After she shared her testimony with me, I was deeply touched and knew Lynn Burk's story needed to be told. What follows is the first hand account of her journey into the Adventist church.
Malinda
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At fourteen, I would learn that Seventh-day Adventists were the Biblically predicted people that would be entrusted with a special end-time message, and they were the people that I had prayed to find. When those of us who are called out first hear and begin to grasp the importance of the 3 Angels Messages, what we learn and experience is dramatically different from everything we have ever known. When the truth is revealed, its bright clarity exposes the fact that we were living in an unrecognized darkness. Gratitude fills our entire being at the light being turned on! It astounded me that all this truth was always there, and that I and everyone I knew had never heard of it!
What seemed like hidden treasures to me exploded out of the Word of God. It was like my Bible began to breathe and come alive. Here is a quote from the book “Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students” on page 421 that also describes my experience:
“The Bible is a field where heavenly treasures are concealed, and they will remain hidden until, by diligent mining, they are discovered and brought to light. The Bible is a casket containing jewels of inestimable value, which should be so presented as to be seen in their intrinsic luster. But the beauty and excellence of these diamonds of truth are not discerned by the natural eye. The lovely things of the material world are not seen until the sun, dispelling the darkness, floods them with its light. And so with the treasures of God’s word; they are not appreciated until they are revealed by the Sun of Righteousness.”
I had not known anyone who attended church on Saturday. “Keeping the Sabbath” was a non-existent, foreign concept, though it would become to me one of those heavenly treasures. In my world back then, Friday nights were for school ball games, parties, and dances. Saturday was a day for the theater, shopping, homework, and cleaning house. I had never heard that death is but a sleep and that a merciful God would not punish someone who sinned against Him in eternal, tortuous fire. I had not learned that our bodies were the temple of God and that the health of the body has a direct bearing on God’s ability to communicate His will to us. I didn’t even have an accurate understanding of the Communion service. As I was presented with these totally new truths, my world was wondrously changed. It was like walking into another dimension.
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"We love because He first loved us."
1 John 4:19 (NIV)
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From the Pen of Inspiration |
“...This parable illustrates the value of the heavenly treasure, and the effort that should be made to secure it. The finder of the treasure in the field was ready to part with all that he had, ready to put forth untiring labor, in order to secure the hidden riches. So the finder of heavenly treasure will count no labor too great and no sacrifice too dear, in order to gain the treasures of truth.In the parable the field containing the treasure represents the Holy Scriptures. And the gospel is the treasure. The earth itself is not so interlaced with golden veins and filled with precious things as is the word of God..”
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"Heaven is open to our petitions and we are to come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need."
E.G.White, Prayer, p. 15.4.
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Remember Lisa and John Johnston as her family grieves the passing of their son, Jordan.
Anonymous Sister: Health and healing, and wisdom for her medical care teams.
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Note: You may send your prayer praises or requests to ministerialspouses@kytn.net. |
The North American Division will be publishing a devotional written by pastors' children and are looking for willing writers. If your child is interested in being a published author, please submit to:
miniterialspouses@kytn.net. These will be sent to our Southern Union Representative for the Division.
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Mayrelis Matos-Hernandez and her husband Hector Garcia Marin come to us from Miami, Florida, and are serving the Hispanic Bowling Green Company, and the Elkton and Owensboro churches.
Mayrelis was born in Camaguey, Cuba, and attended high school at Armando Mestre-Marinez, Walden University, Ana G. Mendez, Universidad De Camaguey. She earned an associates degree in geodesy and cartography, a psychology degree, and is currently studying a master of science degree in nursing with an emphasis in mental health and plans to be a psychiatric nurse practitioner. She is presently an ICU nurse (RN,BSN).
Mayrelis says: "I am a fifth generation Adventist. My great great grandfather was one of the first two Adventists in Cuba when the Snyders went from the USA to Cuba to deliver the Adventist message. Later he was the first Adventist pastor and planted several churches on the island, and later he was the first president of the Cuba Union. I feel happy to have heard about Jesus from my mother's womb. I was baptized at nine years old and I live to serve Jesus.
