From Wandering to Worship: Sandy’s Journey Home to Jesus

By Neat Randriamialison

Meet Sandy!

Sandy, after a Sabbath potluck in the summer of 2025, right outside of the Winnemucca SDA Church.

For Sandra Davis, faith wasn’t new, but knowing Jesus personally was. A fifth-generation Seventh-day Adventist born in the 1950s, Sandra grew up in a faithful, rule-following home where church was part of life, but her connection with Christ felt distant.

“Sabbath School and church were weekly habits,” she shares. “But at home, living a Christ-filled life wasn’t something we really did.”

Like many others in her generation, she was baptized as a child and completed 12 years of Christian education. Still, despite all the knowledge and structure, Sandra says, “I did not know Jesus from everything I had learned.”

As a young adult, she married within the denomination and started a family. They went to church regularly, but their marriage struggled. Without Christ at the center, the relationship fell apart.

“It is hard to talk about,” Sandra reflects. “I ended up living a worldly life, full of sin and pain.”

She returned to church years later, seeking a fresh start and a second baptism. Though her heart was ready, she didn’t yet know how to live a Christ-centered life.

Unfortunately, her experience with church members led to more hurt. Feeling rejected, she walked away again.

For forty years, Sandra wandered. But God wasn’t done with her story.

One day, she prayed over something as simple as her appetite, an issue she’d wrestled with for years. To her surprise, God answered.

“In disbelief, I kept praying. I thought, this cannot last. But He kept answering me. My doubts began to disappear.”

That one answered prayer reignited her desire for truth. She bought a Bible and Steps to Christ. She started listening to sermons online. Her faith deepened.

“I began to read Steps to Christ with tears streaming down my cheek. No longer could I turn away. It was Jesus whom I would seek.”

She soon felt the need to worship in person with others. Through a divine connection with a church member named James, Sandra found her way to Winnemucca Seventh-day Adventist Church.

“Many months I’ve been attending. I’ve been blessed being here. I have no doubt that God has led me to this church. It’s very clear.”

Sandra recommitted her life to Christ, not just in belief, but in fellowship, community, and transformation.

“I need fellowship with this church as I walk and grow in His love. Your prayers and acceptance of me strengthen my walk as I look above.”

“I love the Lord and marvel that He loves a sinner like me.”

Note: This article is based on a conversation I personally had with Sandy and a poem she wrote.
Click here to get the full poem