grew up in the shadows of the White House in Washington, D.C. I drove and walked by it many times and, I must admit, just took it, and all it stands for, for granted. But on June 30, 2001, things were very different. On that day, standing in a crowd by the White house, far different feelings and emotions welled up within me. For this White house--the James and Ellen White house--in Battle Creek, Michigan, should remind all Seventh-day Adventists around the globe that we are a unique people. A blessed people. A chosen people. A people with a powerful message.

James and Ellen White's first home in Battle Creek is the oldest Adventist landmark still standing in the Washington Heights area of that city. Its dedication drew a large crowd of Adventists and non-Adventists alike, including Battle Creek mayor Mark Behnke and Michigan state representative Mark Schauer.

The highlight of the weekend began Sabbath afternoon with the dedication ceremony. What the White House in Washington, DC, is to Americans--an icon of personal freedom, individual rights, and unequaled power on earth--the White house in Washington Heights is to Adventists: a symbol of prophetic fulfillment, God's care for His people, and of their link to unlimited power above. As Adventist Historic Village director Stanley Cottrell said: "It all started here. This is the story we want to tell--how it all got started."

As I stood in front of that beautiful, meticulously restored home, what impressed me the most was the thought of how many great men and women of God--people of faith, vision, intellect, and integrity--had graced that humble home with their presence. J. N. Loughborough. J. N. Andrews. W. A. Spicer. James White. Ellen White. Uriah Smith. John Harvey Kellogg. A. T. Jones. E. H. Waggoner. The list is as long and impressive as the visitor's list to that other White House.

Ellen White called this home her "dream home," because it was the only home that she, James, and all of her children lived in at the same time. It was also in her simple upstairs bedroom that she began chronicling the details of one of her greatest, most impressive "dreams," The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan, perhaps the most influential book to come from the heart of heaven through her pen.

Referring to that event, James R. Nix, chairman of the Adventist Heritage Ministry board and director of the Ellen G. White Estate, said during the dedication ceremony that "it's not so much the accuracy of the restoration that is most impressive, but rather what happened inside it. It's the teachings that came from this house," Nix said. "The house is so special because of the inside."

After Nix's comments, Kenneth H. Wood, chairman of the White Estate, challenged his audience to remember the vision of the world church that started here and to carry the torch on to its successful triumph. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed his dedication prayer.

DID THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BEGIN HERE: A copy of the chair in the bedroom where Ellen White wrote the first edition of The Great Controversy.

As I walked through the White's house on a guided tour, the simplicity and functionality of the home impressed me deeply. With great care and careful attention to accuracy, contractor Buddy Oliver oversaw the entire project. The simple two-story home on Wood Street took about three years and untold hours of volunteer labor to restore to its 1856 condition and is decorated with period furnishings similar to what the White family may have had.

Visitors not only toured this early Advent home, but enjoyed guided tours of other early Advent homes in the village, each rich in stories of God's guidance, miracles, and the efforts, prayers, and sacrifice it took to start this great Bible-based, prophetic movement. My family and I were especially moved as we assembled in the old meeting house where Jim Nix and others related its history and we then sang the most popular old Advent hymns. What struck me was the depth of theology in those old songs, how they pointed us to Bible themes and doctrines, and challenged us to victory, perseverance, diligence, and a missionary spirit.

Mayor Behnke's words showed the interest of the entire community in this unique slice of the city. "On behalf of the citizens of Battle Creek, we would like to say, 'Thank you.' And why would we say thank you? Because you have done so much for our community that there is no way we can ever pay you back. We've enjoyed the relationship and this relationship is just starting to grow. So all of the citizens of the city of Battle Creek say, 'Thank you very much. We appreciate it.'"

State Representative Schauer agreed: "I just want to add my thanks and congratulations to everyone who have made this possible. This really has been a community effort, a community of God, a ministry in action."

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Dane Griffin is associate communication director for the Michigan Conference.