For most Christians, we pick a church to attend based on several factors: the quality of the pastor’s messages, the friendliness of the members, the presence of youth programs, or the thrill of fun get-togethers. Yet, what if we chose the church we attend based on a different set of factors?
What if instead of choosing a church that offered the most, we chose the church that offered the least? How would that change us, and how would it change the church? Well, I can’t say how it’s going to change you, but I can tell you how it’s changed me, Andrews University, and the lives of the individuals who have chosen to give their hearts to Christ because of what He’s done through us.
Beginning in August of 2025, my friends and I found the church we would attend for the upcoming school year: the Covert SDA church. The only reason this church still existed was because of the few dedicated members who would commute from the surrounding towns every Sabbath just to keep it running. Yet, although the church really had nothing much to give us besides a warm potluck meal every Sabbath afternoon, we were convicted that just as God could feed a multitude with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, He could certainly feed a community with the gospel with a few dedicated church members and a couple of ambitious students.
Throughout the year, we were there almost every Sabbath, and every so often, we would take groups of university students there to serve. We would go door-to-door, distributing free literature, praying with people, and building relationships with community members. On Thanksgiving, we had a free meal at the church. For Christmas, we had a free concert for the community featuring performances by students from Andrews Academy and testimonies from our university students, followed by a call for the audience to give their hearts to Jesus. A group of public high school students, who were there because one of their friends attended the Covert church, all gave their lives to Jesus and declared their desire to be baptized.
In the spring, we did more door-to-door evangelism, building more connections with people we began visiting regularly. We also had more events, such as an Adventist Youth program and a game night, further integrating these new young people into the church.
We started bringing more university students regularly to lead the brand-new youth sabbath school, play music for the song services, and even preach on occasion.
It has been such a blessing for me to see God use me to bless so many others through the simplest things, like having a conversation during potluck or consistently visiting someone
in the community. I’ve seen how many students at Andrews University have grown deeper in their relationship with God and developed a heart for mission because of their involvement at Covert. Finally, I’ve witnessed God reach people through our efforts. It is incredible what God has done, and continues to do, through a small church community dedicated to the mission field of Covert and some university students who would rather do something with their faith than warm a PMC pew every Sabbath.
This doesn’t mean it hasn’t come with its challenges. Although the Covert church has generously spent a great deal of money to fund our ambitions, we could, of course, use more money. There are many Sabbath mornings when we wake up ready and excited to go to Covert, yet we still have no transportation. And then there’s the fact that most of us go home during school breaks, leaving the church without the consistency it needs for its long-term sustainability.
Despite these challenges, we know He will provide as we continue to do His work. We look forward to this next school year to build upon the connections we’ve made and the seeds we’ve planted. We look to do more in serving the community, turn connections into decisions, and inspire a generation of university students to not just continue the work at Covert when we leave, but to live a life of service in whatever community they find themselves at in the future.
“Nothing will so arouse a self-sacrificing zeal and broaden and strengthen the character as to engage in work for others. Many professed Christians, in seeking church relationship, think only of themselves. They wish to enjoy church fellowship and pastoral care. They become members of large and prosperous churches, and are content to do little for others. In this way they are robbing themselves of the most precious blessings. Many would be greatly benefited by sacrificing their pleasant, ease-conducing associations. They need to go where their energies will be called out in Christian work and they can learn to bear responsibilities” (Ministry of Healing 151).
Sean Rogers is a Biochemistry Major studying at Andrews University.
