The Northern California Conference African-American Convocation held part of its services in a non-African-American church in Lodi, Calif., which nicely signaled the diversity that prevailed during the weekend’s events.

The annual convocation, which took place Oct. 10-11, presented the gospel from fresh perspectives with the theme “Same Gospel—New Approach?”

“The gospel is the same," said Virgil Childs, NCC African-American ministries coordinator, "but we chose to present it in a different way this year, to bridge the gap between our cultures. And there is more to come.”

The Friday evening service featured a diverse program that included Jose Rojas, keynote speaker, and Rolando Santos, pianist. From the melody on keyboards by Santos to the story of how Jesus called His disciples to “follow me,” the idea of a new approach was evident. Rojas moved the audience from Bethany to Judea, as Jesus gathered his disciples. Rojas preached to the audience using the rythmic “call and response" style, most often employed by African-American preachers.

Rojas and Santos, both of Latino ethnicity, were well received by the predominately African-American audience.

Soulful sounds of vintage gospel were provided by the Morgan Family Choir and Jacqueline Tolbert. Tolbert, a victim of Hurricane Katrina and a breast cancer survivor, was featured throughout the weekend.

The evening also featured Pastor Paul Siope, originally from Papua New Guinea, who spoke to the youth and teens and was also the divine hour speaker on Sabbath.

The Sabbath morning services were held at the Stockton Christian Life Center to accommodate more than 2,300 adults, teens and children. J.L. Thompson, associate pastor of the Oakland Market Street church, presented the early morning power hour and Dr. David Taylor taught the Sabbath School lesson. Taylor, interim Dean of the Faculty of Religion, 2004 to 2007, Loma Linda University, has been a professor of Religion since 1994.

Lay evangelist Mario Navarro, Jr., was the keynote speaker for the youth services. Navarro became a Seventh-day Adventist in 2001 and graduated from the Amazing Facts College of Evangelism in 2004. He currently works as a lay evangelist for the Fairfield church and often shares his faith with young people.

Paul Siope was no stranger to this convocation. Last year, he spoke for the Friday night service. Siope and his wife, Fiona, planted a multi-cultural church called Xcell Church in Southern California. He challenged the congregation to “Step up, step out and step in for Christ in these last days,” warning everyone that telling the gospel story is not an option, but a command.

Katherine McCoy, director of Saving Health Ministries, was one of the afternoon workshop presenters. McCoy’s message focused on reversing diabetes and obesity. Pastor Arthur and Esmie Branner provided couples with counsel for a healthy marriage and family life. The youth rap session was facilitated by Thaddeus Jackson.

Returning for the vesper service on Sabbath evening, Rojas warmed hearts with his account of Martin Luther King, Jr. laying down his life for garbage workers. He told the listeners that Christ expected no less from them.

The diversity of the convocation was not just from the pulpit. From the pulpit to the balcony the worshippers demonstrated the array of cultural diversity in northern California.

“It was just the way God intended,” said Childs, “Same Gospel—New Approach.”

Audio and video disks of this event are available through the NCC African-American Ministries department. E-mail rwilson@ncc.adventist.org.