Jim Pimentel Serves as Pastor to Small Schools
 Jim Pimentel is a circuit-riding pastor, much like the nineteenth-century men who traveled and ministered to remote communities—except instead of riding a horse, he drives a Ford Taurus.
On July 1, Pimentel pioneered a new position in the Northern California Conference: youth pastor/chaplain to small schools (those with only one or two teachers). This position is one of the three special mission projects for which the NCC is raising one million dollars in its Be Bold For God campaign.
The idea came from a group of small school principals and teachers, who “kicked the idea around” during a brain storming session, said Georgine Hultz, principal of Crescent City SDA School. “It was a developing idea that grew over the next couple years” as they discussed it with conference officials.
“Students in one- and two-teacher schools have limited interaction with other Adventist youth and also have fewer opportunities to connect with church leaders,” said Berit von Pohle, NCC superintendent of education. “The idea was to provide additional spiritual leadership to these small schools, provide connections with these students, and also provide support to the pastors of smaller churches who minister to multiple congregations.”
Pimentel’s parish is a large one—twenty schools spread throughout the conference. During his first three and a half days on the job, Pimentel said he drove 1,281 miles as he visited five of the schools to get acquainted with teachers.
He said he has three objectives as he begins his job: “Be in the schools frequently to get to know the kids. Be involved in longer-term visits—weeks of prayer, overnight campouts, and other projects. And raise the vision level of the kids to the wider sphere of the church and the world-wide potential of serving their church.”
Other plans include conducting interactive worship services via video conferencing, acquainting the schools with each other, teaching baptismal classes, and introducing the kids to Leoni Meadows, Rio Lindo Adventist Academy and Pacific Union College.
Lynal Ingham, NCC associate superintendent of education, hopes that having a youth pastor in common will give students from small schools “a common bond, an extended community” and help them feel “supported and loved.”
“They have chosen the right person. He’s very social and open to listening to new ideas,” said Hultz, who said she expects five or six students to enroll at her school this fall.
“We are so grateful for support from the conference,” said Mary Elaine Mercill, Hayfork SDA School principal, who expects seven to nine students in the new school year.
A former youth director in three conferences, Pimentel is a ministry veteran of 36 years, 21 of those in youth work.
“Pastor Pimentel has the right skill set for this new position! He's excited, and so are we, to see this project become reality,” said NCC President Jim Pedersen. “I'm confid ent that through Jim's ministry our education system will be enriched, and the lives of our young people will be changed for eternity.”
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