The deeper Dawn Jones studied the Bible, the more uncomfortable she became with her church. She was finding evidence of truth in a seventh-day Sabbath, a distinction between clean and unclean meats and that the dead were asleep.
Jones’ search for a church that reflected her beliefs lead her to send off a loaded Facebook message to the Adventist church in Williamsburg, Va.. This started Pastor Heather Crews’ first ever Facebook Bible study. “It’s generally not recommended to start on topics like the Sabbath or the sanctuary, but that’s where Dawn wanted to go. It challenged me to rethink my concepts of a good Bible study.”
After a few weeks of messages and questions, Jones and her three children came to worship and upon completing studies and asking more questions, they made their membership official through profession of faith and baptism. “I was afraid we would never find a church that taught these things like I believed,” said Jones. “But, we have found a place where scripture is lining up and there is true fellowship. It’s a wonderful answer to prayer.”
Crews is quick to say that many ministries made this celebration possible, including the Pathfinder and Sabbath School leaders actively involving the children and a couple making themselves the family’s adoptive grandparents. “Dawn’s heart for the Bible and the character of God displayed in our shared beliefs brought her through the door,” says Crews, “The many members of the church family have made them welcome.”
Feature picture: (left to right) Amanda, Jarrod, Dawn, and Jacob Jones became members of the Williamsburg family after reaching out on Facebook.