2026 NCC Advantage Awards

The 2026 NCC Advantage Awards once again proved that when clarity, mission, and people align, impact grows. Each year, this event builds a clear and shared understanding of what success looks like in ministry—not just by activity but by alignment with mission and values. In doing so, it strengthens culture, creates momentum, and empowers leaders across churches and schools to replicate what works.

Rooted in Northern California Conference’s (NCC) commitment to enhance clarity across the conference, the awards honor pastors and educators who exemplify the values that drive our mission forward: contagious kindness, a servant’s heart, passionate hard work, community relevance, organizational health, and a mission-driven focus.

Marc Woodson, NCC president, stated in his address: “The individuals we recognize tonight represent decades of dedication to God’s work. Some of them have served for three years, others for more than 50 years. Yet every one of them shares a common commitment: to serve Jesus and help others experience His love.”

This year’s event is strengthened by partnerships with Adventist Health, which continues to extend Christ’s healing ministry not only through clinical excellence but also through strategic collaboration in promoting community well-being and spiritual impact; Maranatha International; Pacific Union Conference; and The Table Group, whose investments reflect a shared commitment to advancing mission through strong, aligned leadership.

By elevating real examples of mission in action, NCC creates a shared understanding of what effective ministry looks like across churches and schools. Each nomination is submitted by their peers—leaders who have witnessed firsthand their character, commitment, and impact—making this recognition even more meaningful.

2026 Nominees by Award Category

Contagious Kindness

Pastors: Adam Weeks (Auburn), Filipe Ferreira (Red Bluff), Jeff Richards (Grass Valley)

Educators: Chloe Mapa (El Dorado Adventist School), Lorelie Krussow (Pine Hills Adventist Academy), Nancy Matthews (Vacaville Adventist Christian School)

Servant’s Heart

Pastors: Benji Ferguson (Carmichael), Josie Asencio (Antioch), Young Jin Kim (Sacramento Korean)

Educators: Amanda Gurr (Feather River Adventist School), Beatrice Ahn (Tracy Adventist Christian Elementary School), Kathyrine Schroer (Sacramento Adventist Academy)

Passionate Hard Work

Pastors: Eleazar Famorcan (All Nations Church of Elk Grove & American Canyon Fil-Am), Jaime Calvo (North Highlands, Sacramento, & Woodland Spanish), Sasa Andelkovic (Sacramento Yugoslavian & West Sacramento)

Educators: Brad Davis (Orangevale Adventist School), Chloe Mapa (El Dorado Adventist School), Nancy Matthews (Vacaville Adventist Christian School)

Mission-Driven

Pastors: Bob Parrish (Mount Shasta), Jeffrey Walper (Granite Bay Hilltop), Manny Gonzales (Lodi
English Oaks)

Educators: Brad Davis (Orangevale Adventist School), Ryan Thomas (Pine Hills Adventist Academy), Sarah Danielle Sinz (Lodi Adventist Academy)

Community Relevance 

Pastors: Rob Benardo (Sacramento Central),
Stennett Nash (Hayward Spanish), Vicky Nelson
(Lodi English Oaks)

Educators: Alexis Hasse (Echo Ridge Christian School), Lisa Bissell Paulson (Redwood Adventist Academy), Matthew Jakobsons (Sacramento Adventist Academy)

Engaged & Enthusiastic 

Pastors: David Woolcock (Upper Lake and Lakeport), Jose Diaz (Fairfield & Vallejo Spanish), Nate Furness (Pacific Union College)

Educators: Duncan Paniagua (Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy), Matthew Jakobsons (Sacramento Adventist Academy), Nicholas Sigler (Rio Lindo Adventist Academy)

Organizational Health 

Pastors: Damon Washington (Pittsburg &
Oakland Emmanuel Temple), Mel Baga (Auburn), Zachary Reiber (Paradise)

Educators: Carrie Copithorne (Redding Adventist Academy), Leslie Bartsch (Chico Oaks Adventist School), Rick Nelson (Ukiah Junior Academy)

In a region as diverse and complex as Northern California, advancing the gospel requires clarity, encouragement, and alignment. The NCC Advantage Awards help create that environment by recognizing leaders who are not only active but also effective in connecting people to an abundant life in Jesus Christ.

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By Laurie Trujillo

NCC Advantage Awards 2026 demostraron una vez más que cuando la claridad, la misión y las personas se alinean, el impacto crece. Cada año ese evento establece una comprensión clara y compartida de cómo es el éxito en el ministerio, no solo por la actividad, sino también por la alineación con la misión y los valores. Al hacerlo, fortalece la cultura, crea impulso y empodera a líderes de iglesias y escuelas para replicar lo que funciona.

