Bernard From Suicide to Service, Part 2

Bernard struggled to accept the Sabbath truth. One day, the strangest thing happened. He heard that voice again, that same still, small voice: “My Sabbath is the true day.”

Still, he struggled. He had so many questions about the Sabbath and about God. He began to fast and pray.

Then, one day, he made a delivery at a warehouse and spotted a small book. Then he heard the same voice again: “Read the book.” He hesitated, then shook it off.

An hour passed, and someone came to tell him there was a delay with his load. Instantly, there came the voice: “Read the book.” Still, Bernard refused, something raging within him.

The minutes crawled by. Three times the man came to apologize for the delay. Three times Bernard heard that same voice. Finally, exasperated, he picked up the book and read it from cover to cover. And he began to weep. Every question he had about the Sabbath, about who God was, was answered in that little book.

After completing Bible studies, Bernard was baptized into a Sabbath-keeping church. His mother also introduced him to Amazing Facts. Most of all, he wanted to become a trained evangelist at the Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism (AFCOE). But he could not afford a cross-country trip and school fees. He was, however, able to go on a funded mission trip to the Philippines. One thing led to another, and years later he was finally able to fulfill his dream—graduating from the Philippines Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism (PAFCOE) … along with his new wife!

For their first evangelistic series, Bernard and his wife brought 34 souls to baptism. Since then, they have been instrumental in building the only Sabbath-keeping church in that area of the Philippines, on a plot of land given by a Sunday-keeping pastor who had attended their seminars. Oh, and that pastor—he and his entire family were eventually baptized as well.

Bernard has decided to dedicate his life to full-time ministry, which includes a sponsorship program for others to attend AFCOE. This changed man, once ready to take his own life, now thanks God for his life. “I would not give this life up for anything.”

Reflect: Do you struggle to hear God speaking to your heart? Open the Bible and then get involved in service for others. Helping others will make God real to you.