Illinois

The Springfield First church hosted the Net 2005 Prophecy Code satellite evangelistic series with Doug Batchelor. Invitations were sent to members' friends and community residents, encouraging them to attend the meetings that originated at the General Conference auditorium in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Two members, Donna Hopwood and her mother, Joanne Stickle, who had not attended church on a regular basis came to the series. They became so excited about the nightly messages presented that Donna encouraged Joel, her husband, Jacob, her son, and Crystal Mathias, her daughter, to attend also.

Joanne's husband, Don Stickle, also attended the Prophecy Code series with her. At the conclusion of the meetings, Donna and Joanne requested to be re-baptized. Their prayers were answered as Crystal and Don were also baptized by the interim pastor, Lee Grady.

Ashley Skinner attended the Adventist church while growing up. She studied with several young people in the church on Wednesday evenings while their parents were in a Bible study with other adults. Learning of an upcoming baptism, she also requested to be baptized. However, she requested her grandfather Art Nelson, a pastor and Broadview Academy principal, come to baptize her. Ashley was baptized on April 9, 2005.

I'm sure the angels in Heaven rejoiced with the Springfield family as they witnessed these people make their public commitment and declaration of their love for Jesus Christ, their Lord and Savior.

Bruce Babienco, Lake Union Herald volunteer correspondent, as shared by Esther Nelson