For decades, Gerri Kohtz faithfully attended church and served in various ministries. But after attending training on personal evangelism, she sensed God calling her beyond the walls of her congregation.
That invitation led her into Bible studies, neighborhood outreach, and relationships she never expected to build. Her story is a reminder that God often works just beyond the edge of our comfort zone.
Gerri: I taught Sabbath School for like 40 years and thought, well this is my little place to be. But God said, no, you’ve got the whole world out there that needs to know.
Narrator: For decades, Gerri Kohtz thought her ministry was right here, inside her mid michigan church. But God expanded her view. A few years ago when she and her husband attended camp meeting and learned of discipleship trainings at the conference-run emmanuel institute. She grew excited and signed up.
Gerri: It was so good. It just opened my eyes.
Narrator: What she learned she wasn’t content to keep to herself. She encouraged her church sister Ellen Bisel, another retiree, to attend a future session.
Today, the two women can be found each week knocking on doors inviting their neighbors to study the bible.
So far, they have handed out dozens of lessons and are studying with several. Including Marcy Lynch.
Ellen: I asked her, can I practice on you for Bible studies. And she wasn’t even thinking of having Bible studies, right? Well, now she’s into it. She wants me to come every week.
Narrator: For Marcy, a widow — twice over — Ellen and Gerri’s visit is a highlight each week.
Marcy: They’re a lot of fun. They bring a lot of light into the Bible because it’s hard to understand as far as I’m concerned.
Narrator: For Gerri, helping others search the scriptures feels deeply personal. Her own journey started years ago with a book that sat on a shelf for two generations.
Gerri: This book is very personal, The Great Controversy.
Narrator: When she and her husband Jeff had their first son, they were impressed to join a church.
Gerri: So, we started reading the Bible and we went to visit Jeff’s folks. His mother said we’ve got a book that’s been on the shelf for years and I’ve never read it.
Narrator: That book had been given to her father and he, too, had never read it.
Gerri: She says, you might enjoy reading it. Well, we sure did enjoy reading it.
Narrator: The couple started observing the sabbath—unaware if any churches still kept that faith tradition until an unusual phone conversation during a job search.
Gerri: When I called the job agency and told them I couldn’t work from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, they said you must be Seventh-day Adventist. I said, well no, I never heard of those.
Narrator: Intrigued, the couple looked in the phone directory for Adventist churches and discovered one nearby. When they arrived, Gerri had one question.
Gerri: I was going to ask if they ever heard of Ellen White, and they had her books all over the place. We never stopped going We never stopped going. It just amazes us that God plucked us out of the world.
Narrator: Gerri and Ellen’s enthusiasm for spreading the gospel is growing. This sixth grader, Jack, answered their call for help.
Jack: I like helping people know about Jesus and I just want to be a follower of God.
Narrator: With an assist from his grandmother who drives him to drop off lessons each week.
Ellen: You’re never too old. You’re never too young.
Narrator: Or self-described introverts who aren’t content to taking it easy during this season of life.
Gerri: I let her lead out and tell us how it’s going, how we’re going to work it out. She’s a natural at it.
Ellen: I didn’t know that, but I guess I am.
Narrator: Confidence which comes from following God’s lead.
Gerri: Whether I ever get a Bible study or not, I’m doing what God asked me to do. I’m His disciple.
Narrator: By following the great commission.