Conference Announces New Approach for Soquel Camp Meeting Evangelism Offering

Funds will be divided among youth ministries, mission work, and camp operations

SOQUEL, Calif. — The Central California Conference has announced a fresh approach to this year's Soquel Camp Meeting evangelism offering that emphasizes youth ministries and mission work.

The 2025 plan allocates funds across three strategic priorities: 50% for youth ministries, 25% for mission and evangelism work, and 25% for camp meeting operations.

Ricardo Viloria, president of the Central California Conference, expressed confidence in this new approach, emphasizing the importance of strategic giving that aligns with the conference's current priorities and momentum.

Youth Ministries Take Center Stage

The largest portion — half of all offerings — will support youth-related programs, including Camp Wawona, Adventist education scholarships, digital evangelism targeting young adults, Youth Rush literature evangelism, Public Campus Ministry for high school and college students, revitalization of the Youth Evangelism Team, funding for Teen Bible Academy, young adult conferences, and potential new initiatives like outdoor education programs and special needs camps.

Viloria cites momentum in youth ministries as a key factor in the emphasis. Camp Wawona has experienced significant growth, with junior camp programs now requiring multiple sessions due to high demand. The youth camp and Soquel Camp Meeting also reduced prices by 30% this year while improving overall programming quality.

"When churches invest in young people, churches grow," said Anil Kanda, vice president for ministries. "We know our biggest challenge is reaching young adults, and this funding priority addresses that directly."

Mission Funding

The second priority allocates 25% of offerings to mission work throughout the Central California Conference. This broader category replaces the traditional "evangelism" designation and includes church planting efforts, digital evangelism, community outreach programs, and support for pastoral evangelistic series.

Conference leadership emphasized that this approach reflects a vision for mission work that extends beyond traditional evangelistic meetings to include innovative outreach methods and community engagement.

Camp Meeting Operations

The remaining 25% will support camp meeting expenses, including speakers, security, youth and children's programming, tent rentals, and audiovisual equipment.

"We've invested significantly in making camp meeting more accessible and higher quality," Viloria said. "This funding helps us continue that momentum."

Dream Offering Component

In addition to the three main categories, attendees can designate gifts for specific projects through a "dream offering" option. This allows donors to support particular ministries or initiatives they feel passionate about, creating opportunities for restricted giving beyond the general fund allocation. This fund will go directly to a designated area.

Conference officers expressed confidence that the three-pronged approach, combined with current momentum in youth ministries and improved camp meeting operations, will resonate with donors seeking to invest in the church's future.

"This is about matching donor passion with God's plan," Viloria said. "We're creating opportunities for people to give toward ministries that excite them while supporting the conference's strategic priorities."

An Investment in Our Future

As we gather for this year's Soquel Camp Meeting, we invite you to join us in this bold vision for the future of God's work in Central California. Your generous offering represents more than financial support—it's an investment in the next generation of believers, in innovative mission strategies, and in creating meaningful worship experiences that transform lives.

When you give to youth ministries, you're helping a young person discover their calling at camp, supporting a student's Adventist education, or empowering the next generation to share Jesus through creative digital platforms. When you contribute to mission work, you're extending Christ's love into communities across our conference through church plants, outreach programs, and evangelistic efforts that meet people where they are.

Every dollar given helps make Camp Meeting more accessible and impactful, ensuring this sacred gathering continues to inspire, equip, and unite God's people for service.

Whether you give through the structured categories or follow your heart with a dream offering, you're partnering with God to build His kingdom in Central California. We invite you to pray, consider how God is calling you to invest in this ministry, and give generously as He leads your heart.

How to Give

Online: Visit http://cccgift.org and select "Conference Evangelism" in the "Conference/Union Offerings" section.

At Your Local Church: When giving your offering, choose "Camp Meeting Evangelism" on your tithe envelope for your offering designation.

Together, we can support our youth, strengthen our mission, and secure a vibrant future for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Central California. Your generosity today will bear fruit for generations to come.

Written by Justin Kim