Tye Transformed

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.

Ginas Joy

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.

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.