July 2007 - Southern Adventist University

Gulf States NewsTeam Completes Sixth Mission to IndiaAs a result of the team’s ministry, 22 new churches in southernIndia have been established. Elbert James (left) stands in frontof one of the churches started by the group. The plaque honorsJames and his team.A team of six lay peoplefrom the Gulf States andWashington conferenceshave completed their sixthmission trip to southernIndia. The team is led byElbert James, a member ofthe Crestview, Fla., church.Since 2000, the teamhas been responsible forestablishing 22 churches,a shelter for the blind, andhelped in the education ofmany children and collegestudents.Other members of theteam include James Rosier,Mary Love Shaver, MartinGreenlaw, and PamelaWilson.Each member is a vitalpart of the overall program.Shaver, and her 12-year-oldgranddaughter, Makariah,took care of the children’sprogram. Wilson presenteda health talk eachnight. Greenlaw preachedthe first of three meetings.Rosier preached at the nextmeeting, and James finishedwith the third meeting andclosed out with a street concert,where many peoplegave their hearts to God.The focus of the meetingsthis year was to nurturethe people who have joinedthe church since the teambegan their ministry toIndia. “Over the years themission of reaching soulsfor Christ has not beeneasy, but I wouldn’t tradethis experience for anything,it has increased myspiritual growth and hasgiven me a closer relationshipwith Christ,” explainsJames. “I remember readingthe prayer of Jabez,and praying thatprayer for my life.”God didn’ttake long to answerJames’ prayer. Thenext day he wasinvited to go on amission trip to thePhilippines to singfor the evangelisticmeetings. Thetrip created a new visionfor him, and when he wasasked if he would like tohelp with a mission outreachin India, he acceptedthe challenge.The people of Indiapossess a caring nature, andthey are very receptive tothe Adventist message. Theteam has been welcomedwith open arms, and Jamesbelieves it’s because theyfollow Jesus’ example ofmingling with the people,desiring their good, gainingtheir trust, meeting theirneeds, and bidding them tofollow Christ.This mission to Indiahas been made possiblethrough contributions. “Weare thankful for all the support,and for the churcheswho have allowed me toput on programs in theirplace of worship,” saysJames. “It is not over untilall people, nations, kindred,and tongues have had theGospel preached to them,”he adds.For more informationplease contact AccessUnlimited Ministries, 137 W.Walnut Avenue, Crestview,FL 32536, or 850-682-4478.—BY REBECCA GRICEMany have been baptized because of theteam’s ministry.DesmondDossMemorialPatty Parks, director of theNational Medal of HonorMuseum, was the guestspeaker.On March 31, 2007,a large crowd gatheredat the Piedmont, Ala.,church for a memorialand dedication service tohonor the late DesmondT. Doss, who was amember at Piedmont.A monument andflagpole were dedicatedin remembrance of Dossfor his heroic role insaving the lives of morethan 75 men duringWorld War II. He wasthe only conscientiousobjector to receive theCongressional Medalof Honor. “God did amighty work throughDesmond Doss, and wewant to keep this storyalive,” explains RickyBlythe, Piedmont pastor.Charlie Fagan,Peidmont mayor, commented,“It was a greatday for a great man.”14 T IDINGS • J u l y 2 0 0 7