Brad Smith and Christina McNeilus, both seniors at Great Lakes Adventist Academy (GLAA), had an opportunity this fall to see God at work close up and first hand. In the process, they received training that extended well outside the classroom walls.

They looked forward to sharing the love of Jesus with students at Central Michigan University (CMU) realizing that it would be challenging and exciting, but stepping into the shoes of a gospel preacher was another thing.

With their confidence in God and what He would accomplish, they shared messages of hope on the campus each evening from October 1 through November 6. But they weren't the only ones who got to participate in what God was about to do on that campus. Other GLAA students provided special music, greeted visitors, helped with children’s programming, and organized additional aspects of the outreach ministry.

Jacob Mayer, a senior, said, “While working behind the scenes, I was able to see hearts and lives being changed as the attendees came night after night. I believe God used Brad and Christina to change the lives of many—and He changed mine, too.”

The students got to meet a total of 60 new friends from the community during the meetings, ten have made a decision to be baptized and are studying further with Darren Greenfield, Mt. Pleasant (Mich.) Church pastor. Several others have expressed an interest in learning more from the Bible.

One new friend Brad and Christina made was Dan. He told them that he attends all religious meetings held at CMU, yet it was at these meetings he felt God’s Spirit move his heart.

A student preparing to become a Jesuit priest told Brad and Christina he believed they were speaking the truth from the Bible and he had no choice but to follow what he learned from them. He was baptized on December 4, 2004.

Another person remarked, “Praise Jesus, that young man told it like it is!”

Cindy Peterson, a Bible teacher at GLAA, was enthusiastic about the students’ involvement in evangelism. On the closing night of the meetings, she exclaimed, “I didn’t wear anything with buttons tonight, because I know they might burst!”

Christina discovered that publicly sharing the love of Jesus is life-changing. She remarked, “Through this evangelistic series, Brad and I were supposed to be witnessing to other people, but instead, the experience has impacted my life and made me understand why I serve the Lord. My life will never be the same.”

Brad admitted, “This evangelistic series was difficult at times. Sometimes I didn't even want to get up and speak. But time and again God gave me strength, and showed me that He was in control; He was the One that was doing the hard part. I was just a page turner.”

“Those who taught others wisely will shine as the brightness of the firmament and those who led many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3, The Clear Word).

Arlene Leavitt is the Great Lakes Adventist Academy assistant development director.