Living Proof

Extraordinary Entrepreneur

What would drive a teenager to sell Christian books door-to-door? Certainly this is not a normal activity. Most 16-year-olds are more concerned with learning to drive, going to parties, playing video games or working at a fast food restaurant for cash. But Kelly Brueske is no ordinary teen.

When Kelly was 16-years-old, he decided to spend the summer selling books door-to-door. He spent the summer in Phoenix, Arizona -- a very hot place. The next summer he opted for the “cool” northwest and sold books in Hayden Lake, Idaho.

But why would a young person do this? Kelly says “I’m talkative; I like to meet people, help people and learn how people live.” And like any job he earns money. But it all goes to Christian education. And his school, Walla Walla Valley Academy, matches what he earns dollar-for-dollar.

Kelly enjoys the experience of visiting people door-to-door. One day he felt impressed to ask a lady if he could pray for her. He was nervous.

She said, “Yes, please pray for the salvation of my kids.”

Kelly says, “That was a very touching experience and she appreciated my prayer.”

The biggest reason Kelly sells books door-to-door is not just to attend a Christian school. It’s because he loves God. He has a great appreciation for God and he can see God working out his plan in his life. One of his favorite Bible verses is Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Top of Page)

Living Proof

Wired for Mission Adventures

What do you do with a five-year-old who blows his nose on a gentleman’s silk handkerchief and steals food off people’s plates at church potlucks? Tye’s parents found few disciplinary methods to change his impish ways, but they finally found a solution -- money. Tye loved to earn money and hated to have it taken away. A few years later, Tye’s grandma used money to encourage Tye to read portions of the Bible and the Story of Redemption.

Being a mischievous child wasn’t all negative. Tye wanted to join Pathfinders when he was 10 and he studied the Bible to be baptized a year later. Being an upfront kid who talked a lot, Tye was asked to speak for a Pathfinder Jamboree at Wallowa Lake when he was 15. He loved it!

At age 18 Tye was asked to preach in the Dominican Republic by Richard Parker the youth director for the Adventist Church. This was a real eye opener. Tye says, “In the Dominican Republic, I saw the great controversy in action. I have never seen such a fight between good and evil.” That’s another story in itself.

Following the mission trip, Tye worked at Camp MiVoden, a summer camp for youth and now this year he works in the Youth Department for the Adventist church, and is planning a mission trip to Guatemala, asking other young people to preach!

Tye has come full circle. He says, “I joined a Pathfinder club that nurtured change; I was changed and now I have a chance to help others change.” Letting his serious side come through, Tye says, “I think of an individual who came to camp who was annoying like I was, but I look at him and I think, Tye Junior! And I see him being a huge asset to some ministry someday.” He continues, “I pray he will be there some day. If I told him ‘you’re annoying, go away,’ what if I jeopardized his salvation because I was rude to him? I want to nurture his growth so someday he’ll have the chance to nurture other people.”

Tye’s grandma always believed that he would one day be a preacher. Tye had said he’d rather do anything than that! … But now, the answer might be different. (Top of Page)

Living Proof

Chris at a Crossroad

“This is where I come from and this is where I’m gonna stay,” wrote Chris Duckett, a shy, young songwriter. He was 16-years-old and at a spiritual crossroad – not sure if the song would be a rock song or a religious song, or if he would ever choose to give his heart to Jesus.

Before beginning the song, Duckett applied to travel with the St. Helena Adventist Church to Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico to build a church. One question on the application was, “Why do you want to go on this mission trip?” He responded, “To give God one last chance.”

He was accepted to go with 15 other students from his church and high school. As Duckett worked up a sweat building the church, enjoying the food and friendship of the other volunteers, he realized there was nothing better than helping people. And nothing he had ever experienced before gave him so much love and joy-like peace.

“I knew then that I wanted to help people for the rest of my life,” said Duckett, “because that gives the most satisfaction.”

On the trip he finished the song, turning it into a praise song. Duckett shared it with two of his spiritual mentors. “They learned my song and taught it to everybody,” said Duckett. “It was an incredible high for me because they appreciated how God had used me. I love to write songs to God through which others can learn and be blessed!”

