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# FaithSearch International

Proclaiming the Gospel with Evidence to All Peoples Everywhere

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://faithsearch.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Feature: Early Church Growth -- on Steroids!](https://faithsearch.org/feature-early-church-growth-on-steroids/) - Read this feature article about historical confirmation of the biblical accounts at the FaithSearch Bible Learning Center .
- [We Are Meant to Move](https://faithsearch.org/we-are-meant-to-move/) - We already know that parking in front of a TV or sitting at a desk for hours without exercise is a formula for bad health, especially for the heart. Recent research has now expanded that concern for another organ – our brain. A scientific study of 1,800 adults aged sixty-five and older from 2008-2018 who
- [Happenings, June 2026](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-june-2026/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online. FaithSearch Highlights God has continued to sustain FaithSearch through the faithful support of Friends of the
- [Christians and Artificial Intelligence: Are there any constants?](https://faithsearch.org/christians-and-artificial-intelligence-are-there-any-constants/) - Q. What advice would you offer believers as they seek discernment? A. “Once we begin talking about anything as a potential rival to human intelligence or to human moral reasoning or to human agency, then we are talking about something which is a direct contradiction to the biblical worldview.” Q. Do you see any end-times
- [2026 April-May. Minsk, Moscow, Stavropol](https://faithsearch.org/2026-april-may-minsk-moscow-stavropol/) - Four days into my trip, I have already had six teaching sessions. I am preparing for one more event tonight at the Theological School in Minsk, Belarus. So far, most of my audiences were university (or university-age) students – local and international. Most of them have no or very little church background; but they are
- [2026, May. Moscow and Stavropol](https://faithsearch.org/2026-may-moscow-and-stavropol/) - My Catechism training classes in Moscow coincided with the V-Day parade rehearsals, and the subway crowd was brightly colored with military uniforms. This kid looked tired as his mom was apparently taking him home after a long day of marching. This is my first time in the Stavropol Region of Russia, and I am learning
- [“Where your treasure is” (Matthew 6:21)](https://faithsearch.org/where-your-treasure-ismatthew-621/) - What are you willing to pay for three pennies – a “pretty penny”? Someone was willing to pay $800,000, more than a quarter of a million dollars for each one! Penny production in the U.S. was ended in November 2025. The U.S. Mint auctioned off the last three pennies ever made – and “made a
- [Can we take the Bible records about Jesus seriously?](https://faithsearch.org/can-we-take-the-bible-records-about-jesus-seriously-2/) - Contrary to popular opinion, the New Testament writings have the most textual integrity and historical reliability of all ancient literature. That’s ALL, bar none, and it isn’t even close. The renowned English textual scholar Sir Fredric G. Kenyon stated definitively: [The] last foundation for any doubt that the Scriptures have come down to us
- [Feature: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ](https://faithsearch.org/feature-the-second-coming-of-jesus-christ/) - Read this 2026 series by Dr. Don Bierle, available at the Bible Learning Center (BLC) .
- [Feature: Recent Archaeological Evidence for King David](https://faithsearch.org/feature-recent-archaeological-evidence-for-king-david/) - Read this feature article about historical confirmation of the biblical accounts at the FaithSearch Bible Learning Center .
- [Supernatural?](https://faithsearch.org/supernatural/) - Perhaps this story might be considered an illustration of Hebrews 13:2 (NIV) where sometimes we may “entertain angels without knowing it.” Austin, a thirteen-year-old Australian boy, got blown into the open sea with his mother and two siblings on an inflatable kayak. With only a life jacket, which he shortly abandoned because he said it
- [Happenings, March 2026](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-march-2026/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy. FaithSearch Highlights In the second half of 2025, the Bible Learning Center
- [Holy City Building Blocks](https://faithsearch.org/holy-city-building-blocks/) - Several years ago, FaithSearch sponsored a trip to the Holy Land with a group of friends. All present marveled at the massive several-ton stone slabs at the base of the Temple Mount and in building projects throughout Jerusalem. Where they came from? Evidently, we now know. Recent excavation in northwestern Jerusalem exposed an immense stone
- [Hello World!](https://faithsearch.org/hello-world-3/) - My posting to this blog is new! I’m going to try to keep in touch with you via these posts on my blog throughout 2026 – starting with this one. I invite you to check this blog frequently and ask that you uphold the activities in prayer as my partner in this ministry. In the
- [Feature: Ancient Israel: Faith or Fact?](https://faithsearch.org/feature-ancient-israel-faith-or-fact/) - Read this feature article about historical confirmation of the biblical accounts at the FaithSearch Bible Learning Center .
- [Feature: The Ophel: Facilitating Jerusalem Pilgrimage](https://faithsearch.org/feature-the-ophel-facilitating-jerusalem-pilgrimage/) - Read this feature article about historical confirmation of the biblical accounts at the FaithSearch Bible Learning Center .
- [2015 Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction](https://faithsearch.org/2015-benefit-dinner-and-silent-auction/) - We are once again planning the details for our 2015 Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction. It will be held May 2, at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, MN. If you will be in the Twin Cities at that time, I encourage you to plan to attend. Here's a good reason to make a reservation: 2015
- [Memories of My Early Faith Walk](https://faithsearch.org/memories-of-my-early-faith-walk/) - I have been transcribing an old journal from 1976. It is brining up faded memories of my early faith walk. It is amazing to see: a) how far I've come in my faith walk in the nearly four decades since; and b) how I still wrestle with some of the same issues I was dealing
- [A Gift of Love that Keeps on Giving](https://faithsearch.org/a-gift-of-love-that-keeps-on-giving/) - It is wonderful to be loved. My wife loves me, and it is a wonderful blessing. A gift from her is always a gift of love that keeps on giving. She has observed on numerous occasions that I practically melt when I hear wind chimes. As an example, a couple of summers ago we were
- ["Trying to quench a thirst"](https://faithsearch.org/trying-to-quench-a-thirst/) - Almost two years ago, I wrote about the joy I share when I hear—either directly or indirectly—from people who have been impacted by our ministry and the resources we produce (see "Sharing in the Joy!", from March 1, 2013). I have recently been blessed again to hear some amazing accounts. One reader wrote, "I read as
- [2026, January-February: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Chita](https://faithsearch.org/2026-january-february-moscow-st-petersburg-chita/) - “Somewhere over the Mediterranean” …or the Black Sea – depending on which route my plane from Istanbul to Moscow has chosen to fly around the war zone in Ukraine. It is hard to say from looking out the window. Instead of the usual three-hour flight, it will be a five-hour one. All in all, I
- [2026, January-February: St. Petersburg, Chita, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/2026-january-february-st-petersburg-chita-moscow/) - I was lucky this time! Only on my first day in Chita was the temperature near -26°F. It quickly rose to a much more enjoyable -9°F for most of the rest of the week. Surrounded and protected from the winds by rather steep hills, the city was bathed in sunshine with very little snow on
- [A Thanksgiving Thought](https://faithsearch.org/a-thanksgiving-thought/) - “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” — G. K. Chesterton, A Short History of England, 1917.
- [The Christmas Celebration](https://faithsearch.org/the-christmas-celebration/) - “Don’t be afraid” [the angel assured the shepherds] “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem!” — Luke 2:10-11, LB
- [2026, January-February: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Moscow, St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/2026-january-february-moscow-st-petersburg-moscow-st-petersburg/) - Two days of intensive networking and PR at the National Orthodox Church forum yielded dozens of new contacts from all around the country for future ministry partnership. My two next teaching trips’ schedules filled in just a few hours! It was also great to reconnect with some good old friends and to share many blessed
- [2025 December: Kazakhstan](https://faithsearch.org/2025-december-kazakhstan/) - I am on the flight from Astana back to Almaty to transfer to Istanbul, to Paris and to MSP, with four to five hours layovers on each stop. Counting back, the last two days in Northern Kazakhstan were the coldest (up to -20 C) and the most ministry-intensive. Three presentations yesterday kept me busy and
- [2025 November-December: Yekaterinburg, Southern Urals](https://faithsearch.org/2025-november-december-yekaterinburg-southern-urals/) - Crossing the “continental divide” four times in one day is my all-times record! I left Europe in the morning and took a picture of the border to Asia at around noon time… only to cross another one twenty minutes later. The first one turned out to date back to the year 1838, whereas the second
- [2025 November-December trip: Southern Urals, Kazakhstan](https://faithsearch.org/2025-november-december-trip-southern-urals-kazakhstan/) - Quick stats: 16 hours (three flights) in the air 11 time zones away from home 4 countries on 3 continents 6 presentations on the first 2 days 68 heartbeats/min
- [Feature: The Nicene Creed: "We believe..."](https://faithsearch.org/feature-the-nicene-creed-we-believe/) - Read this feature article about historical confirmation of the biblical accounts at the FaithSearch Bible Learning Center .
- [Happenings, November 2025](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-november-2025/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy. The Bible Learning Center (BLC: FaithsearchLearning.org) continues to grow – getting more action. There was over a 300% increase
- [The Marvel of God’s Creation!](https://faithsearch.org/the-marvel-of-gods-creation/) - It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established the world by His wisdom. And by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens (Jeremiah 10:12, NASB20). The earth is diverse with extremes of temperature, aridity, pressure, and toxicity since the fall as recorded in Genesis. God in His power, wisdom, and
- [2025 September-October: Moscow, Vladivostok, Danilov/Tutayev/Rybinsk](https://faithsearch.org/2025-september-october-moscow-vladivostok-danilov-tutayev-rybinsk/) - I just realized that I traveled from the northwestern border of Russia to its southeastern edge—in less than a week! Vyborg lies only about twenty miles from the Finnish border, while Vladivostok sits across the sea from Japan. This time, I was welcomed by the Catholic Church community in Vladivostok for the Russia’s Far East
- [Christianity’s Sexual Revolution](https://faithsearch.org/christianitys-sexual-revolution/) - I read a book review article in World Magazine which I found interesting. For a change, the teachings of Jesus and the Bible on marriage were presented in a secular book in a positive rather than a negative light (see the sources below). Since the masthead on this Paraclete newsletter reads, “Advocating for the Truth
- [A Toddler’s Emergency](https://faithsearch.org/a-toddlers-emergency/) - An Oklahoma toddler, Bennett, found and used an abandoned cell phone which had only the 911 service still functioning. The dispatcher who answered the “emergency” call could barely understand the toddler’s request. Finally, he recognized that Bennett wanted doughnuts! Instead of ignoring, scolding – or something worse – the next day the dispatcher had a
- [Having the Mind of Christ<br>– Seeing What God Sees –](https://faithsearch.org/having-the-mind-of-christ/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President The disciple Mark, in his Gospel, recorded an incident when Jesus healed a blind man (8:23-25). It is apropos to the theme of this article: And taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes, and laying His
- [A Cure for “Bouncing Words”](https://faithsearch.org/a-cure-for-bouncing-words/) - As a child, Klaus Krogh, reported that words would “bounce on the page” when he tried to read them. He suffered from dyslexia. The Copenhagen, Denmark, native later founded a typographic firm 2K/Denmark. For forty years he has been creating new typefaces, especially for the Bible, to help people with reading disabilities. After five years
- [Keeping Humble](https://faithsearch.org/keeping-humble/) - The apostle Paul had confidence in the Gospel he preached because it was given to him directly “through a revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12). He gave more detail in his letter to the church at Corinth (2 Corinthians 12:1‑6). Caught up into Paradise through a vision, he heard “inexpressible words.” Because of the “surpassing greatness
- [Jesus, our Mercy Seat](https://faithsearch.org/jesus-our-mercy-seat/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Read this feature article about historical confirmation of the biblical accounts at the FaithSearch Bible Learning Center .
- [Soaring Spiritually (Eagle-like)](https://faithsearch.org/soaring-spiritually-eagle-like/) - I have friends who have chosen Isaiah 40:31 as their life verse: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (NIV). How encouraging! Eagles have strong wings, adults with a wingspan
- [A Flying Servant](https://faithsearch.org/a-flying-servant/) - Esther Keim is known as the “turkey bomber.” She went the extra mile to serve up a Thanksgiving meal to the disadvantaged. In Alaska there are people living in cabins which are isolated from civilization. This past Thanksgiving Esther bought thirty turkeys, put them in plastic bags, and dropped them near these homes from her
- [“Why are you crying?…”](https://faithsearch.org/why-are-you-crying/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President On resurrection Sunday morning, Mary Magdalen was at the tomb mourning the death of Jesus and seeking to discover where His body had been taken (John 20:11-16). Two angels asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” Then she sought Jesus’ body from a person she mistook for the gardener.
- [“Hometown” Jesus](https://faithsearch.org/hometown-jesus/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President In the last issue of this newsletter, I emphasized the perfection of Jesus – “For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (Colossians 1:15; 2:9). While the fact that Jesus is fully God is the truth most frequently denied by cults and false teachers, there
- [Who Has the Keys?](https://faithsearch.org/who-has-the-keys/) - The most obvious response to this question is, “The keys to what?” Immediately after Peter stated that he believed Jesus was “the Christ [=Messiah], the Son of the living God,” Jesus promised him the “keys to the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:16, 19). The textual context is clear that it is upon the faith confession
- [Is Marriage and Family Still a Good Idea?](https://faithsearch.org/is-marriage-and-family-still-a-good-idea/) - In the November 2024 issue (7:6) of the Paraclete, I wrote a short article on the growing trend around the world not to marry or have children or create a family (“Has the World Forgotten?”). The birth rate in most countries in the world is not sufficient to replace their population. This is usually understood
- [Better than a Guinness World Record](https://faithsearch.org/better-than-a-guinness-world-record/) - A Dutch national, Anton Nootenboom, reclaimed his 2021 Guinness world record on November 2, 2024. What did he do? He walked barefoot across 3,100 miles, from Los Angeles to New York. His cause was good – to raise awareness for men’s mental health. Another man, the apostle Paul, walked 3,100 miles, also for a very
- [Biblical HOPE –A Better “Breed”](https://faithsearch.org/biblical-hope-a-better-breed/) - The Greek word for “hope” is elpis, meaning “a favorable and confident expectation.” It has to do with the unseen and the future. To say, “I hope to win the lottery,” is a favorable outcome but hardly confident. In contrast, the biblical writer Titus wrote that the believer has “the hope of eternal life, which
- [2025 Trip to Russia: St. Petersburg, Vyborg, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/2025-trip-to-russia-st-petersburg-vyborg-moscow/) - The road to St. Petersburg took much longer than expected. Each of the connecting legs—two flights and a bus—was delayed anywhere from one to four hours. Thankfully, I was able to return my train ticket and catch a last-minute flight. In God’s perfect timing, I began my first presentation at a youth conference at St.
- [2025 September-October: St. Petersburg, Moscow, Vladivostok, Rybinsk](https://faithsearch.org/13142-2/) - Happy New (School) Year! What a joy it is to meet with a fresh classroom of students and to share faith in Christ with their inquisitive minds and hearts! On this trip, I will be doing that in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Vladivostok, and Rybinsk, covering eight of the eleven time-zones of Russia and all three
- [God’s Creation: Thinking BIG!](https://faithsearch.org/gods-creation-thinking-big/) - And God created the great sea monsters, and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind, and God saw that it was good (Genesis 1:21). Is the account in the Bible of God creating animal giants historical fact? When reading this, many people
- [Did You Know? September 2025](https://faithsearch.org/did-you-know-september-2025/) - The mile markers along our interstate highways today are not a modern innovation. The idea goes back at least 2,000 years. There is substantial archaeological evidence of mile markers (miliarium) on ancient Roman roads, beginning with the Via Appia, which goes from Rome to southern Italy. Many of the originally six-foot-high milestones are still visible
- [Happenings, September 2025](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-september-2025/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy. We have added a new section to the Bible Learning Center (FaithsearchLearning.org) called “How to Know God,” which includes
- [Happenings, July 2025](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-july-2025/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy. FaithSearch Highlights We had a thirty-three percent increase in active and new
- [The Best Evidence for a Global Flood, part 4](https://faithsearch.org/the-best-evidence-for-a-global-flood-part-4/) - Dr. Don Bierle, President In the last three issues of the Happ-0-getics newsletter, I began a four-part series on evidence for the biblical global flood. In this final segment, I ask some key questions and challenge the time frame of geology. The most typical response of those who deny the biblical global flood is that
- [2025 July-August: Russia, Kyrgyzstan](https://faithsearch.org/2025-july-august-russia-kyrgyzstan/) - On my first ministry trip to Kyrgyzstan back in May, I was only able to see its true jewel, Ysyk-Köl Lake, from my car window as we were driving along its shore for six hours each way to the town of Karakol. This time I am enjoying four full days of teaching at the Christian
- [2025 July-August: Moscow, Mozhaysk, Voronezh, Pereslavl-Zalesskiy](https://faithsearch.org/2025-moscow-mozhaysk-voronezh-pereslavl-zalesskiy/) - Greetings from Pereslavl-Zalessky, two hours northeast of Moscow! I am spending most of my time here in “promo”, PR and advertising for my future visits in this area. The city is almost as old as Moscow and is known for its Christian culture and education. Apart from visiting its beautiful churches and monasteries on Plescheyevo
- [Staying Power: Augustus’ Mausoleum](https://faithsearch.org/staying-power-augustus-mausoleum/) - Augustus, the first emperor of the Roman Empire, had “staying power.” His reign of nearly forty-one years (37 B.C. – A.D. 14) was the longest of the Empire. The Mausoleum he built for his remains has had “staying power” as well. Built in 28 B.C., it has had a continuous history for 2,053 years and
- [2025 July-August: Russia and Kyrgyzstan](https://faithsearch.org/july-august-russia-and-kyrgyzstan/) - Logistically speaking, this trip is expected to be rather easy. I will be staying with friends, at churches, and in camps, where I will be cared for, fed, and even entertained around the campfire or served a "feastly" meal. What a contrast this will be to my school-year teaching trips, when I am often in
- [Did you know?](https://faithsearch.org/did-you-know-2/) - Our planetary neighbor, Venus, differs from earth in some very significant ways. Venus rotates backward (relative to Earth) so the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. The sun rises every 117 Earth days on Venus. Though Venus rotates slowly, its dense sulfuric acid atmosphere rotates faster with the top layer of
- [A Precious Stone in Zion](https://faithsearch.org/a-precious-stone-in-zion/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President God, through the prophet Isaiah, stated, “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation…” (Isaiah 28:16 NIV). The apostle Peter identified that particular prophecy with Jesus Christ, “And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but
- [Happenings, May 2025](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-may-2025/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy. FaithSearch Highlights Progress is being made to post all the print article
- [Stop the Slide](https://faithsearch.org/stop-the-slide/) - The Pew Research Center recorded a continuous decline of adults in the U.S. who identified as Christians. In 2007 the percentage was 78% and bottomed out in 2019 at 63%. At the same time those who are religiously unaffiliated, called “nones,” increased from 16% in 2007, and leveled off at 29% in 2020. The percentage
- [2025 April-May: Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Belarus](https://faithsearch.org/2025-april-may-kyrgyzstan-russia-belarus/) - Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! My goal on this trip is to make this historic fact clear and firm in the eyes and minds of my audiences. Usually, churches are full on Pascha night all over Russia but for many – it is just a beautiful folklore custom, maybe with a hint of
- [2025 April-May: Kyrgyzstan, Russia](https://faithsearch.org/2025-april-may-kyrgyzstan-russia/) - Five days in Kyrgyzstan were definitely not enough and I will definitely be back sometime soon. All three schools I had a chance to teach at surprised me in a very positive way by their students’ academic levels and their interest in learning more from the world history and biblical evidence. Despite of rather significant
- [(Super) Natural Phenomena](https://faithsearch.org/super-natural-phenomena/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, President, FaithSearch International In my presentations and writing, I have often developed the argument of Intelligent Design as evidence for God’s hand in creation. I don’t usually have elementary students as my audience. Nor do I usually recommend apologetic materials for children. My readers more often are parents, grandparents, or those
- [Who is Buried in Salome’s Tomb?](https://faithsearch.org/who-is-buried-in-salomes-tomb/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Does this sound like the setup to an old joke? ("Who is buried in Grant's tomb?") Well, Salome is, I suppose! The question arises, who was she? On a hilltop in the foothills of southern Judea, near the ancient road connecting the plains and foothills with Hebron, is Horvat
- [Happenings, April 2025](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-april-2025/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy. FaithSearch Highlights We remember Jesus’ substitutionary death and celebrate His victorious resurrection!
- [Far Out!](https://faithsearch.org/far-out/) - NASA never anticipated this. The Voyager 1 probe was launched in 1977 for a four-year mission. Evidently it has retained a trickle of power and NASA has reestablished contact with it at over fifteen billion miles away in space! Source: CNN Science Wonder Theory, December 7, 2024, “The 47-year-old Voyager probes are exploring interstellar space.
- [Wisdom from the Proverbs](https://faithsearch.org/wisdom-from-the-proverbs/) - “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be of humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud” (Proverbs 16:18-19).
