I’m back from California. Got back late last night. Leaving a beautiful 69 degrees to be welcomed four hours later by 4 degrees was a bit of a shock. But seeing Cynthia was so heartwarming I hardly noticed.
We had a wonderful conference in San Clemente. We meet in a new location this year and although it was a rather different type venue it worked out fine. The conference theme was “Understanding Our Ambassadorship.” Morris Chesnut, my son Rick, John Verstegen and I did the teaching (along with those providing the full children’s program). As always the music was great—Ted Marloff is without a peer when he has his guitar in hand!—and the Berean Bible Ministries “Tabernacle Choir” was truly outstanding. The messages and some of the music can be found at HelpersOfYourJoy.com.
The Saturday afternoon Q&A was one of the highlights of the weekend. While we were eating lunch, two “Mormon Missionaries” came by. One of our guys engaged them in conversation, inviting them to join us for lunch. They did and then also stayed for the Q&A. It was a special moment to watch John quickly and seamlessly rearrange the program with them in mind. The audience was sensitive to what was happening; questions were asked to gently bring up topics of importance for the visitors, who soon engaged in asking questions of their own.
John did a masterful job of answering their queries (which started with the Mormon view of the two sticks in Ezek. 37), going through right division and on to the gospel of grace. After the session, one of the young men asked to personally talk to the brother who originally invited them in. As he gained clarity on the gospel he gave indication that he trusted Christ alone as His Savior.
As I watched all this transpire I was touched to realize that our conference theme was being lived out in our midst! A special time, indeed.
Marantha!
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I also quite enjoyed Mr. Marolf's playing. Some songs I already know now permanently have his mannerisms cemented into them. :)
It was very smooth how Pastor Verstegen answered the missionaries. I was glad to hear the rest of the story later that night. Quite an interesting Q&A period!
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