In 2026 I will be exploring early Sabbatarian Adventists in the states that now comprise the Mid-America Union. There is no way to know who the first Millerite or Adventist was in each state. Instead, I will feature the first people to write to the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald (forerunner of the Adventist Review) from the territories or states in what is now the Mid-America Union. The origins of the first seventh-day Sabbath-keeper to write to the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald from Missouri are difficult to determine. There is some question as to whether Thomas Langford Hawkins was born in Kentucky, where his father settled, or Virginia, where the family originated. The date of his birth is equally questionable. Census records suggest he was born in 1785. His obituary claims he was born around 1783. His ancestors were among the wealthy citizens of central Virginia, and there is some indication that his father dealt in land speculation and was known to sell enslaved people. Thomas Hawkins left this unsavory past behind when he joined the Army on December 14, 1812, during the War of 1812. Soldier Pioneer As a first lieutenant in the ordnance department, Hawkins was sent north to Ohio. According to his wife’s statement in her declaration to receive a widow’s pension, Hawkins was at Fort Meigs (in Perrysburg, near Toledo) during its April and July 1813 sieges. Thereafter, he saw service around the region, including Detroit, Michigan, and installations in Franklinton (now a neighborhood in Columbus), and Cincinnati. He is alleged to have been at the Battle of Lundy’s Lane on July 25, 1814. Following the end of the war, Hawkins was transferred to Fort Stephenson in present day Fremont, Ohio. He resigned his commission on January 31, 1816, but remained in what was then known as Lower Sandusky, later renamed Fremont. Thus, upon his death in 1862, the Findlay Jeffersonian claimed that he was “one of the earliest settlers of” Fremont, Ohio, and that “few persons in Sandusky county were better known or more respected” (May 30, 1862). While stationed in Franklinton, Hawkins married Nancy Ann Broderick on November 15, 1814. They had eight children, at least four of whom lived to adulthood: James Montgomery, Thomas Langford Jr., Edmund C., and Jane Grant. The names of the first three children are unknown, and the fate of the youngest, Hannah, is also a mystery. Methodist, Poet, Millerite Settled in the new town of Fremont, Hawkins made a name for himself through a number of activities. He took up cabinetry and furniture-making, a trade in which his sons followed him for a time. He participated in the survey of Fremont’s “Sandusky” tract in 1817, the first addition to the original town plot. He was also known for writing poetry, much of which appears to have been advertising jingles for his products. However, one piece of a more sentimental nature commemorated the return of “Old Betsy”—a cannon used at Fort Stephenson during the War of 1812—to Fremont. He published a volume of his poetry in 1853, which he called Poetic Miscellany and World’s Wonder. (Columbus, OH: Scott and Bascom, printers) In 1821, Hawkins experienced a religious conversion in which he “embraced vital piety, and enlisted in the army of the Lord, in which service he continued until discharged by death” (Fremont Weekly Journal, May 9, 1862). From this time, he was recognized as a Methodist minister, although an association with a particular congregation or circuit remains elusive. Hawkins joined the Millerites in 1843. He supported the Advent Herald for a few years. However, by 1850, he appears to have disassociated himself from the former Millerites. An anonymous letter, published in the Fremont Weekly Freeman for its entertainment value—it was poorly written—accused Hawkins and others of disfellowshipping a man for “express[ing] his views upon the spedy coming of our Savour Lord and Jesus Christ” (January 5, 1850). In October 1853, Joseph Bates visited Sandusky County as part of a speaking tour of northern Ohio. In the company of Ira Day of Milan, Ohio, he made a point to become “acquainted with ministers and lay brethren who had been in the Advent doctrine in 1843, and had lost their interest in theses precious truths since the ending of the 2300 days of Daniel’s vision in 1844” (Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, November 1, 1853). Although not mentioned by name, Hawkins