Illinois

As Alan "Jake" Wyse entered the water of the Nippersink Creek from the dock at the home of Jerry and Jacque Weiland, on Sabbath, August 6, members of the Crystal Lake Adventist Fellowship rejoiced and recounted their journey to this special occasion.

"Last year," recalled Dennis Fox, "while the kids played together after potluck each Sabbath at the Elgin Church, adults discussed many topics. None seemed as satisfying as those about outreach. What could we do to fulfill the gospel commission in neighboring McHenry County?" The group knew the history of the church in the county. Three evangelistic series were conducted there over the past 15 years or so, and yet a church had not been planted. It seemed that because of the ever-increasing population, God was calling them to action.

Encouraged when Ken Denslow, Illinois Conference president, committed to be their guest speaker for a series of meetings, Gabriel Bardan, pastor, helped the group organize the meetings. The group believed this would be a fine start, but also knew evangelism involves much more than bringing people into the church. People must connect and become family.

One of the first to attend the series was Jake. When members of the Elgin, Gurnee, Forest Glenn, and Elmhurst churches began to meet each Sabbath at the Country Inn and Suites, Jake came, too, along with his wife Rhonda and two children, Tevin and Alexi. Each of the 29 charter members were delighted when they were officially organized into a company earlier this year, with Jerry Weiland as their head elder.

"Jake soon assumed one of our group's most visible roles," reports Jerry’s wife, Jacque. "As greeter each week, he handed out the bulletin. Jake called it the 'Menu,'" Jacque explained. "It is what our group does in its order of service each week, serves up a great selection of spiritual food."

The group continued to witness through more Bible studies and a consistent worship schedule. Members of the Elgin Church for many, many years, Dennis explained, "At first, my wife and I felt like we were playing hooky from our church. Now, however, we believe this group is our home... our mission in fellowship."

"Coming to church each Sabbath," stated Jake when he gave his testimony, "is like going to a family reunion. The hospitality of everyone here is just terrific." It is ironic that Jake should say this. In distributing the "Menu" each Sabbath, he is one element of hospitality in an unentered county.

There are many unentered counties in Illinois, no doubt in the entire Lake Union Conference. According to Webster’s dictionary, playing hooky means the act of running away, to play truant. The question is this... just where will you choose to play hooky this Sabbath?

Rachel Terwillegar, Illinois Conference and Broadview Academy development director