Michigan

Roy Escoe is the second youngest of a family of five children who were all baptized in the Harvey (Illinois) Church. His parents sacrificed to send all their children to Broadview Academy. Roy’s two years at Broadview were some of the best years of his life. The teachers loved him, helped him, tutored him, and genuinely cared for him. After academy, Roy was active in the church and even taught children’s Sabbath school, but for various reasons he drifted away.

Eventually, Roy’s employment took him to Flint, Michigan. The owner of the store was a religious man, and Roy found himself sharing some books by Ellen White with him. Also, while working at the store, a lady occasionally dropped off pamphlets. The topics of the literature had to do with Stop Smoking clinics and other events occurring in the local Adventist churches. Through this woman’s influence, Roy began to attend church again—this time at the Holly Church.

The owner of the store closed up shop, and Roy was without a job. He and his wife moved to Livonia, Michigan, to be near her family. Roy began to look for a church home. His mother-in-law told him about the Metropolitan Church (Metro). Though she was not an Adventist, his mother-in-law knew about the Metro church because her former neighbors, Mary Duke and Debbie Modetz, attended there. Debbie had greatly comforted her at the time of a tragedy and was held in high regard by the whole family.

The first time Roy attended the Metro church he was greeted with a great big smile and a warm handshake by Bud Bakewell. Bud encouraged Roy, and they became friends. Roy wanted his membership transferred to Metro. Because of years of absence, Roy’s membership had been dropped. Roy had a decision to make. He knew he should be re-baptized, but that was not an easy decision. He prayed and studied about re-baptism for a couple of years.

It was thoughts of his time at Broadview Academy that brought Roy around to making that decision. It was at Broadview where he really learned about Jesus. It was there where his love for his Lord grew strong and where he was happiest. He knew he was happy there because he was doing God’s will. Roy wanted that first-love feeling again.

On September 9, 2006, Roy was re-baptized, and he has been so happy to be in the loving arms of his Saviour, once again.

Joy Hyde, Detroit Metropolitan Church communication secretary