was probably one of these minsters. When John N. Loughborough visited Fremont, Ohio, in December 1853, he mentioned that Hawkins had been keeping the Sabbath since Bates’ visit. Hawkins’ financial contributions are also noted in the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald (May 16, 1854). When Bates returned to Sandusky County in the fall of 1854, Hawkins assisted him, traveling with him to some of the outlying communities. After residing in Fremont, Ohio, for nearly forty years, thirty of which he had been a Methodist minister, Thomas and Ann Hawkins joined their youngest son, Edmund, and his family in Clay County, Missouri, in 1856. Lonely in Missouri Information regarding the reasons several of the Hawkins children moved westward is unavailable. While Edmund attempted to farm in Missouri, older brother James moved to Vinton in Benton County, Iowa, where he owned both a farm and a hardware store. By the time of his death, he was considered one of the town’s wealthiest citizens. Slave-holding Missouri was not a comfortable place for the northern Hawkins family in the years leading up to the Civil War. In 1858 Thomas Hawkins wrote to the Review, It appears to me that God has given over the slave States to the great enemy of man. The seducing spirits of these last days meddle not with the Southern States; they seem to think no struggle required there. I have not seen in all the subscribers for the Review one from these States. Am I too harsh in this conjecture? If so, I hope forgiveness. Pray for the aged and lonely, waiting redemption. Hawkins felt even more <a class="cat-post-excerpt-more" href="https://www.outlookmag.org/thomas-langford-hawkins/" title="Continue reading Thomas Langford Hawkins Methodist, Millerite, Man of Many Talents“>Read more…

The Park Hill Church in the Central States Conference recently celebrated Young People’s Day. The entire worship service was led by the Lower Division Sabbath school class under the direction of Leah, the Lower Division superintendent. The service began with the young people marching in to the song “I Am a Promise.” The kindergarten class then presented the many Bible characters they had studied throughout the quarter, highlighting how young people played important roles in the Bible. Koda Guyton offered a heartfelt prayer of consecration. For the offering appeal, Nalani John spoke about the difference between counterfeit giving—giving out of habit—and true giving, which comes from love for God. The church was also blessed with special music from Nalani and NeLeah John, along with a song of dedication by Nicholas. The congregation then heard two inspiring messages from young speakers. Thirteen-year-old Jada shared the story of Moses from Miriam’s perspective. She explained that Miriam was about 10 years old when she courageously watched over her baby brother in the Nile. Raised in the nurture of the Lord, Miriam showed wisdom and faith when she approached Pharaoh’s daughter and helped guide the situation toward a solution that saved Moses’ life. Despite the decree to kill Hebrew boys, Miriam demonstrated love, loyalty, courage and faith—trusting God to protect her brother. Through her bravery, she helped save Israel’s future deliverer. Jada reminded the congregation that Miriam’s story shows how age does not limit a person’s ability to serve or influence others. Even as a child, Miriam showed initiative, wisdom and trust in God. Her courage in a dangerous moment proves that God works through those who are willing to trust Him and act boldly, regardless of their age. Nine-year-old Davina Nantale then shared the story of David and Goliath. She described how David selected five smooth stones from the brook, placed them in his bag, and approached the Philistine giant with his sling in hand. Goliath, confident in his strength and armor, expected to face Israel’s strongest warrior. Instead, he saw only a young boy and underestimated him because of his age. Davina explained that while Goliath laughed and believed David could easily be defeated, David stood boldly and declared that he came in the name of the Lord. David trusted that God would defend His name and show that there is one true God in Israel. The program was an outstanding display of the gifts God has given to young people and a reminder that He calls them to serve Him in powerful ways. Debbie Jackson teaches Sabbath School for the youth at Park Hill Church in Denver, Colorado. 

