March - Lake Union Conference

Oliver PageTeneshia Standifer (driver) and well-wishers led theprocession through local neighborhoods.out fliers, Adventist booklets, balloons,candy and smiles. Observers enjoyedthe enthusiasm of the Burns cheerleadersand drum corps. Sermonettes suchas “Jesus Is Coming Again,” “Time IsRunning Out” and “You’d Better GetReady” could be heard as our ministersproclaimed God’s Word. The awesomemen’s chorale, The Chosen Few, ledby Russell Taylor, sang songs from thehuge float provided by the AmericanParade Company. As the processioncontinued for about five miles, severalbystanders remembered their childhoodfaith and asked for special prayer.Julius Everett Sr., Burns Churchpastor, along with all the participants,were humbled at the success of and theoverwhelming Christian witness theparade made on the local community.It was evident the parade was morethan just another event. Several of thebystanders who asked for prayer havevisited the Burns Church since theparade and commenced Bible studiesleading to at least one baptism.“The Model Church” reached out andtouched the local community througha walking event and reaped an untoldharvest for God’s Kingdom tomorrow.Oliver Page, Ph.D., communication leader,and Gertis Fordjour, Witnessing Paradedirector, Burns ChurchThe Ripple Effect ofWorking TogetherBenefits ManyLake Region—On Friday, Jan. 11, theDetroit Better Living Center (BLC)received a truck shipment of pillows,mattress pads and blankets. Boxes andboxes lined the walls of the multipurposeroom at the BLC awaiting pick upfrom churches and other agencies. Inthe dead of winter, these coveted itemswould be put to good use. But wheredid they come from, and how did theyend up at the BLC?Josephine Taylor is a memberand the community services leader atthe Ypsilanti(Mich.) Church.Some timeago, Taylor’sdaughter, PamMeadows,introduced herto the directorsof housekeepingin the hotelwhere Meadowswas employed.A long timecommunityvolunteer,Taylor neverturns away anopportunity that could be of futurehelp to someone in need. Taylor toldthe housekeeping directors that if theywere ever looking to donate any bedding,furniture or supplies, she couldhelp get it to community agencies fortheir clients. Little did she know that itwould be the beginning of a ripple effectthat would go beyond her expectations.Taylor received a call with newsthat the hotel had a surplus. Theywanted to know if she could use 1,000pillows, blankets and mattress pads.Undaunted by the challenge of distributingsuch a large number, she said,“Yes,” and then got busy on the phonewith her community contacts. EnterDetroit BLC director Ray Young, whoNewsconsented to take many of the boxes.When the shipment arrived, he wasoverwhelmed. Young thought he wouldhave pillows up to his ears until spring.Much to his surprise and relief, whenhe told people what he had, calls beganto come from everywhere. People werehappy to come and get the bedding hehad.But the BLC was not the onlyrecipient of this mega-shipment.Other churches in the area, non-profitagencies and area shelters openedtheir doors to be a conduit to peoplein need. Taylor recalls, “I didn’t knowwhat I was going to do with all of thisbedding, but God made a way for it towork out.”Boxes and boxes of pillows, mattress pads and blankets donated from a local hotelwere delivered to the Detroit Better Living Center.Ypsilanti church members helpedin ways they couldn’t have imagined.One member asked how donationswere transported. When he learnedthat Taylor rented a truck, he offeredto pay the gas for the transport. Eventhe rental company gave a break in thefee when Taylor told them the purposefor the rental. Taylor exclaimed, “Godis good, you hear me! Everyone pulledtogether, and no matter how little thecontribution of time, money or effort,it was just what was needed.”We don’t always know the rippleeffect of the work we do. But when wedo our part, we can be assured God willdo His, and many will be blessed.Debbie Young, communication correspondent,Lake Region ConferenceRay YoungVi s i t w w w. L a k e Un i o n He r a l d . o r g L a k e U n i o n H e r a l d • Ma r c h 2 0 0 8 | 39