The ultimate sacrifice for human sin was announced by our Lord Jesus as He cried out from His cross under the wrath of the Father, “It is finished!.”
Join us as we walk through the Gospel and what exactly was finished on that cross 2000 years ago. Why does sin still exist, and unbelievers continue to prosper if it is finished? And what about the “two phased atonement” that Adventism teaches? These questions and more will be addressed.
We are looking forward to seeing you in person at the twenty-first annual Southern California Former Adventist Fellowship Conference, “It Is Finished”. Dale Ratzlaff’s book The Cultic Doctrine of Seventh-day Adventism will be gifted to each conference attendee.
Our venue is intimate. You will not be lost in a crowd and there will be many opportunities to fellowship and grow new friendships. Because of our limited size, there is only room for 100 attendees.
PARTICIPANTS
STEVENSON
OZOLINS
CAREY
BUFFONE
TINKER
INRIG
STEVENSON
TINKER
BABER
TINKER
Schedule
Friday, February 13, 2026
ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION | 8:30–9:15 AM
SESSION 1 | 9:30–10:30 AM
Worship Singing with Kaspars Ozolins and Roy Tinker
WHAT DOES “FINISHED” MEAN? | GARY INRIG
Jesus said that “it is finished.” What does the Greek word behind the word “finished” really say?
SESSION 2 | 11:00–12:00 PM BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Four sessions to choose among on current issues and a Q&A
JIM BABER, CAREL STEVENSON, NIKKI STEVENSON, MARTIN CAREY, COLLEEN TINKER, RICHARD TINKER
LUNCH (Provided)
SESSION 3 | 1:00–2:15 PM
Worship Singing with Kaspars Ozolins and Roy Tinker
Faith Story: Beverly Bessada
ADVENTISM’S TWO-PHASED ATONEMENT | KASPARS OZOLINS
Adventism has the answer to what was finished, and what wasn’t finished. Find out why they don’t believe in the finished atonement—and can’t.
SESSION 4 | 2:30–3:30 PM BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Four sessions to choose among on current issues and a Q&A
JIM BABER, CAREL STEVENSON, NIKKI STEVENSON, MARTIN CAREY, COLLEEN TINKER, RICHARD TINKER
SESSION 5 | 4:00–4:45 PM
THE SOURCE OF ADVENTISM’S ATONEMENT | MARTIN CAREY
From where did Adventism develop the teaching of the non-finished and ongoing atonement?
DINNER (Provided)
SESSION 6 | 6:30–8:30 PM
Worship Singing with Kaspars Ozolins and Roy Tinker
BRAZIL—THE CENTER OF ADVENTISM | DEBBIE BUFFONE
Debbie Buffone heads up the Life Assurance Ministries’ outreach to Brazil. She brings news of the first annual Former Adventist Conference that occurred last summer in Brazil. She will also share an open letter to Erton Kohler, Adventism’s new General Conference president for whom she formerly worked in the South American Division youth department.
THE ADVENTIST JESUS FINISHED NOTHING | JIM BABER
What does it mean to Christiology when the words of Jesus are reinterpreted? Does Adventism believe in a different Jesus?
Q & A | KASPARS OZOLINS, JIM BABER, MARTIN CAREY, COLLEEN TINKER, NIKKI STEVENSON, RICHARD TINKER
Saturday, February 14, 2026
REGISTRATION | 8:30–9:30 AM
SESSION 7 | 9:30–10:30 AM
Worship Singing with Kaspars Ozolins and Roy Tinker
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY DEMANDS FALSE ATONEMENT | COLLEEN TINKER
Colleen will show how Adventism’s doctrine of The Great Controversy results in false teachings on the meaning of the cross.
SESSION 8 | 10:45–11:45 AM
WHAT DOES ATONEMENT SAVE US FROM? IS HELL REAL? | KASPARS OZOLINS
Why is atonement so important to understand correctly? Why does it matter if there is a hell or heaven?
LUNCH (Provided)
SESSION 9 | 1:00–2:15 PM
Worship Singing with Kaspars Ozolins and Roy Tinker
Faith Story: Austin Werk
HOW CAN I BE SURE TO RECEIVE ATONEMENT? | COLLEEN TINKER
In this session Colleen will answer the question, “Why does atonement matter?” She will share the Gospel message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and how you can be sure of your own atonement.
SESSION 10 | 2:30–3:30 PM
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Four sessions to choose among on current issues and a Q&A
JIM BABER, CAREL STEVENSON, NIKKI STEVENSON, MARTIN CAREY, COLLEEN TINKER, RICHARD TINKER
SESSION 11 | 4:00–5:00 PM
Former Adventist Podcast—Live! | NIKKI AND COLLEEN
“THE CROSS MATTERS”
DINNER (Provided)
SESSION 12 | 6:15–7:30 PM
Worship Singing with Kaspars Ozolins and Roy Tinker
“YOUR TESTIMONIES”| RICHARD TINKER
Closing Song: “In Christ Alone” with Kaspars Ozolins and Roy Tinker
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2026
CHURCH | 9:30 AM
Worship Singing with Kaspars Ozolins and Roy Tinker
SERMON | GARY INRIG
BREAK | 11:00 AM –12:00 PM
FELLOWSHIP LUNCH | 12:00–4:00 PM
Hosted at local home (map will be provided)
2026 Conference Registration
February 13–15, 2026
$150/person suggested donation. DONATE
Email the following information to FormerAdventist@Gmail.com.
- Name, home city and state, and email address of each person attending
- Day(s) attending (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
- Vegetarian (Yes or No)
Click here to open email and fill in answers.
Want to talk to someone about the conference? Phone 1-909-430-1921 during business hours.
Space is limited to the first 100 persons to register. Do it now!
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