God In Us

One of my favorite lines from The Chronicles of Narnia is when Mr. Beaver tells the children, "Aslan is on the move." Aslan, of course, represents Christ. As I reflect on this summer across the Southern California District, I can't help but think the same thing: Christ is on the move!

In so many ways, this has been a summer marked by God's presence, especially among our children and teenagers. That's something worth saying, "Amen!"

Sherri and I had the incredible privilege of joining nearly 60 SoCal students and leaders in Salt Lake City for NYC 2026, where we gathered with more than 10,000 Nazarene students and leaders from around the world. It was one of the most inspiring conferences we've ever experienced.

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The presence of God was evident in every worship service and gathering. What we witnessed was far more than emotion—it was the Holy Spirit speaking, challenging, transforming, and calling people to a deeper walk with Christ. We celebrated what God is doing around the world, and I truly believe those of us who attended returned home changed. I especially saw that God is in us as I watched our own SoCal students and leaders respond to His voice.

Only a few days later, we experienced another incredible move of God at Teen Camp at Camp Idyllwild. From the very first evening until the closing service, God's presence was unmistakable. Once again, this was much more than an emotional experience. We estimate that nearly 150 students from the Southern California and Anaheim Districts made life-changing decisions to follow Christ.

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Many of us had the privilege of praying with students as they surrendered their lives to Jesus, answered calls to ministry, and made commitments that will shape the rest of their lives. I don't often see young people respond with such openness and sincerity. It is clear to me that God is doing something extraordinary in this generation—not only in Southern California, but around the world. Because of that, I have more hope than ever for the future of our district and our denomination.

Following Teen Camp, we enjoyed an outstanding Children's Camp, where once again God's presence was evident. We are blessed with exceptional leaders who genuinely love and invest in the lives of our children and teenagers. I want to express my sincere gratitude to every volunteer, pastor, counselor, and leader who gave their time and energy to make these camps possible.

One of the challenges I want to place before every church over the next few years is this: Let's continue investing intentionally in children and youth ministry. Everywhere I travel across our district, I'm seeing encouraging signs that God is raising up the next generation. As a district, we are committed to providing resources, encouragement, and support to help every church reach children, teens, and families with the hope of Christ.

As we move into the fall, let's also continue praying for those in our district who have faced difficult circumstances this summer. Please remember Pastor Luis Morales from Mid City Church as he continues recovering from a serious accident. Pray for his wife, Victoria, their two sons, and the entire Mid City congregation. We also know of several others across our district who are facing significant health challenges. We continue to believe in the healing power of Jesus and lift each of them before the Lord.

Our Southern California District mission statement remains:

"Lost and broken people matter to God. Lost and broken people matter to us."

Our theme this year is "God in Us." More than a slogan, it's a question we should continually ask ourselves.

Is God in us?

Is His presence evident in our churches, our ministries, and our communities? What stories are we seeing? What lives are being changed? What evidence reminds us that God is at work among us?

If your church has experienced something special—a testimony, an outreach, a baptism, or another highlight—I would love to hear about it. And if you have pictures, even better! Sharing these stories encourages all of us as we keep the main thing the main thing: helping people know Jesus.

Finally, please know that it is one of the greatest privileges of Sherri's and my lives to serve alongside each of you. Thank you for your faithfulness, your friendship, and your love for the Kingdom. If there's ever anything we can do for you, please don't hesitate to reach out. I would also love the opportunity to visit your church and see firsthand what God is doing in your community.

We love each of you. Thank you for loving us.

Rev. Shawn Siegfreid

District Superintendent

Southern California District Church of the Nazarene