Until 2000, there was only one small Spanish-speaking Adventist church servicing the entire area of Lincoln, Calif. That was enough — until the population went from about 13,000 to almost 33,000 in less than five years. But good news came when both the Northern California Conference and Amazing Facts had the same idea at the same time — plant a church!
In December 2000, Pastor Robb Long and evangelist Lowell Hargraves from Amazing Facts teamed up with a few faithful Lincoln members. After an evangelistic series resulting in seven baptisms, the group of about 15 people found an Episcopal church to rent.
Long was then called away and Pastor Steven Allred took over. The group rented a larger Methodist facility and began doing community outreach programs, such as vegetarian dinners and stop-smoking clinics. They also maintained a health booth at the local farmers market.
After about 18 months, Allred left for seminary, and Pastor Jon Griebel was assigned to both the Lincoln group as well as the existing Olivehurst church. The group continued to grow when NCC Evangelist Brent Brussett held a seminar about the book of Daniel in March 2005 and a Revelation seminar that September. These seminars resulted in 13 baptisms and raised attendance considerably.
As the Methodist church began to burst at the seams, the group decided to look for a larger church to rent. Griebel located a prospect, and with the help and blessings of the NCC, the Lincoln group leased a state-of-the-art, 400-seat facility in a newly-opened retirement community.
But, as had happened several times before, the pastor was called to another assignment. The members were thankful when Pastor Daryl Crouch was appointed to the group last November.
On Jan. 14, more than 200 people attended a special vespers program during which the group rededicated itself to the Lord. The Lincoln group is planning to team up with Amazing Facts next spring to do a full evangelistic series. Both Amazing Facts College of Evangelism students and Lincoln members will be doing extensive work before and after the series, respectively.
In the past three months, the average Sabbath attendance has gone from about 50 to nearly 120. The NCC is recognizing the Lincoln Amazing Grace Seventh-day Adventist group as an official company this month, and the members plan to keep their numbers growing.
