Like Leaves of Autumn

HOT SPRINGS, ARK. – A city of tourists, hot springs, gambling and horse racing. In March 2020, the world was thrown into a panic because of COVID-19. None of us were prepared for what was to come. We knew that there were many signs that pointed to things getting worse, but none of us expected our churches to be closed and members isolated due to a pandemic.

Everyone had to adapt to this new reality of life. Social media became the new way of experiencing worship and staying in touch with members via conference calls, Facebook and Zoom.

The members of the Sharon Seventh-day Adventist Church, though few, decided it was time to do something. We decided to go back to our roots that encouraged us to spread our literature like the leaves of autumn. On Sept. 5, our first issue was mailed out.

In Testimonies for the Church, Ellen White says, “Unvarnished truth must be spoken in leaflets and pamphlets, and these must be scattered like the leaves of autumn.” The church voted a budget to cover the cost of purchasing and mailing out 400 pieces of biblical literature. Our plan of action was to mail out a magazine every month. These magazines were to go not only to friends and family, but also to our neighbors. As a result of this ministry, we have restarted our prison Bible study ministry. All of us have been energized since this project started. We had positive reports already from some of those receiving the magazines. Of course, we prayed that God would bless this ministry even before we mailed out the magazines.

Pray for us as we shine the light in this part of God’s vineyard through this magazine ministry.

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By Alfred Jones, Pastor