Michigan

Gin Donna had wandered from the Adventist church before she met Joe Donna. During their courtship, she came to believe he was a good and understanding man underneath, though he had a rough exterior. They soon fell in love, got married and began a life together.

Gin and Joe experienced some difficulties, as many families do. One day Joe mentioned to Gin that he would like to learn more about her beliefs and what made her the person she was. At the time, she wasn't very proud of her Christian experience, but she did tell him that whenever he was ready she would be glad to share. She sincerely believed the Holy Spirit had touched Joe's heart.

Approximately one week later, they received a brochure inviting them to attend a Discover Revelation seminar by Dan and Patsy Towar at the Jackson Adventist Church. Gin handed the brochure to Joe, and said, "If you are really interested in my beliefs, this is absolutely the best way to learn them." He looked the brochure over and suggested they could probably go to a few presentations.

At the first meeting Gin and Joe were hooked. They learned perfect attendance would earn them a beautiful Bible, and the warm greeters made them feel welcome. The wonderful messages from Dan and Patsy brought them back again and again. Actually, Joe did not care for the health talks at first, but as time went on he was convinced Patsy's talks were correct and meaningful.

Gin silently observed Joe's responses, saying little to him, but prayed the messages would take effect. Once, when they discussed Dan's messages, Joe said he could probably accept part of them, but not to expect too much. Gin explained she was concerned with her own spirituality, but he would need to follow his own heart.

During the meeting, cards were distributed to provide a way for a person to indicate if they wanted a visit from a pastor. Finally, Joe said, "I am going to invite Pastor Towar over, and do I have some questions for him!" Surprising to Joe, all his questions were answered during the seminar. While Gin knew the doctrines, and it was a review for her, the messages were a major revelation to Joe who was raised in a different faith. He was impressed to hear Dan tell everyone to search the scriptures for themselves, but Dan also quoted from not just one but several Bible texts to support the doctrine he was presenting.

Eventually, the nightly meetings were continued on Sabbath mornings, so Gin and Joe began coming to church to worship. They also heard a sermon by the local pastor, Gene Hall. Of course, they loved the fellowship dinners each Sabbath.

Dan and Gene visited the Donna home with Keith, a lay person, and Joe decided to give his heart to Christ and be baptized, while Gin chose to be re-baptized. Now the Donnas cannot seem to learn enough from the Bible. They read the Bible at daily family worship, attend the Wednesday night prayer meetings, study at Sabbath school, and are being blessed by the pastor's sermons. Today they are praising God for all the providential leadings which have changed their whole lives.

Madlyn Hamblin, Jackson Church member, as shared with Bruce Babienco, Lake Union Herald volunteer correspondent