The Northern California Conference (NCC) in the United States held a grand opening and dedication ceremony for its new headquarters in Roseville on Sunday, January 26, 2020.
More than 300 people came to welcome the conference, pray for God’s blessing, and tour the renovated offices. Guests also had the opportunity to shop at the Adventist Book Center located in the building.
The building formerly served as the corporate headquarters for Adventist Health before that organization moved to its newly constructed offices. In August 2019, NCC moved from Pleasant Hill, where it had been located since 1972, to Roseville.
During the opening event, NCC president Marc Woodson, along with executive secretary Jose Marin and treasurer John Rasmussen, formally cut the ribbon and welcomed people into the building.
Before offering the prayer of dedication, Pacific Union Conference executive secretary Bradford Newton spoke to the group. “We’re not just praying for bricks and mortar,” he said. “We’re praying for what will happen here. We will be praying for the mission of God that is led and deployed through the leadership of the people that are here, through our conference leaders, our pastors, our teachers, our Bible workers, the thousands of volunteers that make the Seventh-day Adventist Church what it is — God’s remnant church in this time in earth’s history.”
Early in the day, California state assemblyman Kevin Kiley toured the office and presented a certificate of recognition to the conference. Kiley represents the 6th Assembly District, which includes Placer County, where the headquarters is located.
Woodson accepted a commendation during the ceremony from the City of Roseville, presented by Roseville city council member Scott Alvord on behalf of the mayor of Roseville. Accompanying Alvord were Roseville police chief James Maccoun and Roseville city council members Pauline Roccucci and Bruce Houdesheldt. “The City of Roseville welcomes the conference office move into our city and the Sacramento region,” Alvord said after the event.
Alvord is a member of the Orangevale Adventist church. “The [conference] office is now located closer to more church members,” he said, “and I hope that it will result in more of our members getting involved outside the walls of the churches, because the communities can use the positive influence of Christ’s love.”
The day included many other highlights. Pathfinders from the Sacramento Spanish church and the Sacramento Ukrainian company raised the flag. The Sacramento Adventist Academy choir and members of Pacific Union College’s Vox Pro Musica sang a number of songs. Guests enjoyed refreshments and took tours of the building.
The grand opening came after months of effort. “Our office team has worked very hard — packing up the old building and settling into the new one, while still keeping up with their professional responsibilities,” Woodson said. “I’m thankful for their dedication and for the patience of all our NCC employees and members as we were in transition. We now look forward to continuing the work of the Lord until He comes.”
