Search Results

Exciting resources to reach your Amish & Mennonite neighbors! A powerful new tool 170 Presentations Bible-based Truth-filled One phone call For the first time ever, Amish can listen to Adventist presentations from the convenience and privacy of their phone. Internet Smartphone Radio Arise Phone Brochure One phone call. 170 presentations. One Phone Call Just one phone call can connect your Amish neighbors with the truth. Listen to speakers such as Doug Batchelor, Joe Crews, and others An entire library of sermons with just one phone call! Access with a landline phone, flip phone, or any phone No data or smartphone is required Share with your Amish and Mennonite friends OR Have a brochure sent directly to their mailbox Shop Order today! DON'T MISS ANOTHER GREAT RESOURCE Would you lose everything... To follow the truth? Learn the story of a man who lost family, friends, and community to follow God's call... ...and found solid joy and peace. A stirring book for everyone "A wonderful story and inspiring testimony" -Doug Batchelor "The story of Andy Weaver is fascinating...You will be blessed by his riveting story!" -Steve Wohlberg The Anabaptist Remnant The amazing story of how God awoke the heart of a staunch Amish man to follow the truth wherever it might lead. ​ An encouraging story to read and pass along to your Amish neighbors. Shop

West Salem Mission ANNUAL CAMP MEETING Aug. 18 - 21, 2022 West Salem Mission Annual Camp Meeting Aug. 18 - 21, 2022 Schedule Helpful Information Photos 2022 AUGUST 18-21 Join us for a wonderful four days of enlightening messages, encouraging fellowship, and simple Amish hospitality. Our campmeetings are for all ages and all walks of life; you don't need to be Amish to attend. If you are searching for a closer walk with God, you are invited! Below, you will find helpful information regarding the event. We hope to see you there! Speakers 2022 Pavel Goia, was born into communist Romania. From an early age he knew clearly that God had called him to ministry. However, in a communist country following that calling was not an easy task. He promised to serve God and fulfill his calling. He moved to the United States where he received pastoral training. He pastored for 16 years and is now serving as an Associate Ministerial Director for the General Conference Ministerial Association as well as the Editor for Ministry Magazine. Pavel is married to Daniela, they have two grown children, Gabriel and Ovidiu. His life has been filled with powerful answers to prayer and continues to be one miracle after another. Pavel Goia Although I was not raised as a Christian, my mother required me to attend Peoria Junior Academy as a young teenager. This encounter put my feet on the path of life. Through Adventist schools God gave me my life calling, a wonderful friendship in my wife, Collene, and the joy of being a part of the family of God. I am eternally gratefully to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the myriad of dedicated members who believe that everybody ought to know who Jesus is. I believe in a cross-generational approach to ministry, the power of the out-of-doors to shape lives, and the freedom of obedience to God’s law. Maranatha! Ron Kelly Dave Fiedler currently lives in British Columbia, Canada with his wife, Clarissa, and their daughter, Tifona. He has taught elementary, secondary, and collegiate classes in various Seventh-day Adventist schools. His books, Hindsight: Seventh-day Adventist History in Essays and Extracts and D'Sozo: Reversing the Worst Evil came from his appreciation for the lessons of Adventist denominational history, and seeks to apply those lessons for a final completion of God's work on earth. Dave Fiedler Schedule Campmeeting Schedule 2022 Thursday, August 18, 2022 To Be Determined ​ Friday, August 19, 2022 To Be Determined ​ Sabbath, August 20, 2022 To Be Determined ​ Sunday, August 21, 2022 To Be Determined Helpful Information Helpful Information Who can come? Our campmeeting is for all ages and all walks of life. If you desire a closer relationship with God then you are invited! ​ How much does it cost to register? West Salem Mission Campmeeting is free! Generous donors have agreed to cover the cost for campmeeting so that all may attend. ​ Is camping available onsite? What is the cost? Tent camping sites are available on the back side of the pond, in the woods, and along tree lines. We do not have any water or electric hookups. Campsites are free to use. ​ Are there hotels nearby? The nearest hotels are in Ashland, Ohio, which is about 15 minutes southwest of West Salem. Super 8 Motel is close to I-71 and has good rates. Medina is 30 minutes northeast, Wooster