Azure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church

Dr. Nicholas Miller: Prophecy & Politics Today: Rev 13. Christian Nationalism & the Fight for Liberty

This presentation and open discussion was led by Dr. Nicholas Miller, Seminary professor and religious liberty attorney. Together, we explored how Revelation 13 speaks to current political realities—from Christian nationalism and the rule of law to immigration, ICE, and recent Supreme Court decisions.

Join us for live worship every Saturday at 9am and 11:45am in Grand Terrace. Our address is 22633 Barton Rd, Grand Terrace CA, 92313--Hope to see you soon!

Connect with us:

Instagram: @azurehills

Facebook: Azure Hills Church

Website: azurehills.org

Podcasts: Spotify/Apple/PodBean @Azure Hills SDA Church

Online Giving: If you would like to support Azure Hills Church and its ministries, visit Adventist Giving: https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANPMBQ/envelope/start

The Narrow Way: The Bridge Between Us | Pastor Daniel Xisto

“Love your enemies.” It’s one of Jesus’ most quoted commands—and one of His most misunderstood and difficult. What did Jesus really mean when He said it? Does loving our enemies mean staying silent in the face of harm? Pretending everything is okay? Agreeing with people who’ve wounded us?

This Sabbath at Azure Hills, in a message titled "The Bridge Between Us," Pastor Daniel takes us deeper into Matthew 5:43–48, where Jesus calls us to a love that breaks boundaries—a love that refuses to play favorites, a love that isn’t soft but strong, not passive but deeply intentional. Together, we’ll name the false assumptions that keep us from this kind of radical love—and explore how to love the way Jesus loves. Be ready to be challenged. Be ready to see love in a new light. Because when we love like this… we show the world what God is like.

 

Join us for live worship every Saturday at 9am and 11:45am in Grand Terrace. Our address is 22633 Barton Rd, Grand Terrace CA, 92313--Hope to see you soon!

Connect with us:

Instagram: @azurehills

Facebook: Azure Hills Church

Website: azurehills.org

Podcasts: Spotify/Apple/PodBean @Azure Hills SDA Church

Online Giving: If you would like to support Azure Hills Church and its ministries, visit Adventist Giving: https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANPMBQ/envelope/start

The Narrow Way: On Keeping our Word and Getting Even | Pastor Tara VinCross

Jesus’ disciples had an idea of what God’s Kingdom, i.e. "the good life" would be like. But it wasn’t same picture Jesus revealed in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus’ words in this message challenged them, showing what it means to truly live pursuing the heart of God. This Sabbath we reflect on Jesus' words in Matthew 5:33-42—words that inspire us to have congruence between what’s in our heart and what’s lived out in our life. Jesus takes us beyond the surface, moving us to a deep life of integrity, with love as our motivation.

 

This Sabbath, Pastor Tara VinCross will preach a message entitled: "The Narrow Way: On Keeping our Word and Getting Even."

What Makes Things Right or Wrong? | Pastor Mike Leno

What makes something right or wrong? Is it the rule of law? Is it an authority? In Matthew 5:21-32, Jesus talks about what fulfilling the law looks like. He goes to the heart of two very prominent commandments, “you shall not murder,” and “you shall not commit adultery.” And he introduces each one by saying, “You have heard… And then he says, ”But I tell you…!”

Pastor Mike Leno will explore what Jesus says about the law and why he says it. The implications, he notes, are astounding and directly relate to our everyday lives.

True North | Pastor Sabina Vieira

The word “true” describes something accurate, constant, and unchanging. In geography, "True North" points directly to the geographic North Pole — the fixed point at the top of the Earth’s axis. Unlike magnetic north, which shifts about 30 miles each year, "True North" stays steady. It’s a reliable guide — and knowing where it is can mean the difference between arriving at your destination or getting lost.

During our VBS week, we taught the kids that Jesus is our True North — the one trustworthy guide for life. He’s the constant we can look to when everything around us feels confusing or unstable. But an honest question still remains — one many of us ask: “Can a God who allows the world to get so wild… really be trusted?”

The Narrow Way: Fulfillment | Pastor Tara VinCross

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus paints a picture of what it means to be part of the Kingdom of God —not a kingdom of violence or domination, but one of hope, marked by mercy, justice, and humble power.

We will reflect on Jesus' words from Matthew 5:17-20—words that inspire us to believe in Jesus as the fulfillment of who we were made to be, and that invite us to hold onto hope for what matters most. Pastor Tara VinCross will preach a message entitled: "The Narrow Way: Fulfillment."

The Narrow Way: Jesus’ Message from the Mountain, pt.2 | Pastor Gabriel Morales

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus paints a picture of what it means to be part of His kingdom—not a kingdom of violence or domination, but a subversive one that is marked by mercy, justice, and humble power. This Sabbath we reflect on His words from Matthew 5:13–16—words that call us to be salt and light. These are not just poetic metaphors. They are a summons. A mission. A sacred calling. Pastor Gabriel Morales will preach a message entitled: "The Narrow Way: Salt and Light."

The Narrow Way: Jesus' Message from the Mountain, pt. 1 | Pastor Daniel Xisto

Pastor Daniel kicks off Azure Hills’ summer series "The Narrow Way" with Matthew 5:1–12—Jesus’ most iconic and subversive teaching. Though it spans just three chapters (Matthew 5–7), the Sermon on the Mount completely redefines what it means to live a good life. What if blessing doesn’t look like success? What if the kingdom belongs not to the strong but to the poor in spirit? In a world chasing power, applause, and performance, Jesus offers something radically different. He invites us into the narrow way—not a rigid or rule-heavy path, but the Jesus way—a way marked by mercy, honesty, courage, justice, and deep trust in a God who draws near to the broken.

Beware the Travel Brochure | Dr. Gilbert Valentine

We are excited to have Dr. Gilbert Valentine as our guest speaker!

Dr. Valentine is a respected Adventist scholar and educator who, even in retirement, continues to teach occasionally at the H.M.S. Richards Divinity School at La Sierra University in California.

Originally from New Zealand, Dr. Valentine has served the Adventist Church in pastoral ministry, youth leadership, and higher education around the world—including in Pakistan, England, Thailand, Australia, and his home country.

He is widely recognized for his work in Adventist history and Ellen White studies. His writings include several major biographies and books exploring the development of Adventist thought, leadership, and prophetic identity. His forthcoming biography of theologian Edward Heppenstall is expected to be released by Pacific Press this summer.

Dr. Valentine is also a beloved member of our Azure Hills Church family. He and his wife, Dr. Kendra Haloviak Valentine, live in Riverside, where he enjoys cycling through the citrus groves near their home.

The title of Dr. Valentine's message this is “Beware the Travel Brochure." Here's a preview: "Sometimes our experience at a destination does not match what the glossy travel brochures promised. What do we do when that reflects our experience in the church? The assurance that Jesus is the builder of the church assures us that though the development process might at times be messy and uncomfortable, the community being built is strong. Jesus is an experienced builder. What can we learn from Jesus' confidence in the future of the church?" - Dr. Gilbert Valentine

Mighty to Save | Pastor Daniel Xisto

This week’s message walks us through Daniel chapter 6—but not just as a story about lions and deliverance. We’ll uncover how this ancient story points directly to Jesus, the One who was consumed so that we could be saved. We’ll also reflect on how unjust systems—then and now—target those who seek peace, justice, and truth. In a world full of modern-day lion’s dens, we are reminded: "our God is still mighty to save."