Grand Rapids Shines with Streams of Light

An army of youth we have been told will change the world.

Ellen White says in  A Call to Stand Apart  p. 66: “With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world! How soon might the end come—the end of suffering and sorrow and sin! How soon, in place of a possession here, with its blight of sin and pain, our children might receive their inheritance…” 

Streams of Light is a young ministry with the goal of awakening people to the significance of current events. This ministry includes young people, ages 18 to 30, who are passionate about evangelizing the world. 

The Streams of Light theme comes from Isaiah 62:10 where God calls His people to “Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.” 

The ministry is described as a call to action—a charge to prepare the way for Christ’s return by removing obstacles and lifting high the banner of truth. The “standard” represents God’s law, His righteousness, and the everlasting gospel, which we must uphold in a world of moral compromise. In these last days, lifting up the standard means proclaiming the Three Angels’ Messages, calling people to fear God, give Him glory, and worship Him as the Creator. It is a call to holiness, to stand firm against error, and to reflect Christ’s character. Just as soldiers rally around a standard in battle, God’s people must boldly lift up the banner of truth, preparing the way for the Lord and leading souls to salvation.” 

This summer the Grand Rapids Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, along with area churches, joined with Streams of Light in the distribution of Ellen White’s book, The Great Controversy. The goal was to place 30,000 of these books in homes in Walker, Kentwood, Wyoming, and Lowell areas around Grand Rapids. During the week of June 6-12, 25,000 books were placed along with a small book on healthy living and an opportunity to request Bible studies. The remaining 5,000 books will be distributed before the end of October. 

The Streams of Light director shared one story of how a person, looking through their book right after it was delivered, found the Bible study offer and dashed out of their house and called to the Streams of Light volunteer to come back. This person wanted to immediately sign up for the Bible study. 

At each home the volunteer would offer to pray with those who answered the door. Many people accepted this offer and appreciated having someone pray with them. 

Streams of Light states that “By placing this powerful book in homes and connecting with families personally through prayer, we’re inviting them to take a fresh look at the Bible and discover God’s love in the midst of earth’s final crisis. Every book we place is a seed of truth—an invitation for someone to know Jesus, study His Word, and understand the times we’re living in. We believe each home visited is a divine appointment, and that every Great Controversy has the potential to change the course of a life. With God’s blessing, this mission trip could be the spark that lights up Grand Rapids with the everlasting gospel.” 

Over the summer more than 100 people have reached out to the area churches indicating they would like Bible studies. The Grand Rapids Central Seventh-day Adventist Church has started two weekly group Bible studies to include interested people and to prepare for the October evangelistic meetings. 

This year Streams of Light has purchased land in Pullman, Michigan, as a training location for future outreach opportunities around the world. Streams of Light members continue to work in the Grand Rapids area through November. They are staying at a local church during the week and returning to Pullman for training during the early part of the week. 

Those churches that have partnered with Streams of Light appreciate the good leads and interests this program has already provided. 

The ministry’s first year of activity ends in November, and they are looking forward to seeing where the Lord will lead them next. Please pray for these dedicated young people as they learn how to work with various churches and the programs those churches already have in place and bless the world with the message of Jesus’ soon return. 

Young people in Grand Rapids are being trained as part of that army of youth, and they are preparing to help continue spreading the Gospel Message to our hurting world.