is 30 minutes southeast. ​ Do you serve meals? Meals are provided free of charge. Donation buckets will be on-site for those who wish to contribute. Breakfast, lunch, and supper will be provided. Meals are vegan. ​ Are there bathrooms and showers onsite? Bathrooms are available at the porta-johns and in the church. Campers are allowed to use the shower in the lodging house. ​ Is there a curfew? We ask that the premises be quiet after 10:00 p.m. in consideration of our campers. ​ Do you have air-conditioned facilities? It can get quite hot here in Ohio. If you need a place to cool off please feel free to sit in our air-conditioned church fellowship hall or foyer. We want you to be comfortable. ​ Do you have a dress code? According to the culture, we would appreciate modesty. ​ Who do I call with questions? You may call or email us with any questions, or if you need special accommodations. Our phone is (567) 334-1080 , our email is westsalemmission@gmail.com . Campmeeting Pictures Campmeeting Photos Register Now

Quick Links Register Schedule Meals Camping Lodging FAQ Volunteers Exhibitors Camping and Lodging in Ohio! 2023 Campmeeting West Salem Mission August 15-20, 2023 West Salem, Ohio Camping Tent Camping Cost : tent camping is free Sites : camping is permitted (and encouraged!) on-site at West Salem Mission. Sites are located along the back side of the pond, in the woods, along tree lines. There are no developed sites, just grass and woods. Tents are allowed anywhere within those specified areas. If you have a question, please ask a volunteer where you may camp. Electric & Water : there are no electric or water hookups in the camping area. Potable water is available from hydrants located near the barn. Electrical outlets are available in the red barn for charging personal items. Equipment : you must bring your own camping equipment, such as tent, sleeping bag, tarp, etc. The West Salem Mission does not provide camping equipment. Rains can be very heavy sometimes. Campfires : personal cookstoves are permitted, but campfires are not allowed. Pets : you are allowed to bring pets but you must camp in Dog Patch. We discourage animals in the meeting tent. Bathrooms & Showers : porta-johns are on-site, along with hand-washing stations. Showers are available in a portable shower trailer. ​ ​ RV, Camper Trailer, Camper Our facilities are unable to accommodate RVs, campers, and trailers. We have two sites for RVs but they are not designated for public use. We apologize for the inconvenience. There are several campgrounds within 15-30 minutes of West Salem Mission. Camping Lodging All hotels listed below are conveniently located near major retailers such as Walmart, Aldi, Taco Bell, as well as gas stations. 16 minutes from West Salem Mission Quality Inn *We have had reports that this hotel has issues with sewage and plumbing. Rooms are small. 741 US-250, Ashland, OH 44805 (419) 281-8090 Website 16 minutes from West Salem Mission Super 8 Motel 736 US- 250, Ashland, OH 44805 (419) 281-0567 Website 17 minutes from West Salem Mission Hampton In n & Suites 2055 East Main St, Ashland, OH 44805 (419) 903-0900 Website Hotels

Watch live stream for Campmeeting 2023. Live stream is available during scheduled events. View Schedule Click play in video window. Or watch on Youtube Live stream schedule Schedule for live stream. Tuesday, August 15, 2023 6:30 p.m. Keynote Address—Bob Cundiff Wednesday, August 16, 2023 7:00 a.m. Revival for the Last Days—Chris Holland 10:00 a.m. Experiencing God Through Prayer, Praise, and the Power of His Word—Jerry Page 4:00 p.m. Herbal Remedies—Lee Wellard 6:30 p.m. Gospel of the Kinsman—Delthony Gordon Thursday, August 17, 2023 7:00 a.m. Revival for the Last Days—Chris Holland 10:00 a.m. Experiencing God Through Prayer, Praise, and the Power of His Word—Jerry Page 4:00 p.m. Herbal Remedies—Lee Wellard 6:30 p.m. Gospel of the Kinsman—Delthony Gordon Friday, August 18, 2023 7:00 a.m. Revival for the Last Days—Chris Holland 10:00 a.m. Experiencing God Through Prayer, Praise, and the Power of His Word—Jerry Page 4:00 p.m. Herbal Remedies—Lee Wellard 6:30 p.m. Gospel of the Kinsman—Delthony Gordon Sabbath, August 19, 2023 7:00 a.m. Revival for the Last Days—Chris Holland 9:30 a.m. Sabbath School—Jerry Page 12:00 p.m. Divine Service—Andy Weaver 3:00 p.m. Q & A Session—All Presenters 4:00 p.m. Herbal Remedies—Lee Wellard 6:30 p.m. Gospel of the Kinsman—Delthony Gordon Sunday, August 20, 2023 7:00 a.m. Revival for the Last Days—Chris Holland 10:00 a.m. Final send off—Delthony Gordon Herbal Remedies Workshop at Campmeeting! Limited space available All attendees must first register for campmeeting Herbal Workshop