The Southern California Conference gathered for its 135th annual meeting this past weekend, held in celebration of Camp Maranatha’s 75th anniversary. It was a fitting place to reflect, not only on the business of the conference, but on the faithfulness of God across generations.
Communion and the Call to Know God
Brad Rigney, pastor of Northpark Advent Christian Church, led the conference in communion. Drawing from 1 John 4, he reminded those present that “love comes from God” and that God’s desire is not merely that we know about him, but that we know him personally and intimately.
Quoting 1 Corinthians 11, he called the body to self-examination before taking communion, reminding everyone that knowing Christ transforms us. That transformation, he said, has real-life ramifications, especially in how we love one another, even when geographically separated across a conference.
Ministry in Action
Reports from pastors and ministry leaders offered glimpses of the gospel at work.
Mexico
Craig Libby, ACGC Latin America area director, shared how two $500 gifts were used to support pastors in Mexico. One gift allowed a pastor to care for a refugee family fleeing gang violence, providing children’s and women’s ministry support in a time of crisis. Another $500 will help Pastor Francisco build a church on donated land.
Pastor Carlos from Desert Church described creative evangelism efforts — finding an old boat and motor, inviting local men out for night fishing and using that time on the water to speak into their lives and challenge them in their faith.
Pastor Carlos Quintero, not currently an AC pastor, but who is renting the former AC Pasadena church building, shared his vision for evangelism. Eight to 15 people go out weekly for evangelism, and last year they saw 415 prayers of conversion. “We’re moving pew sitters to action in the city,” he said. In a climate marked by fear and uncertainty, he urged believers not to be afraid but to serve. When immigration enforcement created anxiety in his community, he encouraged people to pray, even for ICE agents, and to act in faith.
The conference also supported the Quintero family after their home burned down. “We lost everything,” he shared, but soil tests have now come back and they are waiting for approval to rebuild.
Celebrating 75 Years of Camp Maranatha
A major highlight of the weekend was celebrating 75 years of conference-owned Camp Maranatha.
In its history, the camp has had only four directors, a testament to long-term faithfulness and stability. The conference owns the grounds, and income generated goes back into expansion and improvement. Remarkably, the camp carries no debt — one reason it was able to weather the COVID years.
Camp manager Brian Reeves reported that in 2023 the camp served more than 3,000 people. By the end of 2025, that number had risen to 5,300 — nearly doubling in two years. Between now and Thanksgiving, only Easter weekend remains unbooked.
Future plans include:
- Completing the outdoor snack bar area
- Expanding the dining hall to seat 300 people at once
- Adding additional staff housing
- Increasing restroom facilities near the pool
The New Outpost: Coffee, Community and Conversation
After the meeting concluded, attendees gathered at the newly opened Outpost — a gift shop and coffee bar located in what was originally the sawmill office. The building has been beautifully remodeled and will serve as a comfortable venue for conversation and ministry.
Free drinks and snacks were offered, and it quickly became a place to sit, talk and reconnect. The Outpost isn’t just a new building but a gathering space that reflects the heart of Camp Maranatha.
Faithful Leadership
The nominating committee presented the following slate of officers, all approved by vote:
- Dave Crimi, President
- Gary Hogan, Vice President
- Linda Reeves, Secretary
- Karen Schoenherr, Treasurer
Seventy-five years after its founding, Camp Maranatha continues to serve thousands each year. The conference itself continues its long history with the same conviction expressed in communion: that we are called not merely to know about God, but to know him and to let that knowledge transform how we love, serve and reach others.