- [The Philistines: Formidable “Dudes”](https://faithsearch.org/the-philistines-formidable-dudes/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Goliath was identified with the Philistines – all nine-and-one-half feet of him! His equally giant brother, Lahmi, and other family giants Eshbi-Benob, Sippai, Saph, and an un-named giant with polydactylism (twelve fingers and twelve toes) from the city of Gath, are all identified in 2 Samuel 21:16-22. They were
- [Early Christians in Europe](https://faithsearch.org/early-christians-in-europe/) - A silver foil with a written inscription in Latin was found while excavating a cemetery in the town of Nida, a suburb of Frankfurt, Germany. It was contained in a small silver amulet, just over an inch tall, that had been buried around its owner’s neck. The foil was too poorly preserved to unroll but
- [Discovering God’s Provision](https://faithsearch.org/discovering-gods-provision/) - Aquifers in the Cascade Range mountains provide most of Oregon’s drinking water. No one imagined the abundance God provided in His creation of the earth. One of the aquifers was known but its volume had never been measured until earth scientists at the University of Oregon mapped it. The best estimate is 19.4 cubic miles
- [Happenings, March 2025](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-march-2025/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with your friends and encourage them to sign up for their own copy. FaithSearch Highlights Oleg just returned from a three-week ministry in Russia. See
- [2025 February-March: Moscow, Petrozavodsk, Volgograd](https://faithsearch.org/2025-february-march-moscow-petrozavodsk-volgograd/) - Karelia was cold. I am glad Fr. Stanislav packed my four days there so tightly with events. I didn’t have much time be outside and exposed to the elements. We were, however, doing quick rounds to and around the old monasteries and churches on our path. In one convent, two hours to the west of
- [The Best Evidence for a Global Flood, part 2 ](https://faithsearch.org/the-best-evidence-for-a-global-flood-part-2/) - In the last issue of the Happ-O-getics I began this as a four-part series. The first evidence (the central truth) is that the inspired Word of God teaches it. The second is: A global flood is supported by the evidence in the fossils. In my doctoral work in biology, the fossil record was the showcase
- [Son of Man](https://faithsearch.org/son-of-man/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Two and one-half years into His public ministry, Jesus took His apostles on a northern retreat to Caesarea Philippi, at the base of the nearly-10,000-foot-high Mount Hermon (Matthew 16:13ff.). Surprisingly, that late in His ministry the question was still, “Who is this Son of Man” (John 12:34). Jesus asked
- [2025 February-March: Moscow, Petrozavodsk, Volgograd, Minsk](https://faithsearch.org/2025-february-march-moscow-petrozavodsk-volgograd-minsk/) - I am leaving for Russia and Belarus via Germany and Lithuania tomorrow, very excited about my very full travel and teaching schedule for the three weeks of the trip. As always, it will include both church and secular audiences, this time in and around Moscow, Petrozavodsk, Volgograd, and Minsk. My ministry partners in Karelia only
- [Meet Our Staff: Rick Wattman](https://faithsearch.org/it-only-takes-a-spark/) - It Only Takes a Spark By Rick Wattman, Director of Communications and Publications One of my favorite holiday memories is of Christmas Eve at the church where my dad was pastor. His duties of leading the community celebration colored our family festivities–meaning the church was always a big part of our Christmas. Near the end
- [2024 December: St. Petersburg, Moscow, Dubna](https://faithsearch.org/2024-december-st-petersburg-moscow-dubna/) - I am half-way through my trip and, honestly, nearly two-thirds through my energy bank. Luckily the next week is not going to be as extensive with events and travel as was the last one. I truly enjoyed doing two (or more) teaching events per day in different locations and for different audiences. Meeting new people
- [Christmas Potpourri](https://faithsearch.org/christmas-potpourri/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President The celebration of Christmas with family and friends usually includes a feast–a veritable potpourri of eatables. I couldn’t decide on only one thing to serve up for this Christmas feature, so decided on a potpourri of things suitable for this special season. While understandable alone, this article is more
- [Happenings, December 2024](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-december-2024/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with your friends and encourage them to sign up for their own copy. FaithSearch Highlights Adrian has a major outreach event in Hastings, MN, in
- [Lifesaving AI](https://faithsearch.org/lifesaving-ai/) - When surgeons remove brain tumors, they rarely get all the cancerous cells, since they so closely resemble healthy brain tissue. Technology such as MRI and fluorescent imaging agents are often inaccurate. Scientists from the University of Michigan and the University of California, San Francisco, found a way to overcome those limitations through artificial intelligence. Using
- [December 2024: St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kursk](https://faithsearch.org/2024-december-st-petersburg-moscow-kursk/) - The weather in St. Petersburg these days is authentically Dostoyevsky style. Short and gloomy daylight hours combined with chilling and wet winds blowing from the Baltic Sea make one want to stay indoors with a cup of hot tea rather than crossing the city on public transportation. I truly admire my seminary students and my
- [2024, July: Moscow, Yakutsk, Izhevsk](https://faithsearch.org/2024-july-moscow-yakutsk-izhevsk/) - Math, Russian style. My Moscow event hosts at Favor (Mount Tabor) Center closed online registration when it reached 150 for the hall which seats 80, and then looked truly disappointed when only 40 or so people showed up. I was not – this is pretty normal for: 1) free registration; and 2) summertime. For the
- [2024 July: Yakutsk, Moscow, Izhevsk](https://faithsearch.org/2024-july-yakutsk-moscow-izhevsk/) - “This (historic evidence for Christian faith) was exactly what our youth needed to hear and to see today. Frankly, their parents seem to have enjoyed it just as much. Thank you for making this long trip to Izhevsk this summer. We’ll be counting on you for the next year family camp with your “63 Arguments
- [The Incarnation: The Advent of Perfection](https://faithsearch.org/the-incarnation-the-advent-of-perfection/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God...” (Luke 1:35-38). Jesus is “the image of the invisible God… For
- [Has the World Forgotten?](https://faithsearch.org/has-the-world-forgotten/) - When God created us, He “created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27, emphasis added). He then initiated the first marriage (2:24) and the family (4:1-2). At our creation, God also included a command: “…Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the
- [Thanksgiving: Stimulating Good Thoughts and Actions](https://faithsearch.org/thanksgiving-stimulating-good-thoughts-and-actions/) - A heart giving thanks at any given moment is the real test of the extent to which we love God. Love must carry with it a ‘thank you’ to God. –Francis Schaeffer How is your contentment this Thanksgiving? A Hebrew word for praise is “halal” from which we get the “Hallel Psalms” (113-118). It is
- [2024 September-October: Kursk, Karelia, Bryansk](https://faithsearch.org/2024-september-october-kursk-karelia-bryansk/) - My six days of video recording and preaching in Kursk will be remembered by the background sound of air-raid sirens which went off multiple times every day and nearly every night. I was probably the only one, however, who paid any attention to them. Life was just going on as usual on the streets of
- [2024, September-October: Italy, Moscow, Kursk, Petrozavodsk, Bryansk](https://faithsearch.org/2024-september-october-italy-moscow-kursk-petrozavodsk-bryansk/) - Transitioning from a week of family vacation in Northern Italy to ministry in Russia went smoothly. I didn’t even have to change my attire as the first few days in Moscow met me with the same nice weather and big-city dress code. As usual, most of my events in September are held in churches, social
- [The Ibex Ascends](https://faithsearch.org/the-ibex-ascends/) - There are several species of wild goats of the genus Capra living in Israel and in the mountainous regions of Europe, Southwest Asia, and Northeast Africa (French “bouquetin”; Italian “stambecco”; and Alpine “steinbock”). The ibex is translated as “mountain goats” in the Bible, but it is not to be confused with the North American and
- [It’s the Law!](https://faithsearch.org/its-the-law/) - Louisiana became the first state in more than forty years to require public schools and universities to display the Ten Commandments. Under the new statute, by January 1, 2025, a framed display at least eleven by fourteen inches in size with “large, easily readable font” must be on display in every public school building and
- [Ephesus and the Gospel](https://faithsearch.org/ephesus-and-the-gospel/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President The apostle Paul desired to take the Gospel to Ephesus early in his missionary tours, but was forbidden by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6). At the end of the second tour, He still wanted to do so and expressed, “I will return to you again if God wills” (Acts
- [Prayer and Praise, September 2024](https://faithsearch.org/prayer-and-praise-september-2024/) - Praise that the staff and evangelists, and their families, are not experiencing any major health issues. Pray that recent surgeries will continue to fully heal. Pray for an increase of Adrian’s prayer and financial support team. He needs to double his current monthly income to expand his ministry to full time. If interested in helping,
- [Happenings, September 2024](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-september-2024/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy. FaithSearch Highlights Adrian is doing a ministry tour of the Twin Cities and Sioux Falls in September. He
- [Happenings: August 2024](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-august-2024/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy. FaithSearch Highlights Oleg returned safely from his May Russian ministry. He is in Russia again in July. (Read his blog
- [Artificial Intelligence (AI) – For Good!](https://faithsearch.org/artificial-intelligence-ai-for-good/) - It seems most of the reports about AI suggest it lends itself to nefarious purposes. Perhaps this is true. In the hands of the more virtuous, it can help also in the preparation of the Good News for hundreds of millions of people in many languages. Bible translation software processes human language much as traditional
- [Curiosity Didn’t Kill the Cat!](https://faithsearch.org/curiosity-didnt-kill-the-cat/) - The Clark family’s beloved cat, Galena, had mysteriously disappeared. A week of intense searching in their Utah neighborhood was unsuccessful. Then the family received a surprising call from a Los Angeles veterinarian who had just scanned Galena’s microchip. As it turned out, a California-based Amazon warehouse worker had found Galena inside an oversized box of
- [When “Christians” Get It Wrong:  How You Can Know (Part 1)](https://faithsearch.org/when-christians-get-it-wrong-how-you-can-know-part-1/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Christianity is the largest religion in the world. There are groups claiming to be of the Christian faith, yet whose teaching differs from the mainstream. Some view the differences and say, “Do not judge.” Others wonder if the deviation is important enough to dispute or even break unity. How
- [When “Christians” Get It Wrong: How You Can Know (Part 2)](https://faithsearch.org/when-christians-get-it-wrong-how-you-can-know-part-2/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President The apostle Paul identified how you can know whether someone claiming to be a Christian has gone wrong (2 Corinthians 11:4). If they have a: Different Gospel (way to be saved); Different Jesus; Different spirit; or Different authority. In part 1 of this 3-part series, I identified the biblical Gospel
- [When “Christians” Get It Wrong:  How You Can Know (Part 3)](https://faithsearch.org/when-christians-get-it-wrong-how-you-can-know-part-3/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President At His trial, Jesus told Pontius Pilate that He had “come into the world to bear witness to the truth.” Pilate cynically replied, “What is truth?” (John 18:37-38). That is precisely the question in this third and final discussion on Christian doctrinal variation: What is the authority for Christian
- [Was Jesus Literate?](https://faithsearch.org/was-jesus-literate/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President In the last issue of Happ-O-getics, I challenged the view held by some scholars that the illiteracy rate among people at the time of Jesus was at least 98% (they could neither read nor write). Based on the many libraries and volumes of written documents that existed even then,
- [The Image of the Invisible God](https://faithsearch.org/the-image-of-the-invisible-god/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President The apostle Paul told the Colossian Christians that Jesus “is the image of the invisible God” (1:15). Later in the same letter he expanded the meaning of that: “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (2:9). The apostle John identified a significant problem about
- [Understanding the Essence of “Wokeism”](https://faithsearch.org/understanding-the-essence-of-wokeism/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, President Recently I have noticed several current views within our culture which stand opposed to God and His revelation to us. For example, alleging there are many genders is a rejection of God’s creation of humanity in His image as “male and female,” as revealed in Genesis 1:27. An ideological refusal
- [The “Devil’s Drink”?](https://faithsearch.org/the-devils-drink/) - Legend has it that coffee originated in the Kingdom of Kefa (present day Ethiopia) in the tenth century B.C. Today’s coffee gets its name from its southern Arabian roots (Yemen) from Sufi monks who cultivated the plants in the fifteenth century A.D. At that time, coffee was so linked to Islam that some other religions
- [Plastic Eaters](https://faithsearch.org/plastic-eaters/) - It is hard to imagine biodegradable plastic, but it may become true for some forms. Scientists at the University of California San Diego have discovered that the bacterium Bacillus subtilis can break down thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a plastic commonly found in footwear, memory foam, etc. The genius of the discovery is that scientists can embed
- [Ancient Libraries: Who Were They For?](https://faithsearch.org/ancient-libraries-who-were-they-for/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Helen Bond, a professor of Christian Origins at the University of Edinburgh told The Daily Beast, “If Jesus was a carpenter/mason, as we generally suppose, then it’s not impossible that he had some rudimentary grasp of letters and/or numbers for the purposes of his trade, but I think it
- [Good News for Blood Banks](https://faithsearch.org/good-news-for-blood-banks/) - One of the difficult realities for blood transfusion is that only one of eight human blood types is a universal donor. As a result, the Red Cross reports that donation shortages have reached a twenty-year high. A new scientific study has the potential to change that soon. Scientists report the discovery of enzymes which can
- [Antioch No More](https://faithsearch.org/antioch-no-more/) - Antioch-on-the-Orontes, founded in the fourth century B.C. as the capital of the Seleucid Empire, is essentially no more! In February 2023, southern Turkey and northern Syria were hit by a series of powerful earthquakes which destroyed most of the region. Modern Antakya, built on the ruins of ancient Antioch, sustained irreparable damage. In the first
- [Happenings: May 2024](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-may-2024/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy. FaithSearch Highlights Oleg is in Russia and Belarus for another three-week ministry trip in May. (Read his blog posts.) Adrian
- [Humans and Chimps: How Alike Are We?](https://faithsearch.org/humans-and-chimps-how-alike-are-we/) - It is often claimed that since the DNA of chimpanzees and humans is 98.5% identical, they must have shared a common evolutionary ancestor millions of years ago. New research, published in 2018, revealed that previous studies had biased the data. University of London evolutionist Richard Buggs shared the results of his new research, “The percentage
- [Post-Flood Repopulation](https://faithsearch.org/post-flood-repopulation/) - Dr. Bierle was doing a presentation on creation and evolution, when a person in the audience asserted that a date for the global flood 4,500 years ago would not allow enough time for the three reproducing couples on the Ark to repopulate to the present population of about eight billion people. Does the Bible’s claim
- [Did You Know? June 2024, #2](https://faithsearch.org/did-you-know-june-2024-2-2/) - How “Christian” Are We? According to a Pew Research Center poll in 2017, there are as many adults in the U.S. who hold to at least one New Age belief as there are who believe in God (62%)! For the survey, people were asked their view of four New Age concepts: believe spiritual energy can
- [Did You Know? June 2024, #1](https://faithsearch.org/did-you-know-june-2024-1/) - By the Numbers 2024: The 100th anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Act (June 2, 1924) which granted birthright citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S. 574: The number of federally recognized Indian tribes (U.S. Department of the Interior). 6,400,000: The number of Americans claiming (in the 2020 census) whole or partial American Indian
- [Did You Know? June 2024, #3](https://faithsearch.org/did-you-know-june-2024-2/) - Social Media: Toxic? Can one’s self-image be affected by involvement in social media? Yes, according to an unscientific study of sixty-six female freshmen at York University. Half refrained from all social media, the other half continued. After one week, the abstainers scored significantly better on questionnaires rating body image satisfaction and self-esteem than the women
- [In the News, March 2024, # 1](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-march-2024-1/) - More than Engine Trouble! A Ford® Focus that wasn’t working quite right was brought into the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Ford service department in September. Mechanics quickly discovered they had no tools to fix it. When they popped the hood they noticed “a massive tan-colored hose stretching from the car’s radiator toward the back of
- [In the News, March 2024, #2](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-march-2024-2/) - Without Excuse – Romans 1:18-20 The following quote is from a new book, Science After Babel, by David Berlinski. The author is a senior fellow of the Discovery Institute in Seattle. It is quoted from World Magazine, October 21, 2023, p. 32. There remains, at the heart of the universe, the profound mystery of life
- [For Reflection, March 2024](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-march-2024/) - Understanding God’s Word The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 But another of his notable statements about the Gospel, in Romans 1:17, has been translated in such a way
- [2024 May: Moscow, Siberia, and Bryansk](https://faithsearch.org/2024-may-moscow-siberia-and-bryansk/) - My first three days in and around Moscow allowed for some rest after the long flight via Amsterdam and Istanbul, and crossing eight time zones. As occasionally happens with my Russian ministry partners, they “suddenly remembered” that one of my presentations fell on the same date they had already reserved for another event. Mine was
- [2024 May: Moscow, Siberia, Bryansk, Belarus](https://faithsearch.org/2024-may-moscow-siberia-bryansk-belarus/) - My May trips have to fit between the “mayskie prazdniki” (days-off, from May 1 through May 9) when most of the people are working in their gardens or dachas (cabins), and the schools’ finals when my student audience are totally incapable of receiving any new information. This year, I had to also wait for after
- [The Apostolic Fathers ](https://faithsearch.org/the-apostolic-fathers/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Anyone who is acquainted with the Bible should be familiar with the apostles of Jesus. References to Peter, Paul, James, John, and others occur throughout the New Testament. Many people have also heard the names of some of the great church fathers of the Christian faith such as Augustine,
- [Happenings: April 2024](https://faithsearch.org/11990-2/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy. FaithSearch Highlights Oleg returned the last weekend in March from three weeks
- [Solar Pumps: The Good and the Bad](https://faithsearch.org/solar-pumps-the-good-and-the-bad/) - It is estimated that by 2026, more than three million farmers in India will be able to access underground water using solar pumps. Once they are installed, these pumps can supply water using light from the sun without additional expense. This will increase badly needed food production in parched rural communities throughout India, Africa, and
- [CRISPR Salad in the US?](https://faithsearch.org/crispr-salad-in-the-us/) - CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a sophisticated genetic technology which can engineer changes in the DNA blueprint of plants and animals. History was made in 2023, with the launch of a salad blend made from the first genome-edited plant product using CRISPR. Purple and green mustard greens, naturally bitter to the taste
- [2024 March: Russia, Armenia](https://faithsearch.org/2024-march-russia-armenia/) - I cannot believe it has already been ten days since my last blog entry – so full they were with events and travel! First, I flew over to the city of Izhevsk where I taught twice almost a decade ago to the local teachers’ community and at a church summer camp. This time the invitation
- [2024 March: Russia and Armenia](https://faithsearch.org/2024-march-russia-and-armenia/) - Day 7. I am in Serpukhov, 101 km south of Moscow, teaching in schools and training teachers. In Stalin’s times, dissidents and political opposition members were not allowed to reside within a 100 km radius of Moscow, which seems to have left a lasting effect on the city, in the form of an inquisitory and
- [IN THE NEWS, FEBRUARY 2024](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-february-2024/) - Fog? No, it’s smoke! That was often the exchange between my wife, Vernee, and I, during this past summer in South Dakota. Every time the wind came out of the north it brought the smoke resulting from the Canadian wildfire devastation. The 2023 fire season, which started early and ended late, burned an estimated 71,000
- [Did You Know, February 2024](https://faithsearch.org/did-you-know-february-2024/) - Advice Well Taken The apostle Paul was on his way to Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary tour when he stopped by to give a farewell to the leadership at Ephesus. He said to them, I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock, and
- [Did You Know, December 2023, #4](https://faithsearch.org/did-you-know-2-december-2023/) - What Are the Odds? It has been stated that there are at least 456 Old Testament prophecies which pertain to a future person. For example, this person would be born in Bethlehem of a virgin; would be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver by a friend; crucified among criminals; hands and feet would be pierced;
- [Did You Know, December 2023, #3](https://faithsearch.org/did-you-know-2-december-2023-2/) - Are the Bible Records of Jesus True? The basis for trusting the Gospel records about Jesus is twofold: Do the records have integrity? and Are they actual history? Ancient writings with the earliest and greatest number of hand-written manuscripts have the greatest integrity. Most ancient works have fewer than 100 manuscripts, a scant few have
- [Did You Know, December 2023, #2](https://faithsearch.org/did-you-know-december-2023-1/) - Wisdom from the Mouth of a Child The week before Christmas was hectic. Dad and mom were frantic, and nerves reached the breaking point more than once. The little daughter seemed to be in the way wherever she went. Finally, she was hurried up to bed and as she knelt to pray, the feverish excitement
- [Did You Know, December 2023, #1](https://faithsearch.org/did-you-know-december-2023-1-2/) - Christmas Choice: Innkeeper or Shepherd? Christmas was so close to the innkeeper in Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph came to his city, they stood on his doorstep, possibly even in front of his desk. Yet we deduce his preoccupation with business kept him from recognizing the Christ of Christmas. The innkeeper had no time and no
- [A CHRISTMAS GIFT JUST FOR YOU](https://faithsearch.org/a-christmas-gift-just-for-you/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Why do we celebrate Christmas with gift giving? Because the truth about Christmas is about life, now and forever – “…and they shall call His name Immanuel” which translated means, “God with us” – a precious Life indeed! Part of appreciating a gift is to look at the care
- [The Maccabees](https://faithsearch.org/the-maccabees/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Upon reading the heading above, some might wonder if that might be the name of a rock band, the latest religion, or even a new fast food sandwich! Some may be aware the Maccabees were a Jewish priestly family who, by the hand of God, helped to prepare the
- [Bell on Steroids](https://faithsearch.org/bell-on-steroids/) - In 1876, at the age of 29, Alexander Graham Bell invented the first telephone. It took until 1984 for the invention of the first portable cellular phone. The first commercially produced cell phone, the Motorola DunaTAC 8000X, sold for $3,995 – equivalent to nearly $12,000 today. How things have changed in the last forty years!
- [Mount Moriah](https://faithsearch.org/mount-moriah/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Author’s Note: The following article is written in first person as if the Mount itself were capable of a personal response. Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah. 2 Chronicles 3:1 It’s been an incredible ride! I’m humbled by the God-ordained
- [Misdirected Optimism](https://faithsearch.org/misdirected-optimism/) - A parachute landed in the Utah desert last September, carrying the first-ever U.S. asteroid sample (250 grams). NASA’s OSIRIS-REx probe was launched in 2016, and collected a sample from the near-earth asteroid Bennu. Analysis will be by the NASA team at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, as well as by 200 mission members
- [Happenings: February 2024](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-february-2024/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy.FaithSearch Highlights Oleg will be on another ministry trip to Russia the first
- [2023 November-December: Belarus, Russia, Tatarstan](https://faithsearch.org/2023-november-december-belarus-russia-tatarstan/) - Want to make God laugh? Share with Him your travel plans. So I did, by praying for His blessing on my next trip itinerary to Belarus and Russia (first map). It looked very nice and simple: fly into Helsinki (as I have been doing for some time now); then take a bus to St. Petersburg;
- [2023 November-December: Belarus, Russia](https://faithsearch.org/2023-november-december-belarus-russia/) - The picture outside my window on the Moscow-Bryansk train is completely black-and-white, with the predominance of white for almost five hours. This is my fourth train on the trip but the first daytime one. Travelling on the overnight trains is more like a space/time-machine: you go to bed in one city and wake up on
- [2023 November-December: Belarus, Russia, Tatarstan](https://faithsearch.org/2023-november-december-belarus-russia-tatarstan-2/) - Done. Three weeks of travel, teaching, preaching, meeting new audiences, and fellowship with old ministry friends and partners in five cities in two countries were very exciting but also very exhausting. Except for the last four days, I slept every other night on the train, and every night on a different bed. Most of my
- [For Reflection #2: September 2019](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-2-september-2019/) - There is only One who can give PEACE! The United Nations recently announced that the global population of people displaced by conflict reached 70.8 million last year, up from 43 million just a decade ago. Filippo Grandi, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, stated: “We have become almost unable to make peace.” According to U.N. figures,
- [November-December 2014: Moscow, Bryansk, the Urals](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2014-moscow-bryansk-the-urals-2-2/) - It is -20F outside of my room and it was even colder last night as my red-eye flight from Moscow-Yekaterinburg made a soft landing here. It didn’t even wake me up and it was the flight attendant who shook me by the shoulder: “What are you doing here?” The crew was about to leave when
- [November-December 2014: Moscow, Bryansk, the Urals](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2014-moscow-bryansk-the-urals-2/) - It is -20F outside of my room and it was even colder last night as my red-eye flight from Moscow-Yekaterinburg made a soft landing here. It didn’t even wake me up and it was the flight attendant who shook me by the shoulder: “What are you doing here?” The crew was about to leave when
- [June-July 2015, Urals, Western Siberia, Moscow, St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/june-july-2015-urals-western-siberia-moscow-st-petersburg/) - I just realized that this will be my first trip to go on to completely “on faith.” With all my preparation for my three-weeks-long teaching schedule in the Urals, Western Siberia, Moscow, and St. Petersburg, I completely forgot to arrange for my staying accommodation in all those places. I know what I will be doing
- [2016 January-February: Moscow, Kolomna, Pskov, Bryansk and Sothern Russia](https://faithsearch.org/2016-january-february-moscow-kolomna-pskov-bryansk-sothern-russia/) - I am only an hour away from departing for Russia and my trip schedule is still “work in progress.” They have just canceled one of my public school presentations due to a school closure because of a terrible gripe epidemic in their region. Two minutes later an e-mail arrive from the same city – an
- [2016 January-February: Moscow, Kolomna, Pskov](https://faithsearch.org/2016-january-february-moscow-kolomna-pskov/) - It was not too bad at all! Yes, a couple of my public school presentations were indeed canceled because of the grippe but those gaps in my schedule were easily replaced by informal gatherings in peoples' homes and small groups. The Lord likes me to stay busy and on my feet all the time. I
- [Gomez Gazette, March 2016](https://faithsearch.org/gomez-gazette-march-2016/) - We are happy to once again greet you, hoping that as spring approaches, you are also waking up to many new things. I hope that you are enjoying the Lord’s blessings and that, in spite of any circumstance, you are rejoicing in the peace that passes all understanding as declared in Philippians 4:6-7. We are
- [Gomez Gazette, Spring 2016](https://faithsearch.org/gomez-gazette-spring-2016/) - Our warmest greetings from East Texas and prayers that God continue to work in and bless your lives. Here is our latest Gomez Gazette, Spring 2016 edition. Once more we want to share with you some of the activities God has allowed us to carry out, and to share how He has been using us
- [2016 September-October Teaching Trip: Moscow, Yaroslavl, Sochi, Sukhumi](https://faithsearch.org/2016-september-october-teaching-trip-moscow-yaroslavl-sochi-sukhumi/) - It has been an unusually long (4 months!) gap between my last trip to Russia and this upcoming one. I can't wait to see my audiences - teachers, students, seminarians, general public - again and to present to them my updated version of FaithSearch Discovery with some new materials I just added there! As always,
- [2016 September-October Teaching Trip: Moscow, Yaroslavl](https://faithsearch.org/2016-september-october-teaching-trip-moscow-yaroslavl/) - My uncle (who is also my God-father) Iosaf turned 100 years old on my first day in Moscow. It was by his prayers and by his faith in me that I was saved. Only God saves but He uses people like my God-parents (aunt Maria past away last year two weeks short of her 102nd birthday) to make
- [2016 September-October Teaching Trip: Anapa, Abkhazia, Sochi](https://faithsearch.org/2016-september-october-teaching-trip-anapa-abkhazia-sochi/) - What a contrast between Yaroslavl's gloomy autumn skies and the Black Sea shore shining in the sun! Between my two presentations in Anapa's popular cafés, there was plenty of time to enjoy the countryside covered by vineyards and the scenic views of the Caucasus Mountains on the one side and the sea on the other.
