An evangelistic series in Malibu stretched from 2-1/2 weeks to 3-1/2 weeks because fires threatened the local school where the meetings were held.

On the sixth evening, a fire that started at the school brought the meetings to a halt. “Miraculously, only the trees around the school burned,” said Judith Miranda, who coordinated the series with the Santa Monica church. “When we had to evacuate, the school district arranged for us to meet at another school at the other end of Malibu, but the people who had been attending had no way of knowing where we were, and we had no way of contacting them,” said Miranda. So she prayed for God’s help.

A Malibu resident opened his home and offered financial support and whatever was needed so the meetings could continue. As soon as meetings were resumed at the school where the series had started, nearly 40 of the visitors returned — more than 25 of them community residents.

After completing the series, Nancy, a Malibu resident, requested baptism. “This has changed my life!” she said.

“You can’t be baptized without me!” her ex-husband quickly added, after hearing her request.

When Miranda mentioned that they needed to study Adventist beliefs before baptism, Nancy acknowledged, “I did take the Discover Bible course a while ago, so I already know the beliefs. I had a problem with smoking.”

Miranda took time to share with her a method of stopping smoking that proved successful. Weeks later, Michael, who had also taken the Discover Bible studies earlier, began preparing to be baptized on Dec. 29. “I haven’t felt as good in decades, now that I have stopped smoking and drinking,” he said.

Two physicians provided nightly health presentations. Milton Mills, M.D., an Adventist with a national radio program on health, spoke during the first week, and James Watson, M.D., a retired missionary from the Santa Monica church, and his wife, Ruth, presented health topics during the remaining evenings.

Two individuals were baptized following the meetings and another seven prepared for baptism soon after.

“The greatest thing that God used in that series was the special supply of love He gave our team to help us convey His love,” Miranda said. “I felt that the people who came had money, but they didn’t have love. I don’t want that love to leave me.”

Members from every Southern California Conference region assisted with the series. “We couldn’t have held the meetings without their help,” Miranda acknowledged.

Another series is planned for early 2008, with the goal of planting a new church in Malibu.