esperate to save their marriage, Tina Nipe suggested to her
husband, Charles, that they return to church. Having moved to the area because
of employment, they had never attended the Adventist church in Dover, Delaware.
With mixed feelings they approached church that Sabbath. It
had been about 10 years since they had been active in a local church, and now
they needed so much. Courage born from desperation moved them to enter church
that day.
It was the love of the 75-member congregation that brought
them back again and again. Embraced and welcomed in many different ways--from
dinner invitations to taking time to listen--they found friendship and healing
for their broken spiritual and family relationships. Since then, Tina has completed
the four-year Lay Minister of Evangelism program sponsored by the Columbia Union
and the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University.
Tina's story is just one of thousands.
Divorce, employment changes, and other transitional life issues
contribute to faith crises. As one woman in the Pacific Union shared, she felt
too inadequate to get out of her car in the church parking lot. Seeing her drive
away, an observant friend contacted her and loved her back into church. At the
Forest Lake Academy church in Florida during North American Division Reconnecting
Ministries Sabbath, Chris Lang told how a divorce recovery group helped him
overcome a sense of disconnect.
Acceptance and love help people reconnect with the love of
Jesus.
______________________
Norma Sahlin, communication director, Center for Creative Ministry.
