Living Proof

Reached by a Rival

Cheryl and Shelly grew up in the same community in St. Louis, attended the same University and applied for the same job at the Famous Barr Department Store in St. Louis – Cheryl, with a bachelor of arts in history and Shelly, an intern with a master in business administration. Cheryl got the job and Shelly was upset. No longer a mere acquaintance but now a rival, Shelly was eventually promoted at Famous Barr which later became Macy’s.

Over the months, Cheryl and Shelly became friends and hung out with the same group of girls. One day over coffee, Shelly told them, “I found Jesus.”

“Who said He was ever lost?” said Cheryl.

Shelly was insistent and shared the inspirational book, Steps to Christ, with the girls. Cheryl took one look and decided it was “too holy” for her. One of Shelly’s friends suggested, “Cheryl, since you’re a history major, you might like to read The Great Controversy, it’s by the same author.”

Cheryl ate it up. It was one of the first books that made sense, based on what she knew from college classes. She hoped to meet the author, Ellen White, one day soon.

Cheryl attended some meetings by Evangelist Kenneth Cox and one evening she saw her aunt at the meetings. “What are you doing here?” said Cheryl.

“What are you doing here?” said her aunt. Cheryl told her aunt about the book, The Great Controversyand how a friend told her she should hear Kenneth Cox.

“The author Ellen White is so cool, I hope to meet her someday,” said Cheryl. Her aunt was excited for Cheryl’s enthusiasm because she had been praying for her for years. Then she had to burst her bubble and tell her Ellen White was no longer alive.

Through Ellen, Cheryl came to know and love the message of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. And she credits both Ellen and Shelly, a rival turned friend, for leading her to Jesus.

Cheryl works in the Upper Columbia Conference Pathfinder Department. Cheryl and her husband, David, moved to the Upper Columbia Conference from the east to find a less crowded life for their family.