Michigan

Dan Towar, an evangelist, and his wife Patsy, were invited by Nathan Stearman, Manistique Church pastor, to conduct a Discover Revelation seminar series. Seven people committed their lives to Jesus during two beautiful baptismal services in April 2005. Three members of the Lee family were among those baptized, including Chu Lee, his daughter Bonnie Lee, and son Matthew Lee.

Their family of eight members moved to Manistique from Portland, Oregon, to start a family Chinese and Thai restaurant, Leesia Home Buffet, in June 2004, but bad weather and a poor community response resulted in a decision to close the restaurant. However, during the time it was open, a Manistique Church elder and his wife ate there almost daily, and witnessed to them about God’s Word and shared their beliefs. Because these Christians also invited the Lees to attend church with them, they began to attend church with them each Sabbath.

The Lees were given the Amazing Facts Storacles of Prophecy Bible study guides, and were amazed at how much they learned and understood about Scripture in a short time. Providentially, the Towars conducted their Discover Revelation seminar. As the family came to the meetings, they learned new Bible teachings and better understood more familiar ones.

In response to the Towars' invitation, Chu and Matthew were baptized on April 16, and Bonnie on April 30, 2005. They enjoy attending the Manistique Church because the congregation is so friendly, supportive, and treats everyone as members of one wonderful family. The Lees desire to be used by God as they await Christ’s soon return.

Also baptized were Larry Zerter and Brandi Silkworth. Larry’s spiritual interests were quickened when church youth leader, Charles Kinsaul, conducted Bible studies with him. Larry was thrilled he could understand his Bible for the very first time. Later, he joined those attending the Discover Revelation seminar, and accepted Christ as his personal Savior, and was baptized.

Brandi experienced a hard time about four years ago when her parents divorced. Her mother remarried and started attending the Adventist church in Manistique, Mich. Brandi also started attending and says, "I never met such nice, non-judgmental, and accepting people before." She says she didn't want to attend church at first because it was her future step-dad's idea because she was still grieving her parents' divorce. But she says that attending this church, God, and time helped her accept her step-dad.

Brandi chose to be baptized. She says, "I thank God for the blessings I have received and the people that I have met." With a smile, Brandi’s family calls her baptism her “new birthday."

Anita Brooks, Manistique Church correspondent, with Bruce Babienco, Lake Union Herald volunteer correspondent