"Let us change our world, one person at a time,” preached David Yeagley one Sabbath to his Lansing congregation. On the projector screens at the front of the church, he flashed a sign that read: "Warning: The Devil has plans for your children, do you?" Both David Yeagley and Chad Bernard, Lansing Adventist School principal, believe that children need to be focused on how to help the community.

Mission Possible was designed to be a service-based evangelistic series for youth. Each Sabbath morning, Pastor Yeagley presented a sermon based on a grouping of Adventist doctrines, and the following week we went into the community to live out those doctrines. "I believe that our doctrines are not nouns, but verbs," says Pastor Yeagley. "Doctrines should change more than just how we believe, they should change how we live."

Both men have organized community events for students and members to get active in helping others. Students canvassed the neighborhoods, meeting neighbors and passing out free book markers. Each marker had a phone number for the Lansing Church prayer line, encouraging people to call with their prayer requests.

A Lansing team helped side a new house with the local Habitat for Humanity organization which will benefit a needy family. Another team painted a fence at the local community park. Youth and adults wrote thank you letters to community leaders and service people. Mike Davis’ favorite community event was when he and other church members spent an afternoon pumping gas at the local Meijer. The group also treated customers to washing windows and free maps. Mike said, “People tried to give us tips, but we refused. Customers couldn’t get over how nice we were being. It felt really great to help people.“

Jade Bennison, another Lansing student, enjoys working at the Humane Society as a part of her Bible Labs program. “I love playing with the animals, especially the puppies,” she says. Students also help at a Lansing homeless shelter.

Lower-grade students volunteer at a local nursing home, visiting with the residents and playing board games with them. Sometimes they read to them or sing with them.

Steve Blosser, a parent who also participated in Habitat for Humanity, said, “I was impressed to see how so many members and youth have come together to make a difference for others. I am glad our pastor was willing to organize projects as they were such a blessing to all who were involved.”

Laurie Snyman is the Lansing Church communication leader.