Miracle at Soquel: How Prayer Multiplied the Evangelism Offering

A farmer’s harvest, a conference’s faith, and the God who still multiplies gifts

This is the story of how God responded to faithful prayer at Soquel Camp Meeting through an outpouring of generosity that far exceeded human expectations. Told by Ed Walker, an almond farmer in California’s Central Valley and a longtime member of the conference prayer team, it is a testimony of how spiritual conviction, obedience, and trust in God turned prayer into provision—and fields into miracles.

When Jerry Page served as president of the Central California Conference and his wife, Janet Page, began leading a prayer movement at the conference office, few could have imagined how powerfully God would respond. What started as a small circle of intercessors would grow into a testimony of answered prayer, overflowing offerings, and a harvest that only heaven could provide.

A Nudge Toward Weekly Prayer

Early in their time at the conference, Janet Page felt a persistent call to start a weekly prayer group at the conference office. “I bargained for once a month,” she later told Ed Walker, “but the Spirit wouldn’t let me.” So every Tuesday at noon, a faithful group gathered—Bibles open, hearts united—petitioning God to reveal His power in unmistakable ways.

Their first major focus was the evangelism offering. With giving far below past levels, they prayed for a breakthrough. That year, the total unexpectedly jumped to more than $130,000. Encouraged, the team raised the following year’s goal to $250,000—and once again, prayer led to provision, with the final tally surpassing $300,000. As prayer continued, so did God’s blessings. The conference later received more than $1 million in back‑to‑back years, and even the quietly held goal of $2 million was eventually met and exceeded.

The First Congregational Pause

One pivotal moment came at camp meeting. Jerry Page, struggling to craft that year’s appeal, had notes scattered across the cabin bed. Seeing this, Janet Page suggested a simpler approach: ask the congregation to pause and pray. Jerry Page handed her the microphone.

That Sabbath morning, Janet Page invited thousands under the tent to ask God, silently, what He was calling them to give. The atmosphere grew still as prayers rose across the crowd. When the offering was collected, the results confirmed that prayer had done what planning alone could not.

The Walkers Join the Journey

Ed Walker and his wife, Lisa, joined the prayer group in its second year. Though they were actively praying, they had quietly withheld their financial support for the offering because of concerns over how the funds were being used.

Then, during a Sabbath service around 2010, Janet Page once again called the congregation to pause and pray. The Walkers assumed their giving decisions were already settled—until Ed Walker sensed God prompting them to pledge $100,000, an unimaginable sum for almond farmers who had not yet begun harvesting.

Lisa simply said, “Okay.”

Still unsure, Ed Walker approached Jerry Page, who was sitting alone. He confessed their past hesitations and shared the impression he had received.

“Do you know why I’m here?” Jerry Page replied. “A man who usually gives $100,000 isn’t at the camp meeting this year. I was sitting here praying God would send someone else.”

That was all the confirmation Walker needed. If God wanted the gift, He would make it possible.

Almonds in Abundance

Back home, harvest began on one of their weakest‑looking fields—so sparse that a neighbor had commented it barely seemed worth harvesting. Yet to the Walkers’ amazement, the yield was extraordinary. The proceeds from that single field fully covered the $100,000 pledge—with surplus to spare.

It wasn’t just a story of numbers. It was a story of trust, surrender, and the God who funds what He calls for.

A Call to Our Knees

As another Soquel Camp Meeting approaches, we’re reminded that spreadsheets alone can’t spark a miracle. Budgets are important, but only prayer has ever moved heaven’s hand. Whether the goal is $100,000 or $2 million, the method remains the same: pause, ask, listen, obey—then watch God bring in the harvest.

As Janet Page once said: “Ask, and let Him decide the amount.”

May the next chapter of our evangelism story be written on our knees—and may God once again fill both hearts and offering plates in ways only He can.

Written by Justin Kim