Northern California Conference
By engaging in community service, the Pittsburg church effectively demonstrated that love is indeed a verb. The church members, though small in number, proved that with the Holy Spirit, they could be impactful and mighty in the service of the Master.
Under the direction of Joyce Richardson, coordinator for women's ministry, the church members were divided into three teams, each with a specific service area.
The first team prayed and allowed the Holy Spirit to lead the way as they entered a local Walmart and gave shoppers $25 gift certificates. Team members greeted the shoppers by telling them that God loves them and that they wanted to share God's blessings with them. Many recipients were deeply touched, tears were shed, and some confessed that this was a miracle! A total of 30 gift certificates were given out.
Southern California Conference
Last fall, Sylmar church celebrated the baptisms of eight children, youth, and young adults.
While working out at a local gym, Adrienne Loaiza overheard a personal trainer, Rick Ballestero, member of Sylmar church, commenting about his belief in God to one of his clients. As Adrienne, a Cal State University Northridge student, listened, he became curious and did not delay asking questions when the opportunity arose. In turn, Ballestero was quick to answer his questions.
“I never hesitate to share my faith in my workplace,” he said. Sensing Loaiza had a lot more questions, Ballestero invited him to join a small study group meeting at a local park. Loaiza responded to the invitation, bringing two university friends with him, Destiny Fuentes and Michael Duarte, who also had been studying the Bible.
Health Care in the Pacific Union Loma Linda University Health
Care teams at Loma Linda University International Heart Institute have fine-tuned various aspects of its cardiogenic shock program, making the program the first in the Inland Empire and one of the few on the West Coast to offer such comprehensive services to cardiogenic shock patients.
Aditya Bharadwaj, MD, an interventional cardiologist at LLU International Heart Institute, says the cardiogenic program has expanded to include interventional cardiologists, heart failure cardiologists, and cardiothoracic surgeons.
“More than one specialty needs to be involved in the care of cardiogenic shock patients,” said Bharadwaj. “Multiple disciplines must come together right from the beginning to treat these patients. Other leading centers across the country and the world are beginning to recognize this.”
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