District Superintendent’s Report

Bret Allen

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NIV84

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV84

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV84

As I reflect over 2021, my primary response is appreciation for the faithful response of our ministers in days of challenge. I am grateful to God for His unswerving faithfulness to us, His church. But I am also grateful for the faithfulness of men and women across Northern California and Nevada who have stood strong and served in the face of difficulties. In a time where we have watched a great exodus from our district to other parts of the country, you stood strong and continued to faithfully execute the calling of God to your town, city, and region. I commend you, I salute you, for your faithfulness to the one who called you.

Last year’s District Council meeting saw the re-gathering of our council for services and activities. On April 19-20, 2021, we hosted our first ever hybrid 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 remotely. We hosted 869 registered participants at the hybrid District Council. Pastor Rod Loy brought an encouraging and challenging word for pastors leading in a pandemic. Pastor Loy’s message also challenged our district on the realities of sex trafficking and the responses of Project Rescue. The ordination class of 2020 (69 ordination candidates) was the largest in our District’s history. Members of this ordination class we invited to join the procession for in person recognition during our 2021 Ordination service which was comprised of 21 ordination candidates. Dr. Sam Huddleston spoke a message of challenge and affirmation at the ordination service.

Within the annual State of the District address, I had the privilege of honoring the following individuals for their contributions within the life of the NCN District in different areas:

Legacy Award- Rev. Doris Johnson

Honor Awards - Rev. Becky Eizman and Rev. Tim Gavigan

Community Awards - Rev. Randy Greer, Rev. Jon Layden, Rev. Rose Warren, and Pastor Bret Wells

Unity Awards - Rev. Rey Bernardes and Rev. Joe Taybron

 

NCN Missions

2021 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 $14,436.81 in support of 14 missionaries

· Our District Affiliated Churches made exceptional contribution to missions.  Of 112 District Affiliated Churches, 107 churches gave $792,700.06

· 254 General Council churches contributed $11,509,465.84 

Total of all contributions from Northern California and Nevada District Council to missions was $15,638,542.78

 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, Perry Kallevig, Jimmy Myers, and 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. 

I would also like to recognize Rev. Douglas and Rev. Mary Fairrington for their contributions in giving oversight to our six missionary houses – Mission Villa.  Douglas and Mary have led the maintenance and improvements on these properties for over 20 years.  Thank you, Douglas and Mary, for your faithful service to our missionaries by managing these homes with a spirit of servanthood and excellence.  On 5/9/2021 Pastor Douglas went home to be with the Lord.  We miss his presence and ministry, but his impact continues to live on in the life of our district.

The Fairrington’s served as pastor of Half Moon Bay Assembly of God (1954-1955), Bethel Church in Grass Valley (1955-1959), Full Gospel Church in Morgan Hill (1959-1965), and Three Cities Assembly of God in Burlingame (1965-1988). In addition, Pastor Doug served as Sectional Presbyter (1971 -1979), Executive Presbyter (1979-1988) and became an Honorary Executive Presbyter / Executive Presbyter Emeritus for his years served. He also served as a Bethany Bible College Trustee for many years. In 1988, Pastor Douglas became a staff pastor at Destiny Christian Church in Rocklin until his retirement in 1995. In 2019 the Fairrington’s served on the 100 Year District Historical Committee. Today Rev. Mary continued to serve the district as the manager of Mission Villa Housing.

 

Minsters Retreat   

The Minister’s Retreat was held September 6-8, 2021, at the Squaw Creek Resort in Tahoe, CA.  Registration numbers began to swell as ministers anticipated our time together in fellowship and worship. We were excited to see 387 in attendance representing 115 churches.  Couples, individuals, and staffs all gathered as we watched one of our core values – fellowship – take center stage at Squaw Creek.  Rev. Dary Northrop was the guest speaker at this event. Pastor Dary brought three sessions of humorous and relevant encouragement to our ministers.

The Ministers Retreat dates and locations for 2022 are as follows:

9/3/2022 – Lake Tahoe at The Hyatt Regency

10/3/2022 Scotts Valley at The Hilton

10/24/2022 Las Vegas at Lake Las Vegas

“We Build Pastors”

“We Build Pastors” has become a functioning mission statement for the District Resource Center.   Under this banner our mentoring, developing, and encouraging efforts were well attended and well received in 2021.  Cal Swenson continues to do an amazing job making these events practical and applicable for the ministers of Northern California and Nevada.  This year’s guest teachers were:

 · E3 (Encourage, Equip, Empower) Virtual – January 14 – John Withers 75 participants, 60 churches present.

· Recalibrate: Virtual – Feb 18 – Glen Berteau – 65 participants, 61 churches present

· Recalibrate: Virtual – May 27 - Nona Jones - 96 participants, 74 churches present

· Church 101 – 71 Participants, 57 churches present.

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. 

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 27 different churches for Sunday morning worship services. We also were invited to speak at 51 non-church service events either in person, a video message, or by Zoom. 2021 also afforded me the opportunity to meet with 17 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 including us in the life of your local church.

  

Pastoral Connections:

I was privileged to in 2021 to have 304 connections one on one with our districts’ ministers.  Throughout 2021, the NCN team had the following interactions through personal connection or remote connections:

For Care: Over the course of 394 interactions, 1,247 churches participate and there were 9,891 participants.

For Consulting: Over the course of 308 interactions, 428 churches participate and there were 1,637 participants.

For Equipping: Over the course of 319 interactions, 2,270 churches participate and there were 16,109 participants.

What a blessing to regularly meet with the ministers who represent the frontline of the Northern California and Nevada District.  I am grateful for our ministers and impressed by the love and commitment that they demonstrate in their fields of ministry. Pastors, I am inspired by your commitment and dedication. 

I am appreciative for the opportunities afforded me and for the honor of meeting with you, leading, and fellowshipping with you in these times.

Valerie and I are humbled and grateful to serve this great District Council. As we complete our sixth year in the office of Superintendent, we are increasingly grateful to the District Presbytery, the Executive Presbytery, and the employees who serve at the District Resource Center. Thank you for the hours, effort, prayer, and dedication that is routinely demonstrated in your efforts to serve the ministers of Northern California and Nevada.   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. To each, your integrity and leadership are exemplary, your passion for ministers is obvious, and your partnership with me is invaluable.  Thank you for all you do here at home, on the national level and around the world.    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