Once upon a time, nestled among the rolling foothills of the Tennessee Valley, there stood a small and humble church known as St. Elmo. Though it was not grand in size, its people were faithful, serving their community with kindness and devotion day after day.
One bright morning, word arrived from a ministry called Streams of Light. These diligent workers had been traveling through the bustling streets of downtown Chattanooga, sharing copies of The Great Controversy with all who would receive them. As they placed books into eager hands, they also offered something even more precious—the opportunity to study God’s Word.
Some people requested simple Bible studies delivered to their homes. Others hoped for a friendly visitor who would sit beside them and explore the Scriptures together. By the end of the day, the volunteers had gathered thirty-two requests from people longing to learn more about the Lord.
But a problem soon appeared.
The workers of Streams of Light looked upon their list of names and sighed. They had gathered many souls interested in studying the Bible, but they had no one available to follow up with them. They pondered and prayed, wondering who could help.
As they sought the Lord’s guidance, a thought gently impressed itself upon their hearts: the little church of St. Elmo.
Without delay, they reached for a telephone and called Pastor Ismael Facio, the faithful shepherd of that small congregation. They explained the great need before them and the many Bible study interests waiting for someone to guide them.
“Without help,” they said, “these precious interests may grow cold and be left all alone.”
Pastor Ismael’s heart was moved. He cared deeply for these people, but he wondered how such a small church could care for so many. After all, he was only one pastor leading a congregation of modest size.
Then, as if written into the story by the Author Himself, the pastor’s telephone rang once more.
On the other end was a man named Jack, leader of a ministry known as Reach Your Neighbor Evangelism Trainers. Across the land, these trainers traveled far and wide, helping churches learn how to share the gospel and reach their communities for Christ.
Jack explained that one of their trainers was available to assist a church in the Chattanooga area for the coming year. This trainer was a young evangelist named Noah Banks, whose passion was helping ordinary church members discover that they, too, could be workers in God’s harvest field.
Pastor Ismael’s heart leaped with hope.
Yet there was another challenge. Two other churches were also hoping to receive Noah’s help. The pastor’s excitement quickly turned to uncertainty. Would St. Elmo be chosen?
That evening, Pastor Ismael lifted his concerns to heaven and asked the Lord to provide whatever was best.
The very next day, another call arrived.
Jack shared wonderful news: after much prayer and consideration, Noah Banks had chosen to partner with St. Elmo Church. Together they would train members, make disciples, and help lead the congregation into a new season of evangelistic ministry.
Pastor Ismael looked toward heaven with gratitude. His prayer had been answered.
And so the story continued.
Month after month, Noah and the members of St. Elmo faithfully labored together. Every Sabbath, more than thirty members gathered for training. Men and women who had never given a Bible study before began opening Scripture with neighbors and friends. Church members stepped beyond their comfort zones, knocking on doors, making visits, and sharing the love of Jesus.
Though fewer than forty people attended the church each week, the Lord poured out His Spirit upon them in remarkable ways. What seemed impossible for such a small congregation became possible through God’s power.
The little church of St. Elmo discovered a wonderful truth:
In God’s kingdom, greatness is not measured by numbers, but by faithfulness.
As Noah Banks and the members stepped forward in faith, the Lord used them to touch lives throughout their community.
What follows is a true story of how God used a member of St. Elmo Church to reach a soul for His kingdom.
A Story from a Church Member
I was excited to hear that our small church, Living Hope SDA Church, would be receiving thirty-two contacts interested in Bible studies. I had been praying for a long time to be part of an active church and to learn how to give Bible studies myself.
I received my first contact—someone interested in Bible study guides—but all we had was a phone number. Before calling, I prayed. Then I called.
Someone answered, although I could hardly understand them. They were still interested, and I barely managed to get an address for the first Bible study drop-off. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the first booklet available at the time, so I had to reschedule. Thankfully, they were willing.
Later, when I finally had the materials ready, I called again. They answered, and because no one spoke at first, I began explaining who I was. As soon as I mentioned the Bible studies, they hung up on me mid-sentence.
That was unexpected.
I called back, ready to quickly explain that I wasn’t a robot and that we had spoken before, but they never answered again. I sent a text message and followed up the next day, letting them know they could contact me if they were still interested.
I talked with our pastor, and he encouraged me by giving me another contact.
“This one is really interested in Bible studies,” he said. “A hot contact.”
This time we had both a name and a phone number. I was really hoping this would become my first Bible study with someone.
Again, I prayed before calling.
Someone picked up the phone... but there was silence. I spoke, and suddenly they hung up on me mid-sentence.
Wow.
I sent a text message, and shortly afterward a lady replied, apologizing. She explained that her three-year-old had answered the phone and she had assumed it was a spam call.
She then asked me to call her back when I could.
I called again, and this time we talked. We prayed together, and she shared her deep desire to get her life back on track spiritually and become healthier.
Since then, I have been praying for her every day—that the enemy will not send distractions, difficulties, or discouragements to keep her from connecting with God.
It has been a journey.
We’ve made appointments to meet, but something always seems to come up. Right now, I’m waiting for her to call me back. I recently sent her an encouraging message:
“Hello, I’ve been praying for you and wanted to bring you a new Bible and a small gift. Would sometime between 2:00–3:00 p.m. on Wednesday work for you?”
I continue praying that God will surround her with His angels during this spiritually vulnerable season and that the Holy Spirit will impress her heart to open more fully to Jesus—so that nothing will come between her and Him.
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