Michigan

Ken Spurbeck remembers as a young man discussing questions about the Sabbath with his pastor-teacher. He asked why the church he attended met on Sunday when the Bible said Saturday was the Sabbath. The Sabbath question remained unsettled in his mind until eleven years ago when he received an announcement in the mail for a Bible prophecy seminar being offered in St. Charles by Ron Feeley, former Michigan Conference evangelist.

Ken couldn’t attend the seminar because of work conflicts, but was interested and asked his daughter, Brenda, if she would attend for him and learn what was being presented. She agreed.

The meetings were so dynamic and Bible centered that soon Brenda became a member of the St. Charles Seventh-day Adventist Church. Her decision challenged Ken, and he began reading literature and books she brought home. As he studied, he was convinced of the Bible truths he found, but dragged his feet about joining her new church family.

Later, his younger son, Scott, become convinced and joined Brenda as a member of the Adventist church. Over the years, Ken continued to read books loaned by his daughter, while he and his wife faithfully continued to attend their church.

At Christmas, Brenda gave him a set of prophecy videos by Walter Vieth. He watched them and was deeply impressed with the messages. He began attending the St. Charles Adventist Church and became acquainted with Robert Quillin, pastor, who suggested they begin Bible studies.

After a few weeks, Ken made an appointment to meet Quillin at his Saginaw church office. His first question was, "Where is your baptismal tank?" Quillin replied, "Come, I’ll show you." The tour gave him an opportunity to settle the physical aspects of a baptism.

Ken studied the Storicles of Prophecy Bible studies with Quillin and together they watched the entire series of videos. He soon made his decision and was baptized in the Saginaw church, becoming a member at St. Charles.

When asked by a family member why he didn’t counsel with his former pastor before becoming a Sabbath-keeper, Ken replied, "He’s had fifty years to explain it to me. What more could he tell me?"

Since joining the church, Ken has had a burden for his former pastor. He meets with him periodically to watch the prophecy videos together, and discusses them afterward. He is also sharing videos with several friends.

He is looking forward to what God is going to accomplish in their lives, "confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).

Bruce Babienco, Lake Union Herald volunteer correspondent, adapted from a 2004 Michigan Camp Meeting testimony.