Operation Global Rain was a much anticipated and awesome spiritual refreshing for our church in Grand Blanc, Michigan. I heard about OGR from a fellow ARISE grad and immediately knew this is something our church would want to participate in. Grand Blanc church is evangelistic minded, active with soul winning and only 5 years young. We met every night eagerly anticipating the blessings God had in store for us and we were not disappointed!

Our group joyfully discovered that God sent a few non-Adventists looking for a true spiritual blessing our way. A new church member brought her neighbor who was impressed that she wanted to intercede in prayer with fellow Christians. She came the second night and every night after that. When we finished the last OGR session, she tearfully told us she wants to join our regular midweek prayer meetings. Another church member brought a newfound friend suffering from acute depression and she felt great relief and peace after we had prayer with her. A church member's 13 year old daughter who is not attending church came one evening and prayed she wanted to come back to church again and more often even though she lives apart with her mother who doesn't support her faith.

The young people in our church also received the Holy Spirit's power in their lives. A fifteen year old that goes to public school prayed she'd be a bold and true witness to her peers next year. Two kids agreed that their family would fast from TV during OGR and found they didn't miss it much at all. This was inspired from the challenge presented the first night that throughout OGR, those willing would fast from all secular media. Additionally, all our church leadership committed to a juice fast the last 3 days. We felt impressed to live more in tune with our wonderful Health Message from here on.

Overall, many who came and participated shared how much they were being led more and more as each night progressed, that they have need of a stronger devotional life, study the Bible faithfully, pray more and regularly and get active and bold with their witnessing. We are preparing for our fall evangelistic series and most of us each have a list of 10 names we are praying for to win to Christ this year. OGR has really deepened our commitment to proclaiming the 3rd angel's message. On Sabbath morning, an appeal was given for stewardship. Ten families came forward to trust God with doubling their tithes and offerings. A couple others repented and will start returning tithe faithfully. God was moving in our hearts to place our all on His altar and provide generously for His cause.

Also, after the last session we had an anointing service. Ten persons came forward asking for healing, consecration and the Holy Spirit's power in their ministries. (Notice was given a few days before to prepare our hearts accordingly.) We already have 2 miracles within 24 hours - someone who suffered from severe migraines woke up this morning without a headache. He can't remember that last time he awoke without one. A dear octogenarian asked for healing of a big bleeding sore on her hip and clarity of mind. She had gone to her doctor last week and was told it could take weeks, even months to heal. Within an hour of the anointing, she went home and the sore fell off. Her daughter immediately came back to the church to tell a few of us who were still there this wonderful news. The lady has also been very forgetful, but on her way home she made some comments to the daughter that were unusually coherent and keys she's left somewhere. Her daughter has been skeptical of our doctrines but is now seriously contemplating joining our church.

The Lord has indeed manifested His power in our midst and we are convinced that He is leading His people to a higher experience when we make ourselves willing and available.