BY DONALD J. WOOD

From last September until now, 78 people in Regina, the provincial capital of Saskatchewan in western Canada, have joined the Hill Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church; in part because of an It Is Written Prophecy Seminar conducted by evangelist Leo Schreven.

But was it the speaker, or the music, or was it the topics? What attracted these people to the unique beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church? And a year later are they still involved in the life of the church? With the help of the pastoral team Ian and Averil Cotton, Donald J. Wood surveyed, visited, and called on 45 of the new members of the Hill Avenue church to see how well rooted they were a year following the church’s evangelistic emphasis.—Editors.

Additional Resources

NET Results What happens to people who join the Adventist Church through satellite evangelism? Click here to find out!

he It Is Written Prophecy Seminar, launched last fall, marked the culmination of three years of planning and a year of preparation. According to Pastor Averil Cotton, the work called for “significant sacrifice of time, energy, and money. It also required an outstanding speaker.” Yet the baptismal count at Hill Avenue was not the result of a single event, nor was it merely the product of skillful oratory. The visionary efforts of a former pastor, the powerful presentation of a motivated evangelist, the dedicated direction of a new pastoral team, and the loving support of a friendly congregation all flowed together as a divine signal to a variety of people in Regina that it was time for a change.

Laying a Foundation
In September 1994 David Jamieson took the helm at Hill Avenue. According to Jamieson, now president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Newfoundland and Labrador, the 95 members of Hill Avenue at the time struggled with low morale, meager growth, and pastoral changes that occurred on average every two and a half years.

Jamieson brought to his new post a desire to change that, as well as a passion for the “Caring Church” model of church growth. He saw it as something more than redesigning the church bulletin. To him it spelled vision. Every facet of the church—from administration to programming—needed to reflect the new vision. Rethinking everything, setting vision objectives that meant seeing evangelistic results in every activity, and developing long-term friendship evangelism. Jamieson states, “It meant not compromising the message but updating the methods.”

The newly inspired leaders revamped the Sabbath school by making each class an action unit, ready to receive new members. The church ran pastor’s classes year-round and changed the leadership structure. Then the church implemented a customer service approach, training greeters to recognize guests and make them feel welcome.

To crystallize the new approach, Hill Avenue adopted the motto: “Share the Christ Who Cares.” Jamieson modified the worship style to include praise teams and instituted Family Moments, which highlighted something happening in the congregation and called the church family to special prayer. The time had come to reach out with the new approaches.

“In October 1994 we introduced ‘Friend Day.’ Two hundred fifty visitors attended, including the mayor,” reports Jamieson. Later the church launched its annual Easter pageant—a dramatic musical that has become popular with the church members and the community. For Jamieson, willingness to leave the comfort zone and try new things made the difference. He set goals, and growth began with 25 new members the first year and 25 each year until last year’s It Is Written Prophecy Seminar.

The sanctuary walls of the Hill Avenue church boast a series of banners emblazoned with motivational themes for each year starting in 1994; for example, “1995 Our Year of Adventure!” These banner sayings were more than slogans; they became rallying points in the battle for the lost souls in Regina. Jamieson planned the It Is Written prophecy series as a part of a long-range evangelistic strategy, but before he could realize this dream, he accepted a call to his current post.

Change of Command
Ian Cotton picked up the work at a time when lost momentum could have spelled disaster. But Cotton advanced the effort to fruition, keeping the friendship evangelism and vision objectives alive. He notes, “We arrived in Regina approximately 10 months prior to the start of the Prophecy Seminar

What Works for Me

BY DAN SERNS One of the best ways we’ve found to integrate new members rapidly into the life and mission of the church is home-based Bible classes. People interested in baptism are asked if they are willing to open their home for an hour a week for 14 weeks for a Bible class. They invite their friends and family to attend. A leader and an assistant, recruited from the church family, invite any of their friends and family as well. The new member is in a circle of caring friends as he or she goes through the often radical transition of becoming a Seventh-day Adventist. They become members while learning to open their home for Bible study and learning to share their faith. After baptism (or transfer of membership) we dedicate six months to making sure new members are established in a Sabbath school class (the responsibility of the Sabbath school leaders) and that they find a ministry they enjoy (the responsibility of the personal ministries/lay activities leaders). Church leaders do all they can to “plug them in” rapidly. ____________________ Dan Serns is senior pastor of the Wenatchee Seventh-day Adventist Church, Wenatchee, Washington.

series. Because of the amount of organization that was required prior to these meetings, we had little time to become acquainted with our members through visitation, but we found them to be accepting and trusting of our leadership. We wanted to feel comfortable with our new pastorate before having to assimilate a number of new members into our midst.

