Lake Region—Formed in 2003 the Spirit of Unity (SOU) churches consist of Capitol City, Eastside, Emmanuel, Haughville, and Tabernacle of Hope. These five churches are located in the Greater Indianapolis area and are constituents of the Lake Region Conference. The leadership team is comprised of Leon Bryant, Capitol City pastor; Charles Willis, Eastside pastor; Leroy Logan, Haughville pastor; Tunde Ojewole, Emmanuel and Tabernacle of Hope pastor; and Evelyn Robinson, an area Bible worker.

The SOU concept was the Holy Spirit inspired idea of the late Judy Crawford when she was pastor of Tabernacle of Hope. Crawford’s vision was that we would unite as one to prepare the way for the Second Coming of Jesus by spreading the good news of salvation and providing inter-church fellowship opportunities.

SOU churches have convened for joint worship services at least once per year since its inception in 2003 in what is known as “Unity Day.” Unity Days are made possible due to collaborative efforts of Sabbath school teachers, platform participants, music ministries, ushers, deacons, and Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs under the direction of the SOU leadership team.

SOU provided an excellent opportunity for fellowship through its first annual "Spirit of Unity Gala" on May 6. More than 150 members attended this formal “black-tie” affair which included a silent auction that raised more than $2,000 for the Capitol City School and Seeds of Hope philanthropic projects.

This year marks three years that SOU churches have sponsored a booth at the Indiana Black Expo, in Indianapolis, Ind. Indiana Black Expo is the largest event attended by African-Americans. It focuses on health, education, and cultural celebrations. Approximately 348,000 individuals attended the Black Expo in 2006. Countless individuals encountered SOU members who ministered at the booth. They conducted hourly Bible give-aways, distributed truth-filled literature and books, enrolled individuals in Bible studies, and promoted the Capitol City School.

The SOU churches recently concluded a city-wide evangelistic series entitled “Jesus Paid It All—No More Chains,” in the central Indianapolis area (34th St. and Meridian St.). Meetings were held each evening, excluding Monday and Thursday. It was a powerful ministry event that transformed lives in its three-week duration from July 22 through Aug. 12. The featured evangelistic speaker was Mark McCleary, pastor of the First Church of Seventh-day Adventists in Washington, D.C. Furthermore, a SOU-sponsored Vacation Bible School (VBS) program occurred concurrently with the evangelistic series. An average of 60 children attended each night. Throughout the combined events, 50 people volunteered their time. Thirty-eight precious individuals responded to the call of Jesus and were baptized!

The evangelistic series and VBS program were mammoth undertakings! Both began with the Personal Ministries departments from the churches conducting needs assessments in the area. Based on the survey results, seminars were given on health, finance, and relationships. Community service projects, such as a food and clothing distribution to those in need and a blood drive, were activities that occurred during the the weeks of the evangelistic series. These projects ministered to the physical needs of the people.

SOU churches joined hands with each other and then joined hands with the Holy Spirit, who breathed life on the corner of 34th St. and Meridian St. in Indianapolis. The “Jesus Paid It All—No More Chains” evangelistic series concluded with a fellowship cookout at Sahm’s Park.

In Fall and Winter 2006, SOU churches will host Revelation seminars; “The Presence” by Shawn Boonstra, a satellite broadcast from It is Written; a joint Sabbath evening vespers and baptism; a joint Spirit of Unity Sabbath with Randy Stafford; and a joint communion service.

Evangelism empowered by the Holy Spirit will continue throughout the Indianapolis area as the SOU churches co-labor with God to finish the work. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20 NKJV)

Bryan Chapman, communication correspondent for Spirit of Unity