Watch live stream for Campmeeting 2023. Live stream is available during scheduled events. View Schedule Download the Campmeeting book Campmeeting Book If video is unavailable, try the YouTube link below. Click play in video window. Or watch on Youtube Schedule live strem Schedule for live stream. Tuesday, August 15, 2023 6:30 p.m. Keynote Address—Bob Cundiff Wednesday, August 16, 2023 7:00 a.m. Revival for the Last Days—Chris Holland 10:00 a.m. Experiencing God Through Prayer, Praise, and the Power of His Word—Jerry Page 4:00 p.m. Herbal Remedies—Lee Wellard 6:30 p.m. Gospel of the Kinsman—Delthony Gordon Thursday, August 17, 2023 7:00 a.m. Revival for the Last Days—Chris Holland 10:00 a.m. Experiencing God Through Prayer, Praise, and the Power of His Word—Jerry Page 4:00 p.m. Herbal Remedies—Lee Wellard 6:30 p.m. Gospel of the Kinsman—Delthony Gordon Friday, August 18, 2023 7:00 a.m. Revival for the Last Days—Chris Holland 10:00 a.m. Experiencing God Through Prayer, Praise, and the Power of His Word—Jerry Page 4:00 p.m. Herbal Remedies—Lee Wellard 6:30 p.m. Gospel of the Kinsman—Delthony Gordon Sabbath, August 19, 2023 7:00 a.m. Revival for the Last Days—Chris Holland 9:30 a.m. Sabbath School—Jerry Page 12:00 p.m. Divine Service—Andy Weaver 3:00 p.m. Q & A Session—All Presenters 4:00 p.m. Herbal Remedies—Lee Wellard 6:30 p.m. Gospel of the Kinsman—Delthony Gordon Sunday, August 20, 2023 7:00 a.m. Revival for the Last Days—Chris Holland 10:00 a.m. Final send off—Delthony Gordon

Media Healing Herbs Seminar May 30, 2023 Lee Wellard #1 Mt. Hope 2023 Lee Wellard 00:00 / 1:08:56 Chad Kreuzer #1 Mt Hope Ohio May 30 2023 Chad Kreuzer 00:00 / 48:28 May 31, 2023 Lee Wellard #2 Mt. Hope Ohio May 31, 2023 Lee Wellard 00:00 / 1:05:57 Chad Kreuzer #2 Mt Hope Ohio May 31 2023 Chad Kreuzer 00:00 / 1:04:40 June 1, 2023 Lee Wellard #3 Mt Hope June 1 2023 Lee Wellard 00:00 / 57:52 Chad Kreuzer #3 Mt Hope Ohio June 1 2023 Chad Kreuzer 00:00 / 57:06

Brought Into the Truth The Abe Raber Story I was born and raised Amish in Holmes County, Ohio. Holmes County is one of Ohio's biggest tourist attractions. Growing up, we were familiar with cars going by really slowly and watching us. ​ As children, I remember our parents telling us that we should not let tourists take pictures of us. As a result, we were sometimes very rude to the tourists. That was about thirty years ago—a lot has changed since then. Today, the majority of Amish in the community where I grew up have cell phones, and most have modern conveniences. Their transportation style and dress is about the only thing that separates them. One time, I asked my Dad why we couldn't take pictures of each other. He told me that it was because the 10 Commandments forbade it. He was, of course, talking about the second commandment. The ironic thing was, though, that if someone's picture got in the paper they would cut it out and put it in a scrapbook or photo album as a keepsake. My mom had a drawer full of old newspaper clippings of people she knew. I had a pretty normal and comfortable life. I was single, living at home with my parents, rent free, and eating from my parents' table. I had a good income with almost no expenses. Every year, I would go on at least one expensive vacation, and sometimes more. Life was good. Experiencing Trauma However, my spiritual life was not good, and I knew it. We were taught that the way you get to Heaven was by obeying all the rules of the church, down to a "T". We were to "do this and you will make it." But I wasn't obeying the rules. We weren't allowed to have cell phones, and I had a cell phone. We weren't allowed to ride with young Amish boys that owned cars. I had friends like that, and I rode with them sometimes. I always hoped I wouldn't die suddenly, because I knew I had some repenting to do. In 2010, my Mom died unexpectedly. We didn't even know something was wrong with her. My life was shattered. Two and a half years later, my Dad got remarried. That was devastating to me because we had been very close since Mom had died. I decided that it was time for me to move out. Right about that time, a piece of property came up for sale only a quarter of a mile from where I worked. About a year later, I moved onto the property. Living alone, with lots of spare time and no one to talk to was a new experience. People would encourage me to find someone and get married, but I felt that all the good ones my age were already taken and I didn't know where to start looking. I prayed about it, and decided that I would put it entirely in God's hands. One day, soon after I moved out, I was at Wal-Mart in the electronics department , and they had a table with some laptop computers