Restored and re-dedicated

After the completion of the Unveiling Revelation Evangelistic Seminar, conducted by Amazing Facts Evangelist Elijah Ramos, I want to share with you two stories of how God worked in each life.

Donna Prater's Story: Donna Prater had major surgery, by Dr. Rollin Bland, when she was 30 years old. Although she did not know it, God had a plan for them to meet again. Donna's mother began attending the church in Jay, Oklahoma, at the invitation of her housekeeper. It wasn't long before Donna realized that her mother really appreciated the messages presented and the kindness of the members. Donna began attending the church with her mother and it was there that she met her former surgeon, Dr. Bland. As they renewed their friendship, Dr. Bland studied God's Word with her, and, although she had been previously baptized in another Protestant church, she was discovering new truth and desired to be re-baptized and taken into the Jay church fellowship. After Donna suffered the loss of her husband and then her mother, she backslid from the Adventist Church and began attending other Protestant churches. However, when she was reading the Bible, she was always reminded that the seventh day is the Sabbath. When Bruce Johnston, who lives in the same building, invited her to attend the Evangelistic Seminar, both she and her son, Johnathan, attended faithfully. Although Donna would like to have been re-baptized, her health condition prevented it and she was taken into the Vinita church membership through her profession of faith. Her face lights up with joy each Sabbath at being back in God's Church and she and Johnathan are truly loved.

Barry Hicks' Story: Barry Hicks attended Sabbath School and Church with his mother, and, when he was only seven years old, he knew that he wanted to be a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. He was baptized into the Vinita church when he was 11 years old, and, through many up and down experiences, has endeavored to stay close to Jesus. When Evangelist Elijah Ramos came to the church to conduct the Evangelistic Seminar, Barry's heart was stirred and he desired to re-dedicate his life to His Savior. His physical condition prevented him from being re-baptized; therefore, we presented him to the church family at his re-dedication. Barry says he longs to re-dedicate his life to Jesus every day and he is so eager for Jesus to come.

by :: Kay Mayes, Vinita Adventist Church Communication Secretary