Michigan—Bob Jensen had an idea that was bound to develop into something really great, once he got the ball rolling in Edmore and the surrounding community.
Bob and his wife Debbie are members of the Cedar Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church; they developed a concept and made it happen. The beauty of it is that members of other Christian churches may see the fruits of the organization they founded and organize similar groups within their own churches.
Bob and Debbie were frustrated with the traditional Sabbath school they attended every week. They wanted something different, but they didn't know just what. Then one day Bob read an article entitled, "The Little Sabbath School that Could," by Chris Blake, published in the February 1999 issue of the Adventist Review. It was about a group of church members in Lincoln, Neb., who formed a Sabbath school based on two mission statements: "The kingdom of God does not consist in talk, but in power" (1 Corinthians 4:20, RSV), and "Christianity is always intensely practical" (Messages to Young People, p. 200). At that moment Bob found what he was looking for! He wanted to step out of the traditional parameters of Sabbath school and form a group that would be participatory, practical, and personal, and would work toward a community outreach, with Edmore and the surrounding community as the focus.
For three or four more months after reading the article, Bob studied and prayed about what to do. Then one day he heard Jay Gallimore speak. Gallimore is the Michigan Conference president. The message Bob heard was, "Get involved! ... Be challenged to do something for the Lord!"
Bob was encouraged and motivated at that point. He talked to his pastor, Mickey Mallory, who encouraged the Sabbath school council and church board to support Bob's idea for a new group. Thus, the Something Else group was formed on July 1, 1999. Weekly, there are about 25 core members of the class, along with visitors, and even a curiosity seeker or two. Members of the Something Else group include church members 20–80 years old. This dramatic range of ages is beneficial to breaking down barriers that often exist between generations. The central focus is always Jesus.
The group begins their meetings with song service followed by prayer time. Prayer time is essential to the group, because there is incredible power in prayer. An active prayer list is kept as well as a list of answered prayers. After prayer, time is spent discussing community service/outreach projects and upcoming events. Finally, they get into the Word, studying and discussing the weekly Sabbath school lesson.
One example of outreach ministries they are involved with is prison ministries. Members of the group provide Sabbath services to a group of prisoners at a St. Louis, Mich., correctional facility.
They also visit Schnepp's Health Care Center in St. Louis once a month where the Something Else group plays music for the elderly residents. There are about ten song service band members who play guitars, banjo, mandolin, autoharp, dulcimers, and flute, and singers who lead the elderly residents in praise and worship. They ask residents for their favorite selections and sing songs such as The Family of God, Holy Grace, Shout to the Lord, I'll Fly Away, Redeemed, Mansion Over the Hilltop, Life's Railway to Heaven, and Amazing Grace. Residents sing, clap their hands, and tap their toes, and enjoy every minute of the song service. Afterward the Something Else group visits with the residents.
Claudia Cruz of St. Louis looks forward to the group's song service every month at Schnepp's. She said, "It gets me through the rest of the week." She visits her mom, Sadie Husted, a resident, every day.
Sue, a CNA at Schnepp's, says the residents are truly blessed and their spirits are uplifted. Many of the elderly residents expressed their joy in participating in the song service.
At Christmastime the Something Else class goes caroling in surrounding neighborhoods near the church. Another project was to purchase new or used dressers and fill them with baby items for unwed mothers. The group has a missing members ministry where they try to re-establish relationships with former church members. They have also provided financial assistance and physical assistance for people with special needs.
The Something Else class enjoys lots of social activities together, such as backyard Saturday night vespers, and potluck meals, which gives them opportunities to get to know one another better outside church.
The various outreach ministries are led by members of the group who listen to the Lord prompting their hearts, and lead when God calls them to use their talents. "The goals are His goals," says Bob. "The key is to take time in prayer to find out how to minister to others. God will speak to you." Faith builder scriptures such as Hebrews 11 inspire the Something Else members.
Bob and Debbie are quick to point out, "This [Something Else class] is not about us, it's about Jesus. We are called to minister to others in His name and to introduce them to Jesus."
That must be the foundational principle of our Sabbath schools, worship services, and evangelism. If not, then what is the point? Matt. 22:37–40 tells us to love the Lord and love others, and if we do that, it will change our lives and the lives of those we come into contact with. 1 John 3:18 says, "Let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth" (NIV).
Catherine Gruesbeck, Cedar Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church member
