Northern California Adventist Conference Holds 49th Annual African American Ministries Convocation in Stockton

The Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (NCCSDA) held its 49th Annual African American Ministries Convocation on October 10, 2026, at a venue in Stockton, California.

The event brought together ministry leaders, pastors, and church members from across the Northern California region. This year's theme, "Still Standing: Anchored Faith in a Shaking World," reflected the convocation's focus on maintaining faith and community resilience amid social and political pressures.

The convocation has served as an annual gathering point for African American Adventist ministry leaders in Northern California for nearly five decades. It provides a space for worship, networking, and discussion of issues facing Black congregations within the denomination.

Seventh-day Adventist churches have a significant African American membership base in California, with many congregations playing active roles in community outreach, education, and health ministry. The Northern California Conference oversees churches across a large geographic area that includes the Sacramento Valley, the Bay Area, and surrounding regions.

The 2026 convocation continued a tradition of addressing both spiritual formation and practical ministry challenges. Speakers addressed topics including youth retention, community engagement, and the role of the Black church in responding to current social conditions.

The NCCSDA's African American Ministries department coordinates programming and resources specifically for Black congregations within the conference throughout the year.