New Opportunties

West Africa--Running to the danger

Fire causes most people to run. For those finding themselves within the danger zone of the fire, fear and common sense lead them to runaway. For those whose calling and training is to put out the fire, a sense of duty and desire leads them to run toward the fire.

So it is with the fire of religious persecution. Many who are in the danger zone of persecution flee, not wanting themselves and their loved ones in harm’s way. Yet there are some from outside the area of persecution who are called to enter the danger zone because they are called and trained to bring peace and truth.

Last December, with plans in place for Laurie and me to return to West Africa, a friend in Iowa asked whether we had any mission trips planned. I told him, “Yes, we are returning to West Africa early 2015.” He asked, “Is it safe?” I said, “No, not really. But there are thousands, if not millions, of Christians living there under the shadow of persecution every day. If we are invited to come and help them through our teaching and training, we go, because they are our heroes. Just going to church, or being a Christian in this country, puts a target on their back, yet that does not stop them from standing up for their Christian faith. Thus, when invited, we go, with our eyes open to both the needs and the dangers.” The friend did not know what to say in response, and silently walked away.

Since our trip to West Africa earlier this year, in which Laurie taught the principles of biblical peacemaking to around 125 lawyers, magistrates and judges, and in which I taught some 30 Christian leaders, pastors and evangelists apologetics, the threat from terrorist groups has grown. Hundreds of Christians have been slaughtered, being shot, beaten and hacked to death. On top of the intensified persecution, the deadly Ebola virus has emerged as a new threat.

With the increasing dangers in West Africa, what do we do when we are asked to return, to build upon our previous two mission trips, to teach and speak at large gatherings? For us, there is nothing to decide. We go. We believe that that message we bring, not guns and bombs, is the ultimate answer to the evil that threatens us. We are hoping to return to West Africa early 2015, and the plans include advanced training in biblical peacemaking and mediation, plus presenting an apologetics conference. For security reasons we will not publicize the details, but suffice to say we welcome your thoughts, prayers, encouragement and support.

National Apologetics Conference, Charlotte, North Carolina, October 10-11, 2014
I will be speaking at the National Apologetics Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 10-11, 2014. I will be in the company of some of the top Christian apologists (defenders of the faith), including Josh McDowell, Gary Habermas and Hugh Ross, and about two dozen more. I will present “The Case for the Resurrection,” in which I proceed as if I was in court making an argument before a jury. I will explain how to make a convincing argument that Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead, thereby proving He is the Messiah (Christ), the Savior sent from God.

Ratio Christi Symposium, Fort Mill, South Carolina, October 9-12, 2014
Concurrent with the National Apologetics Conference in Charlotte, Ratio Christi (“the reason of Christ”), the apologetic student alliance for which I serve as International Director, will hold its symposium. I will be leading the teaching of college students (and some high school seniors) in apologetics training on October 11 and 12, including an all-day session on October 12. Ratio Christi will be hosting a fundraiser banquet on October 11, with Josh McDowell being the keynote speaker. Laurie will teach on conflict resolution.

Covenant Presbyterian Church, Orange, California, October 19, 2014
We are confirming plans for me to speak briefly at the main (9:00 a.m.) worship service at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Orange, then at 10:30 I will speak at the “Cutting Edge” Bible class on the church campus. I plan to give updates on my recent mission trips to the Philippine Islands and to Kenya, as well as bring a challenge to look outward and be part of seeing the world change for the better through the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Apologetics Conference, February 6-7, 2015
I have been invited to be one of the keynote speakers at the Cedar Rapids Apologetics Conference, sharing the stage with Frank Turek, a national speaker on apologetics topics, and author, and J. Warner Wallace, a former homicide detective whose message “Cold Case Christianity” is a way of showing evidence that the Gospels are eyewitness accounts of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

We appreciate your partnership with Rolling Stone Ministries and your prayer and financial support as I spend more time developing the international ministry of Ratio Christi.

On WHO News Radio this Tuesday

TUNE IN TO WHO NEWS RADIO 1040
ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2014
9-11:30 AM CENTRAL TIME

I WILL BE GUEST HOSTING FOR JAN MICKELSON

LISTEN LIVE ON THE WEB HERE:

Off to Kenya in a few days!

I returned July 27 from the Philippine Islands where I lead a team of Christian apologists (those who give reasons why Christianity is true), conducting a conference in Manila followed by an academy for those interested in learning more.

Now that I have re-adjusted to the 13-time zone difference between the Philippines and Iowa, I am preparing for a trip next week to Kenya.

This trip to Kenya, my seventh, will be my first without Laurie, who is still getting her new office set up now that she has established her own law and mediation practice here in Iowa.

I will be a keynote speaker at a pastors’ conference at Lake Nakuru, four hours north and west of Nairobi. I am told they expect up to 1,200 pastors and wives at the conference, where I will be speaking about the certainty of Christianity in an uncertain age.

I’ve been invited to preach at a church in South B, a community that has middle class (for Kenya) homes on one side and a slum on the other. The last time I spoke at this church, there were about 700 people in a building that accommodates 600. It is a blessing to see such a desire for believers to come together for worship, even when there is standing room only for late arrivers. I do recall vividly my last time preaching at South B, because at the very moment I was speaking, about two miles away a church was bombed by terrorists, resulting in one death and many injuries.

With terrorism rampant in Kenya, and with bad water, bad roads, malaria and the threat of the Ebola virus, why go to Africa? The simple answer is “because I was invited, and because training Christian leaders to understand, proclaim and defend their faith is my calling.”

