The entire membership is only eight people-to be exact, four families and assorted children. To be sure, there are often numerous enthusiastic and loyal visiting friends, but they are a bonus. You see, Trinity is a lay effort, a tribute to the working of the Holy Spirit and the spirit of dedicated laypeople.
Friends and church families were astonished. Surprisingly, the little company faced a barrage of criticism from within their own church fellowships. Members of established churches in the area could not believe it was likely, maybe even legal, for a church to be launched without the benefit of an evangelistic effort or a preacher. Others were certain that the little group had most certainly apostatized and become some kind of splinter group. Still others sent prayerful messages for the group to come to their senses and come "home." But the little group clung to their vision.
In time the group found a Baptist congregation with an enlightened minister who encouraged his church board to rent to them. Prior contacts and witnessing in the community began to pay off. The Baptist congregation was kind and considerate. They charged very little for rent. Trinity rented the building for almost three years. Then some disgruntled Baptists, at a sparsely attended business meeting, pushed through a motion to increase the rent paid by the small group by a sizable amount. The Baptists who missed the meeting were so incensed by the decision that they apologized profusely to Trinity, and several of the Baptists secretly made donations to Trinity to help pay the rent on their own building.
A strong bond had formed between the two groups, but the Trinity members knew that to grow they needed to have their own facility.
In the Highways and Byways
Although they had no money, the members searched diligently for property to have their own building. They had some new members. Rozell Lawrence, a longtime Adventist, who had dreamed in his youth of being a missionary in a far-off land, felt the call to a mission only 50 miles away from his home. He joined the little church, bringing his invaluable experience and his whole family, at first visiting, then moving to the country.
Still, the group's financial resources were slim. They had no building fund; only a few of the group had full-time jobs; two retired members and two stay-at-home mothers with small children completed the congregation. But they had faith and some supportive conference officials, so they kept looking.
At various times the group considered mobile homes, steel pole buildings, abandoned halls, and small houses. In a rural area existing church buildings are few and expensive. One building was periodically up for sale. Manuel Clay made inquiries on a whim and found, predictably, that the asking price was $110,000-without furniture, far beyond the price range of Trinity. A "sold" sign appeared on the building shortly thereafter. Although members kept a wistful eye on that property, no one considered it seriously.
But the "For Sale" sign went back up. Then the building appeared to be occupied, but it proved to be only rented out, and so it went. It was sold and then back for sale with a different real estate office.
The members continued to search high and low.
Ask, and It Shall Be
Providentially, someone decided to check on the little church again. It was back on the market. Trinity members decided to make an offer based on what they could afford, not what the church was worth, and trust God to do the bargaining. Of course their offer was ridiculously low and was promptly refused.
Trinity members decided to raise their ridiculous offer a few more thousand dollars and try again. The conference president visited, liked the building, and encouraged the group. The conference treasurer continued to be supportive in spite of the group's financial picture. The real estate agent delayed responding to Trinity's counteroffer. No one would admit it, but members would secretly have been relieved to have their offer rejected, because even the low offer was going to be difficult for them to afford.
Then came the startling response: the offer was accepted. Although there was no money for a down payment, members rejoiced. Even greater rejoicing took place when the union conference decided to finance the mortgage 100 percent. Later members learned that the union officials had first looked at Trinity's membership and finances and logically replied that there was no way four families with no pastor could buy or support a church building. But the Holy Spirit and a conference president who promised that the conference would stand behind the loan swayed the union officials. The conference treasurer declared, "If you let those people have that building, they will pay for it."
Doors Keep Opening
Miracles continued, one after another, too numerous to list in full.
A short list includes:
A small group asked to rent the new building for their Sunday services, providing a source of income and built-in witnessing opportunities.
An out-of-town guest came, saw the outdated but serviceable carpet, and left a large donation to replace it with a more attractive carpet.
A member answered an ad for an organ for sale for $250, inexpensive because the owner wasn't sure it worked. The group didn't even have $250 to pay, but after hearing about the church, the seller decided to donate the organ. When members moved it into the sanctuary, it not only played, but matched the blond sanctuary furniture perfectly.
A professional sewer from another church volunteered to make window coverings at her own expense.
A nursing home where one member worked remodeled a wing of the facility and donated the entire contents of the old wing to the church for use or resale. In good condition, the donated furnishings included two large freezers, an industrial stove, comfortable armchairs, etc.
Another person donated a discarded copier that needed only minor repairs.
And so it went. With a redecorating budget of only $500, members and friends cleaned, painted, and brought materials from home to prepare for the church's grand opening.
In an unprecedented outpouring
of support, area churches closed or left skeleton crews at home and attended Trinity that day. The church and its offering baskets overflowed. Many brought crisp $100 bills. Choirs, ushers, deacons, and deaconesses from the churches stepped in to assist the eight regular members of Trinity. A camp meeting atmosphere prevailed as visitors piled in bringing baskets of food for a fellowship dinner.
Poised for Growth
Since its grand opening Trinity has continued to thrive. Mortgage payments are made on time, sometimes with a little extra to go toward the principal. Trinity members meet financial goals similar to those of much larger churches. Recently Trinity members had the highest tithe receipt per capita in the conference. Trinity members have hosted a Visitors' Day, Community Guest Day, literature evangelists rally, and other special events. Area local elders make Trinity a mission field and regularly preach to the little church as fervently as if hundreds of people filled the pews. Dedicated Christians come out to the country for the Sabbath, bringing special offerings. Area musicians bring their talents. New families visit and begin to look for property in the area. And every Sabbath there's a fellowship dinner.
The bulletin reads, "Trinity Seventh-day Adventist Church-We're on a Mission."
It's Sabbath. Eight people are scattered throughout the sanctuary. Everybody's here. But more are coming.
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Anita L. Clay is a teacher and one of the eight founding members of the Trinity Seventh-day Adventist Church, near St. Louis, Missouri.
HEN THE MEMBERS OF TRINITY Seventh-day Adventist Church in Villa Ridge, Missouri, look around and see only eight people scattered throughout a building designed to seat 250, they smile happily. It's a good Sabbath. Everyone is present.
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