Turn on your imagination! This story is more fun if you picture your own church pastor as you read. One afternoon, a pastor was sitting in his home office, writing a sermon, when he heard a strange sound. He stopped typing and listened. “Meeeee-ow!” His ears perked up. Was that a cat? “Meeeee-ow!” The pastor got up and looked out the window. He froze. High in the air, clinging to a wobbly tree branch, was a cat. Question: Do you have any pets? Have they ever gotten into trouble or done something silly? “Oh dear,” the pastor thought. “Now what do I do?” The pastor couldn’t ignore the cat, it clearly needed help.  So he went outside and walked toward the tree. He reached up, but the branches were far too high. “Here kitty kitty!” he called. The cat stared back at him and didn’t move. The pastor hurried to the garage and returned with a ladder, but when he leaned it against the tree, the tree began to sway. The ladder wobbled. The branches shook. And the cat panicked and scrambled even higher into the flimsy limbs. “Well,” the pastor said, scratching his head, “this isn’t working.” Then he had a very creative idea. Question: What do you think the pastor is going to try?  He went back to the garage, but this time he climbed into his car. He drove over and carefully backed up to the tree. He grabbed some rope, wrapped it around the tree trunk and then hooked it onto his car bumper. “If I pull just a little,” he thought, “the tree will bend low enough for me to reach the cat.” Slowly — very slowly — he drove forward. The tree leaned… and leaned… and leaned… He checked again. “Just a little more,” he said. But the moment he nudged the car forward… TWANG! The rope snapped, the tree sprang upright, and the cat shot into the air like a furry rocket! Question: What face do you think the pastor made? The pastor gasped! He looked up. He looked around. The cat was gone. He searched the yard and asked his neighbors if they had seen a cat flying through the air, but no luck. Puzzled, he eventually gave up the search. Several days later, the pastor was at the grocery store. As he turned down an aisle, he ran into a woman from his church. They chatted for a moment, but then the pastor noticed something odd in her cart: lots of cat food and kitty litter. The pastor was surprised. “Did you get a cat?” he asked. “Oh, Pastor!” she exclaimed, “You will never believe this.” She explained that her daughter had begged and begged for a cat, but she always told her no. Finally, she told her daughter, “If God gives you a cat, then you may keep it.” Question: What do you think happened next? “Well,” she continued, “I watched my daughter go outside, kneel in the yard, and pray. And right then—truly—you won’t believe this—a kitten came flying out of the sky, paws out like a parachute, and landed right in front of her!” The pastor smiled the biggest smile. Because he did believe it. He knew that God has a sense of humor and that sometimes, quite literally “every good and perfect gift comes from above.” (James 1:17). Kelly Wasemiller is a former Adventist educator and now stays at home with her twins. She and her husband live in South Dakota.

What is one simple thing any church member can do to help someone take a step closer to Jesus?” One of the simplest ways any church member, no matter their age, can help someone take a step closer to Jesus is by sharing their testimony. During my four years serving in summer camp ministry ay Glacier View Ranch, we were always encouraged to do just that. We shared how God was blessing us, where we were struggling, and how we had seen His presence in our lives. I was deeply blessed as a staff member because we were constantly ministering to one another as a team, while also being there for the campers. At the same time, our leaders were ministering to me too. None of us were master evangelists. We were simply college students trusting God to use our stories, and He did. In a culture that often encourages us to keep faith to ourselves, choosing to share how God has been at work in our lives is both countercultural and deeply faithful. Those summers continue to shape how I share my faith today. —Vanessa Alarcón, head elder for the Boulder Seventh-day Adventist Church What advice would you give a church member who wants to share their faith but feels unsure or unprepared? For years, my life was driven by the pursuit of success and the pressure to do more—even when it came to sharing my faith. Looking back, I realize that much of my “striving” was really me trying to do the Holy Spirit’s work through my own human efforts. Something shifted when I began to understand John 15 in a new way. I realized that my main responsibility isn’t to produce results, but to abide in the Vine. My role is simple: stay connected to Christ. When I do, God produces the fruit—love, joy and peace. My job is simply to share that fruit with others. I’ve noticed that my feelings of inadequacy surface when I rely on my own self-sufficiency. But when I am truly connected to the Vine, I move with a quiet confidence, knowing that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. —Duane Hallock, member of the New Haven Seventh-day Adventist Church How can an everyday church member build trust with someone who doesn’t go to church? We can build trust by simply making friends with people; it is called friendship evangelism. It also involves going around the church and surveying nearby neighborhoods to learn about their needs, then coming together as a church to help meet those needs. Friendship evangelism is about building genuine relationships by simply making friends with others. It also includes reaching out to the surrounding neighborhoods, learning about their needs, and working together as a church to help support and serve the community. —Ronisha Belgrove, Bible worker, Minnesota Conference of Seventh-day Adventist What is one way church members can show Christ’s love outside the church walls? We show love by going out meeting people exactly where they are. Christ method alone will bring true success without judging or condemning the people but by speaking and meeting them exactly where they are with Christ’s love alone. In following Jesus’ example, we know He spoke the truth aways in love. “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with people as one who desired their good. He showed sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He invited them,’Follow Me.’” (The Ministry of Healing, 73) “Jesus did not suppress one word of truth, but He uttered it always in love. He exercised the greatest tact and thoughtful, kind attention in His intercourse with the people. He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word, never gave needless pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure human weakness. He spoke the truth, but always in love.”  (Steps to Christ, 12) – Ronisha Belgrove, Bible worker, Minnesota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Questions and curation by Hugh Davis