Lake Region—Throughout the Lake Region Conference territory, churches carried the Net 2004 “Experience the Power” satellite evangelistic series with Breath of Life speaker, Walter L. Pearson. The October 2–30, 2004, uplink from Miracle Temple Church in Baltimore, Maryland, was the first satellite experience for several churches. Preliminary reports indicate that 90% of the participating English-speaking churches experienced several hundred baptisms.
Visitors and members alike were drawn to Jesus as Pearson delivered messages emphasizing the power of God’s word. Michael and Jacqueline Henry were baptized after the Net 2004 series. After working the night shift, Michael turned on the television at home and was intrigued by a program called Amazing Facts. The information shared on the topic of death was so interesting he requested the book offer and other study material. When he and Jacqueline discovered the Sabbath, they were convicted to follow God’s truth. They looked through the phone book for a Sabbath-keeping church. After going to two addresses and discovering no one was present, they checked the phone book again and ended up at City Temple Church in Detroit, Michigan. After the first visit, they knew they were in the right place and continued to attend, expressing a desire to be a part of the church family after their second visit. Following a series of Bible studies, Michael, Jacqueline, and their sister-in-law were invited to attend the Net 2004 series. They decided to be baptized at its conclusion, joining 23 others who were also baptized. Ten more continue studies in preparation for a February baptismal service.
The Tabernacle of Hope Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, experienced the power and 32 were baptized. It was their first experience with satellite evangelism. “The church has been changed by participating in this coordinated effort,” says Joseph Footman, a church elder. Witnessing changed lives on a global level has energized the congregation’s commitment to evangelism. “We are already planning to be a part of the March uplink with Doug Batchelor,” reports Judy Crawford, pastor.
The Ecorse and Southfield (Michigan) churches baptized 14, and two young people are preparing for baptism. William Hughes, pastor, was particularly excited about the six youth who committed their lives to Christ. The entire Stephens family was baptized after the four teens in the family attended the Net 2004 series. A former Adventist, Debra Stephens, was led back to church by her daughters’ experience and decision to follow Christ.
The Bing family had visited the Ecorse church previously. When the Net 2004 series began, the mother, a Seventh-day Adventist, invited her husband to attend. During the meetings he was convicted of the Sabbath truth. A railroad engineer, he requested a different position to avoid working on Sabbath. Although this new position would mean a salary decrease, he says it is a small price to pay to follow Jesus. The father and his teen son were baptized.
Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32). The Net 2004 satellite series gave opportunity for the Lake Region Conference members to lift up Jesus. Many experienced the power and responded to His invitation.
Ray Young, Lake Region Conference communication director
