Indiana

John Leis lll grew up in a committed Christian family. Early in life, John began his search to know God. His parents home-schooled their boys, a decision John says helped his spiritual growth. He later enrolled in a small Christian college in Texas. Far from home, John found himself drifting and not seeking God. In time, he wanted to quit school. John telephoned his father for help. His father advised him to read from the book of James every day. He accepted his father's advice, and believes this practice helped him get back on a Christian path.

When John returned home to Indiana, he attended church again and found friendships with some young people there. However, his smoking habit put a wedge in their friendship. Feeling rejected, he stopped attending church.

John lived in Tennessee for a while before he moved back to Indiana. Working in a local pharmacy, he met Sarah, his future wife, when she applied for a job. Six months later, they were engaged. Although Sarah was a Seventh-day Adventist, she didn't attend church. Sarah's mother expressed her desire for the couple to be "equally yoked" as spiritual partners when they married. John and Sarah discussed Sarah's beliefs before they were married, and John agreed their children could be raised within the Adventist church.

The next fall John and Sarah were married. Sarah began to regularly attend the Bloomington Adventist church. Some Sabbaths John worshiped with her.

Sarah and John's nephew was in church school, so they helped clean the church to assist with his tuition. Sometimes, John talked to God as he cleaned. After a while, he began to attend church with Sarah and their children.

One Sabbath, Fernando Ortiz (Bloomington Church pastor) spoke from Revelation 3. As John listened, a longing desire was born in his heart. He was convicted his commitment to the Lord was neither hot nor cold, and he thought about not spending eternity with his family. He sensed how much God loved him, even though he didn't deserve it. When the sermon concluded, John silently gave his heart to Christ.

When John took the children to potluck after church, he encountered the pastor and wanted to talk to him—but became speechless. The pastor initiated a conversation, and John was finally able to ask, "Pastor, what would I need to do to become a part of this church?"

The pastor's reply was a joyful "Fantastic!" and he explained the process. John believes the Holy Spirit led the pastor to speak to him, and praises God it happened.

Sarah and John studied with the pastor. John also completed online Bible lessons from Amazing Facts and The Voice of Prophecy. He also studied with Mike Riley, a church elder. John reflected on his childhood baptism when he did not understand its significance. He asked to be baptized again, but this time believed it would be a deeply spiritual experience.

John and Sarah are attending seminars to learn how to be used by God. John is also taking college classes to prepare for mission service. Their desire is to always be humble and to allow Christ to shine through them. Both desire to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving (their) own selves" (James 1:22).

John Leis lll, Bloomington Church member, with Bruce Babienco, Lake Union Herald volunteer correspondent