January 26 TO 28, a campaign was held in Raleigh, North Carolina, which exceeded the organizer’s wildest dreams. Hope was that about 20 Christadelphian young people would show up to help with billing and support of the effort. Eighty were there from all around the continent. Contingents came from California, Texas, Ontario and Detroit as well as from the Mid-Atlantic ecclesias. The Saanich, BC Bible quiz group was represented, as they supplied many of the contacts for the effort. Bro. Alan Eyre came up from Cayman Island and Bro. Africa Young, formerly of Liberia, was also present.
Many of the distant arrivals came in on Friday evening, joining those already present who had been billing on the Friday afternoon. Saturday morning was devoted to more billing as groups of two and more headed all over Raleigh. The 80 full-timers were joined by many Christadelphians driving in for the day, swelling the Saturday ranks to about 150. As usual in such efforts, results varied greatly, but there were many stories to be shared as most gathered for the afternoon seminars to be held in the same location as the Saturday evening debate.
The afternoon was patterned after the Bible reading seminars, with each topic being given in about 15 minutes by a different speaker. Topics ranged from basic first principles to very contemporary moral issues, with some 20 visitors coming and going throughout the afternoon. Most of the speakers were under 30 which is particularly impressive to visitors.
Saturday evening was the featured debate between Bro. Duncan Heaster and a lady pastor of Praise Temple, a Pentecostal church formerly served by our now Bro. Lamont Bullock. Attendance was about 200, which included some 50 visitors. Reports indicate that the debate showed to a good result the difference between considered Bible reading taking full account of the context and an emotional appeal containing repetitive phrases having an almost hypnotic effect.
One brother commented, “I saw the young people going up to the Pentecostals after the debate to engage them in conversation, rather than just sitting talking to themselves. I was proud of every one of them. I was proud to be a Christadelphian.”
The unexpected highlight of the weekend was a baptism. SYLVIA KING, whose parents and grandparents are in the truth in Barbados, is married and lives in central North Carolina. She had been contemplating her situation and came to the campaign with a request for baptism. After being interviewed by three brethren, she was baptized into the Lord Jesus Christ to be joined to the covenants of promise that her sins might be forgiven and she might have hope of eternal life. In an email to one of the campaigners, Sis. Sylvia noted: “Thank you all for everything. This has been without a doubt one of the most uplifting and incredible weekends of my life. I look forward to being a part of this wonderful family in my walk to the kingdom.”
Fortunately, our new Sis. Sylvia will not be in isolation. Bro. Ray Demarest lives in the area and Bro. Evan from New York is working in Raleigh. In addition, two persons currently out of fellowship came forward and indicated they would like to once more resume an active place in the community. They are all planning to meet together on a regular basis.
Quoting from a report by Bro. Duncan: “We went down there to do some billing and door knocking and debate Pentecostals. But an ecclesia was born that very weekend.. .Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gifts.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One