Told in his own words, Joseph Bates' (July 8, 1792 - March 19, 1872) story begins at sea, where in 1810 he is forced with other United States citizens into servitude for the British navy and eventually finds himself a prisoner during the War of 1812. After his release, his adventures on the open sea continue until his unlikely, life-changing encounter with God which leads to the founding of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a worldwide Protestant Christian denomination which today reports over 15 million baptized members with congregations in 202 countries.