on clearance. As I looked them over, I found one that was exactly what I wanted. Of course, computers would not be allowed by the church, but I figured I could probably get away with it if I didn't tell too many people. I made a couple laps around the store to make sure no one from my church was in the store, and then I bought the laptop. On the way home, I stopped at the Verizon store and bought a hotspot for it so that I would have Internet access at home. Suddenly, I didn't have enough spare time. I would spend hours, or even days, watching things on YouTube or Netflix. ​ Searching for Truth Eventually, I found Walter Veith on YouTube . He fascinated me so much, I could not stop watching him. Of course, I quickly discovered that he was a Seventh-day Adventist. That didn't bother me because what he was saying made perfect sense, and he would align all of his teachings with the Bible. Watching his videos definitely changed my way of thinking, but I was not convicted enough to make any changes in my life. We were taught that if we stayed in the religion that we were born in, then we could be saved. However, if we chose to leave, especially after we had been baptized, there was little hope of salvation. Soon, my world was shattered again. I had a brother, that was not Amish, his name was Leroy. He had been going to medical school when he started to get seizures. One weekend, He came up to my place and we got together with the rest of the family. We had a great time together. That night, he drove back home. While he was sleeping, he had a massive seizure and died. That was in May of 2016. After that, I spent all my spare time researching and studying the Scriptures and I started learning about the plan of salvation. I learned that having a personal relationship with Jesus is the key. I also learned that the law of God had not been done away with at the cross. If God's law could be changed, than Jesus would not have had to die. Only the ceremonial laws of Moses were fulfilled at the cross. Sadly, none of this was taught in the Amish church. Even after learning all these new things, I still was not convicted to leave the Amish church. I thought, "Someday, when the Sunday Law comes, I will leave," but God had other plans. In February of 2017, my Dad got pneumonia and died. This pushed me over the edge. Watching my family die one by one caused me to think that I might be next because I had stomach issues. I remember thinking, while I was at my Dad's funeral, that if it was me in the casket I would be lost. I knew I was living a lie. A few months later, in April, I started keeping the Bible Sabbath. At that time, I thought I was the only Amish person in the world that believed like this. I desperately wanted an Amish Sabbath-keeping church to go to, but had no idea there was such a church. I just stayed home and kept the Sabbath the best way I knew how to on Saturday, then went to my Amish Church on Sunday. ​ I’m Not Alone One day, in June, I saw a Swartzentruber Amish lady on Facebook on a Saturday evening. She had posted a comment on how warm it was in church today. I got excited—an Amish person going to church on Saturday! Wow!! I started digging, and soon realized they were all Swartzentruber Amish, and that they were over an hour away from me. I thought, "There is no way I can go there." Time went on, and I had pretty much forgotten about it until one evening when I was listening to a Doug Batchelor sermon, and he mentioned an Amish couple in Northeast Ohio. Their names were Andy and Naomi Weaver, and they were Seventh-day Adventists. I got excited again. I found Andy and Naomi's 3ABN interview. After the video, they had contact information. I thought to myself, "I don't care if these people are Swartzentrubers or not, I'm going to get in contact with them because they believe exactly what I believe." I sent them an email before I went to bed. To my surprise, I got a text from my Mennonite neighbor who was also a Sabbath keeper. He told me that he knew about West Salem Mission. That was before I had a vehicle, so he took me along with him to church a few times. A few months earlier, I had shared some information with my brother Vernon, and he was being convicted about the Sabbath, so I asked him if he would be interested in going to the Mission. He agreed, and we have been worshiping at West Salem Mission ever since. I can not imagine how my spiritual life would be without the fellowship of believers a the Mission—they have been a huge blessing to me. I thank God for bringing me into His truth. Abe Raber is a member of the West Salem Church, and is employed at Keim Lumber in Holmes County, Ohio. Next: The Vernon Raber Story...

