Michigan—Whitehall, Mich., is famous for its lighthouse, but a new light now shines in this lakeside town. It all began when Ryan Counsell, pastor of the Muskegon and Shelby churches, shared his dream of raising up a new church in Whitehall.

On Sun. morning, Sept. 28, 2003, Counsell was awakened by an extraordinary dream. His wife found him on the couch with a puzzled expression on his face; she asked, "What’s the matter?" His cautious answer was, "I just had a very challenging dream." He then shared with his wife how he was under real conviction that God wanted to raise up a new church in Whitehall!

Spurred on by this dream, Counsell conducted a little research about Whitehall and found it had been over 50 years since the Adventist message was preached there. He shared his discovery and the experience of his dream with his congregations in Muskegon and Shelby. They responded by making plans to hold a Hope for Our Day evangelistic series in Whitehall.

After securing permission from the Whitehall High School to rent their cafeteria, handbills were printed and mailed out announcing the meetings. Shortly thereafter, the rental contract was abruptly cancelled. Despite appeals, arrangements had to be made for the opening night service to be moved to a different location. To complicate matters, permission to use the new facility was only granted for a few days.

It seemed obvious the dream was not going to be realized unless God intervened. Responding to the spiritual challenge, church members united for a day of fasting and prayer. The answer came when God provided the Ramada Inn as an alternative facility for the remaining meetings.

Not deterred by the disappointing events, Counsell was preparing to announce the change in venue at the opening meeting when a heavy folding table fell on Ellen, his daughter. While the ambulance raced her to the hospital, Counsell calmly explained to the audience how God provided new locations for the meetings.

Immediately, church members again united in prayer on behalf of their pastor, his daughter, and the series that just began. God blessed by bringing some respected leaders of the community to the first meeting, and the meetings were well-received by a very enthusiastic audience.

The series' climax came when five people were baptized in the Ramada Inn pool, the first of its kind in the town of Whitehall! Eight additional Bible study interests continue their quest to understand God’s will as they worship with their new friends each Sabbath. Best of all, the Whitehall Branch Sabbath School was formed and meets regularly in a newly-baptized member's home.

God is blessing. Ellen was spared serious injury, and today there is a new "lighthouse" spreading light in Whitehall.

Bruce Babienco, Lake Union Herald volunteer correspondent