CONFERENCE NEWS

It is with deep sorrow, yet with gratitude for a life faithfully devoted to God’s service, that the Central California Conference announces the passing of Pastor Roland Keith Mulligan on January 9, 2026. Pastor Mulligan began his ministry in the early 1960s and dedicated more than five decades of his life to gospel service, faithfully serving the Seventh-day Adventist Church with humility and a shepherd’s heart. Throughout his pastoral career, he served congregations in South

Central California Conference is pleased to announce that on December 14, 2025, the Executive Committee voted to extend a call to Leah Page to serve as Associate Pastor (Part-Time, Locally Funded) for the Templeton Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church, effective January 1, 2026. Leah Page brings a strong background in pastoral ministry, chaplaincy, children’s ministries, worship coordination, and community outreach. Her experience includes serving as a chaplain with Adventist H

Central California Conference is pleased to announce that on December 14, 2025, the Executive Committee voted to extend a call to Daniel Gouveia to serve as the new Ministerial Director, effective January 15, 2026. Daniel Gouveia has served in full-time pastoral ministry for 21 years, fulfilling leadership roles including Senior Pastor at the Fresno Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, Area President, district pastor, devangelist, youth leader, and digital evangelism pioneer

DINUBA, Calif. — Dinuba Junior Academy marked its third consecutive year of participation in the City of Dinuba Christmas Electrical Parade on Saturday, Dec. 6, joining hundreds of community members for an evening of celebration and holiday cheer. Students, staff and families represented the school with a festively decorated float, greeting spectators along the downtown parade route. School leaders said the annual event has become an important opportunity for the academy to c

DINUBA, Calif. — Students from Dinuba Junior Academy have been making a meaningful impact in their community through an ongoing partnership with the Dinuba Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church, volunteering twice a month at the church’s Food Bank outreach. Since the partnership began last year, students have helped prepare, sort and distribute food baskets to local families in need. While some students initially expressed hesitation about participating, the outreach has grown

The Central California Conference recently welcomed Pastor Aster Bruce as the new minister of Bakersfield Southside Adventist Church, where he officially began his pastoral duties with an installation service on October 18, 2024. Pastor Bruce brings over two decades of ordained ministry experience to his new congregation, having served in diverse roles across three continents. His extensive background includes 16 years of pastoral work in the North England Conference of the B

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — The Mountain View Japanese Seventh-day Adventist Church welcomed students, families and staff from Saniku Gakuin Santa Clara Japanese School on Oct. 18, 2025, for a special “Saniku Day” Sabbath worship celebrating faith, testimony and spiritual growth. Saniku Gakuin, which serves more than 360 students—most from non-Adventist homes—was represented by nearly 60 fourth-grade students, along with their siblings and parents, who joined the congregation for

WATERFORD, Calif. — Members of the Waterford Warriors Pathfinder Club led a special Pathfinder Sabbath worship service at the Waterford Seventh-day Adventist Church on Nov. 15, highlighting youth leadership, service and faith-based engagement. Pathfinders participated throughout the worship service, including music, Scripture reading and prayer, and shared highlights from their activities and accomplishments during the year. Church leaders said the service reflected the club’

VISALIA, Calif. — Members of the Visalia Pioneers and Visalia Ark Guardians Pathfinder clubs represented the Central California Conference during the 79th Annual Candy Cane Lane Parade on Dec. 1, participating in one of the city’s longest-running holiday traditions. Led by the Visalia Pioneers Drum Corps, the Pathfinders marched through downtown Visalia, engaging spectators with music and coordinated movement. The clubs’ participation highlighted youth involvement in communit

CLOVIS, Calif. — After returning from a year and half overseas mission work, Bob Clayton of Clovis Adventist Church found himself praying for direction. Though he had moved back to California to be closer to his son and family, he sensed that God still had a ministry for him—he just didn’t know what it was yet. So, he began walking through the community, praying and listening for God’s leading. One afternoon near Fresno State University, Bob encountered a woman sitting at a t

