Nicholas Hold, one of three theology majors on the Rocky Mountain Conference literature ministry team, began his 2022 summer knocking on doors in Powell, Wyoming, United States. One of the first people he met was an individual known in the neighborhood. Learning that Hold was a Seventh-day Adventist, he commented on how he appreciated the Adventist view of prophecy, and that he had heard of the book The Great Controversy and wanted to read it. He gave a higher-than-expected donation for the book.

Next door, Hold met a family who knew their neighbor. Introducing them to The Great Controversy, he mentioned that their neighbor had just accepted it. “Well, if [he] wants to read this book, then we should get all of your books!” they remarked.

For Hold, meeting this individual in the first few minutes of knocking on doors in Powell was no coincidence. He felt God had led his team leader to drop the canvassers at the right place at the right time to make an impact on that community for eternity. Close to 500 books were shared, which was largely due to the influence of one man.

This was just one testimony of many during the summer canvassing program in the U.S. states of Colorado and Wyoming. The result of the weeks between June 5 and August 1 was not only the sharing of literature; canvassers also met several former church members, and local pastors are now giving them Bible studies.

During the 2022 initiative, nineteen literature evangelists distributed about 14,000 pounds (6,350 kg) of books, and yes, they had sore backs at times. They knocked on around 200,000 doors. Considering the average family size of 3.15 persons, it is estimated they reached an audience of 630,000 people. We might not know the true impact of canvassing this summer, but we heard that in Laramie, Wyoming, a young man skateboarded up to the church asking for Bible studies and expressing a desire to keep the Sabbath. In his hand was one of the books that our students left with him.

Arguably, the greatest impact of the literature ministry program is what it does to the young people who participate in it. One of the team members, Jacob Rodriguez, recently decided to be rebaptized. Three others, including the parent of one of the students, have started studying toward the same decision.

Bayli Graybill, commenting on her summer experience, said, “This program was a growing experience in my social life, physical life, and especially in my spiritual life. I was challenged in a good way to be bold with my faith and not afraid of my fears.”

Local Adventist churches in both states supported the group of young canvassers. They provided food, places to stay, and prayers so that everything went smoothly. They even hand-delivered water bottles as young people kept walking and knocking on doors, thus encouraging participants to share the gospel with those they met.

Leaders and participants agree: after a successful summer, they have a lot to be thankful for.

The original version of this story was posted on the Rocky Mountain Conference news site. Matt Hasty is Rocky Mountain Conference literature ministries director.