Mission SONlight CHATT

A prayer for his mother led Pastor Ron du Preez to a life-changing encounter with God. Years later, at 73, he walked or cycled 50 kilometers a day through all 50 states in 50 days to encourage seniors to stay active and share the hope of Jesus.

In this Mission SONlight Chat interview, Pastor Ron talks with Christopher Beason at the General Conference Sessions Exhibit Hall in St. Louis. He shares how an answered prayer sparked a personal commitment to Christ, the ministry journey that took him and his wife Linda to seven countries, and why he keeps serving after retirement.

Ron also explains how Senior Strides and his church's walk-run-hike club connect physical fitness with faith. Plus, Christopher recalls the final exam Ron gave at Southern, and the surprising instruction at the end.


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After losing her husband, Rachel Henley asked God how she could raise three children alone. Her story of grief, faith, and unexpected direction led her to Brazil, where she now helps run Living Water Retreat, a Christian wellness center.

In this Mission SONlight Chat interview, Rachel shares how God guided her family through painful loss and a long search for the right property. She also explains how Living Water Retreat supports guests with plant-based meals, natural health practices, and daily time for prayer and worship. The conversation includes Rachel's testimony about finding strength one day at a time, along with her encouragement from Philippians 4:6-7.

Watch to hear how faith, health, and service come together at Living Water Retreat near São Paulo, Brazil.

To contact Living Water Retreat, visit https://estanciaguaviva.com.br

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A book shared at the right moment can open the door to a new life with Christ. At the 2025 General Conference session in St. Louis, young literature evangelist Mark Mapes shares how canvassing became part of his family's faith story, how he funds his education, and what he's learned while sharing Christian books with strangers.

Mark traces the ministry back to his grandfather, whose life changed after an Adventist literature evangelist introduced him to The Desire of Ages. He also talks about his goal of becoming an emergency room doctor, the books and health resources he shares, and surprising encounters with people who stopped to learn about Jesus.

In the final segment, Mark reflects on Luke 10 and why he believes canvassers can encourage one another by working in pairs and serving communities consistently. Watch for stories from the field, a look at the literature he offers, and a prayer for those sharing the gospel through books.

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A firefighter's job doesn't end when the emergency is over. Pastor and volunteer firefighter Tim Mayne explains how chaplaincy helps first responders process trauma, grief, and the calls that stay with them.

At the General Conference Session in St. Louis, Tim joins Mission SONlight CHATT to share how he came to combine pastoral ministry with fire service. He talks about supporting firefighters after traumatic calls, why listening matters more than trying to fix everything, and how chaplains can serve people from every background with compassion and respect.

Tim also reflects on his unexpected path to ministry, his years as a volunteer firefighter, and the advice he gives young people considering careers in emergency services or pastoral ministry. He closes with Jude 20-23 and a reminder that caring for people in pain is a practical way to share Christ's love. 


You can Contact Tim at https://tillamookor.adventistchurch.org

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War has left children in Ukraine grieving, displaced, and in need of care. Hear how Your Camp offers young people a safe place to recover, find support, and hold on to hope, and how you can help.

In this Mission SONlight CHATT special, OCI president Steve Dickman explains how Your Camp supports children affected by the war. Then director Igor shares how the camp provides recovery programs, counseling, pastoral care, and personal support for children who have lost parents or been displaced.

You can help by praying, donating through OCI's Your Help fund, sharing this story, or asking about volunteering at the camp. Find more information at https://outpostcenters.org/en/oci-website/ministries/1484/

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0:00 Welcome to Mission SONlight Chat


1:39 Your Camp and OCI


4:31 How the camp supports youth


6:35 Ways to help


10:15 Prayer and sharing the story


14:41 Media missionary message


18:18 Introducing Igor


19:16 Igor's report from Ukraine


22:03 Supporting children in recovery


23:59 Igor's requests for help


25:17 Closing prayer

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What does it look like to follow God's call through family hardship, career changes, ministry challenges, and personal loss? Pastor Mike Szynkowski shares his honest story in this episode of Mission SONlight Chatt.

Mike talks about growing up in Michigan, his mother's commitment to Adventist education, and the difficult family experiences that shaped his view of faith and home life. He also explains how he became an X-ray technologist before answering a long-standing call to pastoral ministry.

The conversation covers his years serving churches across Michigan, including youth ministry, church planting, leadership challenges, and the joy of seeing people choose Christ and prepare for baptism. Mike also discusses why pastors should help congregations grow into ministry instead of making themselves indispensable.

In the final segment, Mike and Christopher Beason speak openly about grief, strained friendships, losing loved ones, and the challenge of supporting people when words aren't enough. Their conversation points back to the hope Christians have in Jesus, even while grief remains real.

