A Year of Gratitude
Dear Southeastern California Conference Family,
As we near the end of 2024, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the ways God has blessed our conference, local churches, and schools. I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your support, dedication, and faithfulness to the mission of the Southeastern California Conference (SECC). We are thankful to witness the Holy Spirit moving through our collective efforts, drawing hearts closer to Jesus, uplifting our communities, and strengthening our commitment to service.
Highlights of 2024
Committee members
Every step of progress we achieve as a conference reflects God’s faithfulness and your steadfast support. We are incredibly grateful for the participation of many individuals across more than 15 different committees, especially to the Personnel and Executive Committee members, who meet monthly. We extend a special thanks to our lay members for dedicating their time to attending these meetings, ensuring that the conference is held accountable, and enabling us to expand God’s kingdom in our territory together.
Outreach and evangelism
We are grateful for the outreach efforts across all five counties: Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego. Thanks to the dedication of churches and schools, we have seen over 1,000 people dedicate their lives to Christ. Our membership has continued to increase, with over 68,000 members and vibrant faith communities meeting together in worship. Through evangelistic meetings, health fairs, community services, small groups, and prayer initiatives, we have planted seeds of hope and inspired many to grow in their relationship with Christ.
Community
This year, the compassionate spirit of our members and volunteers has allowed us to make a significant impact by addressing both the spiritual and physical needs of fire victims and the local community. Under the leadership of Patty Marruffo, executive secretary of SECC, and Dante Marruffo, pastor of Orange Coast church, along with the support of Pine Springs Ranch staff, we hosted the Riverside County Firehouse Family Retreat. This event brought together fire department families for various workshops and provided them with time to bond, helping to strengthen relationships and support mental health.
Educational advancement
In our 27 schools and training programs, we have witnessed a remarkable commitment to nurturing both minds and spirits. We recognize the challenges faced by our Adventist schools, but we are thankful for the dedication of our educators, mentors, and students who exemplify our values in their pursuit of excellence and service.
Thank you to our church family and volunteers
To our pastors, teachers, administrators, and every church family member—thank you. Your dedication to God’s work has served as a beacon of love and light. Your sacrifices, prayers, and hands-on support have been vital to the success of our mission. We appreciate each of you for embodying the principles of faith, love, and service that are at the core of our Adventist calling.
Vision for the year ahead
The Adventist churches are currently facing a shortage of pastors and educators, both now and in the future. We are grateful to our Pacific Union Conference for their leadership and innovative approach to investing in our young leaders. They, along with SECC, have financially sponsored theology and education majors in our Adventist schools. God has raised up seven theology majors and eight education majors from our conference in the past two years, and we have been able to invest in them financially and begin mentoring them immediately. I am thankful that God continues to guide our young people into ministry.
As we look forward to 2024, we pray for continued guidance and blessings. We aspire to build upon the foundations set this year, enhancing our ministries and discovering new ways to reach and inspire more people. With God’s grace, we aim to expand our programs, deepen our outreach, and foster spiritual growth within our community.
Once again, thank you. Your generosity, service, and faith inspire us. Together, as a conference and family in Christ, we are making a difference. May God bless and keep you as we move forward in His light.
By Jonathan Park
Nations Festival Raises Funds for Adventist Education
The sound of fellowship and camaraderie filled the air of the La Sierra Spanish church gymnasium. The church’s vibrant community has held values such as education close to their hearts. The Nations Festival at La Sierra Spanish has been around for over 30 years. Planned and hosted by the education department each year, the event at the church has the mission of raising funds to assist with tuition for academy students. All students attending Adventists schools are blessed by the proceeds, whether they attend their immediate church or find themselves worshipping elsewhere.
The Nations Festival features many games and activities and also includes typical foods from Hispanic cultures. With over 300 in attendance, many were eager to taste foods from various Latin American countries. Veronica Mendez, a long-attending church member and secretary for Hispanic ministries at SECC, shared, “There’s food from countries like Mexico, El Salvador, Cuba, and more—even USA. People from different churches attend as well as visitors from our community.”
As attendees shared foods with each other, they were also entertained by unique cultural customs, such as live entertainment from mariachi bands, face painting, games, and jumpers for kids. The church’s gymnasium was transformed into an immersive experience, with people dressed up in their native country attire.
In the past, the Nations Festival has been considered a success by helping 45 students and raising around $17,000 to support Adventist education. The impact of the initiative runs deep. Giani Mendoza, a parent with two children at La Sierra Academy, expressed gratitude by stating, “Our family loves this event! Not only were we able to share a little part of our culture, but we were able to come together as a community working toward a common goal. We have seen firsthand how this event has been a blessing for our church families. This event was a fun and creative way to get them actively involved in contributing toward their education.” This year’s total is still being determined, and plans for next year’s event are already in discussion.
Supporting education is a value deeply held in the heart of the church. Mendez shared, “We eat with a purpose, knowing we are contributing to a good cause: Adventist education.”
By Taji Saleem
Kids Konnect
Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
Charles could not wait to open his presents. He laid awake in his bed hours after bedtime, imagining what kind of gifts were waiting for him under the tree. It was Christmas Eve, which meant he had to wait until morning to find out what new toys he got. But Charles was usually impatient. It felt unfair to wait until morning when some of his friends got to open theirs early. “I’m going to see what I got,” he whispered, slipping out of bed. But he would have to be careful not to get caught.
Pausing at the door, he listened for any sounds from his parents. Silence. Perfect.
Charles tiptoed down the hallway and into the living room where the tree illuminated the room. His heart began to race. There they were—the presents, wrapped in all their glory with shiny bows.
He crouched beside the biggest one, carefully peeling back a corner of the paper. The crinkle sounded louder than he'd expected, and he froze. When no one stirred, he tore the rest of the paper off.
Quickly his smile faded. Inside was...a box of socks.
Not just any socks, but thick, woolly brown socks. His heart sank. This wasn’t the excitement he had imagined all night. Who gives socks for Christmas?
Suddenly, “Charles?” a voice asked. It was his mom, standing at the doorway, arms crossed—but she was smiling. She knelt beside him and ruffled his hair. “I knew you couldn’t wait,” she said softly. “But how about we make a deal? You can open this one tonight if you promise to leave the rest for tomorrow.”
Charles nodded eagerly. He took the gift from her hands, tore the paper away completely, and revealed a new toy car. Just like the one he wanted! “You know, Charles,” his mom said, “sometimes good things come to those who wait.”
By Taji Saleem
