When John and Becky Spieth arrived at the Lake Union Hope for Our Day Training Conference in South Bend, Indiana, last October, they came with a dream to help plant a new Adventist church in their town. However, they discovered at the registration desk that the conference was full, and they would not be able to attend unless someone cancelled their pre-registration.

Disappointed, they waited for several hours, checking back often to see if anyone had cancelled. When it was time for the Friday evening meeting to begin, John and Becky were ushered into an overflow room where they could at least listen to the evening program. Before the evening was over, they heard the good news that someone had cancelled, and they were able to register and participate in the weekend's training events. This was the first installment of the miracle God planned for them that weekend.

When John and Becky moved to Charlevoix, Michigan, they met Jenny Malfroid, the Petoskey Church Bible worker who came to their door with a community survey. It was then that they found out a church plant project was under way for Charlevoix. They wanted to be part of it.

As they attended the Discover Revelation series with Dan and Patsy Towar, Greg Timmons, the Petoskey Church pastor, invited the Spieths to receive the training offered in South Bend. Little did they realize how their attendance would answer a prayer that would bring special courage to those working in the Charlevoix evangelistic meetings.

A highlight of the training weekend was a special drawing, sponsored by the Adventist-owned publishing company Color Press, to take place Sunday morning for a copy of Nathan Greene’s painting, "Jesus and the Black Lamb." Conference attendees could register for the painting which would be given to their home church if their name was drawn. With 1,200 attendees entering the free drawing, a person's chance of winning was slim.

Saturday night before the drawing, Ron Knapp, Petoskey Church elder, spent some time in prayer. He prayed that if a church was to be planted in Charlevoix, that John or Becky's name would be drawn for that beautiful picture of Jesus.

Sunday morning came. As Walter Wright, Lake Union Conference president, reached his hand into the large box full of folded cards to select a winner, John turned to Becky and said, “I believe they are going to draw my card.”

Just outside the auditorium, Ron Knapp was talking with Dan Towar, the Charlevoix church plant project evangelist. Sherrie Knapp, Ron’s wife, came rushing out.

“Have you heard? Charlevoix just won the painting! They drew John Spieth’s card!” Tears welled up in Ron's eyes as he said, "God answered my prayer."

The next evening back home at the evangelistic meeting, the story of answered prayer and the painting of "Jesus and the Black Lamb" was shared. Everyone recognized that our prayers had been heard, and the Lord was encouraging us to to establish a church in Charlevoix.

So far nine have requested membership as a result of the Discover Revelation series. Several others continue Bible studies, and more decisions are prayed for. A number of church families from the surrounding area have covenanted to be the Adventist core group for these new members.

On Sabbath November 8, 2003, 39 believers gathered together for Sabbath school and church in Charlevoix’s Pointes North Inn. All gave thanks for how God answers prayer and how God gave us a Nathan Greene painting to inspire us and confirm His support for our church-plant dream come true.

Dan Towar is a Michigan Conference evangelist.