Southern Tidings Southern Tidings
  • STORIES
    • Vantage Point
    • AdventHealth
    • AdventHealth University
    • Carolina Conference
    • Florida Conference
    • Georgia-Cumberland Conference
    • Gulf States Conference
    • Hispanic
    • Kentucky-Tennessee Conference
    • Oakwood University
    • South Atlantic Conference
    • South Central Conference
    • Southeastern Conference
    • Southern Adventist University
    • Southern Union
  • PRINT VERSIONS
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
  • CONTACT
    • Submit Content
  • ADVERTISE
    • Display Ads
    • Classified Ads
Southern Tidings Southern Tidings
  • STORIES
    • Vantage Point
    • AdventHealth
    • AdventHealth University
    • Carolina Conference
    • Florida Conference
    • Georgia-Cumberland Conference
    • Gulf States Conference
    • Hispanic
    • Kentucky-Tennessee Conference
    • Oakwood University
    • South Atlantic Conference
    • South Central Conference
    • Southeastern Conference
    • Southern Adventist University
    • Southern Union
  • PRINT VERSIONS
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
  • CONTACT
    • Submit Content
  • ADVERTISE
    • Display Ads
    • Classified Ads
Aug 01

Crisis Changes Hearts and Lives for Christ

BY Linda Freeman

Michael Duman, left, and Rick Blythe, second from right, baptize two of the five family members.

Paul and Deborah Pledger (left, back), Debbie and Johnny Parker, and Caydence Pledger (front) celebrated their baptism on June 13, 2020.

There is a need to be praising the Lord in this pandemic crisis! While life has slowed down, families have been brought closer together. It seems that people are searching for answers in life. They have more time for Bible studies, and are finding Jesus!

The Piedmont, Ala., Church has been live-streaming their church services. Michael Duman, pastor, and Rick Blythe, retired pastor, have been presenting intentional, heart-searching messages, and are reaching success in many people. The continued efforts of the church have led to baptisms.

Five people from one family were baptized on June 13, 2020. Paul Pledger, wife Deborah, 9-year-old granddaughter Caydence, mother Debbie, and stepdad Johnny. It wasn’t just the sermons the led to this joyous occasion; it was also a credit to a concerted effort in prayer. Deborah Pledger was baptized 28 years ago and had prayed daily for her husband. When her husband decided to be baptized, she wanted to share the experience with him and be rebaptized, totally committing their lives and marriage to God. Her life is a testimony to never stop praying for your loved ones.

Deborah Pledger wasn’t alone in praying, though. Longtime family friend Michael Abraham often visited and prayed for the family. And, on the day of the baptism, Abraham made a surprise visit from Florida to witness the joyful occasion and give the sermon. As for what led the rest of the family, faith was also involved. Caydence Pledger inspired her dad to be baptized because of her consistent desire to be baptized since she was 6. She reads her Bible regularly and shares her faith with others by handing out literature to classmates, and even to her teacher.

Gulf States | August 2020

  • Gulf States, Gulf States News, News
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail

Comments are closed.

Recent Articles

  • South Central Conference Launches Innovative STEAM Camp for Students
  • Honoring Legacy: Celebrating Black History at New Jerusalem Church
  • Hispanic Camp Meeting Celebrates Unity, Growth
  • Weekend to Remember: A Lifeline for Pastoral Marriages
  • Southern Partners with GNTC for Adult Learning

The Southern Tidings is the official publication of the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • SUBMIT A STORY

Recent Posts

  • South Central Conference Launches Innovative STEAM Camp for Students
  • Honoring Legacy: Celebrating Black History at New Jerusalem Church
  • Hispanic Camp Meeting Celebrates Unity, Growth
  • Weekend to Remember: A Lifeline for Pastoral Marriages

Southern Tidings

P.O. Box 923868
Peachtree Corners, GA 30010-3868
770.408.1800
© SOUTHERN UNION CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS