Indiana

"I was an alcoholic for 30 years, during which time I lost everything," related Ed Summerlin, telling of his life. It was during a period when he found himself once again in a detox unit that, instead of the usual feeling of total hopelessness, Ed was overcome by a strong sense that this time he could be released from the grip of addiction that had for so long plagued him.

Jeff and Kathy Summerlin, Ed's son and daughter-in-law, who themselves are relatively new Adventists, had been praying for him and, around Thanksgiving 2005, they invited him to accompany them to church. As Ed listened to the sermons, he became convinced that the unexplainable sense of hope he had experienced during his time in detox had actually been God's calling.

During the weeks of Bible study that followed, Ed was humbled by the revelation there is a wonderful new life in Jesus, regardless of how dark one's past has been. On October 6, 2007, Ed took his stand in baptism. Now Ed can be found in church every Sabbath with Jeff and Kathy.

Mary Wadsworth-Cooke, communications secretary, LaPorte Church