- [2016 November-December Teaching Trip: Moscow, Yaroslavl, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Nizhnevartovsk](https://faithsearch.org/2016-november-december-teaching-trip-moscow-yaroslavl-st-petersburg-sochi-nizhnevartovsk/) - I am leaving for Russia early in the morning after the Thanksgiving Day. I cannot think of any better way to celebrate it than by giving back to His ministry some of my time and energy He granted me. This year, I am especially grateful to the Lord for allowing me to spend the Thanksgiving holiday
- [2016 November-December Teaching Trip: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov Velikiy, Yaroslavl](https://faithsearch.org/2016-november-december-teaching-trip-moscow-st-petersburg-rostov-velikiy-yaroslavl/) - The city of Yaroslavl in December is so different from the same place in September when I was here last time! I actually cannot see much of it as the snow keeps falling all day and piles of it are waist high in some places. It slows down the traffic but—not the pedestrians! People seem
- [2017 January-February Teaching Trip: Moscow, Rostov Velikiy, Borisogleb, Uglich, Rybinsk and St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/2017-january-february-teaching-trip-moscow-rostov-velikiy-borisogleb-uglich-rybinsk-st-petersburg/) - I will be spending the first day of my seventh decade of life (tomorrow) crossing the Atlantic—connecting my new homeland, America, with my motherland, Russia. What a fun and deeply symbolic way to celebrate an anniversary! I will then be teaching for three weeks in Moscow, Rostov Velikiy, Uglich, Rybinsk, and St. Petersburg, staying within
- [2017 January-February Teaching Trip: Moscow, Rostov Velikiy, Borisogleb, Uglich](https://faithsearch.org/2017-january-february-teaching-trip-moscow-rostov-velikiy-borisogleb-uglich/) - "Am I the only person now in my whole town who knows this?" – asked me a public school teacher from a small place near Uglich after the FaithSearch Discovery presentation at their Regional Teachers Conference – "I have been attending my church for many years, read lots of good Christian books and heard many
- [2017 January-February Teaching Trip: St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/2017-january-february-teaching-trip-moscow-st-petersburg-moscow/) - Four different presentations right off the overnight train from Moscow! I consider it a personal record. I started with two classes for 5th-graders on the validity of the Bible. It was fun and learning time. Fun for them and learning time for me – I forgot how much they are different from the 4th-graders and
- [2017 March-April Teaching Trip: St. Petersburg, Moscow, Ivanovo, Vladimir, Dmitrov](https://faithsearch.org/2017-march-april-teaching-trip-st-petersburg-moscow-ivanovo-vladimir-dmitrov/) - First of all, I want to thank everybody who answered my call for saving this trip when I found myself short of funds. May the Lord bless you for your generous and timely response! More about timing: Most of my events on this trip were tied to certain conferences and retreats. As a result, I had
- [2017 March-April Teaching Trip: Ivanovo, Kineshma, Vladimir, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Dmitrov](https://faithsearch.org/2017-march-april-teaching-trip-ivanovo-kineshma-vladimir-st-petersburg-moscow-dmitrov/) - “It was like a wall was removed in front of me and now I have room to grow and a path to follow. Please consider yourself invited to speak at our City Youth Center next time you are back in Russia,” wrote a young man after attending a FaithSearch Discovery event in Ivanovo, 250 kilometers northeast
- [2017 September-October Teaching Trip: Moscow, Omsk, Bryansk, Kamchatka, Vladivostok](https://faithsearch.org/2017-september-october-teaching-trip-moscow-omsk-bryansk-kamchatka-vladivostok/) - This upcoming teaching trip will be very different from any other I have done before. First of all, it will be to a different country than the one I left in April of this year. Politically our two countries are now moving in exactly the opposite directions from where they seemed to be going only
- [2017 September-October Teaching Trip: Moscow, Omsk, Bryansk](https://faithsearch.org/2017-september-october-teaching-trip-moscow-omsk-bryansk/) - My first presentation at Omsk State University started a mere five hours after I landed in this Siberian city eleven time zones away from Minnesota. Changing four planes (SVO-ORD-HEL-SVO-OMS) and five airports made my feet shake, my head spin, and my heart beat faster from excitement. Their Theology Department was opened right after the “perestroika”
- [2017 September-October Teaching Trip: Rostov Velikiy, Kashira, Kamchatka](https://faithsearch.org/2017-september-october-teaching-trip-rostov-velikiy-kashira-kamchatka/) - I am back in MN… one day early than expected. It did not occur to me until I landed in Chicago that I would actually gain a whole extra day of my life if I keep going east from the Far East of Russia all the way back home. Well, I needed that day to
- [2017 November-December: Ukraine, Belarus, Russia](https://faithsearch.org/2017-november-december-ukraine-belarus-russia/) - Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! To all who prayed for this trip and who sacrificially contributed to it – "spa-si-bo!" Without you it would not have been possible. Every little bit helped and every prayer was answered. Special thanks to those who also prayed for my health and quick recovery from a day-surgery I had
- [2017 November-December: Ukraine](https://faithsearch.org/2017-november-december-ukraine/) - Week One had me presenting all over Ukraine: in Kiev, Kremenchug, Gorshni Plavni, Poltava, Dnepropetrovsk, and Odessa. I started with a two-day FaithSearch Discovery teaching in Poltava Orthodox Seminary with Missions Emphasis – the only Orthodox school in the country to train missionaries. These young men and women will be using our material in their ministry for many,
- [2017 November-December: Ukraine, Belarus, Russia](https://faithsearch.org/2017-november-december-ukraine-belarus-russia-2/) - Three countries in one week, connecting the Black Sea with Baltic Sea! I finished my Ukrainian journey by training a of group Odessa Preobrazhenskiy Cathedral catechism teachers and missionaries to use the FaithSearch Discovery curriculum in their work in local schools, churches and communities. They absolutely loved it! Due to the conflict (actually, a war)
- [2018 March: Poland, Belarus, Russia (Moscow and Omsk)](https://faithsearch.org/2018-march-poland-ukraine-russia-moscow-omsk/) - Day one. First, I left my laptop at home and only made that discovery at the airport. A dear friend John, my early morning ride to the airport, had to make that trip twice and I didn’t even miss my flight. Well, I didn’t miss that one but, due to a delayed departure from JFK
- [2018 March: Poland](https://faithsearch.org/2018-march-poland/) - The joke I was told in Katowice – a coal mining region of Poland – goes like this: “Why are miners making their tunnels under Catholic churches? – They are looking for a foundation of their faith.” I will definitely use this as an icebreaker next time I teach my “Historic Foundations of Christian Faith”
- [2018 March: Belarus (Brest and Minsk) and Russia (Moscow and Omsk)](https://faithsearch.org/2018-march-belarus-brest-minsk-russia-moscow-omsk/) - The last two weeks in Belarus and Russia were probably the most intense in many years, in terms of teaching and travel. I was moving from one city to another every other day (or night) and taught two and even three times almost every day. Praise the Lord for wonderful and caring host families and
- [2018 May: Moscow, Urals, and Siberia](https://faithsearch.org/2018-may-moscow-urals-siberia/) - This upcoming teaching trip to Russia in May should be just that – a trip to Russia. No multiple border crossings, no major adjustmets to different cultures, and staying within only three (!) time zones: Moscow, Southern Urals, and Eastern Siberia. The most challenging part was to squeeze my events between two national holidays and
- [2018 May: In and Around Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/2018-may-around-moscow/) - In and around Moscow – clear skies, lots of sunshine, and not one drop of rain. Even in my cell in the St. Nicholas Convent where I stayed for the first week there was plenty of light and warmth. They fed me with pirozhki from their own bakery: with potato, lentil, fish, and—my favorite—pumpkin with
- [2018 May: In and Around the Southern Urals](https://faithsearch.org/2018-may-around-southern-urals/) - Six days all over the Southern Urals have been busy and truly blessed. Each day either started or ended with a two-to-three-hour bus trip to another city or small town where I usually presented two times—one in a church and one in a secular setting. Geographically the Ural Mountains serve as a border between Asia and
- [2018 May: Moscow and Siberia](https://faithsearch.org/2018-may-moscow-siberia/) - …I continued praying as I ran between the terminals and made it to the registration desk in forty-five minutes—only to hear that they cannot allow me on board because the luggage latch has already been closed and my suitcase was too heavy to qualify for a carry-on. My plane was still at the gate and
- [2018 October: Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Murmansk](https://faithsearch.org/2018-october-moscow-st-petersburt-murmansk/) - I am typing this while changing flights at JFK International Airport and still adding more events to my travel calendar. I should have probably stopped accepting invitations a long time ago, but how can I say no to the Lord opening the door for His truth to be proclaimed in yet another school, university, church, or
- [2018 October: Moscow and St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/2018-october-moscow-st-petersburg/) - No time for jetlag! I started my first FaithSearch Discovery presentation only four hours after landing in Moscow. Needless to say, I was dead tired afterwards, and immediately fell asleep in the car that drove me to my place of rest. I still feel sorry for the driver who was trying to keep me awake
- [2018 October: Murmansk](https://faithsearch.org/2018-october-murmansk/) - It felt almost like traveling in a time machine when my plane landed in Murmansk. Most of the city center architecture goes back to Stalin’s times, which is characterized by a contrast of the grandeur of the main street fronts and wooden barracks of the back streets. Both are still very much present here, as
- [2018 December: Russia's Far East](https://faithsearch.org/2018-december-russias-far-east/) - I am leaving for my next three weeks in Russia on December 1st and will be back right before Christmas. My destination this time is the Russian Far East, which means I will be flying West all the way across the Pacific Ocean. with a change of planes in Japan. I will be crossing only
- [2018 December: Kamchatka](https://faithsearch.org/2018-december-kamchatka/) - After all was said and done—with delayed flights and an unscheduled overnight stay in Tokyo—it did not take that much less time flying over the Pacific Ocean than it would have over the Atlantic. Praise the Lord, I still made it to Kamchatka on time—two hours before I was scheduled to speak at the Conference
- [2019 February: Astrakhan, Elista, Volgograd, Saratov, and Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/2019-january-astrakhan-elista-volgograd-saratov-and-moscow/) - My friends in Moscow have been asking me lately, “How bad the cold has to be in MN that you are fleeing from it to Russia?” What can I say? It will be about the same -25 C in most of Russia in February, and all I will need to do once I am there
- [2019 February: Astrakhan, Elista, Volgograd, Saratov](https://faithsearch.org/2019-january-astrakhan-elista-volgograd-saratov/) - I am already half-way through the trip and the Lord graciously keeps me safe, strong and healthy. I keep moving upstream the Volga River having started from its delta in Astrakhan where my suitcase (with all my cables and other computer accessories) caught up with me after spending an extra night somewhere between JFK and
- [2019 February: Moscow and Suburbs](https://faithsearch.org/2019-february-moscow-and-suburbs/) - Home, sweet home! I have just landed in Minnesota and my head is still spinning after 12 hours in the air and 9 time zones difference. At least, I did not have to adjust to the weather – it is almost identical to that of Moscow. I also had a special mid-air treat – bumping
- [2019 April-May: Moldova and Russia](https://faithsearch.org/2019-april-may-moldova-and-russia/) - It is both exciting and challenging to visit Moldova again – the same place I taught twice in the years past. The good part is that they still remember our ministry and want to have a new generation of the University Divitia Gratiae (previously known as Chisinau Christian University) to be trained in presenting the
- [Borne of the Spirit](https://faithsearch.org/borne-of-the-spirit/) - A Fortieth Year State-of-the-Ministry Summary Compilation and Commentary by President Dr. Don Bierle The mission and vision of FaithSearch International throughout its forty years of ministry can be summed up in two Bible passages: “…that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life
- [2019 April-May: Moldova](https://faithsearch.org/2019-april-may-moldova/) - After two extra-long layovers in JFK and SVO, and red-eye flight to KIV, I was met and greeted by my good friends and ministry partners in Moldova – Roman and Emily with their two most wonderful kids! What a joy to spend time in sharing and prayer! What a joy and a privilege to teach
- [2019 April-May: Russia](https://faithsearch.org/2019-april-may-russia/) - I am back in Minnesota already and I am very sorry for not keeping up with my travel blog while traveling across Russia. My teaching and travel schedule was so intense that every minute of not teaching or traveling was immediately claimed by my poor body – it needed certain time per day of rest
- [2019 July-August: Moscow, Siberia, and Moldova](https://faithsearch.org/2019-july-august-moscow-siberia-and-moldova/) - Schools and universities are only open for ministry during the school year. Churches and prisons – all year around. I will also be teaching in family camps, church leadership trainings, and Sunday school classes for a variety of socio-economic and age groups. My next trip will start tomorrow and I am looking forward to these
- [2019 August: Moscow, Mozhaysk, Moldova](https://faithsearch.org/2019-august-moscow-mozhaysk-moldova/) - Out of four days in Moscow, I spent two in Mozhaysk, where Russians gave a decisive battle to Napoleon in 1812. Located just over 100 km from Moscow, it is also know as a “prison capital of Moscow Region.” Back in the Soviet Union times a 101 kilometer perimeter around Moscow was drawn to resettle
- [2019 September-October: Moscow, Volgograd, Rostov-na-Donu, Pyatigorsk, Elista, Belgorod](https://faithsearch.org/2019-september-october-moscow-volgograd-rostov-na-donu-pyatigorsk-elista-belgorod/) - I will be leaving for Russia again tomorrow and I am very excited, especially by the variety of my audiences and the topics I will be presenting on through the trip: Four classes for school children (“Validity of the Bible” to fourth graders, and “Historic Foundations of Christian Faith” to Seniors) Eight teachers’ trainings (FaithSearch
- [2019 September-October: Moscow, Volgograd, Rostov-na-Donu, Pyatigorsk, Elista](https://faithsearch.org/2019-september-october-moscow-volgograd-rostov-na-donu-pyatigorsk-elista/) - I am flying at 40,000 feet over the steps of Kalmykia back to Moscow on a Russian made Sukhoy Superjet and praising God for the blessed time of teaching and preaching for the first half of my journey. I started with a Sunday message followed by a FaithSearch Discovery presentation at a Pentecostal church in
- [2019 November-December: St. Petersburg, Volgograd](https://faithsearch.org/2019-november-december-st-petersburg-volgograd/) - I have done eight events in two cities over the seven days since I landed in Russia. Unfortunately, two additional presentations had to be canceled at the last minute due to such "unforeseen circumstances” as the lack of coordination skills on the facilitators’ part, and – I have to admit it – my own forgetfulness.
- [2020 March: Moscow, Kemerovo, Novokuznetsk, Yoshkar Ola, Kaliningrad, Tver](https://faithsearch.org/2020-march-moscow-kemerovo-novokuznetsk-yoshkar-ola-kaliningrad-tver/) - A Facebook friend just posted: “It is not a good time to be on the airplane today.” Well, I am doing exactly that – leaving for MSP this afternoon and then flying over to Moscow on my next three weeks of ministry all over Russia. My itinerary this time includes some new regions like Kuzbass
- [2020 March: Moscow, Kemerovo, Novokuznetsk](https://faithsearch.org/2020-march-moscow-kemerovo-novokuznetsk/) - By grace of God so far, only three out of thirty-one events on my schedule have been either canceled or reset to the online/webinar format due to the coronavirus quarantine. Interestingly, the people in Kuzbass where I was teaching during my first week were not as concerned about it as Moscovites are. All my trainings
- [2020 March: Moscow, Kemerovo, Novokuznetsk, Volokolamsk](https://faithsearch.org/2020-march-moscow-kemerovo-novokuznetsk-volokolamsk/) - All of my presentations for this trip have now canceled or switched to online starting on this Friday. I am doing my last presentation at Volokolamsk Diocese missions conference tonight and going straight to the airport from there in the morning. I am so sorry that my teaching schedule was cut short this time! I
- [Recent Feedback: March 2020](https://faithsearch.org/recent-feedback-march-2020/) - We don't always know where and how our ministry resources travel the globe, but we often hear of their impact. Here is a selection of evidence that the ministry of FaithSearch continues to bring the Gospel with evidence, even in the midst of the global pandemic. Dr. Bierle, I have just finished reading your book
- [2020 October: Moscow, Tver, St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/2020-october-moscow-tver-st-petersburg/) - Every trip is different. Some of the, however, are "differenter" than all of them. At least four times today I have heard or read that these are unprecedented times. I would agree. Conducting one of my four yearly teaching trips to Russia right now should qualify it for being the “differentest” one--so far. It started
- [2020 October: St. Petersburg, Tver, and Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/2020-october-st-petersburg-tver-moscow/) - It has been almost two full weeks on the road but it felt just like a couple of days! You know your life is exciting and eventful when “time flies like an arrow.” I started my ministry in Russia even before I crossed its boarder. During a long layover in Istanbul, I did an hour-long,
- [2020 October: Moscow and Kolomna](https://faithsearch.org/2020-october-st-petersburg-tver-and-moscow/) - My ten-days-long stay in Moscow is almost over and I am taking a bullet-train back to St. Petersburg tomorrow night. Only three out of my seven events here were held in front of live audiences. The live events were also broadcast live to those who couldn’t (or wouldn't) come for the risk of the pandemic.
- [2020 October: Moscow - St. Petersburg - Istanbul - Minnesota](https://faithsearch.org/2020-october-moscow-st-petersburg-istanbul-minnesota/) - Back in Minnesota, alive and well! Actually, my test results for the virus are due tomorrow but I feel fine and have no symptoms. Praise the Lord! My last five days in St. Petersburg were not as intense as the last week of most of my trips is. Usually, all the cancelled, the rescheduled, and
- [2021 February-March: Petrozavodsk – Belgorod – Yoshkar-Ola – Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/2021-february-march-petrozavodsk-belgorod-yoshkar-ola-moscow/) - Not having COVID symptoms consistently for a week after the quarantine and receiving a “clear to travel” letter from my doctor is more than I can wish for as a sign of the Lord’s blessings on my next teaching trip to Russia. Yes, I will have to be extra careful on the road and at
- [2021 February-March: Petrozavodsk – Belgorod](https://faithsearch.org/2021-february-march-petrozavodsk-belgorod/) - Crossing half of the world West to East was not nearly as challenging as travelling across most of Russia from North to South. Surprisingly, following strict international travel regulations was not very difficult: they were clear and actually doable. It almost seemed like the Russian quarantine and sanitary policies, on the other hand, were designed
- [2021 May: Moscow, Belgorod, Tver](https://faithsearch.org/2021-may-moscow-belgorod-tver/) - Flying from the middle of Siberia back to Moscow, I was moving with the sun and arrived at Domodedovo Airport the same early morning time at which I took off from Novokuznetsk. That gave me just enough time for a quick shower at my friends’ apartment and off I went to the XXIX Educational Conference
- [2021 July-August Teaching Trip: Novosibirsk, Tomsk, Gorno-Altaysk, Novokuznetsk, Bryansk, Samara, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/2021-july-august-teaching-trip-novosibirsk-tomsk-gorno-altaysk-novokuznetsk-bryansk-pereslavl-zalesskiy-samara-moscow/) - As is usually the case for my summer trips, on this one I will cover a lot of ground across the vast territory of Russia. Due to the most severe sanitary restrictions in Moscow now, I will only be changing planes and trains there. As the schools and universities are out for summer break, I
- [2021 July-August Teaching Trip: Novosibirsk, Tomsk, Gorno-Altaysk, Novokuznetsk](https://faithsearch.org/2021-july-august-teaching-trip-novosibirsk-tomsk-gorno-altaysk-novokuznetsk/) - "We will all remember this year's summer camp! Not just for the fun and fellowship but, most importantly, for the two days of ‘discoveries’ that impacted everybody here so much. Evidence based faith in God is so cool!” This was shared with me the small group leader in the Evangelical Christian Camp near Novokuznetsk. Frankly,
- [2021 September-October: St. Petersburg, Moscow, N. Novgorod, Samara](https://faithsearch.org/2021-september-october-st-petersburg-moscow-n-novgorod-samara/) - Can one travel in Russia for three weeks without ever crossing a single time zone line? While planning my next teaching trip I attempted to do exactly that: by traveling along the meridians from North to South and back. I actually tried to concentrate on the two most populated areas – around Moscow and St.
- [2021 September-October: Saint-Petersburg, Ivangorod/Narva](https://faithsearch.org/2021-september-october-saint-petersburg-ivangorod-narva/) - Almost ten days in one city! Not just any city – in Saint-Petersburg! It does not happen very often on my trips that I am able to book myself for such a long time in the same area. I was truly blessed with the most beautiful weather – not a drop of rain! The Dostoevsky-style
- [2021 October: Moscow, Samara, St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/2021-october-moscow-samara-st-petersburg/) - A major cancellation of the whole city-segment of my trip arrived on a very short notice. I was not going to Nizhniy Novgorod because three things happened on the same week: the local university dean passed away; the provost of the seminary resigned; and my host/facilitator got stuck 2,000 miles away on a family vacation
- [2021 December: Kolomna, Novokuznetsk, Perm](https://faithsearch.org/2021-december-kolomna-novokuznetsk-perm/) - They housed me in Kolomna for three nights in a guest room of the facility for the handicapped – a charity of the local Orthodox Church. I will never forget the long conversations with them about our faith experiences and personal stories told around the dinner table. During the daytime, I was teaching in the
- [2023 June-July: Turkey and Uzbekistan](https://faithsearch.org/2023-june-july-turkey-and-uzbekistan/) - This upcoming trip will be different in a number of ways. First of all, I’ve only been home for a week since the previous one. My head is still slightly spinning after three weeks of travel and teaching across nearly half of Russia. Secondly, I am not traveling alone but with a team of Americans
- [2023 September-October: Kemerovo, Tambov, Moscow, St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/2023-september-october-kemerovo-tambov-moscow-st-petersburg/) - I am back where I started – in St. Petersburg. Two more days of ministry here and I’ll be on my way home! Honestly, I am ready. This trip was very tiring, with lots of ground to cover, including many days without regular meals and sleep. And it was absolutely worth it! I can say
- [2023 September-October: St. Petersburg, Moscow, Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo, Tambov](https://faithsearch.org/2023-september-october-st-petersburg-moscow-novokuznetsk-kemerovo-tambov/) - I cannot believe that one third of this trip is already behind me! I already did eleven events in three different cities and around them: St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Novokuznetsk. My audiences ranged from seminarians and clergy, to moms with special needs kids and even a betrothal party. The most challenging of all was of
- [Ministry Affirmation: Mission Motivation](https://faithsearch.org/ministry-affirmation-mission-motivation/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Ligonier Ministries, an evangelical Christian group, surveys adult Americans every two years, capturing their views on theological issues. After reviewing Americans’ convictions about God, the Bible, salvation, and humanity/ethics, they came to the following conclusion: These results convey the ongoing need for the church to be engaged in apologetics,
- [In the News, September 2023, #2](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-september-2023-2/) - Self and Selfie An Indian government food inspector dropped his cell phone in a reservoir in May, while taking a selfie. When divers couldn’t retrieve it, he ordered that the 500,000-gallon reservoir be pumped dry. They eventually found the phone, but it was too waterlogged to operate. He then found himself in “deep water.” He
- [In the News, September 2023, #1](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-september-2023-1/) - Rescued Dignity “Scooter,” a Chinese crested dog, has “backward hind legs, a sparse quiff of white hair, and a permanently droopy tongue.” His leg deformities require him to use a special doggy wheelchair. One observer commented, “In the cutest way possible, he kind of reminds me of a hairy hippopotamus.” Nevertheless, the seven-year-old who was
- [In the News, September 2023, #3](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-september-2023-3/) - A Whole Country Gets Younger On June 28, all South Koreans got younger! Was it the result of a Nobel Prize scientific discovery? No, the country decided to jettison a traditional age custom that counted infants as a year old at the time of birth. Furthermore, the old system had them turn a year older
- [Whosoever...](https://faithsearch.org/whosoever/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President The King James translation of Romans 10:13 states, “For whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” More recent translations simply say “everyone.” It is a reference to Joel 2:32, and Peter included it in his Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:21). Did Peter really believe what
- [In the News, July 2023, #1](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-july-2023-1/) - Around the World (literally!) We use the expressions “out of town” and “out of the country” when we are away from home. For a year, U.S. astronaut Mark Vande Hei could say he was “out of the world!” He set the U.S. record for time in space after completing 5,680 trips around the earth over
- [In the News, July 2023, #2](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-july-2023-2/) - “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures”(Genesis 1:20) Years ago, I had the privilege of going to Antarctica twice to do scientific research in freshwater ecology. My specialty was the “lifestyle” of single-celled animals called protozoa. Spending hours looking through a microscope, it was always a welcome distraction to see a multi-celled invertebrate
- [Did You Know? July 2023](https://faithsearch.org/did-you-know-july-2023/) - Life as a Testimony “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16; see also Philippians 2:15). The Reverend Billy Graham, whose life on earth ended in 2018, about eight months short of 100 years, made the
- [How to Be Certain of Eternal Life](https://faithsearch.org/howtobecertain/) - As discussed in his video, Dr. Don is providing this text so you can follow along. You can also download the worksheet version (fill in the blanks).
