Lake Region—Members of the Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church in Battle Creek, Mich., recently completed their celebration of 75 years as a congregation. Six pastors who previously served the congregation spoke on a designated Sabbath during the months preceding the grand celebration on September 15. A mini-concert featuring musicians of the church set the stage for worship. Tears flowed as former members from within the city and neighboring communities began to fill the pews. Other former Bereanites drove or flew from as far away as Atlanta, Ga., and North Carolina, to be a part of this event. Octogenarian sisters, Barbara Lett Simmons and Edna Lett Williamson, traveled from Washington, D.C., and New York City, in order to participate in the celebration of the church in which they were raised.

Divine worship speaker, Charles Bradford, retired president of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, having lost none of his oratorical stature, admonished the congregation to raise their Ebenezers—their stones of hope. He reminded us that we need help, and wherein our help lies.

Bradford's presence held special meaning to Berean because of his familial ties to the church's history. In 1931, ten African-American families pulled away from the Battle Creek Tabernacle and began to worship in the home of Bradford's cousin, Katie (Buckner), and her husband, Herbert Seeney. On Feb. 6, 1932, Berean officially joined the fellowship of churches of the Michigan Conference.

A well-attended banquet concluded the months of celebration. From the moment united voices rang out, "Lift Every Voice and Sing," it was apparent that this would not be an ordinary evening. The audience was awed by the performance of violinist, Roland Sunkins, and gained a new appreciation for the psalmist's words, "Let us praise Him with dance," as praise dancer Daisy Young worshiped God in her unique way. Lake Region Conference president Jerome Davis, key-note speaker, reminded those present that "we have come this far by faith." Chaplain and Gwen Hardy reminded everyone of the blessings of the Lord by singing, "He's Been Faithful." An audiovisual presentation pictorially traced the history of Berean from its conception.

To conclude the celebration, the 100 people in the banquet hall formed a circle and sang with deep emotion, "Side by Side We Stand." As we at Berean continue our service to God and our fellow man, we look forward to the day when we will be reunited in Heaven and "pray that we all will be there."

Jackie Sheppard, 75th Anniversary chairperson, Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church