Oakland Market Street Church Members Feed God’s People
Oakland Market Street church members are engaging their community with compassion by delivering hot meals from local restaurants to unhoused residents throughout Alameda County.
Recently, when a local food distributor shut down, the church was asked to partner with Alameda County Food-Poole and the nonprofit organization Preventative Care Pathways. “Everyone deserves to have food, and no one should have to go to bed hungry,” said Margaret (Margo) Williams-Cohen, the project’s director of food administration and distribution. “It is an absolute honor and privilege to feed God’s people.”
In addition to food, volunteers distribute other items to help improve the lives of unhoused people. Recently, a local dentist donated 864 bags of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss; a law firm purchased 2,140 bottles of water; and a community member gave 1,600 bags of utensils and two huge boxes of toilet paper.
Williams-Cohen is assisted by recording secretary/deliverer Monique Chancellor, Bible worker Michael Jones, and a team of volunteers with servant hearts! “Many blessed hands – from the five-star restaurants, to our committed volunteers and drivers – are working hard to serve the new homeless, on the rise from the impact of the pandemic,” said Chancellor.
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Redwood Creek Camp Introduces Kids to Jesus
Right now, 71 kids are having the time of their lives at Redwood Creek Camp in Humboldt County. This year’s one-week camp is full of exciting activities, such as go-karts, rappelling, a giant waterslide, photography, swimming, crafts, and games.
The 46 staff members – including the NCC Summer on the Run team – make sure the campers are safe and having fun. Gracepoint church Associate Pastor Tim McMillen is serving as camp pastor, speaking to kids who may know little about Christ.
“The bulk of the kids here are not from Adventist homes,” said Betty Newman, who runs the camp office with her husband, Ken. “At the morning camp council and the evening campfire, staff members talk about Jesus and how to make Him your best Friend.”
Many of the kids come from families that can’t afford summer camp, including some from the nearby Karuk and Hoopa Valley tribes. But thanks to the Orleans church’s Campership Fund and other gifts, “we don’t turn anybody away,” said Newman.
One of the longest operating Adventist camps in the world, Redwood Creek started in the late 1930s on land owned by Oliver Cookson. The camp has continued at the Cookson Ranch almost every summer since. Find out more.
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Gracepoint Church Members Engage Their Calling to Ministry
In early July, Gracepoint church Associate Pastor Marlene Rodriguez challenged members to actively engage in the ministry of prayer. She had 20 prayer requests from residents of a nearby apartment complex, and she wanted 20 volunteers, each of whom would be willing to pray daily for a specific request. “I asked the Lord to send the right people who would be committed to this work, and the Lord came through!” she said.
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For some time, the church has made it a priority to reach out to the apartment residents, especially during the holidays and back-to-school time. Lately, Rodriguez and church member Maxine Blome have been knocking on doors and conducting a survey to find out how the church can help its neighbors more effectively.
As of this week, the women have knocked on 104 doors, and they have been received warmly. “Many told us: ‘You are those people from the church that do nice things for us,’” said Rodriguez. “Every person that we talked with gave us a phone number or email address so that we could let them know about upcoming events at the church.”
Many residents were grateful when Rodriguez and Blome prayed with them. So far, eight people have indicated that they would like to learn more about Jesus. “They opened up their hearts and told us their stories, and a few invited us into their homes,” said Rodriguez. “The Lord gave us favor to be able to step into their world.”
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Upcoming Events
Union City company Pastor Trevor Barnes Sr. will be ordained this Sabbath, at 4 p.m. at the Hayward church.
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Adventist Book Center
Don’t miss the Redwood Camp Meeting sales! See the list of food specials available at camp meeting from July 19-31 and at the NCC ABC now through August 8.
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Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
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