- [Happenings: September 2023](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-september-2023/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy. FaithSearch Highlights FaithSearch has an “affiliate” policy inviting pastors, Bible teachers, evangelists,
- [The Best Evidence for a Global Flood, part 3](https://faithsearch.org/the-best-evidence-for-a-global-flood-part-3/) - In the last two issues of the Happ-0-getics I began this as a four-part series. (See the June and August 2023 issues for the evidence from the inspired Word of God and from the fossils.)The third argument is: A global flood is supported by the evidence in the rock layers.I am a biological scientist, not
- [Antarctic Explorers](https://faithsearch.org/antarctic-explorers/) - Two boys, aged eleven and thirteen, are following in the footsteps of famous nineteenth-century polar explorer Captain James Clark Ross. On February 2, 1841, Capt. Ross with the elm-hulled ships HMS Erebus and HMS Terror discovered the Ross Sea, Victoria Land, and the volcanoes Mount Erebus and Mount Terror, which were named for the expedition’s
- [Petra of the Nabateans](https://faithsearch.org/petra-of-the-nabateans/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Travel about fifty miles south of the Dead Sea, take a nearly mile-long donkey ride through a narrow rock-carved gorge called the Siq, and emerge before the stunning rock-cut façade of the Khazneh (“Treasury”). You stand there with fascination and awe. You have just repeated the experience of a
- [Happenings: August 2023](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-august-2023/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy. Oleg is back from several weeks of service in Uzbekistan with ELIC
- [That’s Pricy!](https://faithsearch.org/thats-pricy/) - A seed from a 2,000-pound pumpkin sold for $1,600 – the most expensive seed ever sold. Source: Answers Magazine, April-June, 2022, p. 21
- [“Trunk” Science](https://faithsearch.org/trunk-science/) - It used to be that only an elephant knew how his trunk (nose) works. Now science has “nosed” in! The elephant uses his trunk as an all-purpose tool. Sometimes he uses it to grab things, being equally adept at picking up vegetables and tortilla chips. He can also use it as a leaf blower. At
- [2021 November-December:  St. Petersburg, Kolomna, Novokuznetsk, Perm](https://faithsearch.org/2021-november-december-st-petersburg-kolomna-novokuznetsk-perm/) - It will be snowing on the day I leave Minnesota, but most of the places I am traveling to in Russia this time have already been under snow for weeks. I will, however, catch a taste of the wet and gloomy, “Dostoyevsky style” of late fall in St. Petersburg, before moving to the all-white and
- [2021 November-December: St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/2021-november-december-st-petersburg/) - Minus two, plus three – that has been my ratio so far between canceled and newly-arranged events. As always, the cancellations were due to the schedule mix-ups like, “Sorry, we didn’t realize this Friday to be November 26th!” or “We canceled it because you did not confirm it again last week.” The Lord, however, does
- [2022 February-March: Kaluga, Krasnoyarsk, Yaroslavl](https://faithsearch.org/2022-february-march-kaluga-krasnoyarsk-yaroslavl/) - "It is not cold enough for Oleg here in Minnesota, so he leaves for Siberia next Sunday. Let’s pray for him!” – announced our priest jokingly after the service. It is not, in fact, that much colder in Russia these days, and I feel well prepared for the trip. What does indeed give me the
- [2022 February-March: Moscow, Kaluga](https://faithsearch.org/2022-february-march-moscow-kaluga/) - First, the highlight. A handsome young man (second from the right) approached me after my presentation on the local TV station: My mother sent me to your event this afternoon just to say thank you for saving her life. All I know is that many years ago, she watched your presentation online. After attending this
- [2022 February-March: Krasnoyarsk, Rostov Velikiy](https://faithsearch.org/february-march-2022-krasnoyarsk-rostov/) - Almost a full week in Krasnoyarsk flew by like just a couple of days – busy, busy, busy – with one or two presentations per day and a nice walk in the historic center of the city in the morning. This time, the Orthodox Diocese did not extend their blessing to my presentations, citing their
- [2022 July: Germany](https://faithsearch.org/2022-july-germany/) - There should be a shorter route from Frankfurt to Magdeburg, but the red line shows how I am planning to get there starting this Friday. All my plans for the trip to Russia in May had to be canceled due to the State Department Russia Travel Advisory Level 4 (Do Not Travel). I will not
- [2022 July. Germany](https://faithsearch.org/2022-july-germany-2/) - WER GOTT VERTRAUT HAT WOHL GEBAUT – said the note above the doors of the mid-fifteen century building at my first destination point, Blankenheim. I cannot agree more – indeed, "the one trusting in the Lord builds well." This formerly Russian-speaking evangelical church trusted God in allowing me to come and teach in their midst
- [2022 August: Russia's Far East](https://faithsearch.org/2022-august-russias-far-east/) - Vladivostok is only (!) nine time zones away from Minnesota -- if you travel West. Due to the sanctions, however, there are no flights into Russia from that direction at this point. My route, instead, will cross the eastern half of North America, the Atlantic Ocean, all of Europe, and almost all of Asia. A
- [2022 August: Vladivostok](https://faithsearch.org/2022-august-vladivostok/) - The whole trip from Minnesota to Vladivostok went very smoothly, including the most worrisome part of it – the border crossing. My bus was only delayed by an hour-and-a-half which is considered to be “on time” by the Russian standards I am very familiar with. In fact, most of my first week went by “Russian
- [2022 August: Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, and Vladivostok](https://faithsearch.org/2022-august-ussuriysk-khabarovsk-and-vladivostok/) - The Catholic Youth Conference “octave” (eight days) in Ussuriysk exceeded all my expectations and nearly drowned my energy resources. At first, they had only asked me to be their keynote speaker with one or two teaching sessions per day. And, of course, to lead the small group discussion session on each day’s topic. And, if
- [2022 October-November: St. Petersburg, Samara, Biysk](https://faithsearch.org/2022-october-november-st-petersburg-samara-biysk/) - Planning this trip was easy. I simply rescheduled most of the events from my April-May trip which had to be canceled. I am so thankful to my ministry friends and partners who were willing to work with me on setting it up all over again! Many of them were very disappointed by my decision back
- [2022 October-November: St. Petersburg, Samara, Biysk](https://faithsearch.org/2022-october-november-st-petersburg-samara-biysk-2/) - My schedule is so full, my travel is so hectic, and the internet connection is so poor (sanctions!) that I just can't keep up with my blog this time. Sorry about that. Well, to be honest, I am absolutely happy with the way things are going. I had two to three events every day in
- [2022 December: St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kolomna, Yaroslavl, Rybinsk, Bryansk](https://faithsearch.org/2022-december-st-petersburg-moscow-kolomna-yaroslavl-rybinsk-bryansk/) - I loved traveling by trains all over Germany this summer – it was fast, comfortable, and cheap! Let’s see if I can do the same in December across Central Russia. My upcoming trip will include St. Petersburg, and cities within a five-hour travel distance from Moscow: Bryansk, Yaroslavl, Rybinsk, and Kolomna. As always, I will
- [2022 December: Moscow, Kolomna, Yaroslavl, Rybinsk, Bryansk, St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/2022-december-moscow-kolomna-yaroslavl-rybinsk-bryansk-st-petersburg/) - I cannot believe it has been almost three weeks since I started on this trip! My first destination was Moscow where I delivered a whole suitcase of books for the Moscow Diocese – Orthodox Octoechos and Menaion in English. The funny part was when the Customs Officer asked me, “Which god are these books worshiping?”
- [2023 February-March: St. Petersburg, Bryansk, Moscow, Kolomna, Rostov, Nizhniy Novgorod](https://faithsearch.org/2023-february-march-st-petersburg-bryansk-moscow-kolomna-rostov-nizhniy-novgorod/) - This trip is not going to be much longer than usual – by two days only. However, I am expecting great things to happen during my time in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Bryansk, Rostov Velikiy, Kolomna, and Nizhniy Novgorod. First of all, I will have the rare opportunity to pay a second visit to some of
- [2023 February-March: St. Petersburg, Bryansk, Moscow, Kolomna, Rostov Velikiy, Nizhniy Novgorod](https://faithsearch.org/2023-february-march-st-petersburg-bryansk-moscow-kolomna-rostov-velikiy-nizhniy-novgorod/) - I am back in Moscow after leaving it four times already: for Bryansk, for Rostov Velikiy, for Kolomna and for Nizhniy Novgorod. It is hard to imagine that a country stretching for eleven time zones east to west, and from the subtropics in the south to the Arctic Circle in the north, only has one hub
- [May 2023: Nizhniy Novgorod, Kolomna, Samara, Moscow, Novokuznetsk, and Bryansk](https://faithsearch.org/2023-may-nizhniy-novgorod-kolomna-samara-moscow-novokuznetsk-bryansk/) - I started week one of my time in Nizhniy Novgorod by teaching a class for the entire student body of the local Orthodox Seminary. As it is often the case, most of the seminarians took it first as just one more of their Apologetics courses. They occupied the back of the large auditorium, and it
- [2023 May Trip to Russia: Samara, Moscow, Novokuznetsk, Bryansk](https://faithsearch.org/2023-may-trip-to-russia-samara-moscow-novokuznetsk-bryansk/) - I had only four days in the Samara Region, but each of them was special and beyond everybody’s wildest expectations. In two state technical colleges where I was invited to teach a class on the Historic Foundations of Christian Faith, the audience halls were packed as the organizers had made it available to the entire
- [2023 June-July: Turkey, Uzbekistan](https://faithsearch.org/2023-june-july-turkey-uzbekistan/) - Two weeks into the trip. I passed the training and team-building events and activities in Istanbul, and then a couple of days of adjustment in Tashkent. The first week of actually teaching English to a group of sixteen seventh- and eighth-graders in a private school for three hours every morning, plus three more hours of
- [2023 June-July: Uzbekistan](https://faithsearch.org/2023-june-july-uzbekistan/) - Weeks “2” and “3” of ESL Camp classes allowed me to get to know my campers better and to help them open up to discussing some meaningful questions of life: Where did we all come from? What is the purpose of life? What or Who is the highest authority in moral and ethical matters? etc.
- [The Shroud: Gaining Authenticity](https://faithsearch.org/the-shroud-gaining-authenticity/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President I did a brief article on the Shroud of Turin about a year ago (Happ-O-getics, May 2022, Vol. 2, Issue 5). The Shroud is thought by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus (Matthew 27:59). What was already known at that time? Jesus was crucified at Passover in
- [Happenings: June 2023](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-june-2023/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy at(www.faithsearch.org/subscribe). Have you heard? The FREE online Bible Learning Center (BLC) is
- [The Best Evidence for a Global Flood ](https://faithsearch.org/the-best-evidence-for-a-global-flood/) - I will identify these briefly as a series in each of the remaining issues of the Happ-O-getics in 2023. The first is the central truth. 1. A global flood is taught in the inspired Word of God What did God say He would do? “And behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water
- [It’s Time for (Another?) Pentecost](https://faithsearch.org/its-time-for-another-pentecost/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President There will be agreement in nearly all Western church calendars that May 28 is Pentecost Sunday – fifty days after Passover. Jesus stayed on earth after His resurrection for forty of those days (Acts 1:3) before He ascended to His Father. Just before He left, He told His followers,
- [In the News, May 2023, #2](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-may-2023-2/) - Quiz Answers A giant coastal redwood named Hyperion is over 380 feet tall. That is longer than a football field and about the height of a thirty-five-story building! Source: Answers in Genesis (Kids Answers), Oct-Dec 2022, p. 29 It takes about an hour for most snowflakes to fall to the earth. Source: Answers in Genesis
- [In the News, May 2023, #1](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-may-2023-1/) - Quiz Time (Answers in part #2) What is the tallest living tree in the world? How long does it take a single snowflake to fall from a cloud to the earth?
- [MN In the News, May 2023, #1](https://faithsearch.org/mn-in-the-news-may-2023-1/) - Going with the floe Last November, hundreds of fishermen on Upper Red Lake in northern Minnesota nearly joined the fish they were there to catch! Ice broke from the shoreline to strand them on an ice floe with no way to get back to land. Thanks to cell phones, 911 calls alerted state and local
- [MN In the News, May 2023, #2](https://faithsearch.org/mn-in-the-news-may-2023-2/) - Year-around Roughing It. In Duluth, Minnesota? For more than three years, fourteen-year-old Isaac Ortman hasn’t slept in his bed. This Minnesota teenager has camped out continuously (“weathered"?) in blizzards, thunderstorms, and minus 38-degree nights. Why? “It’s just fun!” His bed varies from a packed snow quinzhee to a hammock. This summer, Isaac will attend a
- [The Jewish Synagogue and the Gospel](https://faithsearch.org/the-jewish-synagogue-and-the-gospel/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Beginning with Abraham, God chose the Jewish people to be a separated and divinely prepared people – His witnesses and blessing to the nations (see Genesis 12ff.). Furthermore, God gave Old Testament Scripture which prophesied the coming of a Messiah who would atone for the sins of all people.
- [God: “It’s Getting Crowded Up Here!”](https://faithsearch.org/god-its-getting-crowded-up-here/) - On March 14, for the second time in just over a week, the International Space Station (ISS) had to perform an avoidance maneuver to prevent a collision with space junk. Former incidents caused the cancellation of spacewalks and forced astronauts to take shelter. As spaceflight increases globally, low Earth orbit is becoming crowded with satellites
- [Using the Sun to Clean Up the Earth](https://faithsearch.org/using-the-sun-to-clean-up-the-earth/) - There is an estimated 400 million metric tons of plastic waste generated globally each year. Help may be on the way. Scientists at the University of Cambridge have pioneered a solar powered reactor for converting waste into fuels: not only plastic but also the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. The system uses the mineral perovskite as
- [Happenings, April 2023](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-april-2023/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy. FaithSearch Highlights Oleg’s next mission trip to Russia is scheduled for
- [In the News, March 2023, #1](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-march-2023-1/) - Have Black Bear / German Shepherd – Will Travel A female black bear was misbehaving at Great Smoky Mountains National Park (invading camp sites to steal food). Dubbed “Bear 609,” she was trapped and relocated to the South Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, about 70 miles away. The bear was tagged so she could be
- [<strong><em>What’s In A Name? (Part 2)</em></strong>](https://faithsearch.org/whats-in-a-name-part-2/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President In the January issue of the Paraclete I wrote about the name “Emmanuel” given to Christ by way of announcement by the angel Gabriel (Matthew 1:23). Its meaning, “God with us,” solved the world’s age-old question of WHO God is. God revealed His identity in history – the incarnation
- [In the News, March 2023, #2](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-march-2023-2/) - An Analogy from Nature: The Dragonfly Gospel As a biologist and a Christian, Dr. Don Bierle found an analogy about dragonflies particularly meaningful in an article by Lynn Vincent, executive editor for World Magazine. Dragonflies begin their life as “nymphs” (bug-like and wingless) underwater, usually for one or two years. One day, an unknown stimulus
- [God’s Magnificent Creation](https://faithsearch.org/gods-magnificent-creation/) - Our spectacular sun is an average-sized star but is still so big that over one million earths could fit inside it! The largest star known is Stephenson 2-18. About 10 billion of our suns could fit inside it! Our amazing sun, as a result of nuclear fusion, reaches 10,000°F at the surface. That is five
- [In the News: A Nation in Crisis](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-a-nation-in-crisis/) - There are many worldviews in the world, such as Marxism, Eastern Mysticism, biblical theism, nihilism, humanism, and postmodernism. Pollster George Barna found that the dominant worldview in America is not biblical theism but “syncretism,” a combination of many worldviews into one system. He said that America is a nation in crisis. “Only 6% of Americans
- [<strong><em>Behold the Man</em></strong>](https://faithsearch.org/behold-the-man/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and arrayed Him in a purple robe…Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!” (John
- [Happenings: February 2023](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-february-2023/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy. Oleg is making his first 2023 trip to Russia in February. He
- [Dinosaurs Around the World](https://faithsearch.org/dinosaurs-around-the-world/) - According to National Geographic, paleontologists have been dusting off a lot of fossils. They have counted the dinosaur discoveries by country. Here are the top nine countries, as of October, 2022: 10,597 United States 1,823 Canada 1,732 China 1,256 New Zealand 1,087 Argentina 1,057 United Kingdom 1,026 France 880 Mongolia 716 Australia Source: Answers Magazine,
- [In the News, January 2023 #4](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-january-2023-4/) - Troubling U.S. Evangelical Worldview Recent polls reveal that only 6% of evangelical Christians have a worldview which aligns with Scripture. For example, 65% agree that each person is born innocent in the eyes of God (see Psalm 51:5). Furthermore, 43% of U.S. evangelicals believe that Jesus was a great teacher but was not God (see
- [In the News, January 2023 #3](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-january-2023-3/) - The Christian Faith in America Today According to polling in 2022 by the Gallup organization, 81% of Americans believe in God, down from 87% in 2017. However, the Pew Research Center recently released a report that cited only 64% who identified religiously as Christians. Wherever the truth lies, both agree that Christianity is in decline
- [In the News, January 2023 #2](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-january-2023-2/) - Quotable! Deon Joseph, a law enforcement consultant, commented on the Supreme Court’s Kennedy v. Bremerton School District decision. “The court affirmed that if you can use God’s name in vain… and verbally disrespect and dismiss His existence in public without hindrance, then others should be able to praise Him, thank Him, and talk to Him
- [In the News, January 2023, #1](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-january-2023-1/) - Equal Treatment for Religious Schools A Supreme Court majority in June [2022], rejected an attempt by Maine to bar parents from using state tuition assistance to pay for their children to attend religious schools where no public school is available.* Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, “There is nothing neutral about Maine’s program. The state pays
- [<strong><em>What’s In A Name? (Part 1)</em></strong>](https://faithsearch.org/whats-in-a-name-part-1/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President What is the biblical bridge between the two great celebrations of the Christian faith – Christmas and Easter? It is two names! Two thousand years ago, God sent the angel Gabriel to earth to deliver a message with two names: “The virgin will be with child and will give
- [Meet Our Staff: Adrian Van Vactor](https://faithsearch.org/meet-our-staff-adrian-van-vactor/) - Looking Forward and Being Thankful… By Adrian Van Vactor My favorite time of year growing up was the Christmas season. Not just gift giving (well, receiving, if we’re being honest) but also the entire buildup of how my very secular upbringing celebrated it, from Thanksgiving until Christmas. At least I felt that for a time.
- [Meet Our Staff: Kristi Wanamaker](https://faithsearch.org/a-christmas-memory-became-a-tradition/) - A Christmas Memory Became a Tradition By Kristi Wanamaker, Director of Event Management [Jesus] came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that
- [Meet Our Staff: Deanna Paulson](https://faithsearch.org/love-this-time-of-year/) - Love This Time of Year By Deanna Paulson, Finance I have been working with FaithSearch for the past fourteen years with bookkeeping and finances. After working many years in the high-tech industry, I felt God leading me to use the talents He has given me for His glory. I very much enjoy working with
- [Meet Our Staff: Oleg Voskresensky](https://faithsearch.org/arguments/) - Arguments By Dr. Oleg Voskresensky, FaithSearch Russian evangelist Thomas Aquinas (1224—1274) wrote, “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” Aquinas developed what are known as the Five Classical Arguments for the Existence of God. Wait. What? Was he being ironic, or was the great Medieval
- [Happenings: November 2022](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-november-2022/) - The FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy at(www.faithsearch.org/subscribe). In lieu of ministry news and prayer requests, we are using
- [<strong><em>IMMANUEL</em></strong>](https://faithsearch.org/immanuel/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Is God knowable? All the religions of the world would answer “No” – except one. Christianity alone claims that God has made Himself known in history. The apostle John shows his excitement as he begins his first letter, That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which
- [The Spirit of Thanksgiving](https://faithsearch.org/the-spirit-of-thanksgiving/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President One hundred and one men, women, and children sailed for sixty-six days across the Atlantic Ocean in 1620. Their first act at Plymouth (Cape Cod, Massachusetts today) when their feet hit the ground was to kneel in prayer. After one winter in the New World, only fifty-three survived disease
- [Meet Our Staff: Julie Braun](https://faithsearch.org/meet-our-staff-julie-braun/) - Something I Am Thankful For… By Julie Braun Jeremiah 27:11 holds personal meaning for my husband and me. On August 17, 1977, my then fiancée had a very severe accident while working on a car. The jack slipped away, and the car fell on him, thrusting a bolt through his skull. Through skilled hands,
- [Happy 75th Birthday Dead Sea Scrolls](https://faithsearch.org/happy-75th-birthday-dead-sea-scrolls/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President This year, 2022, marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of the first Dead Sea Scroll discoveries in 1947, by some shepherds exploring caves on the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea. Subsequently, an amazing library of hundreds of scrolls and thousands of fragments were uncovered in eleven caves, with texts dating
- [Mistaken?](https://faithsearch.org/mistaken/) - “Right now I find myself lying awake at three in the morning wondering if everything I’ve ever done is wrong.” This was University of Kansas astronomer, Allison Kirkpatrick, describing to the journal Nature how new images from the James Webb Space Telescope have upset theories of galaxy evolution. Don’s comment: The Bible makes it clear
- [Happenings, September 2022](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-september-2022/) - This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Share it with friends and encourage them to sign up online for their own copy. FaithSearch News We are grateful for people who have made a commitment
- [Tomb of the Apostle Philip Found](https://faithsearch.org/tomb-of-the-apostle-philip-found/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President The apostle Philip is known only from the Gospels. The Bible says he was from Bethsaida in Galilee, the same hometown as Andrew and Peter (John 1:44). He is listed as one of the twelve apostles in all four accounts in the Bible (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-16;
- [In the News, September 2022, #1](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-september-2022-1/) - More than Enough! How many legs does a millipede have? Well, its name suggests 1,000, but none had been known with more than 750 legs – until now. A new species (Eumillipes persephone) was discovered which sports 1,306 legs! The Creator must have known they would need them all to tunnel through the hard soil
- [In the News, September 2022, #2](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-september-2022-2/) - A New Meaning of “Goliath” When asked what the largest living organism is, people would likely suggest the African bush elephant (5 tons); blue whales (200 tons); or the giant sequoia tree (1,000 tons). These are but “babes” compared to the honey mushroom (Armillaria ostoyae). Parasitic on trees and living mostly underground, the largest single fungus
- [In the News, September 2022, #3](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-september-2022-3/) - Xenotransplantation As of July, more than 100,000 people were on waiting lists for replacement organs, with 3,442 needing a new heart. Seventeen people on waiting lists die every day, for want of an organ to potentially save their lives. Is xenotransplantation – transferring animal organs to humans – the answer? Pigs are especially seen as
- [In the News: September 2022, #4](https://faithsearch.org/bad-news-for-cat-owners/) - Bad news for cat owners In the U.S., 45.3 million households own cats. According to the American Bird Conservancy, domesticated cats kill 2.4 billion birds each year. Furthermore, a 2016 study by the National Academy of Sciences revealed that there have been sixty-three species extinctions attributable to domesticated cats. These facts have alarmed the city
- [In the News: July 2022, #1](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-july-2022-1/) - Blinded Minds (2 Corinthians 4:4) The word “Christ” you are trying to publish violates regulations on Internet Information Services, including, but not limited to the following categories: pornography, gambling, drug abuse, incitement. This is from China’s WECHAT CENSORSHIP TEAM, sent to Early Rain Covenant Church about its book review group’s post, which included a reference
- [In the News: July 2022, #2](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-july-2022-2/) - Unintended Consequences The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did a survey of 7,705 high school students during the pandemic measures enacted in 2021. It was alarming to discover that 44% reported feeling “persistently sad and hopeless.” Even more troubling was the finding that 26% of girls surveyed had contemplated suicide during the year. These
- [Is 2022 the Beginning of the End? (Part 2)](https://faithsearch.org/is-2022-the-beginning-of-the-end-part-2/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President [Editor’s note: Finlly, we provide the promised Part 2 of “Is 2022 the Beginning of the End?”] In the January 2021 issue, I wrote a feature which identified foundational biblical signs of the end of the world which were apparent in 2021. Foremost were apostasy and lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2).