Mayrelis shares how she met her husband, "My husband and I met at a conference youth's ministry meeting when my husband was eighteen and I was sixteen years old . We had a mutual friend who introduced us, and since we saw each other we fell in love with each other. But I was very young so we decided to be friends for a whole year. When I was seventeen years old and he was nineteen years old, we got engaged at a youth retreat. That same year my fiancé went to study Theology at the age of nineteen. We were dating for two years and then we got married. We have been married twenty-three years, and we hope to be united for eternity." The couple now have three children: Sabdiel, Andrew, and Adriel.
Mayrelis's hobbies include: socializing, traveling, spending time with family, and serving others.
As a family they like to travel, work together on family projects, and serve others.
One of Mayrelis's favorite Bible verses is "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (NIV).
Mayrelis, we welcome you to the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference and are happy you are now a part of our team! May God bless you in your new home for ministry.
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Ariela Fermin and her husband Geifry Cordero come to us from Connecticut and are serving the Memphis Central Hispanic Church and Millington Hispanic mission group.
Ariela was born in Dominican Republic and attended In-Tech Academy 368, New York City, New York, and Liberty University where she is studying psychology and will soon be a masters level prepared elementary school teacher.
Ariela says: "Back when I was in high school a friend of mine introduced me to Adventism and invited me to church on Sabbath. I had never heard of the Seventh-day Adventist church, so I got interested in visiting it. But besides not knowing anything about it, what really motivated me was my friend's persistency. She really got me tired of hearing that I needed to go visit her church. She also wanted to present me to my now husband. With a smile on my face, I confess that God works in mysterious ways. Having said this, I got baptized back in 2011, and the rest is history!
Ariela shares how she met her husband, "After hearing my best friend for an entire month ("Come to my church"), I decided to visit and got to know the love of my life. We met in church and fell in love, dated for four years and married in 2015.
Ariela's hobbies include: painting, camping, hiking, and any outdoor activities.
As a family they like hiking, any outdoor activities, and visiting and getting to know new places.
One of Ariela's favorite Bible verses is "If you declare with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9 (NIV).
Ariela, we welcome you to the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference! Thank you for being a part of our wonderful team! May God bless you as you minister for Jesus in your new home!
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October
2
Sarah Spencer
13
Joy Yoon
November
1
Gynne Manzano
5
Judi Rimer
7
Marjorie Bondaczuk
15
Luci Mercado
16
Andrea Jamieson
17
Melissa Ringstaff
24
Izzy Langston
28
Maria Ashcraft
30
Becky Renner
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Take a moment to wish a friend happy birthday, congratulate her on a life event, or just let her know that you are thinking of her using the contact information linked below and the card shop links above.
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Send address updates to ministerialspouses@kytn.net |
October
2
Jared & Ashley Briggman
December
1
Daniel & Joy Yoon
5
David & Sandra Fagre
5
Edward & Mariya Marton
6
Chris & Jennifer Buttery
6
Sergio & Yosca Monterroso
10
Chuck & Charlotte Kohley
15
David & Lucy Corro
18
Harold & Maria Ashcraft
18
William & Daniella Little
21
Larry & Shirley Findley
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Note: Did you know you can submit counseling fees for full reimbursement (less Co-pay)? |
This used to be a sweet potato souffle recipe that I have had for many years.
I converted it to a vegan recipe because of family and friends (myself included). Years ago, before we ever even considered the ministry, a friend in Greenville, South Carolina (nearly forty years ago) made a similar recipe. Only his was SO much better (tastier)! I asked him what his secret was and he told me to use butternut flavoring. So by all means I have included that specific flavoring ever since!
Make sure you include it in your sweet potato casserole--it WILL make a difference, along with homegrown potatoes!!
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Sweet Potato Casserole
3 C mashed sweet potatoes
(preferably organic or home grown)
1 C brown sugar
(preferably)
1/3 Stick butter
(or may substitute vegan)
1/2 C almond milk
1 Tsp vanilla
1 Tbs butternut flavoring
Combine mashed sweet potatoes with
ingredients and set aside.
Mix topping in a separate bowl:
1 C brown sugar
(or 1/2 depending on your preference)
1/3 C flour
1 C chopped pecans
Sprinkle on top.
Bake at 350 F for 35 minutes
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January 2024 Ministers Meetings |
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
January 22-25
Monday-Thursday
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Must reserve your seat for the tour!
Contact Malinda or Chelsea at ministerialspouses@kytn.net by January 8!
Note: The jeeps will be covered and heated for our tour!
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