Nearly 175 friends of FaithSearch gathered at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, MN, on May 17, for our annual Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction. The event raised funds for the continuation of our ministry of proclaiming the Gospel with evidence to all peoples everywhere.

After months of preparation, the event went off without a hitch (well, maybe only a couple of them) and proved to be a very successful, entertaining, and enlightening evening. Michael Pearce Donley provided musical entertainment and kept the evening moving as emcee. The theme of the evening, “As You Say… LORD!,” played out well, through table decorations and the presentations, including the host’s composing a new verse for the theme of TV’s Andy Griffith Show.

No sooner was the event concluded that we began planning for next year’s event. We hope to see you there!

The run up to our annual Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction is always a very hectic time here at FaithSearch—so much so that my co-laborers have often heard me lament that it is my least favorite time of the year. It is also a very important time of the year, as the event enables a large part of our ministry budget. It also celebrates highlights of the ministry year and anticipates another year of active service in the mission God has called us to: “Proclaiming the Gospel with Evidence to All Peoples Everywhere.”

As they say, “No pressure.” Right!

As I was preparing to lead staff devotions on Wednesday, I happened to read a devotional by Charles Spurgeon, based on 1 John 4:13. Spurgeon was a nineteenth century pastor in London, known as the “Prince of Preachers.” He was also a prolific writer.

This devotional focuses on John’s discussion of love, as in “God is love” and draws out the argument that we “abide in Him.” (Read the complete devotional.)

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After nearly a year of schedule juggling and mid-stream retooling, I finally finished editing the video from the 2013 Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction.

The annual event was held on 27 April 2013, at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, MN. This year’s gathering featured the return of international award-winning illusionist Adrian Van Vactor (Web site), and was hosted by emcee Dr. Irv Woolf, director of the National Coalition for Purity (Web site).

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Each year, we seek the Lord for direction in choosing our annual Benefit Dinner’s theme. Sometimes we struggle to discern a direction at all; others we can’t decide among multiple options. Eventually, God does what only He can do: builds unity out of uncertainty; anticipation from anxiety; peace from panic.

Each time we recognize with the acuity of hindsight that He has carefully and precisely woven the circumstances, the timing, and our hearts, to bring us to a beautiful place. This year is yet another opportunity for praise. Our theme this year is taken from Luke 5:5-8:

“As you say… Lord!”

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My ministry here at FaithSearch is by and large behind the scenes. I’m not usually the one out front bringing the Gospel with evidence to people around the world. I produce stuff (books, DVDs, PowerPoint^® presentations, newsletters, etc.) which are used in the ministry, but I don’t always get to see or experience them in action.

On occasion, however, I am quite emphatically blessed to hear how I am intimately involved in making a difference—most often without having been previously aware of it. That’s what happened Wednesday. [Read more…]