A few days ago, I had a special couple in my office. They've been working together for decades in the ministry of sharing the Gospel of Jesus with thousands across the United States, but their particular emphasis is in Georgia and Tennessee. They are E.W. Dempsey and his wife, Beth Ray. E.W. has served the GCC for many years, and Beth Ray has been his greatest supporter, volunteering her time for hands-on evangelism. They offer online Bible study videos and lessons, which they mail to hundreds of people monthly. They shared many fascinating experiences about people finding Jesus as their Savior. Here is just one about Jimmy, whose life was changed through the Bible studies with E.W.
Jimmy, a resident of Aiken, South Carolina, had lived a rewarding life, including ten years as a dedicated paramedic. For two decades, Jimmy had been part of a study group led by the late Dr. Charles Stanley, a well-known Baptist minister. Those years deepened his faith and gave him a strong foundation in Scripture, but something always felt incomplete. He didn’t know exactly what it was, but he continued to seek.
One afternoon, Jimmy was visited by a Literature Evangelist offering Bible Research lessons. Out of curiosity and a desire to learn more, he accepted the lesson. As he began studying, he felt the Holy Spirit stirring within him, igniting a deeper hunger for truth. He completed the Bible Research lessons and found himself drawn to continue learning through the Hope lessons. The teachings he encountered challenged his long-held beliefs, but they also brought clarity he hadn’t experienced before.
EW Dempsey, director of both the Bible Research program and the Georgia-Cumberland Conference Adult Ministries department, reached out to Jimmy after he completed the lessons. They spoke at length about what Jimmy had learned. Jimmy shared that he gained so much insight from the studies, but expressed his deep reluctance to become associated with any church other than Baptist.
But the Holy Spirit wasn’t done with Jimmy. He watched Bible Research DVDs, explored the writings from the Spirit of Prophecy, and felt a growing conviction. The truths he was uncovering resonated deeply in his heart. It wasn’t long before Jimmy admitted to himself that the Holy Spirit was leading him to something new, something different. He could no longer deny it. He shared with EW Dempsey again, admitting that his mind had been opened to Bible truth.
Jimmy wasn’t the only one on this journey. His wife, who had long been resistant to joining any church organization after several bad experiences, had been helping him with the written lessons and watching the DVDs alongside him. Slowly but surely, her attitude is beginning to change and she is actively listening and learning.
The story didn’t stop with just Jimmy and his wife. There was another man in Jimmy’s Baptist study group—a former SDA—who took notice of Jimmy’s transformation. Seeing the joy and clarity Jimmy found through his studies, this man also began to seek answers.
What began as a simple offer of a Bible lesson opened the door for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully in Jimmy’s life. It not only changed him but also began to impact those around him. Now, Jimmy stands ready to become a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, fully convinced of the truths he has discovered. His wife, once resistant, is also moving toward that same decision, and the ripple effect continues to touch others.
If you are interested in the Bible Research lessons and video messages that changed Jimmy’s life, visit www.bibleresearch.info. You never know how the Holy Spirit might use them to guide you into truth.
Below is the photo of E.W. Dempsey and his wife, Beth Ray.
____________
Peter Kulakov
Comments
Post a Comment