CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — From March 16-20, Streams of Light International, in collaboration with partnering ministries, the Georgia Cumberland Conference, and local churches, hosted a mission trip that saw over 200 participants distribute more than 48,500 copies of The Great Controversy across Chattanooga in just four days. The ambitious goal of 50,000 books was nearly met, a feat made possible through unprecedented partnerships and the enthusiastic involvement of young people, marking a significant moment in Great Controversy distribution outreach.
Oleg Lotca, president of Streams of Light International, described the event as a testament to unity and a focus on mission. “Friends, this mission trip is unique because on this particular endeavor, seven institutions have partnered together,” Lotca said. “It’s amazing to see the results. We were planning to distribute 50,000 books in four days, and today is day number four. The books have been going out in an impressive way. So we see that when we all come together, there is synergy.”
The collaboration included self-supporting entities like Laurelbrook Academy, Harbert Hills Academy, Wildwood Institute, Uchee Pines, Red River Outpost, and Streams of Light Training Institute, alongside ASI Southern Union, the Georgia Cumberland Conference, and local congregations. This collective effort, Lotca emphasized, amplified their impact. “When we focus on the mission of preaching the three angels’ messages and we’re doing it the way God told us to do it, getting our young people engaged, all the people, all together, praying much and taking them out into the community—it’s amazing.”
Narlon Edwards, director of Red River Outpost and ASI Southern Union vice president of evangelism, played a key role in rallying the coalition. “As soon as we got out of the [ASI] meeting, I immediately contacted Streams of Light,” Edwards said. “We sat down with Oleg and Johnny and, believe it or not, everything that we’re seeing that’s taken place happened in almost 30 minutes. We wanted to collaborate and bring all these ministries together and see if we could do something big in Chattanooga.” Initially aiming for 20,000 or 30,000 books with 80 participants, the vision grew to 50,000 books and over 200 volunteers. “It is amazing to see everything come together,” he added.
The logistics were handled by Streams of Light’s evangelism director, Stephen Gutierrez, and assistant Eric Rose. Gutierrez reported, “We had over 200 people register for this mission trip. And actually at least one third of them are young people.” Gutierrez emphasized the transformative effect on these youth: “Watching these young people engage in the program, coming to early morning prayer time, engaging in the Bible study and being able to get trained for service—I’ve heard so many powerful testimonies from these young people’s mouths saying how they’ve really enjoyed it, how they’ve learned to share their faith, how they’re excited to see Jesus come soon and to share the last message of warning to a perishing world.” Reflecting on the broader vision, he cited a passage from the Spirit of Prophecy: “‘God will soon do great things for us if we lie humble and believing at His feet…. More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications.—The Review and Herald, November 10, 1885.’ Here in Chattanooga, Tennessee, we are hand delivering 50,000 Great Controversies, packets of hope so that people can know that Jesus loves them and that He’s coming soon.”
A cornerstone of the mission was the involvement of young people, whose energy and dedication left a lasting impression. Derek Woods, assistant dean and teacher at Harbert Hills Academy, brought 10 students who embraced the experience. “I’m most encouraged by the fact that we had a goal of ten Bible studies and eight of our ten students contributed to that goal,” Woods said. “At least a couple of students were like, ‘Set your alarm for 4 o’clock so we can get up and go to the 4:30 prayer session.’ They’re eager to participate.”
Warren McDaniels, president of Laurelbrook Academy, echoed this sentiment. “Our students have just been transformed,” he said. “They are connected personally with Christ. They understand how missions work. All of our students, without fail, have asked me, ‘Can we go on another trip with Streams of Light?’” The mission also facilitated team-building time between staff and students, strengthening the school community.
Ivan Tenorio, a student at Streams of Light Training Institute, was among those who took on a leadership role, preparing for a future mission to Grand Rapids in July. “I’ve been charged with one of the vans, leading six volunteers going out in the fields,” Tenorio said. “It’s definitely helped me being that leader in the van, being able to motivate them and cheer them when they’re down, praying with the team before they go out. The highlight for me would be just seeing all of the other institutions come together at Wildwood and seeing a lot of the young people going out in the field.”
The mission’s reach extended beyond logistics and numbers, touching lives in unexpected ways. Edwards recounted a poignant encounter: “I met a man that was crying because he just lost both his wife and his son in rapid succession. I was able to pray with him and he was just crying and then he just felt hopeful.” Such moments underscored the mission’s deep purpose of bringing hope and healing to the world through truth-filled Christian literature.
Paige Parnell, former Miss Alabama and founder of Teach His Lambs, highlighted the long-term impact of such outreach. Decades ago, two teenagers gave her a copy of The Great Controversy, which she rediscovered years later. “Not only did that book change my life and point me to Jesus and the Bible, but it also changed my husband,” Parnell said. “I was able to lead my parents to the Lord because of this book. Today our grandson was baptized into the Adventist Church in April of 2023.” Her ministry distributed 674 books in Alton Park, reaching every home in the area.
Prayer was the heartbeat of the mission, with daily vigils starting as early as 4:30 a.m. Lotca shared a personal story: “This morning I was asking my little four-year-old daughter, ‘Why do you like coming to these prayer meetings? You’re falling asleep at the prayer meeting anyway.’ And she says to me, ‘Daddy, I feel like I’m not praying enough. I want to pray and spend more time with Jesus.’ To hear that was just so sweet to my ears.”
The Chattanooga mission trip not only achieved its logistical goals but also is igniting a movement. “We believe that this is a movement that will be growing more and more and more until Jesus comes,” Lotca said. “Now is the time to stop being distracted by anything else and focus on the three angels’ messages. Let’s get together. Let’s join this movement.” For participants, from seasoned leaders to first-time volunteers, the experience was a powerful reminder of the potential when faith, collaboration, and youth converge around the mission to share the Everlasting Gospel.
