Bill Baker
Inverness Church in Florida recently partnered with Amazing Facts to host a month-long prophecy seminar at the church.
With an active membership of approximately 70, the demographic is mostly senior citizens with rarely more than two children present on Sabbath mornings. They felt something had to change, and a few members called for old-time evangelism. It was a big challenge for a small church with 90 percent retired members. Almost $30,000 would need to be raised. The decision was made, fundraising began, and the agreement was signed with the Conference and Amazing Facts.
Attendance averaged between 90 and 105 per meeting, including about 50 who were unfamiliar with the Adventist Church and its message. Visitors missed fewer nights than many members. What kept them coming was the distinctive Adventist message which captivated them. They had not heard words like those, and were fascinated and startled by the straight testimony of Scripture and the prophecies of what is soon to take place. Beliefs they’d held their whole lives were abandoned to make way for the truths presented which represented the character of the heavenly Father.
Wyatt Allen, associate speaker for Amazing Facts, was congenial, enthusiastic, and very knowledgeable of the subject matter. The Adventist message was well received by most of the visitors. Over and over the members were impressed by how people were hungering for the plain truth.
A total of 19 people accepted the truth and joined the Church through baptism and profession of faith. There are a number of people still continuing to study. The members made many new friends and are more hopeful for their local church’s future than they were before.
“Everyone was excited about the church doing evangelism,” says Dan Forbes, Inverness pastor. “The members were committed and involved, whether it was actively conducting the ground work, follow-up, or praying for God’s blessing on the meetings. A warm and welcoming atmosphere was created for the many guests who came.”
There is still much work to do in nurturing the new members, but now they know it was the plain truth of God’s Word that won them, and it is the same that will keep them growing. The Inverness family is greatly encouraged and has already scheduled another campaign with Amazing Facts for next January.
Florida | September 2018
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