Connections Archive

Trent McCrow
Editorial intern

Four students have asked for baptism and 30 for Bible studies following Festival of Faith II this past week (September 8-13).

Speaker Pastor Buell Fogg (pictured, right), assistant to the president at Union College (Lincoln, Nebraska, USA), presented twice a day during the week. "He's proven a hit with the students, has a unique style and strong challenge to his message," says Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church senior minister Dr Bruce Manners.

Buell used the stories of people and the reality of God in their lives to illustrate his message. "Who we are doesn't really matter," says Buell. "What really matters is who God is . . . that we may be impacted by His reality." Buell believes "God uses individuals to show Himself" and challenged staff members and students to share their testimony.

Student Associated Ministries (SAM) leader Krystle Praestiin hoped Festival of Faith II would challenge staff members and students to take their relationship with God more seriously. She wanted them to leave each meeting with a "firm knowledge" that God is real. "Most staff members and students I've spoken with have told me they received a blessing and were inspired," says Krystle.

During the Friday evening meeting, Buell challenged those attending to commit to God: four respondents asked for baptism and 30 for Bible studies. "I say praise God and may it have a flow on affect," says Krystle.

Credit: Ann Stafford