Arlene Pesik lives in Ovid, Michigan, in rural eastern Clinton County. The church she was attending seemed to be in decline, in more ways than one, leading her to “church shop” for a new spiritual home.
In 2000, she saw a newspaper ad for a personal finance seminar at the St. Johns (Michigan) Church. Elodia Jones led out in the G. Edward Reid video series, “It’s Your Money, Isn’t It?” “Arlene attended every night,” Elodia remembers.
When Arlene discovered a Hope for the Homeland prophecy series offered near her home, she was delighted. She attended two or three meetings at the VFW Hall where they were held, but stopped attending because of a medical condition. No follow-up visits were scheduled with Arlene.
The next Adventist ad that caught Arlene’s eye was in the Clinton County News in January 2004. The ad announced a four-night cooking class taught by Mary Burnt, an award-winning restaurant cook, affiliated with the ARISE Institute at the Troy Church. Arlene attended the seminar and was invited to a prophecy series at its conclusion.
The next month she attended a seminar conducted by Dan Towar, a Michigan Conference evangelist and member of the St. Johns Church. “I enjoyed the study of Scripture. It was presented very well and I didn’t miss a one, though I had to take advantage of both the noon-time and evening sessions,” commented Arlene.
Each contact helped Arlene build a growing relationship with Adventists, while learning the biblical truths that deepened her commitment to the Lord. It seemed natural to make the Adventist church her spiritual home.
Arlene was baptized on Sabbath, March 27. Her husband, John, has been coming to Sabbath services with her since her baptism.
Shane Le Baron was born to Adventist parents who later enrolled him in the George Sumner Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School in St. Johns, Michigan. However, when it was time for Shane to consider going to an academy, his family could not meet the financial challenge.
By the time Shane graduated from public high school in 1989, he had walked away from the Lord. Once he was on his own, he moved to Hawaii to pursue what he described as “a lifestyle of fast cars and fast women.” In time, Shane moved back to Michigan.
The news of a 2003 disco club fire in Rhode Island, that resulted in the deaths of more than 80 people, caused Shane to do some serious thinking. He started attending services at his former Adventist church in St. Johns and enjoyed being back in the place where he had developed spiritual roots. He met Alan Meis, the St. Johns pastor, and felt drawn to this professional who was close to his age.
Shane experienced painful medical issues and a truck-driving job he did not enjoy. “I began to pray while working, and from time to time would phone Pastor Meis while on the road,” Shane remembered. “He always provided encouragement, as well as the right counsel.”
While attending the St. Johns Church one Sabbath, Shane witnessed a baptism. As the pastor made an appeal from the baptistry, Shane heard the voice of the Lord speaking to his heart and he responded to the appeal. He began to study with the pastor in preparation for re-baptism.
Meanwhile, Shane began to talk to the Lord about a new job. When he learned of an opening for a mechanic to work on emergency vehicles, he responded and was called for an interview. “During the interview I told the manager that I could not work on Friday evenings, but would be willing to come in on Sundays,” Shane said as he spoke of his convictions about Sabbath observance. “I don’t have a problem with that,” the manager responded.
Shane now commutes to Grand Rapids where he works second shift three days each week, and to facilitate his Sabbath commitment, works first shift each Friday.
Shane was blessed by the Kenneth Cox video series and CDs he received from Lanette Brandow, one of his former church school teachers. He studied regularly with the pastor last winter and was re-baptized on February 28.
Paul Pellandini, Michigan Conference stewardship director
