as we move ahead.

 

During the Remote District Council, I was elected for a second term as District Superintendent.  Thank you for the statement of confidence and affirmation represented in that vote. Valerie and I are honored to serve this district in these days. 

Other highlights of this year include:

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NCN Missions

2020 was a great year for Northern California and Nevada District in the area of missions giving.  A few of the outstanding statistics are as follows:

  • The District Resource Center gave $11,550 in support of 11 missionaries

  • Our District Affiliated Churches made exceptional contribution to missions.  Of 116 District Affiliated Churches, 112 churches gave $777,135.86

  • 257 General Council churches contributed $10,234,450.49

Total of all contributions from Northern California and Nevada District Council to missions was $14,148,949.94

In addition, NCN churches and individuals gave $83,745.00 for our 2020 Missions project to the Haitian Creole Fire Bible.

I would like to recognize the faithful efforts of our World Missions Team.  The members of this team are Harley Allen, Craig Andrus, Char Blair, David Blythe, Abe Daniel, Paul Gottlieb, Debbie Heden, Jim Heden, Ralph Hiatt, Perry Kallevig, Jimmy Myers, and Stan Wagner, Ryan Wright.

Each of these serve with a passionate desire to see Assemblies of God missions’ endeavors flourish across the country and around the world. 

This board and I were privileged for the first time ever to host a local commissioning service for the newly approved and appointed Assemblies of God missionaries.  This event was attended by the missionaries we are sending and the missions board.  What an honor to be involved in such a significant event for NCN missions.

I would also like to recognize Rev. Doug and Rev. Mary Fairrington for their contributions in giving oversight to our six missionary houses – Mission Villa.  Doug and Mary have led the maintenance and improvements on these properties for over 20 years.  In the past 2 years the projects surrounding the maintenance of these properties included over 50 separate projects totaling nearly $62k.  Thank you, Doug and Mary, for your faithful service to our missionaries by managing these homes with a spirit of servanthood and excellence.

Minsters Retreat

The Minister’s Retreat was scheduled to be held August 31 - September 2, 2020 at the Squaw Creek Resort in Tahoe, CA.  Registration numbers began to swell as ministers anticipated our time together in fellowship and worship.  However, this event too was required to take on a new look due to meeting restrictions.  The official event was canceled, yet the room blocks were held, and individuals were welcomed to attend for the purpose of individual retreat and fellowship. We had 200+ attend.  Many churches used this time as a staff retreat.  Couples, individuals, and staffs all gathered as we watched one of our core values – fellowship – take center stage at Squaw Creek.    

Recalibrate

Our mentoring program known as Recalibrate continued through the 2020 year.  This event started with an in person meeting in Sacramento at Real Life Church with Dr. Troy Jones, and then shifted to a remote format for the remained of the year.  Attendance was very strong as ministers participated in listening and asking questions of our guest teachers.  Cal Swenson did a great job making these events practical and applicable for the ministers of Northern California and Nevada.  This year’s guest teachers were:

  •  Dr. Troy Jones – Recalibrate your Sunday Morning

  • Pastor Dary Northrup – Recalibrating your leadership

  • Pastor Pete Vossler – Recalibrating your church’s giving

  • Pastor Harley Allen - Recalibrating your church’s missions giving

  •  Our session with Pastor Glen Berteau was postponed into 2021.

Recalibrate continues to be a valuable resource for us to assist ministers and churches who are stuck in their local church ministries.  The health and effectiveness of ministers continues to be a guiding principle that is behind much of what we offer at the DRC, including, Recalibrate.  A special thanks to each of our guest teachers this past year for your love for and practical investment in the ministers of the NCN District.

Speaking engagements on Sunday:

Valerie and I continue to value and appreciate the opportunities extended to us as we visit Sunday morning church services.  We have honored to be given the privilege of ministering in several of our churches throughout the year. This year our travel was greatly curtailed as so many churches were offering online services only for much of the year.  We were privileged to visit 20 different churches for Sunday morning worship services. We also were invited to speak at 17 non-church service events. In addition, I was privileged engage with 23 churches by providing video recorded messages and zoom appearances. 2020 also afforded me the opportunity to meet with 10 separate church board to assist them on a variety of issues.  I am honored to stand with the lay leadership of our local churches as they walk through seasons of challenge.  Each of these events were special to us. Thank you for the flexibility and creativity you demonstrated in hosting us.  Thank you for trusting us with these opportunities – whether online, in a parking lot, over zoom, or in person gathering to be with you in ministry. 

Pastoral Connections

I was privileged to in 2020 to have record breaking connections one on one with our districts’ ministers.  These meetings continue to encourage me and sharpen the focus on my office. Please know I desire and am available to connect with you.  In addition to one-on-one meetings, this year I began a new discipline in my effort to build the pastors of our district – Saturday morning videos.  Beginning in March of 2020, I felt compelled to provide a weekly touch point where I could offer principle focused, biblically based leadership thoughts to assist ministers in times of uncertainty.  These video touch points have been valuable to me.  But the incredible feedback indicates an appreciation from the ministers of our district as well. I routinely hear from our ministers and missionaries on the content and thoughts shared on Saturday mornings.  This year included 42 Saturday morning communications, some of the topics covered this past year include:

  • Freedom

  • Being a peace maker        

  • Fruit of Peace

  • Dealing with Interruptions

  • Leading in Change

  • Leading in Crisis

  • Leading while being tested

  • The testing of Abraham

  • The value of our unity

What a blessing to regularly meet with the ministers who represent the frontline of the Northern California and Nevada District.  I am regularly impressed by the love and commitment that our ministers demonstrate in a variety of challenging circumstances.  I am inspired by your commitment and dedication.  Thank you for the honor of meeting with you and leading with you in these times.

E3: Encourage, Equip, Empower

In 2020 we continued providing the E3 events across our district. We began the year by host in person events during the month of January.  I was accompanied by Cal Swenson as we discussed the concepts and precepts surrounding the topic of “Your Churches Online Presence”. Little did we know in January of 2020 how prophetic those teachings were in light of what would develop only several weeks later.  I am grateful to the Lord for the relevance and timing of this teaching.  It reminds me of God's faithful role of equipping us as we encounter the realities of life and ministry. 

Thank you to our Winter hosts:

  • E3 Modesto - Kyle Bethke

  • E3 Las Vegas - Randy Greer

  • E3 Bay Area - Chris Annas

  • E3 Sacramento - Perry Kallevig

I am appreciative to Cal Swenson for his partnership not only in this event, but our daily partnership at the District Resource Center.  Cal you are a blessing to this district, thank you for the time, energy, and expertise that you invested into the ministers of our district. 

Thank you for allowing Valerie and me to serve in this role at this crucial time in history as our District Council. As we complete our fifth year in the office of Superintendent, we are grateful to the District Presbytery, the Executive Presbytery, and the employees who serve at the District Resource Center. Each of you add value to what God has called us to do. Special thanks to Bridget Gallup who serves my office as Executive Administrator.  Special thanks and recognition of my fellow officers, Dr. Sam Huddleston and Dr. Jay Herndon. The contributions each of you have made in my life is impacting and formative.  In addition, each of these men is appreciated by our district and their leadership recognized and valued at the national level.    We are blessed at this season to have such amazing individuals both serving this council.   Thank you to the ministers of this great district who have entrusted me with a charge of leadership. I am privileged and honored to submit this report.

Dedicated to your success,
Bret L Allen

District Superintendent
Northern California & Nevada District Council