As the meetings approached, the tensions associated with taking on a massive evangelistic project in a new pastorate grew. Pastor Cotton shares his view from ground zero: “Excitement resulted from our expectation of seeing God’s hand mightily at work bringing new life into the church and giving a boost to the people who had been so faithful over the years in bearing a witness to the community. Fear loomed as I contemplated that the coordination of the whole affair fell on my shoulders.”

Some of the tension eased when Pastor Cotton learned how much support, encouragement, and enthusiasm were evident in the local congregation. His associate, Rowell Puedivan, took the burden for the children’s ministry along with other members. Others appointed to lead out in various areas of organization were equally diligent.

After the prophecy series Pastor Cotton and the members of the Hill Avenue church were astonished at the privilege of having played a role in the transformation of so many lives but were sobered by the volume of work left to do. “With so many candidates for baptism,” Cotton confessed, “I was too busy to feel the euphoria. The knowledge that we could not even put names to all the faces and that we knew little or nothing about any of them made shepherding almost impossible. I was overwhelmed for a while, as were our members, but excited by the outpouring of the Spirit in our community. We now have a solid core of new people who are active and committed and another group who still remain on the edge of things.”

What the People Say
As of this writing, nearly 80 people have joined the Hill Avenue church; some are still in the valley of decision. Some wrestle with lingering habits; others find themselves unable to match social ties at Hill Avenue with what they had at their previous churches. Finally, some indicate that they know they have found the truth but the services at Hill Avenue are not “lively” enough.

Linda Osiowy

But others have found a home at the Hill Avenue church and are deeply involved in developing a relationship with Christ and with their fellow members.

Linda Osiowy and her husband, Steve, received a Prophecy Seminar flyer in the mail about a week after they had prayed for “some good reason to go to church.” They didn’t feel that they were learning anything at their former church.

“I wanted two things for two years prior to the meetings,” says Linda. “First, to study Revelation and the Second Coming; and second, to be baptized by immersion. These things happened.”

Steve mentions the nonjudgmental atmosphere he and Linda experienced at the Prophecy Seminar. “Being here was as close to the biblical definition of a church family as I have experienced.”

Shelly Magnusson’s background with Christianity was not all that positive. “I’ve always believed in God, but when I came into the fellowship of this church I began to experience the true meaning of life in Christ.” The Prophecy Seminar not only awakened in her a desire to know more about the Bible, it also gave her the tools to help her understand it for herself. “I was never able to understand how to study God’s Word. My lack of knowledge left me in the dark, and I was dependent on others to interpret the Lord’s will for me. Since the meetings,

I am able to let the Word be my guide. I can now spend time every day looking for what He wants me to learn.”

Laura Grant and Charlotte Kessler have been friends from childhood. This relationship played a key role in bringing salvation to both of their homes.

“I heard about the meetings when Charlotte came to my home to tell me that she had gone to the first meeting,” reports Laura. “I went to the second and every meeting after that. I felt welcomed and loved from day one. I was a Christian before the meetings but not in the same way as today.”

Joan Nelson

Laura comments on some of the lifestyle changes she’s made, while recognizing that there are still challenges she has to face: “Since accepting this truth I have been a better mother and wife. I’m also trying to be more healthy by eating better. I haven’t had a drink of alcohol since the meeting, and I have cut my coffee drinking to almost none. There are challenges, though. My husband doesn’t want any part of the church. I know he loves me; he just doesn’t understand what I’m doing. My ministry for this second year is to bring my family close to God.”

“What I noticed about this church is the friendliness of the people,” says Laura’s friend Charlotte. “There was this sense of belonging. I found that I can have a personal relationship with God. I never knew it could be like this.”

Another important change for Charlotte was beating the smoking habit. “I had been a pack-a-day smoker since age 15. I am now 41. On October 15, 1999, I claimed three Bible promises that Leo showed me: 1 Corinthians 15:57, Romans 6:11, and Romans 13:14. That day I quit smoking with Jesus’ help. I have not smoked or even thought about cigarettes since that day. Through the grace of God, I am a nonsmoker.”

