United News Weekly

The answer may surprise you! Some will tell of discovering the truth later in life and making major changes. Others may say they grew up knowing God’s way but had to learn how to prove it, choose it and make it their own.  

These stories are not meant to compete with each other! Rather, they should help us better understand and appreciate the work God is doing in our lives and in the lives of others He has called.

First-generation Christians often have a clear “before and after” story. They remember what changed when God opened their minds. The truth was surprising, challenging and life-altering. For second- or third-generation Christians, the experience is often less of a singular moment. God’s way comes to take on deeper personal significance over time as they fully understand and prove it for themselves.

That difference matters!

When we assume everyone should experience God’s calling in the same way, we can unintentionally create discouragement. A young person who grew up in the Church may wonder, “Was I really called if I never had a dramatic conversion moment?” A longtime first-generation member may wonder, “Why don’t my children or grandchildren seem as excited about the truth as I was?”

The answer is not that one group is more spiritual than the other. It's just that God works with each of us in different ways.

For those who grew up in the Church, the challenge is not usually finding the truth from the outside. The challenge is proving, internalizing and choosing what they have known all their lives. God’s way cannot remain merely “what my parents believe” or “what our Church teaches.” Each person must come to the point of saying, “This is what I believe. This is the way I choose. This is the God I will follow.”

For parents, grandparents and older members, that means we must make room for the right discussions. Repeating canned or standard answers is not always enough. Our young people need our patience, our heartfelt explanations of God’s way and our actual, lived examples of faith. They need help connecting doctrine to God’s mind, God’s purpose and God’s love.

For younger members (and all who grew up in the Church, regardless of age), God’s calling is no less real, no less serious and no less important! Do not wait for a dramatic sign before taking God’s calling seriously. Do not be content to stand with one foot in the Church and one foot in the world. Prove what you believe and determine who you will become! Study the “why” behind what you’ve been taught to practice. Ask questions and seek counsel. Build your own relationship with God through prayer and reading His Word.

Paul reminded the Church, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13). He also wrote that there is “one body and one Spirit . . . one hope . . . one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:4-5). God’s Church includes many backgrounds, many stories and many paths of growth, and yet we are called into one Body, one faith and one hope.

This week, talk with someone at Sabbath services about their calling. Ask, “How did God start working with you? What was the first part of God’s Truth that you began to understand? What made you start to take your calling seriously?”

It’s a great way to learn more about each other and be “encouraged together . . . by the mutual faith both of you and me” in Jesus Christ (Romans 1:12).

Join us at Ambassador Bible College!

Ambassador Bible College (ABC) is a unique nine-month program dedicated to helping students build a deeper understanding of God’s Word and develop a stronger relationship with God and Jesus Christ. Through systematic study of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, experienced instructors guide students through foundational doctrines, Christian living and practical biblical application. ABC’s mission is to faithfully teach the truths of Scripture and equip disciples of Jesus Christ for a lifetime of faithfulness, service and spiritual growth.

More than a classroom experience, ABC provides opportunities for leadership, service and meaningful fellowship. Students participate in service projects, extracurricular activities and hands-on learning while experiencing the day-to-day work of the Church. Whether you are preparing for future service, seeking a stronger biblical foundation or looking to grow in your walk with God, Ambassador Bible College offers an environment designed to help you internalize God’s truth and put it into practice in your life.

Apply today!

Pastoral Updates and New Hires

Ministerial and Member Services is pleased to announce the following changes that will take place over the next few months:

Mr. Gary Beam will be concluding many years of faithful service in the full-time ministry. We are deeply grateful for his dedicated service to the Church over these many years together with his wife, Rhonda.

Mr. Ryan Hall and his wife, Nissa, will be relocating to serve the congregations in Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama, and Tupelo, Mississippi, where Mr. Hall will pastor.

Mr. Doug Wendt and his wife, Belinda, will be relocating to seve the congregations in Wheeling, West Virginia; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Youngstown, Ohio, where Mr. Wendt will pastor.

Mr. Bob Orosz has been hired to pastor the congregations in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Ocala, Florida, serving together with his wife, Sandy.

Mr. Darren Henke has been hired as assistant pastor to Mr. Ben Light in Salem and Eugene, Oregon, serving together with his wife, Amber.

Mr. Chad Browning has been hired as a ministerial trainee and will begin training under Mr. Nick Lamoureux, serving congregations in Bismarck, Fargo, and Minot, North Dakota; Rapid City, Sioux Falls, and Watertown, South Dakota congregations, together with his wife, Katie.

Mr. Joshua Vasquez has been hired as a ministerial trainee and will begin training under Mr. Lewis VanAusdle, serving the congregations in Hartford, Connecticut; New Jersey and New York City, New York, together with his wife, Ariana.

We greatly appreciate your prayers for these men, their families, and the congregations they serve.