Projects at West Salem Mission Building to Serve Miracles are happening at West Salem Mission! God has provided a worship and ministry center for the purpose of spreading His amazing truths among the Amish. Because of God's blessing and your generous support, the Amish have their own place of worship and fellowship. In addition, a schoolhouse is being constructed where the unique Amish culture is combined with God's principles of true education. Thank you for your prayers and financial support of this growing ministry to the Plain People! A Schoolhouse FUNDING COMPLETE! THANK YOU! The West Salem Mission has almost 50 young people under the age of 18. The leadership at the West Salem Mission is passionate about practical, quality Christian education that will provide our young people with the tools to be successful. We want them to be a blessing in this life, as well as a have a preparation for the life in the hereafter. We sense that many of our supporters share with us this vision. Thank you! September 2022: we are excited to announce that the schoolhouse has been completed! What a blessing this precious school is, thank you so much to those who gave to make this a reailty! Our schoolhouse For those of you that have visited the West Salem Mission, you probably noticed a few rough looking buildings! We have replaced the old garage, and another critter-infested storage building with this 32 x 40 pole building. The project has been completed and just in time. The school children are meeting in the new barn until their schoolhouse is finished. Thank you for your support! The barn at West Salem Mission FUNDING COMPLETE! THANK YOU! Post-frame Building Multipurpose Building FUNDING COMPLETE! THANK YOU! The West Salem Mission has been richly blessed since its inception in 2015. One of the major goals reached was the completion of the new multipurpose building in the fall of 2019. Following the expanded space for meetings, including church services, was an unexpected rate of growth. If you have invested in this project, rest assured that you have stored treasures in heaven! Thank you! The multipurpose building at West Salem Mission

Arise thy light is come A magazine for Sabbath-keepers Being an author is a high calling! Our authors are the backbone of our magazine. You provide instruction and enlightenment, you can move an individual from apathy to action . Although potentially writing to thousands, you are really speaking to one person at a time. God uses the written word as a silent teacher, to convict hearts and change lives. Guidelines for Authors Arise Magazine seeks to reflect lifestyle values in harmony with the Bible. All articles printed in Arise are to reflect Biblical teachings and wholesome lifestyle practices. ​ Articles can range from 500-2000 words. Lengthier articles can be submitted but may be placed into a series spanning several issues. Articles may be edited for grammar, punctuation, and space. Articles are to be in harmony with the beliefs stated below. Beliefs upheld by Arise magazine We believe there is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity three co-eternal Persons. We accept the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary as the atoning sacrifice for our sins and believe that through faith in His shed blood we are saved from sin and its penalty. We renounce the world and its sinful ways, and have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior believing that God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven our sins and given us a new heart. We accept by faith the righteousness of Christ, our Intercessor in the heavenly sanctuary, and accept His promise of transforming grace and power to live a loving, Christ-centered life in our homes and before the world. We believe that the Bible is God's inspired Word, the only rule of faith and practice for the Christian. We accept the Ten Commandments as a transcript of the character of God and a revelation of His will, including the fourth commandment which requires the observance of the seventh day of the week. We look forward to the soon return of Jesus. We accept the New Testament teaching of baptism by immersion. We accept the Bible teaching of spiritual gifts and believe that the gift of prophecy is one of the identifying marks of the remnant church. We believe in church organization, and to support church by returning tithes and offerings, and by personal effort and influence. We believe the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and that we are to care for it by using judicially things that are beneficial and abstaining from that which is harmful, including unclean foods, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. We are an organization that supports the Seventh-day Adventist church and believe that it is the remnant church of Bible prophecy. Choose a topic to begin Health & Nutrition Education & Homeschool Marriage & Parenting For the Youth General Business Solutions Garden & Homestead Outreach & Evangelism Stories & Testimonies

