In mid April Elder Bruce Wilkinson, Director of Evangelism Training with Native Ministries in the Seven Unions, was asked to meet with the Ministerial Director of the Michigan Conference Elder Lauren Nelson. Elder Nelson explained to Wilkinson there was an interest in the Mount Pleasant and Midland church districts to reach out to the Saginaw Chippewa Nation. He asked Wilkinson to partner with Pastor Darryl Bentley for this project.

          Elder Normon, Mary Buckawitz, Pastor Bently, Elder Wilkinson 

Upon meeting Pastor Bentley, they both planned a weekend project which included visits with local municipal office directors and Chairman Fred Cantu, Chief of the Saginaw Chippewa Nation. One morning was spent visiting Mt. Pleasant city office directors, welcoming each one to attend a Community Think-Tank (a simple survey to gauge the community’s interests and needs of the church) to be held later in the year. The response was thrilling as each office agreed to attend this church meeting. The next day was scheduled to meet Chairman Cantu. Along with Pastor Bentley and Elder Wilkinson, Tribal member Mary Buckawitz and two Elders from Midland and Mt. Pleasant churches met with Chairman Cantu. Chairman Cantu listened intently as they described a desire to connect with the Saginaw Chippewa to network together, meeting the important needs of the Nation. An invitation to bible study was extended and accepted with Chairman Cantu.

 Elder Mark, Pastor Bently, Chairman Cantu, Elder Wilkinson, Mary Buckawitz, Elder Normon

The Friday evening training program at the Mount Pleasant Seventh-day Adventist Church began with a bible study and testimony presented by Elder Wilkinson. Young and old were present at Sabbath morning’s service, desiring to learn how to handle rejection while evangelizing in the community. The Sabbath afternoon training session was well attended and four outreach projects were adopted by church members ready to march for God. Project coordinators were selected and the Mt. Pleasant and Midland churches are committed to evangelistic outreach using Project Win-A-Friend beginning Sabbath, August 22nd.

 
Elder Wilkinson presenting Project: Win a Friend

A Monday morning bible study was held with Chairman Cantu. He listened closely as the Gospel was presented in a systematic way that rang true with light from heaven. Chairman Cantu extended his card to Elder Wilkinson as a gesture of acceptance and to arrange future contact. God has blessed the efforts of these Michigan church districts with these meetings. 

           Members of Mount Pleasant Seventh-day Adventist Church

The churches will now work the four community projects which were adopted that weekend. After meeting the needs of the community with these four projects, the church will continue the projects and share their beliefs. Community members of all cultures and faiths will be invited to Bible study meetings. The local Seventh-day Adventist Church will seek to meet the spiritual and other needs of the community.