Making a decision for Jesus on the Mexico trip, Duckett was baptized the following year. Since that time, he and his wife worked with Adventist Frontier Missions for two years and traveled to Namibia in Southwest Africa, Nicaragua and Russia. They currently work at Upper Columbia Academy and look forward to sharing the gospel wherever God leads. (Top of Page)

The Song
by Chris Duckett

This is where I come from and this is where I’m gonna stay
And now that you have come into my life I’m gonna sing your praise all day.
Sing his praises, sing unto Him, join your voices and sing.
Sing his praises, sing unto Him, join your voices and sing.

This is my family and these are my friends,
I know that you’ll be with us until the very end.
Sing his praises, sing unto Him, join your voices and sing.
Sing his praises, sing unto Him, join your voices and sing.

We are His people because He died for us
So we should be grateful He was so generous.
Sing his praises, sing unto Him, join your voices and sing.
Sing his praises, sing unto Him, join your voices and sing.

This is my homeland and this is what I live for,
And now that you have come into my life I can sing your praise all day.
Sing his praises, sing unto him, Join your voices and sing.
Sing his praises, sing unto him, Join your voices and sing. (Top of Page)

Living Proof

Dave Delivered

Out of high school Dave followed his dad and grandpa’s footsteps working on the Soo-Line Railroad. His life was off track because of drinking and drugs. One day a neighbor lady walked over to his house and asked his wife Teresa if they needed help. She offered to give Bible studies. Dave thought to himself, “Who in the world would ever be interested in Bible studies.” Then he felt the Holy Spirit speak to him, “That lady has something you don’t have.” So he accepted them.

For ten days, Dave studied the Bible lessons in the caboose of the train. When he read “if you confess your sins he is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9, Dave said, “God, if you give me a new start I’ll not do what I’ve been doing.” And he stepped off the caboose a different person.

He decided to keep the biblical Sabbath holy. When he told his superior, sparks flew.

“Dave, you’re telling me if the train is made up on a Friday night, you won’t come to work?” Said his irate superior. “That is irresponsible!”

Dave offered a 911 prayer to God and said, “Yes sir, I won’t come to work.”

His superior took his pen from his ear, threw it across the room and said, “I never heard of such a thing as this.”

Dave heard a voice clearly say, “That’s why you’re here.” Dave knew the Holy Spirit was speaking because the demeanor and attitude of his superior took a u-turn from what he was going to do to Dave, to, “What can I do to help you?” It was miraculous. Instead of being derailed, Dave was transferred to Minneapolis where he could have Sabbaths off.

Dave and Teresa were baptized in the Escanaba, Michigan Adventist Church. Dave became a Seventh-day Adventist minister and successfully pastored churches and mentored pastors. He now works as the Director of Personal Evangelism and Discipleship in the Upper Columbia Conference, the Northwest headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. (Top of Page)

Living Proof

Hugged by the arms of God

Gina remembers the day when, for the first time, she walked into the Linwood Seventh-day Adventist Church. Skateboard in hand and a backpack and bedroll on her shoulders, she expected that if her multi-colored, dreadlocked hair, skate shorts and heavy metal t-shirt didn’t turn people off, surely the fact that she was high on crystal methamphetamine would.

She had tried going to churches before. Crowds of people would scatter from her presence like the waters of the Red Sea before the raised staff of Moses. But this day would be different. A graceful and refined woman named Helen walked directly towards her with open arms and immediately enveloped her in a welcoming hug – insisting that she come and sit by her side.

For a homeless single mother the arms that held her that day would be the arms of God. On that day one that had been held captive by a painful past would begin a journey with God that would result in a life of freedom and joy. Gina found the love of Christ in the warmth of those who would accept her as family. Today she ministers to others who are in desperate need of shelter and support while they rebuild their broken lives.

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Living Proof

Toni's Testimony

It was in public high school that Toni first came to Christ. One teacher was a Spirit-filled Christian who spent noon hours teaching kids about Jesus. “I soaked it up like a sponge,” she says.

