Age: 18
Years an Adventist: 18
Favorite thing about SOULS Northwest: I really enjoy the classes because I’m always learning something new and getting more inspired to serve God.
Favorite Bible text: 2 Corinthians 12:9: “'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Vision for the Church: Ever since my grandparents were baptized in a Los Angeles evangelistic series, my family has had a long history of bringing people closer to Jesus. I’m glad that I’m at SOULS Northwest where I can refine my skills and learn to continue our family's mission in sharing the gospel message.
Prayer is so central to what we do at SOULS. I have been praying a lot more here than I ever did before. When I wake up, when I go to sleep and definitely when I’m visiting people — I’m always praying.
When you’re relating to people all day who don’t have a good picture of God, you realize how little you can do without His power. During one visit, I found a lady outside her house smoking and drinking a beer. In my mind I thought, "This is going to be a waste of time,” but I went up to her and showed her my books with a prayer in my heart. She began to open up to me and told me how hard things have been in her life. She ended up getting one of my books and promising that she would read it. I know God will be with her as she starts to study the Bible.
The experiences we have every day as we go out and search for Christ’s “lost sheep” rival any missionary story from Africa or Asia or the South Sea islands. But probably more significant than any miraculous experiences are the hundreds of people who for no apparent reason at all say, “Sure, I’ll get your book” or “Yes, I’d like to sign up for Bible studies” just because we were willing to come to their door and meet them in a personal way.
James Valdez