From Despair to Hope The John and Delila Glick Story Story by Hannah Luttrell / Photos by Michael McElroy "I want to be excommunicated." Delila Glick looked straight at her bishop, her steady voice belying the twinge of nervousness she felt inside. From the outside, Glick looked like any typical Amish woman, her waist-length hair neatly twisted up in a bun and tucked beneath a white prayer covering, and her long, full skirt lightly brushing the floor of the bishop’s house. Yet, what she said was anything but typical. Being excommunicated or shunned from the Amish community was a severe punishment used to pressure a wayward member to repent and return, and asking for such a sentence was defnitely not a common occurrence. “Why would you want that?” the bishop frowned. “I don’t understand the way you are treating my husband,” Glick explained. “I feel the same way he does, and I want to be shunned as well.” Her husband, John, sat quietly next to Delila, silenced by his status as a shunned church member. ​ Several weeks earlier, the church had caught John using power tools and a Bobcat® to help a friend. That went directly against the Ordnung, or rules of their strict Swartzentruber Amish sect. The only excuse for using power tools, cars, phones and the like was if someone’s life was in immediate danger. “You’re trying to worship two gods: the rules of the church and now the world by using these forbidden equipment,” the bishop had said, inadvertently revealing the level to which he had elevated his church. ​ The sentence from the council was swift: six weeks of excommunication—no business or social interaction with any Amish church member. For any Amish living within the Lodi settlement in Ohio, the community was their entire world. Excommunication meant no buying or selling of any goods or services, no social gatherings, not even a meal with any member, including their own family. At church on a Sunday, the council told John to go home, but his wife and children were to remain at church. ​ As John drove his horse and buggy home alone, he never felt so low in his life. The bishop had told John that he could not be forgiven after willfully “sinning,” despite knowing the church rules. “If I am that bad,” thought John, “then why should I be with my wife or kids ever?” The weight of the condemnation bearing down on his soul drove John to consider taking his own life. He wasn’t sure if he could still be saved if he did that, so once he arrived home, he grabbed his German Bible and started reading, searching for a passage that would give God the “right” to let him kill himself. ​ Yet, as John combed the pages of the gospels, he found anything but that. Instead, he found relief, joy and truth. What he read not only went against a lot of his long-held beliefs, but also showed that the ways of his bishop and church did not match up with the Bible. He shared his discoveries with Delila, and together they began to pray and study the Bible. Initially hesitant, Delila knew that if they continued on this path, they would soon be leaving their family, friends and the only world they had ever known. ​ Nonetheless, as they continued to study, Delila realized that Jesus had to be first in her life. He was her source of comfort—not her parents, her siblings or even her community. As they neared the end of the six weeks of excommunication and of studying the Bible together, they knew that, despite the consequences, they would have to leave the Amish church—permanently. “You need to talk to Andy,” remarked John’s cousin, after hearing his dilemma. Andy Weaver was a former Amish church member with whom John had never quite seen eye to eye on his beliefs. But that was before. Just one day after John’s official six weeks of banishment was over and he was reinstated back into the Amish church, the Glicks took a huge risk by parking their buggy behind Andy’s barn and sneaking into his house for a Bible study. Within a few months, John and Delila joined Weaver and his wife, Naomi, not only in the Bann—or the state of permanent excommunication from the Amish church—but also in the Amish Seventh-day Adventist worship community in West Salem. ​ John had always assumed that anyone who didn’t dress like the Amish was “of the world.” But at his first church service at West Salem Mission, when he saw the “English-dressed” worshippers pour out their hearts to God in sincere, heartfelt prayer, John broke down and cried. Seeing people who looked so different from him and yet believed so strongly in the Word of God made him realize just how many of his past assumptions needed changing. “People think I left the Amish church to get more pleasure, more materials,” remarks John. “In some ways, it’s partly true—I did want a truck, a phone and a Bobcat®. But now I know I don’t even need all that—all I need is Jesus. Actually, if I wanted pleasure, I would go back to being Amish because there is nothing in this world outside of God that can give more pleasure than being with family. But as much as I am homesick for my family, I know I can’t put family above the Word of God.” For Delila, being shunned by her family of origin was the hardest part about leaving. Her family had always been close, and, even as adults, the times her parents and 13 siblings spent together were always full of fun. But according to the letter she received from her parents, she was no longer welcome in their house, nor any of her siblings’ homes. Yet, while there was a lot of stress in leaving everything behind, Delila notes that today she has half the stress than she did back then. Says Delila, “I have so much peace knowing that I can come to God as I am and be accepted!” Life is not worry-free for the Glicks. Leaving the Amish also meant leaving behind John’s profitable construction business, as his former Amish customers and workers can no longer do business with or work for him. Business on the outside is very different, and John struggles to figure out how to run a business and pay people regular outside wages. Among all the new things John and Delila are learning, the most important is reliance on God. Notes Delila, “Being Amish, you aren’t really taught anything about trusting God. It’s all about traditions and rules and just doing what you are told. After we first left, there was a weight on our shoulders—from our own salvation to making ends meet. But after we started open prayer—not just praying from the Amish prayer book—our entire outlook changed. We started trusting God that He would lead us. He has, and we know He will continue to do so!” Next: The Andy and Naomi Weaver Story...

Upcoming Speakers at West Salem Mission Past Presentations