Paul Stokstad never imagined that he would become a Seventh-day Adventist. Although his mother was an Adventist, Stokstad did not attend church regularly throughout childhood. Upon reaching college age, Stokstad had no further involvement with the church. However, the turning point of his life came in 1970 when he hired an engineer that was a member of the Fremont Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Stokstad’s engineer eventually invited him to Pine Crest, a precursor to Leoni Meadows. “He invited me up for a church weekend retreat, and I fell in love with the people of Fremont church,” said Stokstad. “They worshipped together and took care of each other.”

Thirty-five years later, the same church members still keep in touch despite geographic distances. Although many have moved on to numerous locations throughout California or other states, the former and current members of Fremont church gathered for a reunion from Sept. 16 to 18 at the home of the Stokstads in Auburn, Calif.

Aree Chung of Pasadena, Calif., was one of those attendees. “Fremont was the church where I grew up,” said Chung, who attended the church from age six to 11. “I went to the reunion to see old friends, and everyone was just how I remembered them. Even though I hadn’t seen them in years, it didn’t matter. The warmth and closeness were still there.”

Along with Chung, more than 80 other people also attended the weekend reunion. Ray Hixson, a former pastor of Fremont, provided the Friday night vespers program. After the church service on Saturday, the attendees spent the rest of the weekend reminiscing and fellowshipping together.

Bill and Verda Lyons of Leoni Meadows, Calif., are thankful to have been able to attend the reunion. “It was wonderful to see the people,” said the Lyons. “We were all still the same people, and it was just a great joy because it was like we were all family.”

With the first reunion being so successful, another reunion is planned for the same time next year—on the third weekend of September 2007.

Like many other former and current Fremont church members, Stokstad supports and understands firsthand the power of a church family. He is grateful for the difference that the Fremont Church family made in his life. “It was their unconditional love and acceptance that kept me in the church. That is what heaven is going to be like.”