- [Another Paraclete: To Your Advantage](https://faithsearch.org/another-paraclete-to-your-advantage/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President [Editor’s note: Again, we will provide the promised Part 2 of “Is 2022 the Beginning of the End?” after Pentecost, in our next issue.] The night before His crucifixion, Jesus spent the evening with His apostles, preparing them for their coming crisis of faith, which they would face following
- [In the News: May 2022, #2](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-may-2022-2/) - God’s Creation Denied The American Medical Association (AMA) urges the removal of sex designation on birth certificates. According to them, designating sex at birth “perpetuates a view that sex designation is permanent and fails to recognize the medical spectrum of gender identity.” The position of the AMA is that every person has the right to
- [In the News: May 2022, #1](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-may-2022-1/) - A Biblical Worldview – Really? The Family Research Council’s Center for Biblical Worldview conducted a nationwide survey of American adults in 2021. A robust 51% of Americans claimed to have a biblical worldview. [A worldview is like a lens consisting of our presuppositions, convictions, and values through which we see and understand the world.] After
- [Top Biblical Archaeology Discoveries in 2021](https://faithsearch.org/top-biblical-archaeology-discoveries-in-2021/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Here is a quick rundown of some recent and notable discoveries, as announced in established journals. Second Synagogue Found in First Century Magdala People in the U.S. are accustomed to seeing several churches located in the same city, sometimes only a block apart. It is not so much the
- [Happenings, June 2022](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-june-2022/) - If you like the writing and research in this FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter, please help by sharing it with others and inviting them to subscribe online to receive future copies. It is published six times per year and includes FaithSearch updates and apologetic articles. Use it as a means of witness to the historical truth of the Bible and faith
- [What a Creator!](https://faithsearch.org/what-a-creator-2/) - The molecule of plant, animal, and human inheritance (DNA) cannot even be seen without a high-powered microscope. Yet if the DNA strands in all your cells were stretched out and laid end to end, they would stretch 110 billion miles! That’s 440,000 times the distance to the moon. With the Psalmist we praise, “Lord, our
- [The U.S. – A Mission Field?](https://faithsearch.org/the-u-s-a-mission-field/) - June 5 was Pentecost Sunday, and 240 South Korean Christians believe it is time for them to pay back a spiritual debt to America. In 1973, Billy Graham held a historic crusade in Seoul, which drew more than three million people. It resulted in 75,000 people committing their lives to follow Jesus Christ. This led
- [Happenings, May 2022](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-may-2022/) - If you like the writing and research in this FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter, please help by sharing it with others and inviting them to subscribe online (www.FaithSearch.org/subscribe) to receive future copies. It is published six times per year and includes FaithSearch updates and apologetic articles. Use it as a means of witness to the historical truth
- [Evidence of a Fallen World (Romans 5:12), pt. 1](https://faithsearch.org/evidence-of-a-fallen-world-romans-512-pt-1/) - Matiate – a place of refuge for Christians? Archaeologists have reported making an amazing discovery in southeastern Turkey. Under the current city of Midyat, they discovered a massive underground city which could be the largest such find in the world. Occupying seventy-four acres or more, researchers to date have explored forty-nine rooms, including tunnels, places
- [Evidence of a Fallen World (Romans 5:12), pt. 2](https://faithsearch.org/evidence-of-a-fallen-world-romans-512-pt-2/) - Cursed but with a Glorious Promise The earth was cursed by God because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:17). The comprehensiveness of this curse is stated by the apostle Paul: For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that
- [The Shroud of Turin: New Scientific Evidence](https://faithsearch.org/the-shroud-of-turin-new-scientific-evidence/) - The Shroud of Turin, thought by some to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 27:59) is a rectangular sheet (about 14 x 4 feet) which depicts the image of a crucified man. Reddish-brown stains are found on the cloth, correlating with the wounds in the biblical description of the crucifixion of Jesus. The
- [Efficient… but not the “brightest” bulb!](https://faithsearch.org/efficient-but-not-the-brightest-bulb/) - Police in Wilmington, Delaware, had it easy in solving a December, 2021, bank robbery. A man walked into a local Wells Fargo with a note demanding cash. Upon receiving it from the teller, the man walked outside and used the bank’s ATM to deposit the money into his personal account. With his identity known, it
- [Experiencing Jesus’ Love in the Upper Room](https://faithsearch.org/experiencing-jesus-love-in-the-upper-room/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President [Editor’s note: We will provide the promised Part 2 of “Is 2022 the Beginning of the End?” after Easter, in our next issue.] I have found the Upper Room discourse (John 13-17) to be one of the most informative and life-changing passages in the New Testament. It reveals the
- [My Hometown](https://faithsearch.org/my-hometown/) - Police in Sioux Falls, SD (Dr. Bierle’s hometown) arrested a DoorDash® driver with outstanding warrants in late January. After the arrest, officers made certain that the Arby’s® order he had been delivering got to the customer, even apologizing to them for the delay. Police chief Sam Clemens said, “It’s not like we have officers who
- [Inflation Outrage](https://faithsearch.org/inflation-outrage/) - A woman went to the emergency room at a hospital in Decator, Georgia. She waited seven hours and decided to leave without seeing a doctor. Weeks later she received a bill for $688.35. Upon her complaint she was told that patients incur the basic charge just for signing in! Source: World Magazine, Dec. 4, 2021,
- [Biblical Gideon Confirmed as Historical](https://faithsearch.org/biblical-gideon-confirmed-as-historical/) - A recently discovered 3,100-year-old piece of ceramic pottery has revealed the name of one of the most famous judges from the biblical book of Judges. The Bible refers to Gideon as a “mighty man of valor” (Judges 6:12) because God used him to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. Gidion went by another name as well,
- [More Inflation Outrage](https://faithsearch.org/more-inflation-outrage/) - Coldwell Banker® advertised a house in Boston as an “adorable tiny studio home… featuring a completely open living space.” It turned out to be a 251-square-foot home (slightly larger than the average parking space) which they successfully sold for $351,000. Smaller is not necessarily cheaper! Source: World Magazine, Dec. 4, 2021, p. 21
- [ALIVE! A Special Easter Celebration Issue](https://faithsearch.org/alive-a-special-easter-celebration-issue/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President The Testimony of Eyewitnesses The apostle Peter claimed that “…we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). In fact, ten post-resurrection appearances at different times
- [Happenings, March 2022](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-march-2022/) - If you like the writing and research in this FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter, please help by sharing it with others and inviting them to subscribe online (www.FaithSearch.org/subscribe) to receive future copies. It is published six times per year and includes FaithSearch updates and apologetic articles. Use it as a means of witness to the historical truth
- [Happenings, February 2022](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-february-2022/) - If you like the writing and research in this FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter, please help by sharing it with others and inviting them to go to our Web site (www.FaithSearch.org/subscribe) to receive future copies. It is published six times per year and includes FaithSearch updates and apologetic articles. Use it as a means of witness to
- [Caesarea, Herod’s Crown ](https://faithsearch.org/caesarea-herods-crown/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President If you ask most Christians about Caesarea in Judea, you are likely to get a shrug of the shoulders or a puzzled facial expression. If they know about it at all, compared to Nazareth, Bethlehem, or Jerusalem, it doesn’t really count. Yet, consider the answer to the following: Where
- [Treasures Beneath the Sea at Caesarea](https://faithsearch.org/treasures-beneath-the-sea-at-caesarea/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Scholars have long known that a unique record of human activity exists in the depths of the Mediterranean Sea. Until the development of SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) during World War II, scientists could not effectively explore this repository of history and artifacts. The year 1960 marked the beginning
- [Star Gazers…](https://faithsearch.org/star-gazers/) - Astronomers can now see even more of God’s power and glory (Psalm 19:1). The Hubble Space Telescope is thirty-one-years old, has made 1.5 million observations, and has had 18,000 published academic papers based on its data. It is being replaced by the James Webb Space Telescope with a 21’4” primary mirror compared to the 8-foot
- [What Syllabus?](https://faithsearch.org/what-syllabus/) - As a professor for over twenty years, I often wondered if my students ever read the syllabus for my classes. Professor Kenyon Wilson, University of Tennessee, found out for one of his classes. He hid a $50 bill inside a university locker and included directions for securing it in his syllabus (first come-first served). None
- [2021 February-March: Kolomna – Moscow – Yoshkar-Ola](https://faithsearch.org/2021-february-march-kolomna-moscow-yoshkar-ola/) - Seminary in Kolomna and Nikea Publishing House in Moscow Three days in Moscow passed like one. Seeing and teaching to the same group of Kolomna Theological Seminary students whom I first met last October was very special. With my traveling schedule covering vast distances of Russia, I rarely see the same audience twice. This time
- [2021 May: Yoshkar-Ola, Novokuznetsk, Belgorod, Tver, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/2021-may-yoshkar-ola-novokuznetsk-belgorod-tver-moscow/) - I am leaving for Russia tomorrow despite of all the «bad omens» following me for the last few days: one extracted (and still hurting!) tooth; two flat tires (in four days!); flight cancellation for my return from Siberia; and a dozen smaller ones. It must mean I am about to do something good, and that
- [2021 May: Yoshkar-Ola, Novokuznetsk](https://faithsearch.org/2021-may-yoshkar-ola-novokuznetsk/) - I am from Moscow. I love my city and its people. I love the challenge of teaching in Moscow schools where even the little kids seem to know how privileged they are compared to the rest of the country. They are not shy to prove it. They ask tough questions. They share their experiences. They
- [Joe Komarek's FaithSearch Tenure Ends](https://faithsearch.org/joe-komareks-faithsearch-tenure-ends/) - By Dr. Don Bierle The Apostle Paul, without doubt inspired by the Holy Spirit, exhorted believers in Jesus Christ to “do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10). As President of FaithSearch International, I have observed our ministry supporters doing just that. Let me
- [Angels, Shepherds, and Lambs](https://faithsearch.org/angels-shepherds-and-lambs/)
- [Is 2022 the Beginning of the End? (Part 1)](https://faithsearch.org/is-2022-the-beginning-of-the-end-part-1/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Did the events of 2021 help us to see with greater clarity the “beginning of the end”? Said another way, will 2022 be the beginning, not of the end, but of life eternal? The significance of our answer to this question is brought into focus by the apostle Paul:
- [On the Lighter Side, January 2022, #1](https://faithsearch.org/on-the-lighter-side-january-2022-1/) - Animal Illusion FaithSearch has a professional illusionist on staff, but even Adrian Van Vactor could be challenged by trying to figure out how a beetle can be eaten by a frog and later be seen very much alive. That’s what Japanese researchers wanted to understand. What they discovered is a testimony to God’s creative design.
- [On the Lighter Side, January 2022, #3](https://faithsearch.org/on-the-lighter-side-january-2022-2/) - Sprint till I Die? It may not impress you to hear that someone “sprinted” the 100-meter dash in 1 minute, 2.95 seconds – and it was a new record. Unimpressed, that is, until you are told she is 105 years old! Julie “Hurricane” Hawkins also holds the 100-meter record for women over 100, at 39.62
- [On the Lighter Side, January 2022, #2](https://faithsearch.org/on-the-lighter-side-january-2022-2-2/) - Happy Birthday Richard Scott William Hutchinson was given a 0% chance of survival when he was born, weighing less than a pound, at twenty-one weeks gestation. Richard beat those odds to celebrate his first birthday on June 5, 2021, the most-premature baby ever to survive, acording to Guiness World Records. Each of us, including Richard,
- [In the News, January 2022](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-january-2022/) - ASL Sign Language Bible Complete It took thirty-nine years and fifty-three translators, but a version of the Bible entirely on video can now be “read” by the Deaf community. It is signed in their own language: the American Sign Language version. “Unlike Braille, which is an alphabet that works in conjunction with many languages, American
- [Give Up on the World?](https://faithsearch.org/give-up-on-the-world/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President A Christian friend recently said to me, “I am praying like never before that Jesus will return to end it all.” He had given up on the world. Is that what Jesus said His followers should do? I’m hesitant to criticize because I have had similar thoughts. Many Christians
- [Color Me Blue](https://faithsearch.org/color-me-blue/) - If you have ever had a vaccination or surgery, you are almost certain to have benefited from the horseshoe crab. Its bright blue blood, due to a high concentration of copper, has been used for forty years as a diagnostic test for endotoxins. A component of some bacteria, endotoxins can cause fever, toxic shock, and
- [Animal Olympics: What a Creator!](https://faithsearch.org/animal-olympics-what-a-creator/) - If you watched the Summer Olympics and marveled at the human talent and performances, be prepared to be awestruck if you ever attend an animal Olympics. Only God could create the gold medal winners in the following events: Weightlifting:Dung Beetle: 1,141 times its body weightHuman equivalent: lift an 80-ton bulldozer 100-Meter Dash:Mexican Free-Tailed Bat: 100
- [For Reflection, October 2021](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-october-2021/) - Sometimes there is more gold in the Olympics than what’s in the medals. Sydney McLaughlin, who won two gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics (400 meter hurdles and 4x400 meter relay) revealed a “golden” perspective in an Instagram® post: What I have in Christ is far greater than what I have or don’t have in
- [Giants!?](https://faithsearch.org/giants/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Wouldn’t a football coach love to have Goliath as his fullback? Any coach could easily put together a championship basketball team made up of Amorites. The Nephilim would make great security guards. Why? The Bible says that all these were giants! Is there any truth to that? Those who
- [Happenings, Issue 6](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-issue-6/) - If you like the writing and research in this FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter, please help by sharing it with others and inviting them to go to (www.FaithSearch.org/subscribe) to receive future copies. It is published six times per year and includes FaithSearch updates and apologetic articles. Use it as a means of witness to the historical truth
- [What a Bathtub!](https://faithsearch.org/what-a-bathtub/) - Lake Superior contains 10% of the earth’s fresh surface water. If spread out, the water would cover all of North and South America in one foot of water. Source: Answers Magazine Vol. 16, No. 4 (October-December) p. 27.
- [What a Creator!](https://faithsearch.org/what-a-creator/) - Many people are aware that opposable thumbs are a special characteristic of mammals, especially primates. So imagine the surprise when scientists unearthed a pterosaur (reptile) in northeast China with opposable thumbs. This would enable it to climb trees, hunt for bugs, and do other activities typical of monkeys. They called it a Monkeydactyl. The more
- [Evidence of Biblical Eighth-Century B.C. Earthquake](https://faithsearch.org/evidence-of-biblical-eighth-century-b-c-earthquake/) - Old Testament History Confirmed… Again! The book of Amos begins by identifying a time “two years before the earthquake” (Amos 1:1). The fact that it must have been very notable is demonstrated by the fact that two centuries later, Zechariah compared the devastation that will occur in the last days with the earthquake that occurred
- [3,000-Year-Old Biblical Road Discovered](https://faithsearch.org/3000-year-old-biblical-road-discovered/) - Old Testament History Confirmed… Again! During the period of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, an interesting incident is recorded in 2 Kings 3. Israel king Jehoram asked Judah king Jehoshaphat to join him to put down the rebellion of king Mesha of Moab (highlands east of the Dead Sea). Jehoshaphat was willing but asked
- [Happenings 1.3](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-1-3/) - Results In the most recent quarter we had 79 events with 4,700 people hearing the Gospel message of salvation. Prayer Pray for more ministry openings with spiritual impact.Pray for personal health, safety, and purity for the entire staff. Praise Praise to God for His revealed Truth and our call to proclaim it.Praise for supporters
- [Personal Application](https://faithsearch.org/personal-application/) - What can we learn from this excursion “In the Footsteps of Jesus?” First, faith in the Gospel records of Jesus are completely warranted. They are the best historical records known from antiquity. As the physician and author of the third Gospel says, “…having investigated everything carefully from the beginning…so that you might know the exact truth
- [The Testimony of a Bulldozer](https://faithsearch.org/the-testimony-of-a-bulldozer/) - Since the time of Jesus, the region around the Sea of Galilee was only second to Jerusalem for interest to Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land. Locations north and west of the lake such as Capernaum, Magdala, Bethsaida, and Tiberius have nearly monopolized tourism. Until recently, the absence of any significant archaeological discoveries on the
- [Discovering the “Jesus Boat”](https://faithsearch.org/discovering-the-jesus-boat/) - The "Jesus Boat" as displayed in its museum. In the museum at Tiberius, the boat was treated for over five years with a synthetic wax called PEG (polyethylene glycol) to replace the water in the wood cells. Today it is exhibited for hundreds of thousands of tourists each year at the Yigal Allon Museum at
- [At Long Last: Historical Bethsaida](https://faithsearch.org/at-long-last-historical-bethsaida/) - The position of et-Tell, relative to the Sea of Galilee. Archaeological excavation since 1987 have revealed that today’s shoreline of the Sea is not necessarily the ancient shoreline. The base of the et-Tell mound has lake clays containing microorganisms of a type suggesting that at one time Bethsaida was right on the water. How did
- [Jesus’ Boyhood Home in Nazareth](https://faithsearch.org/jesus-boyhood-home-in-nazareth/) - The remains of a first century house preserved in the lower level of the Sisters of Nazareth Convent in Nazareth. Credit: www.holylandphotos.org Recent archaeology at the Sisters of Nazareth Convent discovered evidence of a large Byzantine church with a spring and two Early Roman-period tombs in its crypt. A first-century rectilinear house, probably a courtyard
- [Happenings 1.2](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-1-2/) - This is a brief report on what has been going on recently in the FaithSearch ministry world. Russian Ministry Oleg will focus his ministry in February and March on the European side of the Russian Federation, in cities like Moscow and Belgorod. Since the centralized government educational institutions are only beginning to open for in-person
- [Happenings 1.1](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-1-1/) - Here's a chance to take advantage of some of what is happening at FaithSearch International. LIVE Stream on Facebook®Join Dr. Don online every Tuesday, 6:00 pm CST (www.Facebook.com/DrDonBierle); or visit FaithSearch.org/dr-don-live. Bible instruction and topical themes.FREE March Donor PremiumEvery donation to FaithSearch in March will be appreciated. As a “Thank you,” you will receive a
- [IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-footsteps-of-jesus/) - The Evidence of Archaeology Years ago, an objection by critics of the Christian faith was that there was no evidence that Jesus ever lived. Today that position is simply untenable. Historical research scholar, Dr. Edwin Yamauchi, already in the late twentieth century set the record straight on this: “From time to time some people have tried
- [Happenings 2.3](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-2-3/) - We appreciate your Prayers. Join us in offering Praise to God for His answers and provision. Prayer Continue to pray for more ministry open doors with spiritual impact.Pray for new believers and growing believers as a result of our ministry.Pray for God’s will regarding new inquiring associate evangelists.Pray for Adrian and Aly in Tucson. She
- [Happenings 2.2](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-2-2/) - Meet our Staff Our four part time office staff have a combined fifty-five years of ministry service with FaithSearch. What commitment! What a blessing! They all love the Lord and serve Him with gladness. Kristi Wanamaker, in her twenty-fourth year, has the greatest staff tenure with FaithSearch. She is the Director of Events Management and
- [In the Footsteps of JOHN the BAPTIST](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-footsteps-of-john-the-baptist/) - Affirming Evidence from Archaeology John’s Life and Ministry The baptism of Christ by John, as represented in the sixteenth century woodcut by Albrecht Dürer. The “Lord” whom John proclaimed was Jesus, who later spoke of John with the respectful accolade, “…among those born of women, there is no one greater than John…” (Luke 7:28). Was
- [Happenings 2.1](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-2-1/) - Packs of 25 available in both English and Spanish"Discovering the Truth about Jesus The Christ" and "Looking for the Truth about Easter." "Desenvolviendo la Verdad Sobre la Navidad" y "Buscando la Verdad Acerca de la Pascua"
- [Happenings 3.2](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-3-2/) - We appreciate your Prayers. Join us in offering Praise to God for His answers and provision. Prayer For widespread conviction among the Friends of FaithSearch to participate in our “Spring Response to Easter” during April and May.For temporary summer housing for Adrian and family (see Happenings 3.1).For wisdom for the Board of Directors in our
- [More Old Testament Scrolls Discovered](https://faithsearch.org/more-old-testament-scrolls-discovered/) - A very important Hebrew text (1QSa/1Q28a) discovered in Cave 1, as part of the Dead Sea Scrolls unearthed in 1947. (Photo courtesy: www.HolylandPhotos.org) The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced last month that scores of new scroll fragments hidden away in secluded caves in the Judean desert have been discovered. These were hidden in the so-called
- [Revisiting Masada](https://faithsearch.org/revisiting-masada/) - Looking southeast toward the west side of the Rock Fortress of Masada. On the left end (north) notice three tiers where the northern palace was located. The Roman siege ramp is on the right. (Public domain image) In recent years archaeologists have again descended on Masada with new research tools and many remaining questions. They
- [Happenings 3.1](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-3-1/) - Here's a chance to take advantage of some of what is happening at FaithSearch International. LIVE Stream on Facebook®Join Dr. Don online every Tuesday, 6:00 pm CDT; or visit our site. Bible instruction and topical themes. This Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent FREE six times per year to everyone on our
- [Devolution of Darwinism](https://faithsearch.org/devolution-of-darwinism/) - Affirming Evidence from Science This illustration from Thomas Huxley’s 1863 book Evidence as to Man’s Place in Nature used skeletons of Gibbon, Orangutan, Chimpanzee, Gorilla, and Man (L to R) in an attempt to show that humans and apes descended from a common ancestor, to challenge the idea that humans hold a unique place in
- [Happenings: Issue 4](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-issue-4/) - Here's a chance to take advantage of some of what is happening at FaithSearch International. LIVE Stream on Facebook.®Join Dr. Don every Tuesday, 6:00 pm CDT. View past recordings anytime (“videos” tab), or visit our site. I share Bible instruction, salvation invitations, and relevant current topics.This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is
- [Revisiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre](https://faithsearch.org/revisiting-the-church-of-the-holy-sepulchre/) - The walk along the famous Via Dolorosa (the route taken by Jesus on His way to the cross) ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (subsequently “Church”). It is, quite authentically, the location of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was built in the fourth century and has existed ever since,
- [The “Upper Room” in a Basement!?](https://faithsearch.org/the-upper-room-in-a-basement/) - Countless visitors to the Holy Land go to the Cenacle, to see the place where Jesus and His apostles shared the Last Supper (Mark 14:12-15). It may be the correct site; but there is another contender. By the entryway to the Monastery of St. Mark, the central church for the Syrian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem,
- [Enjoying a Date with Jesus](https://faithsearch.org/enjoying-a-date-with-jesus/) - No, not going out together. Rather, enjoying the same fruit He would have eaten – from a tree called the Judean Date Palm. Why would that be so unusual? The Judean Date Palm has been extinct for 1,000 years! However, recent excavation in the Judean Wilderness has revealed hundreds of seeds from these palms which
- [Playing Chess with the Ancients](https://faithsearch.org/playing-chess-with-the-ancients/) - Chess has been popular in the West for centuries. It is thought to have originated in India during the Gupta Empire (A.D. 280-550) and to have been called chaturanga. It has changed names, designs, and rules since then. The current name “chess” is likely derived from an English corruption of the Persian word shah, meaning “king.” In
- [Happenings: Issue 5](https://faithsearch.org/happenings-issue-5/) - Here’s a chance to take advantage of some of what is happening at FaithSearch International. This FREE Happ-O-getics newsletter of happenings and apologetic evidence is sent six times per year to everyone on our FaithSearch mail list with an E-mail address on record. Pease help us expand its Gospel influence by recommending it to your friends and
- [Noah’s Wife: She Stood by Her Man!](https://faithsearch.org/noahs-wife-she-stood-by-her-man/) - Old Testament History Confirmed… Again! Like it or not, the title of a 1968 country music hit, “Stand By Your Man,” recorded by Tammy Wynette, may be an appropriate epithet for the wife of Noah. Imagine being married to a man who toiled for about 100 years (Genesis 5:32; 7:6) to build an immense ark
- [Gold Discovered in MN](https://faithsearch.org/gold-discovered-in-mn/) - “Gold…FISH” that is. Drop a line in many Minnesota lakes and you will often get a bass, crappie, or walleye. In some lakes, however, you may get a goldfish – the size of a football! Residents in Burnsville and Apple Valley have been dumping pet goldfish into local lakes, which mucks up the bottom sediments
- [Questions Students Ask Christians: Back to School  Sampler](https://faithsearch.org/questions-students-ask-christians-back-to-school-sampler/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President As kids and adults head back to school this fall, a variety of questions students ask Christians is sure to arise. Some are even likely to challenge your own faith. Why not anticipate them and prepare biblical answers? On our Web site I have posted more than fifty questions
- [Are the People Real?](https://faithsearch.org/are-the-people-real/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President When I’m doing my presentations on evidence for the Bible and the Christian faith, there is a question I frequently get. The question says a lot about the Church’s lack of effectiveness in communicating truth to our current society, both Christians and non-Christians: “Are the people real or are
- [For Reflection #2, June 2021](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-2-june-2021/) - “…come away… rest a while.” Mark 6:31 Jesus gave us an example. This summer might be a great time to practice it. When Jesus faced the crucial task of choosing His twelve apostles, Luke records that He retreated alone to a mountain to pray (6:12). When the ministry later attracted such a crowd that “they
- [For Reflection #1, June 2021](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-1-june-2021/) - “…who will go for Us?” Isaiah 6:8 In a vision, Isaiah responded to God’s call to deliver His message to Israel. Likewise, the church has been commissioned to take the Good News of redemption in Jesus Christ to the world (Matthew 28:19-20). The twenty-first century has taken a toll on the Church’s ability to do
- [On the Lighter Side #1, June 2021](https://faithsearch.org/on-the-lighter-side-1-june-2021/) - Scary Baggage Claim Parents checking their bags at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport suddenly realized their small son was nowhere to be seen. Panic set in as the airport police were called and began a search. They found him some minutes later out back, unhurt, riding the conveyor belt around. Source: World Magazine Vol.
