Since I was a child, I loved to tell people about Jesus. The Holy Spirit was always telling me creative ways of reaching others. I had drifted away from my calling to be an evangelist and found it again as I joined the Global Evangelism opportunities. When Bob Folkenberg visited Andrews University to promote Global Evangelism,1 my heart jumped at the calling and opportunity.
I had just graduated from Andrews with an MA in youth ministry. It took faith to leave for three weeks without pay and to depend on God for a job when I got back. I had volunteered in June 2003 to go to the Dominican Republic, and now three months later I was going to preach in the Philippines.
I saw the Holy Spirit work in the way the people responded to the message while I was preaching. I saw it on their faces as people were moved by God, convicted, and converted. I was the one who was so privileged in being able to watch this—for me the greatest miracle.
As I saw God work, it strengthened my own faith. I found that our message is so amazing it was setting me free from fear of the future and Satan's deceptions of self-dependence, materialism, temporal values, immorality, and pride. I claimed the promise that the Word would not return void. And God answered my prayer.
I made a call on the night that I preached about baptism, and over 30 people came forward for prayer and baptism. After my preaching, I mingled with the people and many of them told me how the message caused them to realize that God loves them and can give them power to have victory.
So many of the Adventist members and newly baptized people do not have jobs. So while I was there, I said I would help them write a business plan to start a business to make school uniforms for all the Adventist schools. I helped them design seven dresses, which they made in three days. They did an excellent job, so I was confident in what they could do. When I got back home, I went to the business department at Andrews University and asked for help. I now have a lady that is working on this project for me.
When I returned, a doctor called me up and said that he wanted to give me a check of $300 for the trip to the Philippines. This was amazing, for the people in San Leonardo needed $300 to follow up the meetings. I had promised them before I left that I would help them with the $300, yet I did not have a job. So God answered their need to employ two Bible workers for three months.
Would I do it again? This is what I would love to do if God provides financial assistance. I told God if He can put my unbelief, distrust, and pride to death, then I will do whatever He asks me to do.
Rose Ferreira writes from Berrien Springs, Michigan.