When she fell and broke her shoulder in October of 2006, she learned that her physical therapist, Rick, was a church-goer and so they talked about spiritual things. Toni shared with him her dream to lose weight and to get off insulin.

“I have a book for you!” said Rick, and he gave her Eat to Live. The first story in the book matched her exactly, so she started the plan, lost weight and was able to reduce her insulin after ten days!

Rick told her his church was putting together a program based on the book and asked her to come on Saturday morning to tell her story. When she shared her Eat to Live story with the Anchor Point Adventist Church, she and her husband both recognized that the Holy Spirit was there. After the service her husband announced, “We’re not leaving.” He was referring to his former church, but as he said it he knew they would be leaving and returning to the Anchor Point church. They returned the next week, and the next.

“When I got to a study on Sabbath, I was so convicted. God opened up the truth to me – everything made sense. When it came to joining this church, I was ready and I was excited,” said Toni. She was baptized on September 2, 2006. The Lord has opened up many opportunities to learn and to share. Toni beams as she thinks back over her year as a Seventh-day Adventist and wonders what God will do next!
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Living Proof

Chance or Choice

At age sixteen, Kathy faced a big decision. Her family was moving from Arizona to California and she would be attending a new school, making new friends and basically carving a new nitch for herself.

“I had heard the new school was a party school” said Kathy, “and I wanted to make a plan before I arrived.” As she contemplated the choices before her, she realized there were two alternatives. She could make it her number one priority to have fun at this “party-school” or she could search for friends who value a relationship with God.

Amidst the moving boxes in her bedroom, she closed her eyes. She realized this decision could bring her closer to God or take her further away from Him. She thought long and hard and then prayed, “God, I want to choose friends who love you, because I always want to be close to you.”

She has always been thankful for that decision. “Who knows what my life would be like if I had not made that decision,” said Kathy.

Even though she was brought up in a Christian home where church attendance was weekly and family worship was daily, she recognized that the values taught were not hers unless she chose them.

Kathy and her family have lived in the Spokane area for almost 30 years. She works in the communication department of Upper Columbia Conference.

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Living Proof

Reached by a Rival

Cheryl and Shelly grew up in the same community in St. Louis, attended the same University and applied for the same job at the Famous Barr Department Store in St. Louis – Cheryl, with a bachelor of arts in history and Shelly, an intern with a master in business administration. Cheryl got the job and Shelly was upset. No longer a mere acquaintance but now a rival, Shelly was eventually promoted at Famous Barr which later became Macy’s.

Over the months, Cheryl and Shelly became friends and hung out with the same group of girls. One day over coffee, Shelly told them, “I found Jesus.”

“Who said He was ever lost?” said Cheryl.

Shelly was insistent and shared the inspirational book, Steps to Christ, with the girls. Cheryl took one look and decided it was “too holy” for her. One of Shelly’s friends suggested, “Cheryl, since you’re a history major, you might like to read The Great Controversy, it’s by the same author.”

Cheryl ate it up. It was one of the first books that made sense, based on what she knew from college classes. She hoped to meet the author, Ellen White, one day soon.

Cheryl attended some meetings by Evangelist Kenneth Cox and one evening she saw her aunt at the meetings. “What are you doing here?” said Cheryl.

“What are you doing here?” said her aunt. Cheryl told her aunt about the book, The Great Controversy and how a friend told her she should hear Kenneth Cox.

“The author Ellen White is so cool, I hope to meet her someday,” said Cheryl. Her aunt was excited for Cheryl’s enthusiasm because she had been praying for her for years. Then she had to burst her bubble and tell her Ellen White was no longer alive.

Through Ellen, Cheryl came to know and love the message of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. And she credits both Ellen and Shelly, a rival turned friend, for leading her to Jesus.

Cheryl works in the Upper Columbia Conference Pathfinder Department. Cheryl and her husband, David, moved to the Upper Columbia Conference from the east to find a less crowded life for their family.

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