- [On the Lighter Side #2, June 2021](https://faithsearch.org/on-the-lighter-side-2-june-2021/) - “…let endurance have its perfect result…” James 1:4 A Polish man has spent $1,550 in fees over seventeen years for 192 attempts to pass the nation’s written driver’s license test. He may get encouragement—or consolation—to hear that a sixty-eight-year-old South Korean woman finally passed her driver’s exam in 2009, after 900 tries! Source: World Magazine,
- [FAITH – Threatening Extinction, Part 3](https://faithsearch.org/faith-threatening-extinction-part-3/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President In the previous two parts of this series on faith, I explained that a faith which will not become extinct is based on evidence, is reasonable, and has Jesus Christ as its object. Here I want to explore the dynamic nature of faith which results in a transformed life
- [For Reflection, May 2021](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-may-2021/) - “Divine” Advice A team of scientists based in London deleted a gene from twenty-five human embryos using the gene editing CRISPR (an acronym for “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats”). Within two weeks they were alarmed to discover numerous unintended edits which would likely lead to birth defects and even cancer later in life. They
- [In the News #3, May 2021](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-3-may-2021/) - One More Race Kane Tanaka, currently the world’s oldest human at 118, is scheduled to carry the Olympic torch ahead of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Understandably, she will do most of her route in a wheelchair but is determined to walk at least part of it. Appropriately, the family gave her a new pair
- [In the News #2, May 2021](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-2-may-2021/) - A First In a recent survey, the Pew Research Center reported that only 49% of millennials in the U.S. identify as Christian, making them the first non-majority-Christian generation in American history. Source: World Magazine, 11.09.19 Volume 34, Number 21, p.11
- [In the News #1, May 2021](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-1-may-2021/) - Yard Sale Bonanza A 20,623% return on your investment, in less than a year?! That’s what a person in New Haven, CT, stumbled upon at a garage sale. The $35 purchase of a blue and white porcelain lotus bowl was later sold at auction by Sotheby’s for $721,800. It turned out to be a rare
- [FAITH – Threatening Extinction, Part 1](https://faithsearch.org/faith-threatening-extinction/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Following His parable on prayer, Jesus asked, “…when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8b). Did He intend this to be yet another sign of the end times: the extinction of biblical faith? In a recent article,* author Travis Dickinson relates a
- [FAITH – Threatening Extinction, Part 2](https://faithsearch.org/faith-threatening-extinction-part-2/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Was Jesus serious when He asked the question, “…when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8b). In what way can we imagine the possible extinction of faith? In part one, I wrote that the primary distinction of Christianity from other religions is
- [For Reflection, April 2021](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-april-2021/) - Pray for our Nation’s Leaders God’s Truth: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). “Whenever a nation’s laws no longer reflect the standards of God, that nation is in rebellion against Him and will inevitably bear the consequences,” said Rep. Greg Steube,
- [In the News, April 2021](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-april-2021/) - Ultrasound image of a human fetus at approximately twelve weeks gestation. “The genie’s out of the bottle,” says Elisa Wells, co-founder of pro-abortion Website Plan C. She was referring to mifepristone, an abortifacient that began being distributed by mail in December, 2020, for at-home abortions. Fifteen states are already participating in a Gynuity Health Projects
- [Becoming All Things, Part 3](https://faithsearch.org/becoming-all-things-part-3/) - By Adrian VanVactor,FaithSearch Evangelist Jesus: Magician or Messiah? I often heard the following from my mentor, illusionist André Kole. Imagine Jesus and His disciples walking through the dusty streets of Galilee with five tractor trailers following behind them. That is what it would have taken for Jesus to have done the sort of things He
- [2013 Benefit Dinner Video](https://faithsearch.org/2013-benefit-dinner-video/) - 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
- [Il ritorno in Italia](https://faithsearch.org/il-ritorno-in-italia/) - I was blessed to spend ten days in October, visiting my daughter Anna during her semester abroad in Florence, Italy. It was the ideal daddy-daughter date. Although I had been there twice before, I leapt at the chance to see Florence through her eyes. She lived there all autumn, and offered to share her apartment for
- [Update...](https://faithsearch.org/update/) - We're deep in the midst of preparation for our annual "Friends of FaithSearch Benefit Dinner." This year it will be held on Saturday, April 27, at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, MN. I hope you'll consider joining us. You can get full details on our Gospel with Evidence blog. You can order tickets online; PLUS
- [Surprised by Faith THIRD Edition](https://faithsearch.org/surprised-by-faith-third-edition/) - At last! We received our shipment of the newly revised, THIRD Edition of Surprised by Faith. I'm very happy with how it turned out, and the timing couldn't have been better. Now we will begin using it to continue proclaiming the Gospel with evidence. For fun, here's a little video I made about the "birth" of
- [Sharing in the Joy!](https://faithsearch.org/sharing-in-the-joy/) - 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
- [2014 Benefit Theme](https://faithsearch.org/2014-benefit-theme/) - 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
- [Spring Break in Texas](https://faithsearch.org/spring-break-in-texas/) - My wife and I noticed that spring break for her teaching job coincided with our daughter's break from graduate school. So we packed up the car and headed to Denton, Texas. While there (it was a WONDERFUL time, by the way) we drove a bit deeper into the heart of Texas, all the way to
- [A BLAST, from the Past!](https://faithsearch.org/a-blast-from-the-past/) - "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...." Well, actually, it was in this galaxy; and it was in about 1975, so it was not really that long ago. After high school, I worked for a few years before attending college. One of my old friends from school (Neil) happened to be in
- [Shut Out of Heaven?](https://faithsearch.org/shut-out-of-heaven/) - 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
- [2014 Benefit Dinner Blessings](https://faithsearch.org/2014-benefit-dinner-blessings/) - 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
- [2014 Benefit Dinner Video](https://faithsearch.org/2014-benefit-dinner-video/) - Last year it took me nearly a year to edit and post the video from our Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction. This year, having learned from last year's experience, and equipped with the right tools, it was a much easier process. I was able to edit and post the video after only two months! If you were unable
- [Calendars are here!](https://faithsearch.org/calendars-are-here/) - We're trying a new project this year. We created a 2015 FaithSearch Calendar. I'm sending them out to members of my support team this week. If you would also like to receive one, let me know. You can get one automatically by making a year-end donation to my individual support team. I hope it will
- [Merry -almost- Christmas!](https://faithsearch.org/merry-almost-christmas/) - For some reason, I'm particularly struck this year by the contrast between the "holiday" being celebrated around me, and the "holy day" of Christmas which lies somewhere behind—WAY behind—all the hype and hoopla. It's a b-i-g g-a-p, and it's a bit overwhelming and discouraging at times. So, Merry -almost- Christmas! Perhaps it was reading about the
- [Happy New Year!](https://faithsearch.org/happy-new-year/) - Well, we have arrived. Happy New Year! We made it through the hubbub of the holidays, and have rounded the corner into a new year. Everything goes back to "normal," whatever that is. In the past month, we have made some changes here at FaithSearch. Working with an outside contractor, we have created a new
- ["Like Us on Facebook!"](https://faithsearch.org/like-us-on-facebook/) - "Like Us on Facebook!" It's an almost ubiquitous tagline for marketing and social networking. "Everybody's" doing it. "Word-of-mouth" has taken on new meaning as people share with others their online preferences and discoveries. "Going viral" has become the new gold standard for success in marketing. This powerful strategy is coming into play in ministry as well, and in
- [Ongoing Ministry](https://faithsearch.org/ongoing-ministry/) - It has been a while since I communicated about my ongoing ministry with FaithSearch. It is NOT that I haven't been doing ongoing ministry. It's that I have been doing so much that I have had to prioritize projects. Here are some recent highlights: We at FaithSearch are all working part time due to tight
- [We are grateful...](https://faithsearch.org/we-are-grateful/) - We recently created a brochure highlighting our Year of Gratitude. Each of us was asked to write a few words about why we are thankful to serve with FaithSearch. It was an exciting though challenging opportunity to distill my thoughts: we had a strict word limit. Here is what I wrote: I'm grateful to be
- [Aren't Good People Good Enough?](https://faithsearch.org/arent-good-people-good-enough/) - Take, for example, an atheist who is a good citizen, kind to people and gives to charity: Would he/she still go to hell and be separated from God forever? Everyone who contemplates that someone would be separated from God and spend eternity in Hell ought to do so with tears in their eyes. It is
- [Why should I want to be a Christian when they are all hypocrites?](https://faithsearch.org/why-should-i-want-to-be-a-christian-when-they-are-all-hypocrites/) - First, the Christian faith is not invalidated by the actions of some Christians in history—or by how they may act today. The truth of Christianity stands or falls on the genuineness of the person of Jesus Christ, which is demonstrated in the book Surprised by Faith. Since He was not a hypocrite, we are not
- [What happens to those people who have never heard of Jesus?](https://faithsearch.org/what-happens-to-those-people-who-have-never-heard-of-jesus/) - No one will go to Hell because they have never heard of Jesus. People go to Hell because the sin in their life separates them from God. Similarly, people do not die because they have never heard of the cure for a disease. They die from the causative agents of the disease, such as a
- [How can God allow so much suffering and evil in the world?](https://faithsearch.org/how-can-god-allow-so-much-suffering-and-evil-in-the-world/) - The Holocaust and the attack on the World Trade Center are just two of many atrocities which have been witnessed in history. Car accidents, murder, AIDS and genocide, all can be found by scanning one day's news. "Why?" is the most-frequently asked question. In fact, when the pollster George Barna asked Americans, "If you could
- [Is it enough to believe in God, or that God exists? Is this the same as personal faith in Jesus?](https://faithsearch.org/is-it-enough-to-believe-in-god-or-that-god-exists-is-this-the-same-as-personal-faith-in-jesus-2/) - Polls in the United States consistently reveal that about 95% of us believe in the existence of God or a higher power. Does this mean that 95% of Americans are in right relationship with God? Not according to Jesus. He said that no one can come to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). His
- [Is Christianity more exclusive than other religions by claiming that Jesus is the only way to God?](https://faithsearch.org/is-christianity-more-exclusive-than-other-religions-by-claiming-that-jesus-is-the-only-way-to-god/) - This question raises two related issues. First, is it true that the Christian faith maintains that the only way of salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ? Yes, but it is not arbitrary: there are important reasons. The first reason is that the founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ, taught this Himself. He said, "I am
- [How can I know there is life after death?](https://faithsearch.org/how-can-i-know-there-is-life-after-death/) - It is important to recognize that having a longing for life after death is a good thing. C.S. Lewis once wrote: ...a continual looking forward to the eternal world is not (as some modern people think) a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It
- [What evidence links Jesus' life with that of the promised Messiah?](https://faithsearch.org/what-evidence-links-jesus-life-with-that-of-the-promised-messiah/) - One of the most persuasive lines of evidence that Jesus was the Messiah is that His life fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies. There are at least 456 Old Testament prophetic references that pertain to a future person which all were fulfilled in Jesus’ life. Many of these He could not have any control over, such
- [Is Jesus "God" or the "Son of God"?](https://faithsearch.org/is-jesus-god-or-the-son-of-god/) - Invariably when Jesus is discussed, someone will boldly proclaim that He wasn’t actually God, but the Son of God. The contrast is unwarranted—it’s not either/or but both/and. Jesus’ identity as the Son of God includes having the same attributes as the Father, that is, He is from eternity, has all authority, etc. (see John 5:18).
- [Do theories that deny the resurrection of Jesus have any merit?](https://faithsearch.org/do-theories-that-deny-the-resurrection-of-jesus-have-any-merit/) - There have been many theories attempting to explain away the facts of Jesus’ empty tomb, including the following: The Swoon theory—Jesus didn’t actually die on the cross and He resuscitated in the cool tomb. His disciples then deceptively proclaimed His resurrection; The Conspiracy theory—the disciples stole the body and deceptively proclaimed his resurrection; The Jewish
- [Why are there four different Gospels about Jesus in the New Testament?](https://faithsearch.org/why-are-there-four-different-gospels-about-jesus-in-the-new-testament/) - There is a sense in which the question ought to be, “Why are there only four Gospels?” The life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ have had the greatest impact on humanity of any event in history! How can these short accounts do justice to something so important? As John the apostle said at
- [Are the miracles of Jesus real facts of history?](https://faithsearch.org/are-the-miracles-of-jesus-real-facts-of-history/) - Some people wonder, “If miracles are real, why don’t we see them today?” To many people, the world they live in seems to have no divine intervention, no interruptions to the natural order, and the dead stay dead. As far as they are concerned the many miracles of the Bible seem more like fairy tales
- [Are the New Testament accounts of demons true?](https://faithsearch.org/are-the-new-testament-accounts-of-demons-true/) - The New Testament, including Jesus Himself, clearly teaches the existence of a spiritual realm of demonic and angelic personal beings. The former are evil (sinning and rebelling from their created state as angels) and the latter are obedient servants of God. Some people today dismiss such beings as a pre-scientific way of describing psychological dysfunctions
- [How do the writings of other religions compare to the integrity and historic reliability of the New Testament?](https://faithsearch.org/how-do-the-writings-of-other-religions-compare-to-the-integrity-and-historic-reliability-of-the-new-testament/) - Eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism do not put the same emphasis on textual studies that we do in the West. Truth, for them, is not measured so much by a historically reliable record (or person) as it is in religious authority or experience. They feel that if it “works” to create a spiritual experience
- [What do we mean by "proof" when testing whether something is true?](https://faithsearch.org/what-do-we-mean-by-proof-when-testing-whether-something-is-true/) - The scientific method of proof requires phenomena that are testable by being reproducible in a controlled environment. That is, they are repeatable. Historical events, since they occur only once, do not lend themselves to the scientific method of proof. Neither do definitions of beauty, aesthetic values, etc. In other words, the scientific method is limited
- [What evidence for His existence has God provided so that He can declare the atheist is "without excuse" in his unbelief (see Romans 1:20)?](https://faithsearch.org/what-evidence-for-his-existence-has-god-provided-so-that-he-can-declare-the-atheist-is-without-excuse-in-his-unbelief-see-romans-120/) - Can we get any clues about the existence of God from nature itself? The foundational question about the origin of the universe and of life is whether they are the result of random processes (chance) or intelligent action (design). On a very practical level we all practice this distinction every day of our lives. In
- [How do scholars determine how old a manuscript is?](https://faithsearch.org/how-do-scholars-determine-how-old-a-manuscript-is/) - There are numerous ways to determine the date of a manuscript. A common indicator is the style of writing used by the copyist. There was a period of time where copying was done in all capital letters; another time when they used only small letters; and still other times when copying was done in a
- [How was it decided which books should be included in the New Testament?](https://faithsearch.org/how-was-it-decided-which-books-should-be-included-in-the-new-testament/) - Which books should be included in the New Testament is the question of canonicity. The test of canonicity is the test of divine inspiration. Some books were regarded by the early church as inspired by one and the same Spirit, thereby giving them authority. These were included in the canon (authoritative list) of the New
- [How can we trust the stories of Jesus when the Gospel accounts contain errors and contradictions?](https://faithsearch.org/how-can-we-trust-the-stories-of-jesus-when-the-gospel-accounts-contain-errors-and-contradictions/) - If a person is inclined to "want" an error to be found in the Gospel accounts, in order to justify their unbelief, they will find opportunities to claim such exist. In this case they are usually not interested in hearing logical and reasonable explanations which could resolve the difficulty. Their position is, "Don't confuse me
- [Why does it matter that the life of Jesus and the New Testament records are historical?](https://faithsearch.org/why-does-it-matter-that-the-life-of-jesus-and-the-new-testament-records-are-historical/) - To address this question, we ask you to consider the following excerpt from author David A. Noebel's Understanding the Times (Harvest House Publishers, 1991), pp.764-766: Christians believe the basis for their entire worldview appeared in human history in the form of Jesus Christ almost two thousand years ago. While "Christ died for our sins" is
- [Where did this intelligent Being (God) come from?](https://faithsearch.org/intelligent-god-come/) - Christians are often challenged about their starting point in origins: “Where did this intelligent Being (God) come from?” That is not a unique problem for the Christian or any person beginning with God as eternal. The evolutionist has the same problem. Where did the evolutionist’s matter come from? They have to assume it is eternal,
- [What does the Bible teach about creation? What did Jesus teach?](https://faithsearch.org/bible-teach-creation-jesus-teach/) - Here are some examples from God's Word, the Bible, which attribute the creation to God. (It is helpful to use a concordance to look up key words to find other passages such as these.) Genesis 1:1 Psalm 8:3-8; 33:6,9 Isaiah 45:12 Matthew 19:4 John 1:3 Romans 1:18-20 Colossians 1:16 Revelation 4:11
- [Is there anything new in the conflict between evolution and creation views today?](https://faithsearch.org/anything-new-conflict-evolution-creation-views-today/) - There has been a conflict between the claims of evolution and biblical creation ever since Darwin in the 19th century. Science has made significant advances since then. First, the field of genetics was discovered years after Darwin proposed his theory. The DNA molecule is now known to consist of very complex and specified information which
- [What are the most misunderstood perceptions of the subject of creation and evolution in the minds of people today?](https://faithsearch.org/misunderstood-perceptions-subject-creation-evolution-minds-people-today/) - There are several misunderstandings, but two stand out. First, evolution is perceived as being the scientific position with real evidence from real scientists. Creation is perceived to be what religious people hold based on tradition and the Bible. This is no longer true (see this related question). Both positions are now based on observations of
- [Can Darwin's “survival of the fittest” be considered a part of the original creation?](https://faithsearch.org/can-darwins-survival-fittest-considered-part-original-creation/) - Darwin’s theory of the “survival of the fittest” can NOT be considered a part of the original creation in a Christian worldview. The survival of the fittest includes sickness and predation which lead to death. The Bible says that death is a consequence of man’s sin (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22) and not a part
- [Is it true that Darwin changed his mind about his theory of evolution before he died?](https://faithsearch.org/true-darwin-changed-mind-theory-evolution-died/) - No. Neither Darwin nor his family ever said or wrote anything about that. In all probability and without any evidence for that, it is doubtful that he did.
- [What is the likelihood that a plant or animal becomes a fossil when it dies?](https://faithsearch.org/likelihood-plant-animal-becomes-fossil-dies/) - Fossil formation is a rare event. The fact that fossils are not being formed today under uniformitarian conditions, clearly suggests that the many fossils that we do find in the sediments must be the result of catastrophic burial such as would result from the biblical global flood. Whether a plant or animal dies on land
- [Have scientists found fossils that prove evolution?](https://faithsearch.org/scientists-found-fossils-prove-evolution/) - No. The point of my presentation on fossils is to demonstrate that the transitional fossils which would prove macroevolution are lacking. So, to imagine that fossils have proven evolution is a false impression. Regarding human evolution, despite the hype associated with every new ape or human fossil find, the scientific evidence for any connection between
- [Describe what is meant by the term “wannabes”?](https://faithsearch.org/describe-meant-term-wannabes/) - “Wannabees” is a term coined by the author of Making Sense of Creation & Evolution to identify fossils which are intermediate or transitional between major groups of biological organisms. For example, if reptiles evolved into birds, we should be able to see the fossil of a reptile that wants to be a bird but isn’t
- [How do we get the geological column that is found in most science texts?](https://faithsearch.org/get-geological-column-found-science-texts/) - The geological column is supposed to represent a vertical cross-section through the earth’s crust, with the most recently deposited (therefore youngest) rocks at the surface and the oldest, earliest rocks deposited on the crystalline rocks at the bottom. Where would you go to see this geological age system? Not in nature—only in the textbook. The
- [What is a “living fossil”?](https://faithsearch.org/what-is-a-living-fossil/) - Evolution maintains that dinosaurs became extinct at least 65 million years ago because no dinosaurs fossils are found in sediments more recent than that (assuming their assigned geological ages). Imagine finding a living dinosaur today in a national park unchanged from those in the fossil record. That would be referred to as a “living fossil.”
