The Resting Place 

This past winter, Kelsey Webber, a member of Village Church, felt impressed to become more actively engaged in gospel outreach.

By spring, the opportunity she had been praying for arrived—she stepped forward to spearhead a ministry tent exhibit at this year’s Berrien County Youth Fair (August 11–16), the Midwest’s largest youth fair.

Acting in faith, she rented a tent and named it The Resting Place. The vision was simple yet powerful: to create an inviting space where fairgoers could pause, escape the summer heat, and find relief from the overwhelming sensory stimulation of an amusement park atmosphere.

With the help of her husband, Michael, who built a prayer wall, Kelsey designed an attractive entrance and organized volunteers from several area Adventist churches. The prayer wall prominently featured the words of Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will GIVE YOU REST.”

Inside the tent, weary visitors were welcomed with cool water bottles, warm smiles, and friendly invitations to rest. Guests could color a craft project (a highlight for children), receive a health-age assessment and lifestyle consultation, pick up free literature, join in a sing-along, or listen to one of many health presentations centered on the theme of REST (R for Rest; E for Exercise; S for Simple Foods; and T for Trust).

By week’s end, more than 4,000 water bottles (donated by Apple Valley Market and Do It Best Hardware), 300+ gospel books, and countless prayers had been shared. Volunteers joyfully recalled divine appointments and heartfelt conversations with those who stepped inside.

May the precious people who experienced this entering wedge of ministry remain open to the Spirit’s call—to discover and embrace true rest.