Lakeview (Ore.) Church enjoyed a high Sabbath on June 14 as four people confirmed their commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ through baptism. Each came to know the Lord by different paths.
Sharon Guthrie worked for Lakeview Church members at their business. The Coles shared their faith with Guthrie and her grandson Aden Nielsen over the years, and the pair began attending church. About a year ago Nielsen told Jerry Bandy, Lakeview Church pastor, he wanted to be baptized. Bandy started Bible lessons with him. When the lessons were completed, Guthrie decided to join Nielsen in baptism.
Dan Coons remembers his grandfather being a church member, but had left over personal disagreements. Watching 3ABN and Amazing Facts and pursuing intense personal study led Coons to the local Adventist church. He was full of questions and peppered both Bandy and other members with his inquiries. Coons began helping out around the church facility with repairs and maintenance, gradually becoming an integral part of the church family. When it was announced there was going to be a baptism, it was not hard for him to make his decision.
After retiring from serving his country in the Air Force, Ken Muller went back to school to become a registered nurse. He eventually ended up working at Lake District Hospital in Lakeview. One of his co-workers was a member of the Lakeview Church. They struck up a friendship, and he was impressed with her Christian manner. She invited him to church and introduced him to the pastor. Because of the sharing of the co-worker, the midweek Bible study, personal reading, Bible studies and the friendship of the congregation, Muller made his decision to give his heart to the Lord.
But the glory goes to the Holy Spirit who prepares the heart and reasons with each individual to accept the ways of God.
The team effort of soul-winning is biblically based and a most effective mechanism of God's church.
The following instruction is an equation that cannot fail: “Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, 'Follow Me’” (Ministry of Healing, p. 143).
(From left) Dan Coons, Ken Muller, Sharon Guthrie, Aden Nielsen and Jerry Bandy, Lakeview Church pastor, celebrate a high Sabbath of baptisms.
