The baptisms of Jessica and Jonathan Mandigo on the fifth anniversary of the baptisms of their older sisters, Victoria and Moriah, was an inspiration to the members of the Spirit Lake Church. This inspiration helped while they were preparing to present the seminar "Just Hard Times or End Time?" for their Idaho community.
The seminar, staged in the Community Senior Center, was presented by four lay people: Paul Haynes, a local physician; Loren Mandigo, a finish carpenter; David Moore, a senior materials handler; Dee Sexsmith, Bible worker; and Dayv Lounsbury, pastor.
Using the questions and graphics from Doug Batchelor's Storacles of Prophecy, the presenters attracted a consistent audience of both church members and community residents, several of whom drove eight or 10 miles to attend. Drawings were held each night for prizes, featuring framed Nathan Greene paintings, Bibles in carrying cases, deluxe editions of The Great Controversy, Steps to Christ and Christ's Object Lessons with CDs.
Many of those in attendance had been introduced to the membership through a public showing of the documentary Forks Over Knives, followed by monthly support, health lectures and/or Bible studies in the homes of members, which will continue.
To make attendance simpler, two lectures were scheduled between 6:30 and 8:30 on both Friday and Saturday evenings, with the concluding seminars on Sabbaths at 11 a.m. and after a fellowship dinner at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Snacks were served after the lecture each evening.
The Mandigo family stands with Dayv Lounsbury, Spirit Lake pastor, at the baptism of Jessica and Jonathan Mandigo.
Dayv Lounsbury, Spirit Lake pastor, stands with Jessica and Jonathan Mandigo just before their baptisms.
