4/24/2025
By Belkys Gomez, Church Secretary
In the quiet moments of the morning, a text went out that shook the hearts of the Montgomery First Seventh-day Adventist Church family—Elder Tui Pitman, a beloved leader, mentor, and spiritual leader, had suffered a severe stroke.
The news hit hard. Elder Tui wasn’t just an elder—he is a pillar. His voice had often echoed through the sanctuary in prayer and praise, his love for the church was felt, and his hands had faithfully served in every ministry from youth outreach to hospital visits. Now, those hands were still. And his church family, stunned but strong in faith, did what they knew to do best: They prayed.
A Church United in Prayer
From pews to porches, bedrooms to workplaces, the people of Montgomery First SDA fell to their knees. Text chains turned into prayer chains. Zoom rooms became virtual sanctuaries. The young prayed with their grandparents. Families gathered in their living rooms and cried out to God.
There was no program. No structure. Just raw, real, relentless prayer.
“We asked for healing,” one member said, “but more than that, we asked for God’s presence—to be near the Pitman family, to cover them with peace.”
God Moves in the Midnight Hour
Days passed. There were highs and lows. But through it all, God was working. Doctors called his recovery “remarkable.” Nurses were inspired by his will to fight. And in each update from the family, the words rang loud and clear: “Keep praying—it’s working.”
Slowly, Elder Tui began to speak again. Then came the movement. Then came a smile. And before long, he was carrying a phone in one hand, sharing with church brothers and sisters.
It was a miracle. And the church had witnessed it together thanks to the prayer warriors, Elder Brian and Karen Halley, Elder Bernell and Amy Mapp, Elder Boyd and Brenda Stephens, Elder Cynthia Bush, and so many more who held on to fervent prayers.
Love in Action: Caring for the Pitman's
But prayer wasn’t the only thing that flowed. So did love in action.
The church rallied around the Pitman family, bringing meals, running errands, and sending cards filled with scripture and encouragement. The elders took turns checking in, praying over the phone, and even leading family devotions from a distance.
Montgomery First became a living sermon—a church not just in prayer, but being the prayer for the Pitman family.
A Testimony That Echoes
As Elder Tui's testimony wasn’t just about survival. It was about faith under fire, healing through community, and the unshakable power of God.
As he comes home to begin the transition of returning to normal, the church comes together to share in the joy of Faye Pitman. And as we look forward to him once again standing at the pulpit, our church continues to pray and assist wherever possible.
Faith Forward
Today, Elder Tui Pitman’s journey continues—and so does the ministry of prayer at Montgomery First SDA. There are new prayer circles, healing services, and testimonies being shared almost weekly. What God did through one man’s story can now fuel the faith of an entire congregation and a community.
Because at Montgomery First, they know this much is true: When the church prays, heaven moves, and miracles happen.
