ne of the tremendous blessings of being a pastor is witnessing the amazing ways that God works in the lives of individuals who are seeking Him. This is my small part in one such story.

It was Saturday night and we were having a church social when I received a phone call from a young man who wanted to talk with a Seventh-day Adventist pastor. He had been watching Doug Batchelor on 3ABN and had numerous questions regarding the Bible.

As he began to share his journey with me, I immediately sensed that this man was honestly seeking truth. He was eager to learn what the Bible taught and open to God's leading. For the next couple of hours, we examined various Scriptures together over the phone and although being convicted of truth, he shared that he still had some issues to work out. He was quite involved with a large congregation in town and the decision to change churches would be a very difficult one to make. Before finishing, we prayed together. I also invited him to visit our church some time in the near future.

When I hung up, I was in awe. Clearly God had been working in his life and had provided this unique opportunity for us to visit over the phone. I felt this would not be the last time I would be in contact with him. I shared what had just happened with my wife and we prayed for the young man before going to bed that night.

The next Sabbath we had a major snow storm so there was only a small group at church. We decided to hold an informal service of singing, praying, and sharing. I shared the conversation of talking to an anonymous state trooper with the congregation and asked that we

would pray for him in a special way. We did and continued to pray for several weeks after that God would continue to work in this young man's life.

About this time, Pastor Perkins, a fellow colleague and friend, called and said, "Vic, I'm wondering if I can come over. I have a surprise for you."

I asked, "Is it good or bad?"

"It's good," He replied. "You won't believe what it is."

We were just getting ready to start supper when the doorbell rang and there was Pastor Perkins with a young man. He said, "Remember the state trooper that you talked to on the phone a while back? This is him. I'd like you to meet Shane Davis."

They both came in and Shane proceeded to recount his amazing journey. I listened, again in awe, as he shared the marvelous ways in which God had been working in his life since our phone conversation.

Last September, Pastor Perkins and I had the privilege of participating in Shane's baptism. It was and is a powerful reminder of how far God reaches out to those who honestly and sincerely seek Him.

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Victor Van Schaik is the pastor of the Davenport, Iowa, Seventh-day Adventist Church.