GLOW-ing at Wal-Mart
 
On November 7, 2007 three church members from Ceres Seventh-day Adventist church set up a table at the local Wal-Mart offering free literature and books to any interested shoppers. Milly is a retired grandmother, Krystal is an 18 year old homeschooler, and Robert, is a Bible worker. These volunteers were participating in GLOW, an evangelism offering initiative of the Central California Conference.

“I thought it was exciting” Milly commented. “People would come up and say, ‘This is a wonderful thing that you are doing!’ Throughout the day as people streamed out of Wal-Mart they would see Krystal smiling at them and before they knew it a Pocket Signs would be in their hand and an invitation in their ear to pick up more free literature at the table.

One girl who came to the table stands out in Milly and Robert’s memories. “Monica came and took an armload of books, simply saying ‘I’m gonna need them.’ Then without us even saying anything she signed herself up for Bible studies as well!” said Milly.

Some experiences were a little more colorful like the one where a rather abrasive woman, after finding out that the volunteers were Adventists, tried to convince them that pork was OK to eat! The conversation ended rather abruptly when Robert asked the woman if she would like to see his research on the parasitic worms found in pigs that burrow into the brain and can live there for up to three years while eating brain tissue! “Happily, most people had a positive attitude, especially when they learned that we were Seventh-day Adventists” Milly remarked.

The eventful day ended with lessons for all of the volunteers. After relaying some of the rejections Milly commented, “My husband and I used to work in the church, and I know I need to get out among worldly people. I feel so sorry for the Father and Jesus because He died for them [these people] and they still reject Him.” Robert added that when the team was faced with rejections from any shoppers that they encouraged each other by remembering the great men and women in the Bible who faced rejection, even to the point of death. Such thoughts and stories buoyed their spirits as they gave out in literature that day.

After four hours, and competition with the Veterans who were soliciting donations, the three missionaries had distributed 158 books, including the Desire of Ages, Bible Readings for the Home, Steps to Christ, and 10 Commandments Twice Removed. They also gave out 77 magazines and over 200 Pocket Signs. “This is something that all lay members can do,” Robert said with a smile. Milly agreed, “I recommend for everyone to try it!”

Nelson Ernst
Associate Literature Ministries Director
Central California Conference



 

   back