Con base en el compromiso de la Northern California Conference (NCC) por aumentar la claridad en todo su territorio, los premios honran a pastores y educadores que ejemplifican los valores que impulsan nuestra misión: bondad contagiosa, corazón de servicio, trabajo apasionado y firme, relevancia comunitaria, salud organizacional y un enfoque orientado a la misión.

Marc Woodson, presidente de NCC, declaró: «Las personas que reconocemos esta noche representan décadas de dedicación a la obra de Dios. Algunos han servido durante tres años, otros más de 50 años. Sin embargo, cada uno de ellos comparte un compromiso común: servir a Jesús y ayudar a otros a experimentar su amor».

El evento de este año se fortalece gracias a la colaboración con Adventist Health, que continúa ampliando el ministerio de sanación de Cristo no solo a través de la excelencia clínica, sino también mediante la colaboración estratégica para promover el bienestar comunitario y el impacto espiritual; Maranatha International; Pacific Union Conference; y The Table Group, cuyas inversiones reflejan un compromiso compartido de avanzar en la misión mediante un liderazgo sólido y alineado.

Al elevar ejemplos reales de misión en acción, NCC crea una comprensión común de cómo es un ministerio eficaz en iglesias y escuelas. Cada nominación es presentada por sus compañeros —líderes que han sido testigos directos de su carácter, compromiso e impacto— haciendo que ese reconocimiento sea aún más significativo.

Nominados 2026 por categoría de premios

Bondad contagiosa

Pastores: Adam Weeks (Auburn), Filipe Ferreira (Red Bluff), Jeff Richards (Grass Valley)

Educadores: Chloe Mapa (El Dorado Adventist School), Lorelie Krussow (Pine Hills Adventist Academy), Nancy Matthews (Vacaville Adventist Christian School)

Corazón de Sirviente

Pastores: Benji Ferguson (Carmichael), Josie Asencio (Antioch), Young Jin Kim (Coreano de Sacramento)

Educadores: Amanda Gurr (Escuela Adventista Feather River), Beatrice Ahn (Escuela Primaria Cristiana Adventista Adventista Tracy), Kathyrine Schroer (Academia Adventista de Sacramento)

Trabajo Duro y Apasionado

Pastores: Eleazar Famorcan (Iglesia All Nations de Elk Grove y American Canyon Fil-Am), Jaime Calvo (North Highlands, Sacramento y Woodland Spanish), Sasa Andelkovic (Sacramento Yugoslavian y West Sacramento)

Educadores: Brad Davis (Escuela Adventista de Orangevale), Chloe Mapa (Escuela Adventista El Dorado), Nancy Matthews (Escuela Cristiana Adventista de Vacaville)

Impulsado por la misión

Pastores: Bob Parrish (Mount Shasta), Jeffrey Walper (Granite Bay Hilltop), Manny Gonzales (Lodi English Oaks)

Educadores: Brad Davis (Escuela Adventista de Orangevale), Ryan Thomas (Academia Adventista de Pine Hills), Sarah Danielle Sinz (Academia Adventista de Lodi)

Relevancia para la comunidad 

Pastores: Rob Benardo (Sacramento Central), Stennett Nash (Hayward Spanish), Vicky Nelson (Lodi English Oaks)

Educadores: Alexis Hasse (Echo Ridge Christian School), Lisa Bissell Paulson (Redwood Adventist Academy), Matthew Jakobsons (Sacramento Adventist Academy)

Comprometido y entusiasta 

Pastores: David Woolcock (Upper Lake y Lakeport), Jose Diaz (Fairfield y Vallejo Español), Nate Furness (Pacific Union College)

Educadores: Duncan Paniagua (Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy), Matthew Jakobsons (Sacramento Adventist Academy), Nicholas Sigler (Rio Lindo Adventist Academy)

Salud Organizacional 

Pastores: Damon Washington (Emmanuel Temple de Pittsburg y Oakland), Mel Baga (Auburn), Zachary Reiber (Paradise)

Educadores: Carrie Copithorne (Academia Adventista de Redding), Leslie Bartsch (Escuela Adventista de Chico Oaks), Rick Nelson (Academia Junior de Ukiah)

En una región tan diversa y compleja como el norte de California, avanzar el evangelio requiere claridad, ánimo y alineación. NCC Advantage Awards ayudan a crear ese entorno reconociendo a líderes que no solo son activos, sino también eficaces conectando a las personas con una vida abundante en Jesucristo.

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Por Laurie Trujillo