Lake Region

Leo Brewer was exposed to spiritual matters as a child in a church of another denomination. When he was 21, he met Iris Francis. Shortly thereafter, they were married. A new Seventh-day Adventist believer, Iris prayed that her husband would one day embrace Jesus as his personal Savior.

"Leo has always been a good provider for his family," Iris said, "and I never pressured him to be baptized." Yet for more than 35 years, Iris prayed for her husband's salvation, and she never gave up hope. At times, Leo attended church with Iris but was not ready to make a decision for Christ.

Two years ago, Iris decided to get 3ABN (Three Angels Broadcasting Network) programming to provide an alternative to Leo's television viewing choices. Leo soon became interested in the various programs, especially Amazing Facts. Concurrently, Leo was often visited by Shiloh (Chicago) Church pastor, Famous Murray, and church elder, Donald Abernathy. "They visited me just to see how I was doing," Leo said. "They did not try to convert me. They just wanted to be there, and their visits left a lasting impact on me."

As time passed, it was evident that the Holy Spirit was at work when Leo asked to be baptized in the Adventist Church. There was great rejoicing by Iris and the Shiloh Church family when Leo along with ten others publicly declared their faith in Jesus and were baptized on April 14, 2007.

Leo has experienced some tough and challenging health issues. A two-time cancer survivor and twice transplant recipient, Leo is especially grateful that God has granted him the gift of life so he could experience knowing Him and enter into a loving relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.

We truly serve an awesome God, who continues to answer prayer and touch hearts to bring people to Him.

Dawn M. Johnson, communication director, Shiloh Church