President’s Perspective
Prayer Alert
H name I learned, was Rick. He was a service
e was a total stranger when we first met. His
technician who arrived at my home to repair the air
conditioner. He wasn’t very talkative, at least not
initially. However, because I was interested in the problem that had
caused my AC to leak water throughout my attic, I dialoged with
him as he evaluated the issue and then recommended a plan to fix it.
In less than an hour, he was finished and because I had, likely to the
level of annoyance, asked many questions of him both professional
and personal, he had grown comfortable to the point of asking me
a question, “So, what do you do for your work?” I enjoy it when
people ask me this because it sometimes opens a door to connect
on topics far more important than broken air conditioners. “I’m in
ministry and I work for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.”
Rick had never heard of my Church. However, as he spent a
few minutes writing up the bill, he shared with me how he attended
a Pentecostal church where he grew up in Minnesota. Living now
in Nashville, he hadn’t found a church in the area that he felt was
faithful to the Word. “Oh, you would like my Church,” I replied,
“because I can’t think of any other Church that takes the Bible more
seriously than we do.” Rick thought about that for a moment and
then said, “What’s the name of your church again? Seven day who?”
I smiled and explained the
Sabbath and the Advent and
why they are so important. A
moment later, Rick had hand-
ed me my receipt and pre-
pared to leave. “Rick. Do you
mind if I pray with you before
you go?” I asked. His reply
was quick, “Sure.” As I said
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Connection