Late one night, over two bowls of ramen noodles, Richmond Pajela and Bryan Fellows began to share how much they needed Christ in their lives. Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) juniors at the time, they had struggled to find their divine purpose. As their conversation continued, they began to express their desire to share the gospel message with others, recognizing this would in turn help them grow closer to their Savior. That night a concept for a new ministry was born: SPLASH (Spiritually Passionate Leaders Always Sharing Him). Propelled by the leadership and teachings of their youth pastors, David Ferguson and Sergio Manente, they began to share their desire for ministry with their friends and school staff.

The Pennsylvania Conference got wind of the excitement and teamed up with the small but growing SPLASH team to conduct several small youth revivals in the conference. It was exciting for the young leaders to see what God was doing with their dream, but what was to come next was even more amazing.

As Richmond and Bryan neared the end of their senior year, they searched for a university that would support their desire to serve their Lord. As they "shopped" around, God seemed to point directly at Andrews University. After much prayer, they made the big move. Almost immediately, their small ministry took off with added fervor at their new location, making their dreams a greater reality than they ever thought possible.

After only one year at Andrews, the ministry has grown to include five departments within their organization: Missions, Leadership, Events, Evangelism, and Publications.

Their Missions department is planning a large evangelistic thrust for Spring 2008 where college youth will use their gifts in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Leadership department, with the help of Andrews Academy and Oliver Archer (Pioneer Memorial Church associate pastor for youth ministries), shares leadership principles to foster more leaders like themselves. The Events department is planning a major youth event called Point Blank at Wisconsin Academy at the end of September, dealing with the topic of God's purpose for our lives. This highly spiritual and musical event is aimed at reaching Adventist youth from across the Lake Union as well as other Christian teens from the area. The Evangelism and Publications departments are working toward new ways to share Christ with young people, through media ministry, drama, books, and weeks of prayer.

One of the new and exciting additions to this amazing ministry is CPR3 (Crisis Point Response, Relief, Recovery). This ministry lends a loving hand when people are in need. When disaster strikes, CPR3 and its mobile staff are there to aid. Whether a house fire or a catastrophic disaster such as Hurricane Katrina, CPR3 will be there to be God's hands and feet (see www.cpr3.org).

Bryan and Richmond started SPLASH because God had gifted them and motivated them to lead. They were not going to sit around and wait until some committee was inspired to give them an opportunity to lead. They stepped out in faith, and with God's blessing are changing the world. "We wanted to know God for who He said He was," says co-director Bryan Fellows. And that they have. Their goal is to inspire and ignite a flame in their peers and to share what a God-driven life can be like. Through innovative ways of evangelism, they are making a "splash" in communities across America.

It all started with two academy juniors, a couple packs of ramen noodles, and a desire to grow in God. What is God wanting to do with you?

Gary Burns is the Lake Union Conference communication director.

Readers may learn more about SPLASH by visiting www.splashministries.com.

SIDEBAR

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We know that as we praise our God, He will fill us with His presence and help us better understand what He wants us to do for HIM. To help lead us is J.B. McMillen, a man dedicated to God who sees life from a different angle. Also, James Weigley is excited about sharing God and his personal experience as a college student at Southern Adventist University.

Musical Guests: Maria Long, and The Cause

Can you think of a better place to be? Come join us as we worship our awesome God. Visit the Point Blank website at www.splashministries.com.