I don’t look forward to the 24 hours it takes to get to Kenya, nor would it be my first choice to spend another 10 days away from Laurie. But when given the opportunity to change lives and help change a country, I don’t see it as a daunting task, but rather a humbling privilege. Please pray for effectiveness as I challenge hundreds of Christian leaders to be ready to give reasons for their hope in Christ (1 Peter 3:15) and open the door for the ministry of Ratio Christi (“the reason of Christ”) that places trained Christian apologists on university campuses throughout the world.

Thanks for your interest in and support of Rolling Stone Ministries.

Bwana asifiwe (“praise the Lord” in Swahili).

UPDATE: First [Ratio Christi] International Trip to the Philippines--A Smashing Success!

[From the Ratio Christi International Blog] 

We’re pleased to announce that our first international conference, held in Manila, the Philippines, was a victorious ministry for the Lord in mid-July! Ratio Christi thanks our own “Fantastic Four” International Team for this trip: John Stewart, Ramon Margallo, Abigail Hohenstreet and Jane Pantig. To see how the concept for this Philippines conference first took shape last October and the brilliant God-led qualifications of these four folks, here's our original article announcing the endeavor,“Certainty of Christianity in a Generation of Uncertainty.”

John Stewart, Ratio Christi’s International Director, shares: “Within three weeks of issuing announcements, we had more than 300 registered.” That was before even going!

Stewart gives us some insight into the schedule and great results of the conference:
“The conference was a huge success. Hundreds showed up for the first 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. event. We had two plenary sessions, a lunch break, and breakout sessions in the afternoon. My favorite part of the conference was our final session when the four of us took questions from the audience to close out the event.

Our weeknight academy was three hours per evening. Each team member taught a course for two hours and 30 minutes. This was also well-attended. The hunger for biblical truth was evident in the questions asked by the attendees – many of them budding apologists.

During the week we had the chance to address a combined chapel for Baptist Bible College Asia, with some 400 students in attendance. Ramon and I also met with key Christian leaders from the greater Manila area, and the excitement about Ratio Christi was genuine.

Before we left, there were preliminary plans for us to return and hold another apologetics conference at a larger venue, and there were at least five university campuses where an interest was expressed in establishing a Ratio Christi club! And Ramon, now acting as the coordinator for Ratio Christi Philippine Islands, has also identified key Christian leaders who may be willing to serve as point men in the Philippines for developing these chapters.

Our first Ratio Christi International apologetics mission was a tremendous success due to the dedication of our team and the sacrifice they made to go to the other side of the world to teach and inspire Christians and to reach out to unbelievers. The need for a campus apologetics ministry in the Philippines and other countries is as great as it is in the U.S.”

Stewart reflects on the need for Christ both stateside and internationally:
There is opportunity to reach the hearts and minds of believers and unbelievers alike before they are steeped in the skepticism, secularism and nihilism that are rampant in America. Pray for apologist laborers who will step up and help us address the needs on campuses throughout the Philippines and around the world.
Abigail Hohenstreet added some funny experiences from the trip and more conference accomplishments:

“God so blessed our time in Metro Manila and outlying areas. I have to mention the food. Without being fed some of the most amazing, fresh seafood I've ever had, I don't know how we would have found the strength to keep ministering as much as we did. We were all speaking at various engagements throughout the days and evenings. Our meal breaks and the fellowship with people really kept our strength up.

The Filipino people are incredibly laid back. During our trip, Jane and I accidentally set the dinner table on fire in the middle of a restaurant (courtesy of an unfortunately placed candle and a nearby napkin)! One of the ministers, Pastor Jun, helped me rush to pour water on the flame. Literally no one else in the restaurant even batted an eye!  The people are so nice that they won't even make fun of you.

On Thursday, while Ramon and John went to a breakfast meeting with a large group of indigenous leaders, Jane and I went to Alabang where we were able to speak to university students and faculty during their joint chapel services. On Friday, we joined with Christ Commission Fellowship, Greenhills Fellowship, and Megacity Ministries leaders as well as other evangelical pastors for a discussion about prophecy in light of current events. That night, Dr. Stewart gave a detailed address regarding Israel’s history, development, and present circumstances. We were challenged to think critically about how Christians are to respond to and interact with the difficulties of international affairs of our day.

About 500 people came to our first conference on Saturday, representing various churches, colleges, and provinces. Because it was open forum, some people attended who hadn’t before heard such information, and 20 people accepted Christ! On Sunday, our team attended the 20th anniversary for our hosting church, and a message on the four spiritual laws was preached because of all of the visitors. Another 45 people made professions of faith during the two morning services!”

The trip was extended to include more ministry. Hohenstreet continues:

“Last weekend, we led another conference in Quezon City, sponsored by a group called Jworx – a group of about 40 young professionals in various fields. We trained them in areas like biblical morality and ethical  impacts on jurisprudence; cultural engagement and understanding apologetics in public policy; scientific evidences for the existence of God; biblical peacemaking; historical and archaeological evidences for the reliability of the Bible; and much more! Many of our conference attendees said they left feeling equipped to serve God and others in their various influential vocations.

While John and I returned to the states, Ramon, his wife Nanette (“Nini”), and Jane stayed behind to do another week’s ministry to communities throughout the Philippines. Please also pray for our international team as we plan for the upcoming trip to Kenya that is to take place in August!”

In a previous Ratio Christi post on the team’s second day in Manila, Hohenstreet concluded:
There’s a theme that we hear from [international] believers that the American Church could learn from: ‘Everyone is a minister; every job is mine.’ They have a deep understanding of their responsibility - that becoming a follower of Jesus entails a commitment to study and show oneself prepared to help others in their truth quest; plus a willingness to give of time, talent, and treasure to serve in any capacity that’s necessary. It’s inspiring to see mission-minded servant hearts and strong leadership.