Seventeen high school and college students participated in this year’s conference Magabooking program, traveling door-to-door across Iowa and Missouri from May 20 through late July to share faith-based literature and raise funds for Adventist education. The students visited multiple cities over eight weeks, placing more than 200 books in homes and collecting over $22,000 in donations to help cover their educational expenses at Adventist schools.
The program combines literature evangelism with practical ministry training, as students learn to engage community members through magazine-style books offered on a donation basis. After spending their first week building relationships and practicing their presentation skills, the Magabookers began their field work and continued throughout the summer.
“This is great. It felt really good to pray for someone,” said Nathaniel, one of the participating students, after having the opportunity to pray with a woman he met during his visits. Fellow Magabooker Briseis emphasized the program’s personal impact: “Magabooking is honestly a great opportunity to improve on oneself. I’ve grown so much in two months, and I’ll always appreciate this experience.”
The program concluded with students serving at Summer Blast, an evangelistic program in Burlington, Iowa. Pastor Ramon Veloz praised their comprehensive involvement: “The Magabooking youth demonstrated outstanding dedication and service during the Summer Blast program. They contributed in many areas, including the praise team, children’s activities, registration, food preparation, giveaways and more.”
The students led a children’s class that proved particularly fruitful, with five children from their group choosing baptism during the Friday evening program. “It was truly a blessing to have them, and I would gladly welcome them back anytime,” Veloz said.
Program leader Pastor Sixto Ramos reflected on the transformative experience: “This is a summer that I will never forget. It was an honor and privilege to work alongside this group of young people sharing God’s love to the communities we visited.”
Alicia Spaid is a member of the Lee’s Summit Adventist Church in Missouri.
