June 3, 2019
Ministry happens in many different contexts. In our conference, it happens primarily in churches, schools and hospitals. The last two Mondays of May, we learned what ministry looks like for two Adventist Health ministries. During our morning worship time here at the SCC office, two teams from the Adventist Health Glendale hospital, the Comprehensive Stroke Center and the Play to Learn Center, led by Myriam Watson who oversees these programs, described the diligent work they do to save lives and assist children with special needs, respectively.
As Watson pointed out, “Adventist Health Glendale is the first medical center in California to receive Comprehensive Stroke Center accreditation from DNV-GL Healthcare USA, Inc. By earning this prestigious accreditation, Adventist Health Glendale has demonstrated that it exceeds patient safety standards set forth by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Brain Attack Coalition, and the American Stroke Association.”
To learn more about the Play to Learn Center program, click here.
Thank you, Warren Tetz, for inviting these two teams who described the healing ministry of Jesus Christ in our community.
On Sabbath, May 25, I had the privilege of preaching at Light Above church in eastern Pasadena. We had an uplifting experience with a worship service full of music and camaraderie. This mostly Filipino congregation has been led by Elder Rodrigo Alabat and his family for more than 10 years. Thank you for such a committed ministry.
After a wonderful fellowship meal with the entire congregation, Esther and I headed to the Los Angeles Portuguese SDA Church to participate in Pastor Denilson Reis’ ordination to the gospel ministry. Since Pastor Reis also leads Highland Park Spanish church, the service was conducted in three languages: Portuguese, Spanish and English.
Although last week was a short one here at the office, it was intense with standing committees. Among those was the Board of Education, which met to receive reports (accreditation, finances, etc.) and to approve the new educational personnel for the 2019-2020 school year.
Then, after lunch, I left to attend La Sierra University Board of Trustees quarterly meetings in Riverside. That evening, the board elected Joy Fehr, Ph.D. as new LSU president, following the presidential search process established by Board policy. This election was the highlight of these meetings. Congratulations to Dr. Fehr as she takes the leadership of this thriving university effective July 1, 2019. For more about this story, click here.
Last Sabbath, Esther and I joined at the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Palmdale church. Four of the 15 pastors who have led that church were present, along with Elder Greg Hoenes, West Region Director, who each presented part of the history of the church. Since the church also has services in Spanish, the entire program was bilingual. Kudos to Pastor Jose Gutierrez and his church leaders for putting together this wonderful church anniversary celebration.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Submission of proposals for Bylaws amendments: No later than June 16, 2019, SCC churches and delegates can submit written proposals for Bylaws changes to the SCC Secretary's office to be passed to the Bylaws Committee Chair, George Sellers.
- 65th SCC Constituency Session: This important meeting will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2019, at the White Memorial SDA Church from 7:55 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Your fellow traveler,
Velino A. Salazar
President
Southern California Conference