Volunteers from across the United States and Canada converged on Atlanta, Georgia, from April 1–8, for a mission trip that would leave its mark on tens of thousands of homes, and on the hearts of those who participated.
The initiative, a collaboration between Streams of Light International, ASI Southern Union, the Georgia-Cumberland Conference, and It Is Written, set out to distribute packets of hope containing The Great Controversy and health magazines, and reached 57,000 homes throughout the city. The Berean SDA Church of Atlanta served as host church for the mission trip. More than 208 people registered for the event, with between 100 and 130 volunteers consistently in the field each day, representing 13 or more U.S. states and Canada. Participants ranged widely in age, from the very young to those past 70, and all united by the same shared purpose.
Each morning began with prayer and devotional preparation, along with a hearty breakfast, before volunteers headed out for door-to-door ministry. Daniel Perrin, Oak Haven campus director for Streams of Light, led these morning prayer meetings, pointing participants to Ellen White’s counsel: “Let every breath be a prayer, that our hearts are continually uplifted to God.” Reflecting on the week, Perrin added simply, “It’s been a blessing to be together, to pray together.”
Pressing On Through the Elements
The first half of the trip brought mid-80s temperatures and heat that at times tested volunteers’ endurance. Volunteers reported feeling a cool breeze come at timely moments to refresh them. The second half offered relief from the heat, and cooler temperatures brought an afternoon of rain. Though not every volunteer stayed dry, even in ponchos, their perseverance did not go unnoticed. Community members observed the volunteers pressing on through the rain, and the conversations at doors reflected the weight of the work being done.
A Partnership of Institutions
The scale of the outreach was made possible through the involvement of several partner institutions. Laurelbrook Academy, Harbert Hills Academy, and Heritage Academy each brought students to participate for varying lengths of the trip, helping ensure that more homes were reached. Self-supporting ministries connected with ASI Southern Union, including Butler Creek, Red River Outpost, Wildwood, and Uchee Pines, also provided vital support.
Josh Haley, Boys’ Dean at Heritage Academy, helped bring their freshman class to Atlanta and spoke to the spiritual dimension of the outreach. “We pick prayer partners and throughout the day, I just encourage them all to pray for their buddies,” he said. Beyond logistics, Haley saw the trip as something deeper for his students: “You can see that God is working each and every day with so many personal experiences. God can orchestrate something special for each of them. This helps them in their own personal relationship with God.”
Transformative for All Who Came
Across the board, volunteers described the experience as spiritually rich and personally transformative.
Gerson Tomas, a California resident who first heard about the Atlanta mission trip at GYC, said it was the emphasis on training that drew him in. “That’s how I made my decision, I want to take what I learned here and do something back home,” he said. At the closing program, he reflected: “This experience for me has been nothing short of transformative. This is definitely something that strengthened my spiritual walk.”
Pauline Brown, a naturopathic doctor and long-time colporteur from Michigan, shared: “I’ve met so many wonderful people and I’ve really been enjoying this. I keep hearing this voice that says, ‘Redeem the time, redeem the time, the end is close.’ It renewed my commitment—and you never quit learning.”
The Numbers Behind the Work
Stephen Gutierrez, Evangelism Director for Streams of Light, summarized the week’s results: 57,000 books distributed, thousands of prayers offered at doors, and more than 750 Bible study interests recorded—people who specifically asked to study the Bible. “We know that a lot of prayer took place and our faith has been strengthened,” Gutierrez said. “Many people have just had someone pray with them for the first time in their lives.”
James Hartley, VP of Operations for Streams of Light International, extended special thanks to the partnering organizations—the Georgia-Cumberland Conference, ASI Southern Union, and It Is Written—and pointed all toward the lasting impact of the week: “This is something that will leave its mark in eternity.”
Pastor Gregory Saunders, a pastor of the Berean SDA Church of Atlanta, offered an encouraging send-off to volunteers at the closing program. “You guys have left a great impression on this whole community and especially this church,” he said. “I know your impact will be for eternity. I thank God for your presence and praise God for what you have done and what you will do. God is using you mightily. So to God be the glory.”
Immediate Follow-Up
The close of the mission trip did not mark the end of the work. but rather the beginning of another phase. Within 24 hours of the mission trip’s conclusion, Streams of Light moved to ensure that every Bible study interest was met with a prompt, personal response.
Johnny Henderson, VP of Ministries for Streams of Light, reported that leads received both an SMS and an email notifying them that someone from a local congregation would be in touch, along with a link to enroll in Amazing Facts Bible School. In addition, Streams of Light coordinated directly with Amazing Facts to fulfill every lead with a confirmed address by sending printed correspondence lessons through the mail. “These efforts are meant to ensure that each lead knows their request has been received,” Henderson explained, “while also providing resources to engage with right away as interest is still fresh, while local churches prepare to follow up.”
Local churches are now preparing to personally connect with each individual based on their preferred study format, in-person, by mail, or group study, ensuring that no interest goes unmet.
What’s Next
The mission to reach the cities with the Three Angels’ Messages continues. The next outreach is slated for April 19–25 in Dallas, Texas. All are invited to keep these upcoming missions in prayer as the work of reaching cities presses forward.