- [What is meant by the concept of intelligent design?](https://faithsearch.org/meant-concept-intelligent-design/) - Intelligent design (I.D.) contends that the universe, and especially living organisms, exhibit complexity and specificity (order) that cannot be accomplished by blind and random natural processes of chance. The detailed enzymatic and structural components of the human blood clotting mechanism require intelligent involvement. Chance can no more evolve all the detailed order of the blood clotting
- [Is the attempt to introduce intelligent design into school classrooms just biblical creation being brought in through a “back door”?](https://faithsearch.org/attempt-introduce-intelligent-design-school-classrooms-just-biblical-creation-brought-back-door/) - The contention by evolutionists is that intelligent design is just creationism with a new name. This accusation reveals a lack of understanding of the difference between biblical creation and intelligent design. Creationism is the body of knowledge about origins based on the teaching of the Bible. Everyone, even Christians, understands that in our present maligned
- [What is “god of the gaps” theology?](https://faithsearch.org/god-gaps-theology/) - Sometimes Christians who attribute the origin of the universe, plants, and animals to a special creation by God are accused of promoting a “god of the gaps” theology. This is the practice of attributing to God’s creative power and wisdom anything in nature that we do not understand or for which we have no scientific explanation.
- [God Loves the Beautiful](https://faithsearch.org/god-loves-beautiful/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, President Sometimes during Bible study and research I discover more than I was looking for. Over the past year I have been studying Genesis chapter 1, and a passage in Galatians, in anticipation of future presentations. In both cases I discovered something new. We easily recognize the usual applications of “beautiful.”
- [Paraclete: Coming alongside to advocate](https://faithsearch.org/paraclete-coming-alongside-advocate/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, President The advent of this first issue of the FaithSearch “Paraclete” needs some explanation. In John 14:16-17 Jesus told the apostles He would ask the Father to “give you another Helper” who will “be in you.” This “Paraclete” (παρα´κλητον in Greek) is identified as the “Spirit of truth,” that is, the
- [What do you get…?](https://faithsearch.org/what-do-you-get/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, President I recall many exchanges of jokes that began with “What do you get when…” For example: What do you get when you cross a cow and a trampoline? Answer: A milkshake! When this question is applied to nature, you often get a “real” answer. What do you get when you
- [What could be a practical benefit or application of recognizing the truth of intelligent design in nature?](https://faithsearch.org/practical-benefit-application-recognizing-truth-intelligent-design-nature/) - If something is designed, what is left for the scientist to do, right? For one thing, it would stop unnecessary millions of dollars going for research to generate stories to account for the origin of the eye (as one example) through a gradual succession of undirected natural causes. Second, science could move immediately to reverse
- [What is irreducible complexity? ](https://faithsearch.org/what-is-irreducible-complexity/) - Consider the function of a wooden mouse trap: to catch mice. The trap has several components which are all necessary, working together, for the trap to function. How many mice would you catch with just the wooden base, or with just the spring, or just the bait? What advantage do you gain in eradicating the
- [What are the components of irreducibly complex biological systems and where do they come from?](https://faithsearch.org/components-irreducibly-complex-biological-systems-come/) - This question and its answer are somewhat technical. Components of biological systems are often complex proteins which together function to create structure (like muscle tissue) or to catalyze reactions (like enzymes). Many different proteins work together in multiple systems to create functions (like the blood clotting mechanism and the “motor” of the bacterial flagellum). It
- [Bible Jottings: May 2018](https://faithsearch.org/bible-jottings-may-2018/) - Manuscript Evidence for the OLD Testament A manuscript is a hand-written document. Prior to the invention of the printing press in the fifteenth century, copying by hand was the only way to duplicate any document (the original is called the autograph). The original Old Testament was written primarily in the Hebrew language. The Septuagint is
- [Billy Graham Touched Us, Too!](https://faithsearch.org/billy-graham/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President The passing of the world’s spiritual statesman and evangelist, Rev. Billy Graham, set my mind into reflection. Others will recount the impact he had on millions around the world. I just want to reveal that his influence was even greater than many people even imagine. In the 1980s, the
- [How do evolutionists attempt to refute the argument of irreducible complexity?](https://faithsearch.org/evolutionists-attempt-refute-argument-irreducible-complexity/) - Evolutionists often assume that the individual components must give the organism some advantage even before all the components come together to begin the beneficial function. No one knows what that advantage might be, but evolutionists have faith that there must be one and that eventually science will discover it. They believe this because of their
- [Why do Christians hold different views about creation?](https://faithsearch.org/christians-hold-different-views-creation/) - First, there are some Christians who have a weak view of the inspiration of Scripture as revealed by God. As a result they feel that some of the Bible is legend, has errors, and does not need to be read literally (especially Genesis). These are the people who often take the most interpretational liberties with
- [Do Christians, Jews, and Muslims Worship the Same God?](https://faithsearch.org/christians-jews-muslims-worship-god/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President In our flagship FaithSearch Discovery presentation we teach that these three Abrahamic faiths share in common the view that God is both an infinite and a personal being. Does it follow from this that these faiths all worship the same God, each with a different name? First, the Bible
- [Can you be a Christian and believe in the Bible, and still believe in evolution, too?](https://faithsearch.org/can-christian-believe-bible-still-believe-evolution/) - The Bible is clear that becoming a Christian (salvation) is a gift based solely on faith in the person of Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins and rose again to conquer death (Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 5:11-13). A particular view of origins is not a condition for becoming or
- [What difference does one’s view of origins really make?](https://faithsearch.org/difference-ones-view-origins-really-make/) - Human dignity and worth are lost if we are merely products of chance and evolved from apes. We are cosmic accidents and do not know why we are here. In contrast, we have dignity and great value if we are specially and purposely created by a personal God in His image and likeness. Furthermore, the
- [Dr. Bierle, why were you previously committed to macroevolution?](https://faithsearch.org/dr-bierle-previously-committed-macroevolution/) - In a word, I was indoctrinated. My high school, college, and graduate school education was all based in evolutionary texts and teachers. Some of them were good people and good teachers, but they too were products of indoctrination. Public science education, museums, national parks, children’s cartoons, movies, and books all join together to present to
- [“Steve’s Dead!” Or is He? The Hope of Resurrection](https://faithsearch.org/steves-dead-hope-resurrection/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President I was returning to the Seattle airport from a weekend of ministry when the pastor of the church I had just left called and said my wife was desperately trying to get in touch with me. I called and heard her sobbing. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “Steve’s dead!” was
- [Suicide. What's Missing?](https://faithsearch.org/suicide-whats-missing/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Suicide. It’s something most of us would rather not talk about. For some, it is too personal and painful to discuss. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in the U.S. alone, there were 45,000 suicides in 2016 compared to 17,000 murders and 38,000 automobile deaths. In
- [What evidence is there that God exists?](https://faithsearch.org/evidence-god-exists/) - There are many evidences, but I will identify three here. First, God left his fingerprints in nature. This was discussed under intelligent design and irreducible complexity. Specified information systems like the DNA molecule, order and predictable laws in nature are only possible as a result of intelligence and not chance. So the evidence in nature
- [Without Excuse: The Evidence for God (Part 1)](https://faithsearch.org/without-excuse-evidence-god-part-1/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Atheists, secular humanists, and some others maintain “there is no God.” It is somewhat “faddish” among youth today, even those who grew up in the church, to announce that they are now atheists. Many other people, including Christians, struggle to gain certainty on the matter of God’s existence. Why
- [A Great Light: The Evidence for God (Part 2)](https://faithsearch.org/a-great-light-the-evidence-for-god-part-2/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President The prophet Isaiah, speaking prophetically by the Holy Spirit, declared, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light… For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us… And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince
- [Salt and Light: The Evidence for God (Part 3)](https://faithsearch.org/salt-and-light-the-evidence-for-god-part-3/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President In previous issues of the Paraclete, I wrote about the fingerprints of God as revealed in nature and in history (Volume 1, Issue 6, and Volume 2, Issue 1). Those arguments are considered “hard” or objective evidence for the existence of God. Here I appeal to “soft” evidence: the
- [A 3:15 Response: Fulfilling Jesus’ Heart](https://faithsearch.org/a-315-response-fulfilling-jesus-heart/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President FaithSearch International is in its forty-first year of evangelism ministry. Throughout that entire time our mission has not changed: “To extend the Gospel with evidence to all peoples everywhere.” The “Gospel with evidence” means that we answer “why” questions as well as “what” questions about the Christian faith. Today,
- [A 3:15 Response: Fulfilling Jesus’ Heart](https://faithsearch.org/a-315-response-fulfilling-jesus-heart-2/) - Part One: “My STORY” By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President In the June issue of the Paraclete, I introduced the inspired instruction of the apostle Peter to first-century Christians who were facing a secular Roman culture: Simply reverence the Lord Christ in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you
- [A 3:15 Response: Fulfilling Jesus’ Heart](https://faithsearch.org/a-315-response-fulfilling-jesus-heart-3/) - Part Two: “My WORLDVIEW” By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President FaithSearch International exists to extend the Gospel with evidence to all peoples everywhere. In 1 Peter 3:15 the apostle expresses how to be an effective witness to people whose minds are shaped by secular thinking. In the last two issues of the Paraclete I began
- [For Reflection #2: November 2019](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-2-november-2019/) - What Excites Angels? There is no pretense in the Bible that the events surrounding Jesus’ birth were natural, everyday occurrences. Instead they reveal God’s intervention into history throughout. No less than twenty-four supernatural events are recorded covering a period of less than two years. Several of these were the appearances of angels. The heavenly hosts
- [For Reflection #1: November 2019](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-1-november-2019/) - A Child-Sized Christmas Miracle How awesome and ironic to think that the creator of the universe became a small, helpless baby. In his book, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Alfred Edersheim (a nineteenth century Jewish convert to Christianity and biblical scholar) aptly put it this way: That on such a slender thread, as
- [Bible Jottings: November 2019](https://faithsearch.org/bible-jotting-november-2019/) - The True Thanksgiving Spirit My Bible has a caption over Psalm 100, “A Psalm for Thanksgiving.” Verses four and five are familiar to many of us: Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise.Give thanks to Him; bless His name.For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting,And His faithfulness to all generations.
- [A 3:15 Response: Fulfilling Jesus’ Heart](https://faithsearch.org/a-315-response-fulfilling-jesus-heart-4/) - Part Three: “My REASONS” By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President “Why do you believe in God?” the atheist may ask. Skeptics often challenge Christian believers with the questions, “Why do you trust the Bible?” and “Why do you believe that Jesus is God.” Even family members may ask, “How can I know there is life
- [A 3:15 Response: Fulfilling Jesus’ Heart](https://faithsearch.org/a-315-response-fulfilling-jesus-heart-5/) - Part Four: “My INVITATION” By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President My INVITATION: “I invite you to become a follower of Jesus” Several years ago a friend shared an experience which revealed the importance of this fourth step of “A 3:15 Response” [featured in the past three issues of the Paraclete]. He was trying to help
- [ALIVE! Affirming Resurrection Hope](https://faithsearch.org/alive-affirming-resurrection-hope/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Ask any Christian who has lost a believing loved one to the tragedy of death. The resurrection of Jesus is their source of comfort and even joy. Jesus Himself assured us: “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies…”
- [Comfort One Another](https://faithsearch.org/comfort-one-another/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President I doubt if I have heard a newscast in the last few months without hearing the word “death.” COVID-19 has put death on most people’s mind—worldwide. The only place you can go to get good news about death today is the teaching of Jesus in the Bible: “I am
- [Religious Freedom – Sacrosanct?](https://faithsearch.org/religious-freedom-sacrosanct/) - The Founding Fathers of the U.S. made the freedom of religion conspicuous by making it the first amendment to the Constitution: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” The Supreme Court has ruled recently in several cases to uphold people of faith, but threats exist to
- [J.I. Packer: An Approved Workman](https://faithsearch.org/j-i-packer-an-approved-workman/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, his younger colleague in the Gospel, to “be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). English-born Canadian evangelical theologian, J.I. Packer, took that to
- [Biblical Law Enforcement Reform](https://faithsearch.org/biblical-law-enforcement-reform/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President The righteous nature of God is the model for human behavior. When individuals and society fall short of or depart from that standard, various degrees of dysfunction and lawlessness result. As Stephen Parker, a police officer in Charlotte, North Carolina, says: “We work where the devil plays…where the devil
- [What Child is This?](https://faithsearch.org/what-child-is-this/) - As we anticipate Christmas, the celebration of the incarnation of God to earth, let us also reflect on some of the many names in Scripture referring to the Child born in Bethlehem of Judea. "And thou shalt call His name Jesus" (Matthew 1:21) ...
- [The Man and the Birds](https://faithsearch.org/the-man-and-the-birds/) - This anonymous story was popularized by radio broadcaster Paul Harvey’s annual reading. The man to whom I’m going to introduce you was not a scrooge. He was a kind decent, mostly good man. Generous to his family, upright in his dealings with other men. But he just didn’t believe all that incarnation stuff which the
- [JESUS: The Lion and the Lamb](https://faithsearch.org/christmas-edition/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President In the creative series, The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis portrayed a lion (Aslan) who in love gives his life as an atoning death on a stone table, and then in resurrection power conquers evil and its consequences forever. Everyone acquainted with this series knows that you can’t help
- [Did You Know?](https://faithsearch.org/did-you-know/) - Questions We Wonder about Christmas You may have wondered about these things. You may even be asked about them. We were wondering... 1. Where did the word “Christmas” come from, and what does it mean? The end of the word (“mass”) in English is “missa”in Latin, a form of the verb “mittere” which means “to
- [JESUS:  The Shepherd and Lamb](https://faithsearch.org/jesus-the-shepherd-and-lamb-2/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President Only in fiction can one imagine a lamb becoming a shepherd! That would be quite a role reversal. Yet there in the book of Revelation, with the prophecy of the “great multitude which no one could count” worshiping before the throne of God, we are told that “the Lamb
- [How well do you know what the Bible says about Christmas?](https://faithsearch.org/how-well-do-you-know-what-the-bible-says-about-christmas-2/) - Take this Christmas IQ quiz and you may be surprised! Remember, it’s only what the Bible says. After you choose your answers, get your Bible and look up the passages provided. 1. Joseph and Mary were from:a) Bethlehem b) Jerusalem c) Nazarethd) Egypt e) Minnesota f) none of the above. [Luke 2:4, 39; 4:16] 2.
- [Why I Believe in Creation](https://faithsearch.org/why-creation/)
- [Becoming All Things, Part 2](https://faithsearch.org/becoming-all-things/) - By Adrian VanVactor,FaithSearch Evangelist I stood there, at just twenty years of age, staring out into a crowd of 850 people, the majority being members of a local church. Of unchurched visitors present, 56 made a commitment to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior that evening. The event affirmed my vocation, my calling into a
- [The Love Which is of God](https://faithsearch.org/love-of-god/) - Message Outline I. Loving God A Pharisee asked Jesus, “Master, what are we to consider the greatest commandment?” Without a pause Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:35-36). I suppose everyone worries about this at times. We
- [Questions We Wonder about Christmas.](https://faithsearch.org/questions-we-wonder-about-christmas/) - Where did the word “Christmas” come from, and what does it mean? First called the Feast of the Nativity and recognized as early as A.D. 273, the custom spread to Egypt by 432, and to England by the end of the sixth century. By the end of the eighth century, the celebration of Christmas had
- [In the News #2, January 2021](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-2-january-2021/) - “Can I give her a hug, please?” BRANDT JEAN, younger brother of murder victim Botham Jean, asked the judge in the trial of former Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger, who had been convicted of murdering his brother, Botham Jean, if he could give her a hug. During his victim impact statement, Jean forgave Guyger and
- [In the News #1, January 2021](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-1-january-2021/) - No Thanks… I’ll Pass It’s hard to imagine the new ice cream flavor developed in Quito, Ecuador. Maria del Carmen Pilapana said she believes she has “the first guinea-pig-flavored ice cream. My family and my husband thought I was crazy, but now it’s my main product.” Her offerings also include bug- and mushroom-flavored ice cream.
- [Merry Christmas](https://faithsearch.org/merry-christmas/) - The entire staff of FaithSearch International wish you a blessed Christmas season. We are offering this special, expanded edition of Paraclete, filled with Christmas Bible truth and devotional thought, as a reminder and encouragment to keep the Christ child as the focus of your celebration. Use these resources for your own spiritual growth and share
- [How well do you know what the Bible says about Christmas?](https://faithsearch.org/how-well-do-you-know-what-the-bible-says-about-christmas/) - Take this Christmas IQ quiz and you may be surprised! Remember, it’s only what the Bible says. After you choose your answers, get your Bible and look up the passages provided. _____ Joseph and Mary were from: a) Bethlehem b) Jerusalem c) Nazareth d) Egypt e) Minnesota f) none of the above. [Luke 2:4, 39; 4:16]_____
- [Jesus: The Lion and the Lamb](https://faithsearch.org/jesus-the-lion-and-the-lamb/) - A popular worship song has captured very simply this truth of the Christian faith, "How Great is our God – sing with me… Lion and the Lamb, Lion and the Lamb." Indeed, Jesus is identified in Scripture in a paradox of being both a Lion and a Lamb.
- [JESUS:  The Shepherd and Lamb](https://faithsearch.org/jesus-the-shepherd-and-lamb/) - Only in fiction can one imagine a lamb becoming a shepherd! That would be quite a role reversal. Yet there in the book of Revelation, with the prophecy of the “great multitude which no one could count” worshiping before the throne of God, we are told that “the Lamb in the center of the throne shall be their
- [Becoming All Things, Part 1](https://faithsearch.org/becoming-all-things-part-1/) - By Adrian VanVactor,FaithSearch Evangelist Saying that 2020 has been an interesting year for ministries and churches worldwide would be a gross understatement. Doing church during the pandemic has changed radically. Technology now plays an essential role in feeding the body of Christ. Not many years ago, churches began streaming their services to expose more
- [In Memorium: October 2020](https://faithsearch.org/in-memorium-october-2020/) - Ravi Zacharias: India-born Christian evangelist and apologist whose intellect, winsomeness, and grasp of diverse cultures helped him to gain a global hearing for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Zacharias died May 19, 2020, at the age of seventy-four.
- [In the News: Oct 2020](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-oct-2020/) - Parts for the Heart? There are service departments with parts to fix everything from watches to cars. What about parts for human hearts? Japanese medical researchers have performed the first transplant of lab-grown human heart cells. Adult stem cells were induced to become heart cells growing on biodegradable sheets. The sheets are attached to an
- [In the News: August 2020](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-august-2020/) - Authorities in Argentina have limited church congregations to just ten people in response to the global pandemic. Bars and shops, on the other hand, are allowed to open without that restriction. Pastor Daniel Cattaneo had an idea: turn his evangelical church into a bar! Pastors carry around trays with Bibles to replicate waiters. Pastor Cattaneo
- [For Reflection: August 2020](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-august-2020/) - Young people in America (18-29) claimed to know an atheist (60%) more often than an evangelical Christian (45%). Source: 2017 Pew Study – Answers Magazine, Vol. 12, No. 4, July–August, 2019, p. 71. “Medical Assistance in Dying” was passed into law in Canada in 2016. In 2018, Canada reported 4,235 medically assisted deaths, up from
- [In the News: March 2020](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-march-2020/) - Neo-Pagan Religion It is clear that many in the climate-change movement are not thinking from a Christian worldview. Religious fervor, perhaps, but God is mostly excluded from the discussion. As an illustration, Union Theological Seminary in New York City held a chapel service where students confessed and prayed to potted plants as part of a
- [For Reflection: March 2020](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-march-2020/) - The Eyes Have It! Charles Darwin, in his book The Origin of Species, acknowledged that he had some serious apprehension about proposing that the human eye arose by chance evolution. To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for
- [Our Greatest Work](https://faithsearch.org/our-greatest-work/) - “Our greatest work is still ours every day—the work of prayer. Prayer knows no boundary, no quarantine, no confinement.” —SIM international director Joshua Bogunjoko in a letter to thousands of missionaries in thirty-eight countries who are isolated by COVID-19. Source: World Magazine, Vol. 35, No. 9; May 9, 2020. p. 43
- [For Reflection: June 2020](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-june-2020/) - Was Jesus Misinformed? The idea of Jesus being misinformed is preposterous to a believer who is informed by the evidence of His historical ministry. His identity as the incarnation of God is attested by His own claims and His works recorded by eyewitnesses (see my book, Surprised by Faith, chapter 3). As God, His knowledge
- [In the News #2: June 2020](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-2-june-2020/) - World’s Worst Cat An animal shelter in North Carolina was having trouble placing a badly behaving cat. That is, until they posted the following description of the finicky feline: We thought Perdita was sick but turns out she’s just a jerk. She likes isolation, lurking in corners, jumping at people who pass her by, and
- [In the News #1: June 2020](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-1-june-2020/) - Carpool Tomfoolery Last July, Nevada state troopers ticketed a hearse driver who claimed the corpse he was carrying should qualify his vehicle for HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lane privileges!
- [What’s in a name?](https://faithsearch.org/whats-in-a-name/) - Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet By Dr. Oleg Voskresensky,FaithSearch Russian Evangelist I am often asked for historical and archeological proofs of certain events and stories from the Bible while I am teaching classes on the “Historic Foundations of Christian Faith” in Russian public schools and state universities. It is one thing when the biblical text describes
- [“Shiny Faces”](https://faithsearch.org/shiny-faces/) - By Dr. Kaia Kloster As I go into the jail to “Proclaim the Gospel with evidence,” I never know who will choose to come to Bible study—or why. One day, a woman shared with me why she had decided to come. Although her mom had been raised in the church, they hadn’t been taken as
- [2019 July: Moscow, Siberia](https://faithsearch.org/2019-july-moscow-siberia/) - The first three days in Moscow, followed by five days in Siberia, were very intense! I cannot believe I am only one third of the way through my trip. Hopefully, my next four days back in Moscow will give me some rest – there I will have "only" one presentation per day and no more
- [Did You Know? August 2019](https://faithsearch.org/did-you-know-august-2019/) - “Blind as a bat.” Really? That’s a myth. Most bats can see as well as humans—and are even adapted to low-light like cats—and in color. Where did the myth come from? Perhaps from the observation of their navigation at break-neck speed through total darkness. Their unique echolocation ability is literally thousands of times more efficient
- [For Reflection: January 2020](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-january-2020/) - Loving God: A Valentine Reflection A Pharisee asked Jesus, “Master, what are we to consider the greatest commandment?” Without a pause Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:35-36). Perhaps everyone worries about this at times. We cannot
- [In the News #2: January 2020](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-2-january-2020/) - “Let marriage be held in honor…” (Hebrews 13:4) The share of U.S. adults ages 18-44 who have ever cohabited with a romantic partner is 59%. Only 50% of Americans in that age bracket have ever married. Source: World Magazine, December 7, 2019 (Vol. 34, No. 23), p. 9.
