"There is never a perfect time to do public evangelism,” someone once said. "The reason is the devil will compete with you every single time."
The Sandy Church is no stranger to unexpected trials. Though experiencing setbacks, the church decided the best way to meet the trial was to continue to do the work of proclaiming the gospel to the local community.
As the invitations were mailed out, many families and individuals attended the church's evangelistic meetings in the local Sandy High School this past winter. Though the room was small, the meetings were packed each night with more than 50 people from the local community eager to hear the gospel through the symbols of Revelation.
After the first week, the series transitioned to the local church. Many people did not hesitate to come as they had never heard such amazing fulfillments of Bible prophecy before.
Kevin Weeks attend the seminar from the first night. Arriving 35 minutes early every night, Weeks was intrigued to see so many things fall into place has he took notes of the fast fulfilling signs of the times. On one occasion, when arriving early, the evangelist asked Weeks how he was doing. Weeks responded, “Not too well.”
Weeks went on to explain, “I'm not too happy with you right now. I just disposed of $50 worth of alcohol from my kitchen.” He was overwhelmed with joy that the Lord had given him complete victory over his addiction to alcohol. Weeks was baptized and takes joy in becoming part of his new church family.
Brian wasn’t able to catch the first week of the seminar but started coming after he heard about the ongoing series. He attended as many night as he could. Brian had been under the addiction of marijauna and nicotine for 30 years. He often tried to find a way out of his addiction only to meet with failure. Brian recalls falling under great depression until the power of the Word literally transformed his life from the inside out. Since the seminar, Brian has experienced complete victory over his drug and nicotine addiction. With tears in his eyes, Brian says, “The freedom I now have I want forever. I thank God for His grace in my life today.” It was a joy to see Brian go down into the waters of baptism to show his new love for Jesus.
Tom and Debbie Marlow attended every night. Debbie mentioned she and Tom had been praying for God to lead them to the truth. “Right then,” Debbie says, “we received the handbill in the mail and knew God may be answering our prayers.”
The Marlows finished the series and and asked, “Can we become a part of this church family? We believe God has led us here.” They decided to be baptized together and become a part of God’s remnant church family.
There are many other miraculous and life-changing stories than can be told from this series. God blessed the Sandy Church with 14 baptisms. Eight more people are in a pastor's follow-up class in preparation for potential baptism.
We are all born on a battlefield. Whatever trials come our way only test our resilience on the call God has given to us in proclaiming the everlasting gospel. We can choose to retreat or press forward in the power of God. The members of the Sandy Church made their decision. What about you?
The Sandy Church welcomed 14 new members through baptism following an evangelistic series this past winter.
Debbie and Tom Marlow are baptized together.
