Illinois—On Dec. 9, 2007, the Church Board of the 34-member Eldorado Seventh-day Adventist Church embraced a plan to present a gift from the church to area homes, the Police Department and nearby businesses. The plan was to fill gift bags with pound cakes, the magazine version of Steps to Christ called Peace Above the Storm, a brochure entitled What Is a Seventh-day Adventist?, and several Signs pamphlets.

When the idea of placing a pound cake in each bag was first presented to the Church Board, no one realized it would take six stores in four towns to fill the order of 68 cakes.

The week before Christmas, four church members gathered to fill the gift bags in assembly line fashion. Following the "Birth of Christ" program, on the Sabbath before Christmas, the distribution plan was put in place. Vickie Baugher delivered to the Police Department. Amanda Horn and Nella Gunnels took the street in front of the church, which included the library. Jim and Coco Wilkerson delivered bags to homes on the street behind the church. Mike and Jessie Smith surprised residents on the side streets and a few nearby businesses.

Everyone who received a gift bag was happy and thankful. Some said they were surprised that a church would even do this. Those who participated in handing out the bags said they enjoyed it and would consider doing it again this year.

The Illinois Conference leaders challenged members to "Touch Every 1 for Jesus," and the Eldorado Church initiative is just one of many ways the Illinois church members are accomplishing this.

Michael Smith, head elder, Eldorado Seventh-day Adventist Church