By Melony Coleman

In October 2023, Roseburg Better Life Adventist Church decided to create a photo directory, unaware of the impact it would have beyond just capturing photos.

The photography company the church chose sent Katy, a talented, vibrant, smiley photographer from across the country, to spend three days capturing photos of church members. She quickly connected with members, making everyone feel special and beautiful. The church welcomed her with a mini Oregon mug and a copy of The Great Controversy. Katy had always felt a deep connection to Jesus, and one night she read through The Great Controversy, not being able to put it down.

The pastor’s wife quickly developed a special bond with Katy, leading them to exchange contact information. Their friendship grew through text messages and rich conversations about the Bible. When she went home, she shared her excitement about the book and her experience with the congregation with her husband.

That autumn, Roseburg hosted an evangelistic series led by Brian McMahon, which Katy and her husband watched via livestream. A year later, Roseburg held another evangelistic series with Louis Torres. Katy and her husband again eagerly attended each night via livestream. On the evening of the baptism invitation, she texted her request to be baptized. However, plans to connect her with a local pastor in her area were interrupted when her husband became gravely ill and tragically passed away.

As Katy navigated her trauma, connecting with an area church didn’t happen. In February 2025, Brian McMahon returned to Roseburg for another series of meetings, and the pastor's wife, who had stayed in contact with Katy, invited her to attend again via livestream. 

Katy was so excited to attend another one of McMahon's seminars, and she eagerly attended every night online. When the baptismal call came, she eagerly sent her request via text. This time, arrangements were made for her to come to Roseburg for the baptismal Sabbath.

The moment was incredibly special for both Katy and Roseburg Better Life Church. After two years of prayer and connection, on March 8, Katy, along with a group of others, was baptized. Although she doesn’t reside in the area, she remains an active member, attending weekly Sabbath services and Sabbath School online and Bible study groups via Zoom.

God used a church's need for a photo directory to reach a precious soul. Katy is an incredibly talented photographer with an even more amazing story of how Jesus hugged her tight through life’s trials and trauma and how He never let her go.