Not even cloudy skies and the threat of rain could dampen the spirits of the nearly 200 worshipers who attended the official grand opening celebration of the All Nations Seventh-day Adventist Church of Elk Grove, held on Dec. 9.
The music-filled celebration signaled the official union of the Sacramento Japanese American Seventh-day Adventist Church, founded in 1962, and the Elk Grove Laguna Seventh-day Adventist Church, founded in 1994. Although the two congregations have been worshiping together since January 2006 under the leadership of Senior Pastor VicLouis Arreola III, on Aug. 19, 2006, they voted to merge. Arreola is assisted by Associate Pastor Saeng Saengthip and Lay Pastoral Assistant Cheng Vang.
As All Nations forges a new identity, its head elder, Brent Lindgren, reminded the congregation of the church’s uniqueness. “All Nations is the culmination of two very different churches. It’s amazing that two congregations with such different histories and different missions have been able to come together and unite.”
Church officials reiterated the message that All Nations represents the diversity that will exist in heaven. “All nations means all people regardless of race or ethnicity,” said Lloyd Sewake, former pastor of the SJA church. “Dear people, heaven will be like this. In heaven there is no difference, because we are all brothers and sisters. What a beautiful concept to remember.”
All Nations’ charter membership of 288 represents 17 countries, and many members were dressed in colorful traditional clothing from Africa, Laos and the Philippines. In addition, welcome greetings were delivered in Jamaican Patois, Japanese, Korean, Lao, Hmong, Tagalog, Spanish, Hawaiian and English.
Also in attendance was Northern California Conference President James Pedersen, who delivered the morning message, and NCC Association Director Dennis Yoshioka, who offered a dedicatory prayer. In addition, Sewake and former EGL church pastor Mike Ward, delivered brief histories of their former respective churches.
“As the church’s shepherd, I fully believe that our congregation was established to proclaim the saving grace of Jesus Christ to all people,” Arreola explained. “I pray that the All Nations church will be a spiritual lighthouse in our community and beyond until Jesus comes again!”
