海角视频

Three theology students from 海角视频 participated in an evangelism class last fall that allowed them to share their faith and the truth of the gospel with three church congregations and the surrounding community in San Francisco. 

The hands-on class ultimately resulted in nine baptisms.

鈥淭he theology program at PUC is especially formulated to help students navigate our rapidly changing West Coast culture in biblically guided ways,鈥� said Chair of the Theology Department Jim Wibberding.

Wibberding contacted Pastor Dan Serns, president of Central California Conference, hoping to collaborate with him on an evangelism class to take students 鈥渇rom theory to practice.鈥�

Serns had an even bigger vision for the class.

Along with area pastors and staff from CCC, Serns 鈥減ulled the plans together鈥� and gave the students a truly 鈥渄ynamic experience,鈥� Wibberding said.

For 12 hours a day on eight consecutive Sabbaths in October and November, PUC students and participating church members led out in Sabbath School and worship services at three San Francisco Seventh-day Adventist churches鈥擯hiladelphian, Central, and Tabernacle. 

After lunch each Sabbath, students and local members engaged in community outreach鈥攆rom literature evangelism to Bible studies. 

Theology student Luiggi Loconi Cruz said his goal going into the class was to focus on youth ministry.

鈥淏ut when I noticed there weren't any youth in those churches, it really shocked me,鈥� he said. 鈥淗owever, God helped me explore other skills that he has for me and challenged me to bring youth into His churches.鈥�

For student Alexander Maceda getting a 鈥渞aw taste of ministry鈥� was incredibly moving.

鈥淚 was able to practice the skills and talents that God has given me in the work that He wants me to do for Him.鈥�

Ultimately, it was the personal connections that moved people.

In a Nov. 20 Facebook post, Serns recounted how PUC student Th脿o Kristine Tr谩n knocked on the door of a woman named Melinda. They quickly connected and became friends. They had Bible studies together, and Tr谩n introduced her to the Philadelphian SDA Church just a few blocks away.

Two weeks later, Melinda joined Tr谩n, going door-to-door to spread the gospel news.

After evangelism students returned to the church to share their experiences from the day, there was a teaching session by either a pastor or an experienced church leader.

On the last Sabbath, nine people were baptized among the three churches. Tr谩n, along with the Philadelphian church pastors, baptized Melinda.

Tr谩n posted photos of that commemorative event on Facebook and said it was 鈥渙ne of the joys of life鈥�to allow God to lead another soul to the kingdom of God.鈥�

Wibberding said PUC ministry students enjoy 鈥渂iblically deep and practically profound religion classes.鈥� These prepare students to contribute to the Seventh-day Adventist mission 鈥� well after graduation, he said.

The hands-on class is just one of those.

鈥淭his is one small window into the many ways that our PUC students learn to live their faith to shape their world,鈥� Wibberding said.