The most recent in a series of direct calls from God was celebrated in the ordination of Jeff Crain, pastor, to the Gospel ministry Oct. 24, 2009. This high Sabbath in the Omak (Wash.) Church was enriched by the presence of members from as far north as Oroville, Wash., and as far south as Cashmere, Wash.
Upper Columbia Conference officials rejoiced at this opportunity to confirm God's call to Crain and his wife, Tara, and extended a heartfelt appeal to be steadfast in reaching God's ideal for their ministry. Conference women rejoiced with Tara and welcomed her more fully into her special calling.
Crain recounted how his young wife had first been convicted of the Adventist message, and faithfully attended church without him. Her persevering witness brought him to the Savior. In time, God led Crain to a conviction to attend Southern Adventist University and become a pastor. He began praying about it earnestly, but finances loomed as a wall in his path. Then a new couple at church asked him about his ministry goals. They invited Crain and his wife over to their fifth-wheel for supper. They went, but no meal was served — much to Crain's initial hunger pains. Instead the couple presented them with a fat envelope stuffed with 25 100-dollar bills. Later on, still in awe, they drove back to the RV park to find the couple and thank them but the space was empty. When they asked various neighbors where the fifth-wheel had gone, not a single one knew what they were talking about. They said a fifth-wheel had never been there.
The ordination celebration concluded with a salad supper. A sampling of many congregations shared together like one close-knit family.
Local and Upper Columbia Conference leaders gather to celebrate the ordination of Jeff Crain, pastor, at the Omak (Wash.) Church.
