Massive “Great Controversy” Distribution in Michigan Leads to More Than 430 Bible Study Requests

DURING A FOUR-DAY STREAMS OF LIGHT INTERNATIONAL (SOLI) MISSION TRIP IN THE DETROIT METRO AREA, PARTNERING CHURCH ENTITIES AND VOLUNTEERS WITNESSED THE REMARKABLE.

More than 100 volunteers went door-todoor to distribute 29,000 copies of “The Great Controversy,” “Thrive” magazine, and invitational flyers to the Detroit neighborhoods surrounding five churches from April 11-15. The door-to-door effort involving the Warren, Troy, Cherry Hill, Detroit Northwest and Farmington churches resulted in more than 430 Bible study contacts.

“I was greatly impacted by how many people are out there desperately in need for God’s people to go out and reach them,” said Erik Shankles, a volunteer from Tennessee, on Sabbath morning during the program live-streamed from the SOLI Facebook and YouTube channels. “We should not put our lamp under a basket. We need to get out there among the people.”

Streams of Light International, organizer of the mission trip and a supporting ministry of the Adventist Church, has the goal of placing a copy of “The Great Controversy” in every home in North America by 2026.

The mission trip came about after SOLI presented a proposal to the Michigan Conference to work together on a largescale literature evangelism project. The proposal included plans for both a localized mission trip in the Detroit area and also conference-wide participation from churches around the state to go door-to-door in their communities on Sabbath, April 15. Giancarlo de Miranda, lead pastor of the Warren church, learned of the proposed project and brought it to the church board, who then voted to host the mission trip at their church.

“It is a privilege to host Streams of Light and to partner with them in this mission project,” Miranda told participants during their first morning devotional time together. “We’re thrilled that you’re here to help us to place the three angels’ messages in people’s homes.”

Through the distribution of “The Great Controversy” door-to-door, participating members received training and experience, and Warren community members received books, opportunity for prayer and Bible studies, and an invitation to the church’s upcoming relationship seminar—all of which help advance their mission to grow disciples, share hope, and serve their community.

Men, women, and children of all ages traveled from across the U.S. and Canada to join the mission trip. A daily children’s program helped accommodate the younger volunteers, who also spent time going door to door.

SOLI’s director of evangelism, Johnny Henderson, shares how in the first two days, SOLI set goals for Bible study contacts. Wednesday’s goal was 35, and volunteers returned with 37. Thursday’s goal was 50, and volunteers returned with 119. On Friday, no limit was set, and volunteers returned with 91. On Sabbath, again no limit was set, and 191 Bible study contacts were collected. In total, volunteers collected more than 430 Bible-study contacts in just four days.

“What a joy to see so many of our members and friends from other states working side-by-side ministering to our Detroit communities,” said Jim Micheff, president of the Michigan Conference, who joined the panel discussion on Sabbath morning at the Warren church as well as the afternoon outreach. “What an inspiration and blessing Streams of Light was to our conference as they partnered with us to organize and direct this wonderful Detroit mission trip!”

Learn more about the work of Streams of Light International at www.streamsoflight. net. P