FRESNO, Calif. — On Nov. 26, 2025, the Central California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists installed a new exterior sign at its headquarters, replacing the previous sign that had served the campus for nearly 30 years. Over time, the old structure had deteriorated, with rotting materials and several letters falling off, making replacement necessary to ensure a reliable and presentable appearance. The new sign reflects the updated branding guidelines of the General Conferen

The Central California Conference expresses appreciation to Pastor Bismarck Castillo , who is concluding his ministry with us this year. Over the past several years, Pastor Castillo has served two congregations in our conference, caring as he walked alongside members in their spiritual journeys. Pastor Castillo first joined the Central California Conference in 2019 , after several years of ministry at the Springdale First Spanish Church in the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference. H

Nearly 80 men from across the Central California Conference gathered this past weekend for the annual CCC Men’s Retreat, themed “The Mandate.” The event focused on calling men not only to personal growth, but to a deeper life of discipleship—grounded in Scripture, strengthened through community, and committed to following Jesus with conviction. The retreat featured keynote messages from David Dean, Brian Simmons, and Anil Kanda, each offering spiritually challenging and encou

CLOVIS, Calif. — The Central California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists has launched a $150,000 fundraising campaign to renovate the main lodge at Camp Wawona, with an anonymous donor pledging to match contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 through Dec. 31, 2025. Nestled among the towering pines of Yosemite National Park, Camp Wawona has served as a spiritual retreat center for generations of families across Central California. The lodge, built in 1958, stands at

Yosemite, Calif. — In February 2025, women from across the Central California Conference gathered at Tenaya Lodge for a transformative weekend retreat that evolved into a powerful experience of healing, connection, and spiritual renewal. Set against the quiet winter beauty of Yosemite, the retreat created a safe space for women to confront the realities of abuse, reclaim their God-given identity, and experience restoration through worship, teaching, prayer, and testimony. Att

Nearly 80 young men from across the Central California Conference gathered at Camp Wawona for this year’s Teen Guys Retreat—an uplifting weekend filled with worship, mentorship, and hands-on learning set against the beauty of Yosemite National Park. The featured speaker, Chad Lambie, delivered a powerful message drawn from his extraordinary personal journey. Born with Cleidocranial Dysplasia/Dysostosis (CCD)—a rare genetic condition affecting bone development—Lambie grew up w

FRESNO, Calif.—The Central Valley Golden Eagles Pathfinder and Adventurer Club, Visalia Pioneers, and Fresno Navigators joined the Central California Conference (CCC) Junior Youth Department on November 11 to proudly participate in the 106th Fresno Veterans Day Parade. Under the leadership of CCC Youth Director Norma Villarreal, the group represented the Seventh-day Adventist Church with gratitude, joy, and a spirit of service. The Fresno Veterans Day Parade—one of the oldest

Clovis, Calif.— On November 9, 2025, the Central California Conference (CCC) Junior Youth Department officially launched Master Guide University Cohort 3, welcoming 22 new Master Guides in Training (MITs) from across the conference—stretching from Bakersfield to San Francisco. Each participant arrived with a shared commitment: to grow, to lead, and to serve within their local church communities. The day began at the CCC office with check-in, registration, and a Program Orient

Monterey Bay, CA  — The Area 3 churches of the Central California Conference came together in a spirit of unity and joy for their first-ever Area Convocation , hosted at the Monterey Bay Academy Church. Nearly every congregation in the area participated, making the day a vibrant celebration of faith, fellowship, and mission. The program opened with a series of musical presentations that reflected the diversity and talent within Area 3. Worship teams and individuals from Monte

November 12, 2025 —  The Area 6 pastors came together for their quarterly meeting on Wednesday, November 12, sharing not only plans and updates but a meaningful time of fellowship, gratitude, and prayer. This quarter’s gathering was made especially memorable by the inclusion of Adventist Health chaplains serving throughout the region. Among the guests were Area Chaplain Coordinator Zeke Nichols , Chaplain Edgar  from Tulare, Chaplain Allen  from Hanford, and Chaplain Gilbert