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Lessons Learned

By Scott Tyman, October 25, 2022

Nearly two years after the COVID-19 pandemic, marketing and getting people to come to a public series continues to be a challenge, but God is faithful and He continues to keep His promises. I find comfort in Isa. 55:11, which says, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”  

My meetings were held at four different locations throughout the Tacoma community with around 30 in attendances — 15 of those being guests. Like in most meetings, I am finding it is taking longer and longer for people to move forward in faith and decide to officially become a part of the Adventist church family. The good news is there are half a dozen who are still attending and are actively engaged, even though they have not officially joined the church.

The Tacoma Central Church has been running a Community Service Center for nearly 30 years. One of the volunteers, who is Adventist, very mission driven and always looking for ways to share her faith, met one of the clients by the name Elizabeth. She was picking up food, and, after showing Christ’s love and praying with her, Elizabeth asked if she knew of a church that she could attend. Elizabeth started coming to Tacoma Central. After attending for several months, she started coming to Sabbath School, small group study and eventually a prophecy class.

Elizabeth was baptized this past April. Before she fell in love with Jesus, she had a history of suicidal thoughts, depression and many other mental issues. Today you could hardly even tell. She is very happy, energetic and very involved in the church. Whenever the church doors are open, she is helping with cleaning, deaconess responsibilities, helping with fellowship meals and a host of other things. She really has been a huge blessing to God’s kingdom. All because someone showed her love.

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Scott Tyman

Tacoma Central Adventist Church pastor
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The Gleaner is a gathering place with news and inspiration for Seventh-day Adventist members and friends throughout the northwestern United States. It is an important communication channel for the North Pacific Union Conference — the regional church support headquarters for Adventist ministry throughout Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. The original printed Gleaner was first published in 1906, and has since expanded to a full magazine with a monthly circulation of more than 40,000. Through its extended online and social media presence, the Gleaner also provides valuable content and connections for interested individuals around the world.

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