Michigan Conference

In January 2018, Farmington church sent out Bible Study Offer direct-mailing cards to the community.

I received one and told the leader of my Bible Study group (not SDA, just a monthly women's Bible Study group). I asked her if she wanted me to order the free study guides for her, and she suggested that I order them for myself. I did! A week later, Sofika (Farmington's Greeter) showed up on my doorstep with her niece Sellina. I was surprised that someone came to my door. Sofika says I looked "suspicious of them." I wasn't actually suspicious, just embarrassed. Sundays are my day to do laundry, clean house... and I don't exactly do my hair, wear makeup, or even shower for that! 

They faithfully delivered the It Is Written study guides every Sunday, and after 3-4 visits, I invited them in for tea. We ended up having lunch and talking for about three hours! We continued going through the study guides (not every week because of life stuff), and in April or May Sofika invited me to her church. I considered it... and in June, I attended. Everyone was so nice and welcoming. Sofika greeted me, introduced me to everyone there (I arrived early for Sabbath School), and then sat me next to Joy, who has become one of my best friends! 

Now, you should know that I had prayed, years ago, for a church family. I had no interest in the church where the service started at 10:00am (so everyone arrived at 9:58am) and finished at 11:00am (so everyone ran out of there by 11:01am like their hair was on fire). I wanted a church family! But every church I tried either mentioned a piece of Scripture and then pontificated for 45 minutes on their opinion of that piece of Scripture or focused on making a production of the praise band. I wanted a faithful community that I could talk to about biblical things and receive biblical answers. I wanted a family community that enjoyed the life God gave us. I wanted a godly community that would encourage and participate in my charitable causes and not make fun of me for not drinking or engaging in ungodly behavior. 

On my second visit to Farmington SDA, Sofika wasn't there to be the greeter. I arrived at 9:50am, and no one was there. I thought to myself, they wouldn't change the Sabbath day...?! Then, Lee (our Sabbath School Superintendent) zoomed into the parking lot. He quickly unlocked the church and started setting up. I walked in as he was turning on lights and getting the AV booth powered up. He looked at me, said, "Hi," and then handed me the printed bulletins and asked me to be the greeter. I turned around and people were already coming up the steps of the church. I smiled, handed them a bulletin, and said, "Happy Sabbath!" I introduced myself and realized later that God had given me the church family I had prayed for all those years ago! 

Within a few months, I was participating in church events and attending church business meetings. I even co-lead a fundraiser for our youth group. In March 2019, Sofika and I attended a Personal Ministries event at Camp Au Sable. After the first night, I told her that I misunderstood the purpose of the event. I was there to improve my relationship with God (which is what I thought personal ministry meant), not bring other people to God. She assured me that I was in the right place. I was baptized in May 2019, and became a board member (Communications Manager) in July. After being the Communications Manager, I became the Adventist Community Services (ACS) Manager. A few of us had been talking that our church was not active enough in the community. As Communications Manager and ACS Manager, I had tried to have some community-focused events, but nothing really drew new people into the church. Then, I saw the Emmanuel Institute flyer. I talked to Pastor Jorge Neketela about it, and he was thrilled to send me. He also asked Candis to attend with me. It was perfect because we both felt that the church needed to grow! Now, Candis, Sofika, and I make up the Personal Ministry team for Farmington church.

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