Ian Burton

Dennis Pekush and Dolores Richardson lived together for 18 years before the seminar. They attended the seminar because of a flyer they received in the mail. It came at a time when the two of them were having personal problems, and Dolores’s son from a previous relationship (living in another city) had been asking questions about prophecy and the book of Revelation. Dennis and Dolores attended the meetings to learn more about the book of Revelation, but they came away with a clearer view of God. “I have learned that God is love—not someone who only punishes us,” observes Dolores. “I came from a background of ‘Fear God!’ That meant that if something bad happened, God did it. [But] Leo provided a lot of reassurance of God’s love.”

What Works for Me

BY AL BOOKER Pastoral leadership can be summed up in one word: relationships. Cultivating a relationship with each new member helps them to develop a sense of belonging. To help our new converts achieve a smooth transition, we enroll them in the pastor’s Sabbath school class, where each individual can grow at her or his own pace without compromising God’s principles. The pastor and the assistant teacher of the pastor’s class call new members periodically just to let them know that they are in our thoughts. Potluck meals at the church or at the pastor’s home help new converts feel that they are part of the church family. New members are given opportunities to develop their talents by serving on the usher board, feeding the homeless, singing in one of the church choirs, working in prison ministry, or taking part in Sabbath school programs. Those who like to work behind the scenes are involved in children’s Sabbath school, helping to serve snacks, fixing breakfast on Sabbath mornings, or helping to decorate the church for special projects. We want our new members to develop a witnessing style that will help them share their faith with family, friends, and coworkers. ____________________ Al Booker, Sr., has served the Allegheny West Conference for nine years. He has provided leadership to the Southeast Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cleveland, Ohio, for almost three years.

“We were married after one of the last of the sessions,” announces Dennis. “I realized that something was missing in my life.”

In 1993, at the age of 52, Harvey Barsi left a career as an accountant to hit the road as a trucker, traveling throughout North America. “I’ve been an active believer for many years; I read the Bible a lot,” says Harvey. “The beautiful thing I realized after the meetings and after being a part of this church is that growth can come anytime.” Then speaking about his life after membership, Harvey comments: “I’m grateful that the members of the church opened opportunities for me to be involved. I’m also happy that God has given me a special gift—the gift of nonsmoking.”

Jerry and Judy Stewart are husband and wife. She is a barber, and he teaches security and first aid for a local firm. They had to overcome a bit of fear about the un-known. “I was hesitant at first,” admits Jerry. “Some of the practices seemed different at the beginning, but I became comfortable because of the openness and friendliness of the people. Since accepting this truth, I have become more tolerant, more understanding, and more inquisitive about the Scriptures.”

Judy used her barbering skills on church member Tom Koch for 10 years. He shared his faith in casual conversation, and this served as a positive influence on her life. “I saw myself as a Christian before I came to the meetings,” Judy says, “but now I am more aware of my real relationship with Jesus. Sometimes friends tease me about my new faith, but I am not tempted to leave.”

Joan Nelson was baptized a week prior to my visit. She travels 50 miles round-trip to attend church each week. “I finally found a place where I belong,” she enthuses. “It’s like coming in out of the cold.” The majority of people I associate with on a day-to-day basis are non-Christian. It is such a blessing to be able to spend time with believers.”

Ian Burton’s former pastor in the Pentecostal Church came to some of the meetings. Ian has supplied that pastor with all of the materials made available. “This church is full of love,” states Ian, “love for God, love for souls. They’ve accepted my past alcoholism, cocaine addiction, and the fact that I’m an ex-con. This Adventist community is a small one, but we stand tall for Jesus.”

Arian Ross is Ian’s daughter. Though she has yet to be baptized, she is growing in her conviction and relationship with God. “My goal for this year is to take part in the mission trip to Belize.”

Verla Kostick is amazed by the fellowship among the believers of the Hill Avenue church. “This church community is the warmest and most supportive I have ever experienced. If I have not been able to attend a Sabbath service, I am told I was missed, or I get a phone call to see if I am well.”

Regina, Saskatchewan, is never listed among the world’s most visited, cosmopolitan cities. Yet in this remote midwestern city, the Hill Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church has provided the on-ramp for a small group of pilgrims traveling to the Promised Land.

Throughout North America there are churches, groups, and companies in small towns and large cities in which people are getting to know God by associating with some of His children.

Is your congregation one of them?

_________________________
Donald J. Wood teaches journalism at Howard University in Washington D.C.

Additional Resources: Click here for the NET Results article.