Recorded at the General Conference Session exhibit hall, this episode offers an honest look at pastoral ministry, faith, friendship, and hope through loss.

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How can Christian faith, therapy, and honest conversations about grief help people face life's hardest seasons? In this episode of Mission SONlight CHATT, Elise Helzer shares her journey as a marriage and family therapist, doctoral student, caregiver, and ministry leader.

Elise talks about growing up Adventist in rural Iowa, making her faith personal, and seeing the need for better mental health support in rural communities. She also explains how her husband's early-onset dementia changed her understanding of grief, lament, caregiving, and hope.

The conversation covers mental health in the church, spiritual bypassing, grief and loss, Christian counseling, telehealth, and the importance of listening to people's stories. Elise also introduces brainspotting, a trauma treatment approach related to EMDR, and explains how it may help some people process difficult memories and physical responses connected to trauma.

Learn more about Elise's ministry, resources, coaching, and speaking at:

https://seasonsofheart.com/

If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, trauma, or thoughts of suicide, reach out to a qualified mental health professional or a local crisis service.

https://seasonsofheart.com

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Network 7 [https://www.Network7.org]

Contact: [email protected] 📨

call or text 423.855.4877 📞

What does it take to serve as a missionary in one of Papua New Guinea's remote regions? Orian Lawrence shares his journey, his work with Adventist Frontier Missions, and the ways God is reaching communities through local leaders, Bible study, and discipleship.

Recorded at the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri, this episode of Mission SONlight CHATT introduces AFM's work in hard-to-reach areas. Orian explains how his childhood shaped his call to missions, why he and his twin brother serve in different parts of the world, and what brought his family to Papua New Guinea after six years at an orphanage in Kolkata, India.

Orian also discusses traditional Papua New Guinean clothing and tools, including cowrie shells, pig tusks, a woven bilum, and a cassowary-bone dagger. He shares what it means to train and mentor local church leaders, plant congregations, and help new believers build a lasting trust in Jesus.

The conversation also highlights PNG for Christ, a nationwide evangelistic effort that brought more than 700 people to one meeting site and led to baptisms in Orian's region. Near the end, Orian tells how prayer and patience helped prevent violence between two villages, offering a clear reminder that mission work sometimes means standing still and waiting for God's direction.


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This video features a look at the 13th Sabbath offering projects in the Inter-European Division (EUD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for the 3rd quarter of 2026.

Youth camps in Belgium and theological training in Italy are helping young people grow in faith, serve others, and share the gospel. In this special Mission SONlight report, Network 7 visits the Inter-European Division to see how 13th Sabbath Offering projects will support the next generation.

The Belgium-Luxembourg Conference is planning a permanent youth and camp center where children, teenagers, families, and church leaders can gather throughout the year. The center will provide space for summer camps, retreats, training events, and spiritual growth, while using responsible solutions such as energy efficiency, rainwater harvesting, and care for the environment.

In Florence, Italy, Villa Aurora trains students for ministry among Italian-speaking communities and beyond. The campus welcomes students from Europe, Africa, North America, and South America, including people from different Christian backgrounds. Because student housing is full and a waiting list has formed, this quarter's offering will help renew and expand accommodation at the Italian Adventist University Institute.

The report also looks at Adventist history in Europe, religious liberty in Italy, the worldwide Pathfinder family, and the lasting influence youth ministry can have on families, churches, and future leaders. Watch to see how these projects connect buildings and facilities with lives prepared to serve Jesus.

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call or text 423.855.4877 📞

What happens when Adventists are called to serve in the military while remaining faithful to their beliefs? Mario Ceballos shares his personal journey from Venezuela to pastoral ministry, military chaplaincy, and leadership in the Medical Cadet Corps.

Recorded at the General Conference session in St. Louis, Missouri, this episode of Mission SONlight Chatt looks at how the Medical Cadet Corps prepares Adventist young people to serve as medics and support their communities during war, disasters, hurricanes, floods, and fires.

Mario explains how reading his father's sermons led him toward ministry, why his military experience revealed the need for Adventist chaplains, and how he balanced a full-time pastoral career with decades of service in the Navy Reserve. He also discusses the history of the Medical Cadet Corps, its connection to Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries, and its growth in countries including Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Panama, Costa Rica, and the United States.

The conversation also addresses noncombatant service, Sabbath observance, religious accommodations, and the importance of churches working with conference leaders and military authorities before a crisis occurs. Mario's central message is clear: preparation should begin before young people are drafted or a disaster strikes.

Find the Medical Cadet Corps and World Service Organization at https://www.worldserviceorganization.org

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Contact: [email protected] 📨

call or text 423.855.4877 📞