- [In the News #1: January 2020](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-1-january-2020/) - Finding Well-Being – A New Year’s Resolution A OnePoll survey reported that the average adult in the United States wakes up grumpy 300 times per year. Psychoanalyst Erica Komisar thinks she know why: “One of the most important explanations–and perhaps the most neglected–is declining interest in religion.” Indeed, a Harvard study of 5,000 children and
- [Did You Know? January 2020](https://faithsearch.org/did-you-know-january-2020/) - The Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata, highlighted above) demonstrates an ability of plants to overcome toxicity in the environment. Geneticists have discovered three genes which make this possible. If these genes could be spliced into other plants, they could serve to help eliminate contaminated environments which cause serious health problems in many parts of the
- [2019 November-December: Voronezh, Smolensk, St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/2019-november-december-voronezh-smolensk-st-petersburg/) - Voronezh is where Peter the Great built his fleet for the Azov Sea campaign. It could have been one of most picturesque cities of Central Russia if it were not nearly leveled during the battles for the Southern approaches to Moscow during the World War II. As with most old Russian cities, it is struggling
- [2019 November-December: St. Petersburg, Volgograd, Voronezh, Smolensk](https://faithsearch.org/2019-november-december-st-petersburg-volgograd-voronezh-smolensk/) - I am leaving Minnesota tomorrow in the afternoon and can't wait to see my first audience in St. Petersburg! In fact, my first event -- two hours after landing at LED -- will be a radio show and I will not be able actually to see my audience. Later that same day, however, I am
- [Did You Know? November 2019](https://faithsearch.org/did-you-know-november-2019/) - 1 chance in 100,000,000,000,000,000 Imagine the state of Texas covered in sliver dollars, two feet deep, and you have to find the one with an “X.” Suppose that we take 1017 silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They will cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of
- [For Reflection #1: September 2019](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-1-september-2019/) - Have you ever heard someone suggest that there is no harm in what is being taught in our schools? According to David Gelernter, Professor of Computer Science at Yale University: “Darwinism is no longer just a scientific theory but the basis of a worldview, and an emergency replacement religion for the many troubled souls who
- [In the News: September 2019](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-september-2019/) - Placental Stem Cells Are Better A human blastocyst, five days after fertilization. For ESCs, the inner cell mass of these 50-150 cells is isolated, resulting in the death of the embryo. According to the original study’s authors, “Therapeutic use of Cdx2 cells may represent a vital advance… compared with embryonic stem cells….” God created us
- [In the News: August 2019](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-august-2019/) - What’s a “Scutoid”? Consider these statements: Scientists know everything about cells because they have been studying them for 500 years. You learned every possible geometric shape in school. Neither statement is true! While carefully examining the epithelial (skin) cells of zebra fish, researchers from the University of Seville in Spain discovered a “scutoid,” a shape previously unknown
- [For Reflection #2: August 2019](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-1-august-2019/) - A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. “Reverend,” said the young man. “I’m so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone
- [For Reflection #1: August 2019](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-2-august-2019/) - “One of the greatest injustices we do to our young people is to ask them to be conservative. Christianity is not conservative, but revolutionary.” —Francis A. Schaeffer, The Church at the End of the 20th Century
- [In the News #2: June 2019](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-2-june-2019/) - Yerushalayim - Typo? A Jerusalem inscription dating to the first century B.C. spells the city’s name as Yerushalayim. Carved on a limestone drum, it was recently excavated in Jerusalem. The inscription spells “Jerusalem” as Yerushalayim, the same way it is spelled in Hebrew today. Such inscriptions are rare. In fact, researchers of the Israel Antiquities
- [For Reflection: June 2019](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-june-2019/) - Darwinian Evolution – Fact or Blind Faith? A Pew Research Center survey revealed that 95 to nearly 100% of people in thirteen countries of the world indicated an adherence to Islam. With such high percentages holding those beliefs, many may conclude the claims of Islam are likely to be right. After all, “Could so many
- [In the News #1: June 2019](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-1-june-2019/) - King David: For Real? What has never been in doubt to Christians who believe in the inspiration of Scripture, can no longer be in doubt to the general public either. At Tel Dan in northern Israel, a stela (stone slab) has been discovered containing a reference to the “king of the House of David.” Dating
- [In the News #1: March 2019](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-1-march-2019/) - Instant Fossils! Scientists at Britain’s University of Bristol have converted animal and plant tissue into fossils, in just twenty-four hours! With the help of a hydraulic press and high temperatures, they converted bird feathers, lizard limbs, and leaves into fossils which are very similar to those dug out of the ground. According to a university
- [For Reflection: March 2019](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-march-2019/) - A Good Plastic? Plastic has long been labeled as a bad pollutant because its petroleum-based production releases chemical contaminants, and because it takes hundreds of years for plastic to decay. In the January issue of Bioresource Technology, researchers at Tel Aviv Universitydescribed a new technique that produces a biodegradable plastic. Since this new production process
- [In the News #2: March 2019](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-2-march-2019/) - Descendents of Methuselah? Guinness World Records recently announced that a Japanese couple, Masao and Miyako Matsumoto, set a world record for the oldest living married couple. They celebrated their eightieth wedding anniversary. He is 108 years old and she is a mere 100! Source: AMAC Advantage Magazine, Nov/Dec 2018, p. 8. See also “Couple together
- [For Reflection, January 2019](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-january-2019/) - Apologist, author, and friend of FaithSearch, J. Warner Wallace, recently analyzed a 2018 Pew Research Center Report which concluded that a fast growing group called “religious nones,” are leaving the Church because they are anti-church and no longer agree with its teachings. Wallace discovered that when these “nones” are allowed to answer in their own
- [In the News, January 2019](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-january-2019/) - If Only All Scientists Could Hear the Fish Probably none of us has ever been serenaded by fish. Everyone knows they can’t sing, right?! Scientists now know otherwise. Fish songs have been recorded underwater off the coast of Australia. Different fish have different tunes, and especially at dawn and dusk their songs overlap into a
- [2018 December: Sakhalin, Ussuriysk, Komsomolsk-na-Amure](https://faithsearch.org/2018-december-sakhalin-ussuriysk-komsomolsk-na-amure/) - God is great and His angels are amazing! During the week of ministry in Sakhalin, I felt very encouraged by the interest and enthusiasm of teachers and students. I also felt very sick from the cold and the winds of their shores and sea ports. One presentation per day was just enough for me and
- [In the News #4, July 2018](https://faithsearch.org/persecuted-christians-rwanda/) - Persecuted Christians in Rwanda The government of Rwanda has closed 6,315 churches and mosques from February through April, 2018. They have mostly targeted Christian congregations, justifying it as building code violations and noise pollution. How difficult it must be for the Christians there to apply Jesus’ teaching to “love your enemies, and pray for those
- [In the News #3, July 2018](https://faithsearch.org/adoption-made-difficult/) - Adoption Made More Difficult New rules on international adoption mean that more children are languishing in orphanages. “The inter-country adoption rate in the United States already has fallen by nearly 80 percent; down from a peak of nearly 23,000 foreign adoptions in 2004, to around 5,000 in fiscal year 2017.” Can this be acceptable to
- [In the News #2, July 2018](https://faithsearch.org/even-remotest-part-earth-acts-18/) - “…even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) As of 2016, the Bible has been translated into 3,200 languages with active translation taking place in an additional 2,400. It is estimated that about 1,800 more languages still await translation to begin. Source: Decision Magazine (September 2017 or Vol. 58, No. 9), p. 25.
- [In the News #1, July 2018](https://faithsearch.org/what-an-incredible-design/) - What an Incredible Design! God made seeds to replenish the earth, even after forest fires or other destructive forces. Pit cherry seeds (North America) can be viable after 50-150 years. A seed of the sacred lotus found in China (a flowing aquatic herb of tropical Asia) was viable after 1,300 years. The champion is the
- [Did You Know? July 2018](https://faithsearch.org/know-july-2018/) - In Reference to Job 12:7-10 The hummingbird hawk-moth’s… …internal thorax temperature exceeds 113º F at peak activity (humans die at 109º F) …high energy demands require that they visit 100-500 flowers every day …wings beat 70-80 times per second (compared to 53 times for hummingbirds) Source: Answers Magazine, January-February, 2018 (Vol. 13, No. 1), “Creation
- [How Different Are We?](https://faithsearch.org/how-different-are-we/) - There is a current craze for people to discover more about their heritage by DNA testing. Typically, these tests reveal ancestry by detecting mutations in nuclear DNA. One American family had this test done for themselves. Not surprisingly to them, results confirmed that the parents were of European descent; their adoptive daughter and son from
- [In the News: September 2018](https://faithsearch.org/news-glimpses-redemption-gods-creation-design/) - Glimpses of Redemption in God’s Creation Design One result of the advent of sin into the world was a curse upon the creation, including humans (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). By His grace and wisdom, God placed within created organisms designs for humans to discover which can reduce the effects of the curse. Such is the case
- [Did You Know: September 2018](https://faithsearch.org/know-september-2018/) - Three dimensional (3D) printing, or additive manufacturing, is a process of making solid, three-dimensional objects from a digital file. Using metals, plastics, acrylic, sandstone, etc., an object is created by laying down successive micrometer layers of materials until the object is complete. Hailed by some as the advent of the third industrial revolution, 3D printers
- [In the News #3: November 2018](https://faithsearch.org/news-03-november-2018/) - Abortion Stopper? One factor reportedly contributing to choosing abortion is that the prospective mother can’t see the embryo or fetus growing within. Further, the abortion industry has convinced many that it is just a “blob of tissue” and not a real person. That may be about to change. An Israeli startup company has developed ultrasound
- [In the News #2: November 2018](https://faithsearch.org/news-2-november-2018/) - Two of You?! You may remember the sensation created when it was announced that a scientific laboratory had actually used cloning techniques to produce Dolly the sheep in 1996. For research on brain diseases like Alzheimer’s, more predictive treatment would result if research were conducted on primates because of the similarity of their brains to
- [In the News #1: November 2018](https://faithsearch.org/news-1-november-2018/) - A New “Face” for Evangelism? With the increased use of social media and mobile devices, it is inevitable that it impacts the way we communicate. What about faith and evangelism? In a new report produced in partnership with Lutheran Hour Ministries, the Barna Group asked American adults how they discuss spirituality online. Through posts, comments,
- [In the News, May 2018](https://faithsearch.org/news-may-2018/) - King Hezekiah is one of the most important kings in the history of Israel. He was crowned king of Judah in 727 BC. His reign witnessed the defining event that engendered the tradition of Jerusalem as the hallowed city of God: the inability of the Assyrian Sennacherib to destroy Jerusalem. This confirmed both Hezekiah and
- [For Reflection, May 2018](https://faithsearch.org/reflection-may-2018/) - Scientific Breakthrough? A geneticist in Iceland announced with exultation, “My understanding is that we have basically eradicated Down syndrome from our society. There is hardly ever a child with Down syndrome in Iceland anymore.” A breakthrough genetic cure? Hardly! They accomplished it by eugenics–the killing of unwanted babies by abortion. Nearly 100% of pregnant mothers
- [By Our Love?](https://faithsearch.org/by-our-love/) - By Dr. Kaia Kloster, FaithSearch presenter Reaching out to incarcerated youth has been an eye-opening venture. It seems their greatest question regarding God is the timeless question of, “If God is good, why is there so much suffering in the world?” One young man stands out in my mind—one of only two who attended
- [In the News, March 2018](https://faithsearch.org/news-march-2018/) - Excavation by archaeologists just south of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem has yielded an exciting discovery – a likely seal impression (bulla) of the prophet Isaiah from the eight century before Christ. Details in the next issue of Paraclete. Source: Biblical Archaeology Review, Vol. 44 NOS. 2 & 3. March/April/May/June 2018, pp 64-73.
- [For Reflection, March 2018](https://faithsearch.org/reflection-march-2018/) - By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President The new four-year strategic plan of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is to “serve and protect Americans at every stage of life, beginning at conception.” Furthermore, the HHS plan includes a “conscience rights” rule, which would protect healthcare workers whose religious convictions prevent them from participating
- [Did You Know? March 2018](https://faithsearch.org/know-march-2018/) - The number of people attending FaithSearch events through 2017, totaled 977,587. God willing, in this fortieth “Year of Gratitude,” we will reach 1,000,000 attendees. Every month in 2018, there is a BOGO (buy one, get one FREE) offer for one of our ministry publications on our Web site (www.faithsearch.org). Make a difference while you save!
- [For Reflection #2, February 2018](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection-2/) - In 2016, hundreds of high school youth were surveyed by a behavioral scientist with the question: “Regardless of whether you believe in evolution, what is the best evidence that evolution is true?” The number one answer (25%) was that humans evolved from apes! Are you prepared to give a different answer to this next generation
- [In the News #2, February 2018](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news-2/) - Emma Wren Gibson was born on November 25, 2017. Why is that special? Emma was twenty-five years old when she was born! One of perhaps 600,000 embryos who sit in storage facilities across the U.S., Emma was frozen as an embryo in 1992. Her mother-to-be was a one-year-old baby when physicians created her daughter in
- [For Reflection #1, February 2018](https://faithsearch.org/for-reflection/) - Few Europeans claim to be Christians these days. In a recent Eurobarometer poll, Europeans were asked whether they even believe in God. The percentages of respondents who do are sampled below: France 27% United Kingdom 37% Germany 44% European Union (27-nations) 51% Will this be the United States in another generation? Source: Answers Magazine, Sept/Oct,
- [In the News #1, February 2018](https://faithsearch.org/in-the-news/) - A new Museum of the Bible has opened in Washington, DC. Its goal is to invite the world to engage with the Bible. Consisting of 430,000 square feet and costing 500 million dollars, it may be the world’s most technologically advanced museum. Funded by Steve Green, CEO of Hobby Lobby, the museum opened in November,
- ["It would mean everything..."](https://faithsearch.org/it-would-mean-everything/) - By Dr. Kaia Kloster, FaithSearch presenter Sometimes the inmates call me the science lady… or the dinosaur lady. I’m sure they’ve never been to a Bible study quite like mine! Many times I question whether it is really important to bring evidence-based teaching to the women in the jail. Perhaps I should just bring love
- [Jesus' Boyhood Home?](https://faithsearch.org/paraclete-issue-1-article-3/) - How cool would it be to see the house where Jesus grew up! It’s not certain, but archaeologists have excavated a courtyard house in Nazareth which may be the one. The site within the Sisters of Nazareth Convent has had unusual interest for Christians from earliest times. A complex sequence of building over the site,
- [Logical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus](https://faithsearch.org/logical-evidence-resurrection-jesus/) - It was a great morning at our “Explore the Evidence” Community Breakfast at Wayzata Country Club, Saturday, February 25. We enjoyed great food, robust table top interaction, and tremendous insight from Dr. Michael Wise on the logical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. We discovered in the context of ancient sources and the culture at the
- [The 2017 Minnesota Church Expo](https://faithsearch.org/2017-minnesota-church-expo/) - On Saturday the 23rd September I helped man the FaithSearch booth at the 2017 Minnesota Church Expo. I worked with Kristi, whose responsibilities-among many more-include managing the evangelists' speaking engagements at churches and events such as this, as well as partnering with churches in the area and across the USA and Canada. The event was
- [My First FaithSearch Invitational Golf Classic](https://faithsearch.org/first-faithsearch-invitational-golf-classic/) - So on Monday, the 18th of September, I helped out at my first FaithSearch charity event, a golf day at Pheasant Acres Golf Club in Rogers, MN. It was a very wet yet enjoyable day. I observed that many golfers are hardcore: I would have given up and gone in for a hot chocolate after
- [Hello World](https://faithsearch.org/hello-world/) - Well hello all. So my first day of work with FaithSearch was on the 13th September. It is so nice to be back with the team and what a warm Minnesota welcome back they all gave me. It's so exciting to officially be part of the team and to start discussing what lies ahead
- [2017 March-April Teaching Trip: St. Petersburg, Moscow, Zelenograd, Golitsino](https://faithsearch.org/2017-march-april-teaching-trip-st-petersburg-moscow-zelenograd-golitsino/) - It was intense: eight class sessions per day, four days in a row. All I could do between sessions was to eat, sleep, and make a quick walk around the building to catch some fresh air. Oh, yes, I had to also keep in touch with my event hosts to confirm, to cancel, to change,
- [Understanding the Times: 2016 Benefit](https://faithsearch.org/understanding-the-times-2016-benefit-dinner/) - We had a blast at our 2016 Friends of FaithSearch Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction at New Hope Church, on April 29. We are grateful that 185 friends took the time to join us for good food, good laughs, and good ministry reports of changed lives. The theme of the evening was "Understanding the Times."
- [America Reshaped: the Good, Bad, and Ugly of Political Correctness](https://faithsearch.org/america-reshaped-good-bad-ugly-political-correctness/) - Seventy-seven people joined us for our "Explore the Evidence" Community Breakfast on March 19 at the Wayzata Country Club. We investigated the political correctness movement (Bias-Free Language) through the topic "America Reshaped: The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Political Correctness." It was especially challenging for everyone to make it safely to the breakfast following the
- [The Journey to Amazing Discoveries](https://faithsearch.org/journey-amazing-discoveries/) - When I was a kid information was not easy to find. If you had questions about life issues, you either didn’t want to ask it out loud for fear you’d be seen as unintelligent—or you simply didn’t know where to go to seek for answers. Times have changed in a big way. Today you don’t
- [Is it True? Is God the Same Person in All Religions?](https://faithsearch.org/is-it-true/) - Do all the major religions of the world believe in the same God? Watch this episode of "Amazing Discoveries" to see where the evidence leads. The question of the day is a topic which has been discussed for centuries but in recent times more hotly debated. Why is that? Have you noticed that our society
- [The Bible: Facts or Fantasies?](https://faithsearch.org/bible-facts-fantasies/) - Do you know that Christians believe that Jesus is actually God? What do you think about this Jesus guy? Who is He? Jesus himself asked his followers, “Who do you say that I am?” (See, for example, Matthew 16:15.) You might think this is a pointless discussion because this all took place 2000 years ago. Some
- [Who is Jesus?](https://faithsearch.org/who-is-jesus/) - Since the beginning of time humankind has been wrestling with the mysteries of the universe, finding answers to some questions while others remain unknown. Maybe the most compelling question of all time is: If a supreme being exists, who is this God? Since the 1st century, that question has included the search for an answer
- [2015 November-December: Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/2015-november-december-moscow/) - Time definitely flies faster when your days are full of exciting events, visits and conversations. I am already half way through my teaching trip in Russia, mainly in and around Moscow. My Orthodox Church ministry partners set up their dioceses missions and catechism conferences every night so that I could do my teachers' training sessions
- [Inaugural Operation Armor Events](https://faithsearch.org/inaugural-operation-armor-events/) - After months of praying, planning, and vision casting, the inaugural Operation Armor events are in the books. Our host for these first-ever FaithSearch events was Oak Grove Baptist Church in Golden Valley, MN. The youth ministry staff at Oak Grove love their kids. They also have a passion to ensure that they are firmly rooted in the Christian
- [Monthly blogging...](https://faithsearch.org/monthly-blogging/) - Perhaps I should be lowering the bar... My intention to update this blog in three quick spurts EACH WEEK seems to be exceedingly beyond what I can accomplish! It made sense, at some point, that I would provide a personal update, a ministry update, and a prayer/support-raising update. These three areas of my ministry here
- [Welcome Back](https://faithsearch.org/welcome-back/) - I've spent the last few months (barely) keeping my head above water. (There I am with the water theme again... Hmmmm.) So let's see if I can get the hang of this blogging business. What's on the top of my mind right now? A friend was visiting the office today and we got to discussing
- [On a more personal note...](https://faithsearch.org/on-a-more-personal-note/) - Some who read this may not be in Minnesota. Whether you are or not, no doubt you recognize the change of seasons: It's starting to be fall here. The trees are beginning to exhibit LOTS of color (AHHHHHHH!) and there is a chill in the air at night. This is absolutely my FAVORITE season of
- [Another Busy Week](https://faithsearch.org/another-busy-week/) - Speaking of being under water... I'm in the midst of a tremendous crush of deadlines over the next few weeks. Pray for guidance, efficiency and patience: It's all mission critical work, and it all has to be done right now! Here's what I mean: Fiscal year end letter has to be edited, designed and printed
- [Oops](https://faithsearch.org/oops/) - Well, it has been almost a month since I last communicated through this blog. It will be a little bit longer still before I report in significant detail, but here's the bottom line: I'm still here! We have moved into our new office space (photos and details to follow). It was/is a LOT of work,
- [Canoeing again... AHHhhhhhh!](https://faithsearch.org/canoeing-again-ahhhhhhhh/) - Well, I guess this is our summer to be on the water, because we did it again. All four of us this time, canoed another sixteen miles (according to the rental place; Google maps calculates the route as more like thirteen) down the Bois Brule river in northern Wisconsin. My grandfather has a cabin on
- [Wait, the Week's Over?](https://faithsearch.org/wait-the-weeks-over/) - Another summer-shortened week has FLOWN by. I barely blinked and it was gone. Here is this week's "posthumous" update... I mentioned in passing that we would be moving to a new office at the end of August, and promised "more on that later." A good bit of this week was devoted to preparations for that,
- [Weekend Wonder](https://faithsearch.org/weekend-wonder/) - My family were invited to visit with a friend at their cabin "up north" last weekend. With recent (constant?) stresses, it was a blessing to "get away" for a while. Anna was unable to join us as she had previous plans with friends that kept her home, plus she was scheduled to work on Monday
- [Thursday, 28 July 2011](https://faithsearch.org/thursday-28-july-2011/) - This week we have been processing an appeal letter/ministry update (actually a series of five letters) and we're getting more efficient in producing them. Since during the summer our office is closed on Monday and Friday, the same amount of work gets squeezed into three days, so the efficiency is borne out of necessity. I
- [Hello world!](https://faithsearch.org/hello-world-2/) - Let the blogging begin. It took me a while but I finally got WordPress to work on our Web server. Now that I'm staring at a blank page, it seems I have nothing to say. Hmmm, that has never happened before. Well, I'm sure I'll get in the groove. This blog will chronicle the ministry
- [Two down...](https://faithsearch.org/two-down/) - Well, the "busy week" continues, but I have at least managed to complete three of the tasks I had before me. We got the first version of our calendar year-end letter out last week; the new phone system was installed this week (still some adjustments to be made); and I finished about ninety hours of
- [Where Did the Summer Go?](https://faithsearch.org/where-did-the-summer-go/) - Let it be said that it has been a busy summer. Already it's fall: the leaves are bursting into a bright palette of color; the air is nippy at night; the kids are back in school; and the NFL season is in full swing. We at FaithSearch were on partial hours this summer to keep
- [Is religious experience so subjective that it doesn't prove anything?](https://faithsearch.org/is-religious-experience-so-subjective-that-it-doesnt-prove-anything/) - There is a chorus of people who claim to have found joy, tranquility and a host of other benefits—attributing their life change to a variety of sources or activities. Are any of these claims valid? How can we know? It is true that our experiences are considered anecdotal or "soft" evidence. Is it so subjective
- [2015 November-December. Moscow, Tver, St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/2015-november-december-moscow-tver-st-petersburg/) - Can one travel all over Russia while staying within the same time zone? I will attempt to do exactly that as I take off for my November-December teaching trip this afternoon. My geography this time will be limited to only three cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg and Tver (half way between the other two) – on
- [2015 September-October. Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk](https://faithsearch.org/2015-september-october-krasnoyarsk-novosibirsk/) - Oh, what a week it was in Krasnoyarsk! This was my fourth visit there and my hosts already knew what our FaithSearch ministry is about and what impact it makes on different audiences – school teachers, youth, church people, lay leaders, etc. – and planned my days accordingly. That meant early wake-ups, and two—or even
- [2015 September-October. Russia: Siberia](https://faithsearch.org/2015-september-october-russia-siberia/) - My September teaching trips are usually the hardest to plan, as the planning period falls right into the summer break and vacations times in Russia. Teachers and students don't even want to think of what they will be doing in the September and October! Luckily, some ministries and churches work hard all year long, and I
- [2015 June-July. Russia: Urals.](https://faithsearch.org/2015-june-july-russia-urals/) - MSP-JFK-SVO-SVX. 15-hour long flight carried me over 10 time zones from Minnesota to Yekaterinburg. Three more hours in the car with Pastor Viktor brought me to the town of Bogdanovich – my first stop on a two-weeks-long tour all over Northern Urals. There were no air conditioner or mosquito nets in their apartment but I
- [April-May 2015. Moscow, Far East](https://faithsearch.org/april-may-2015-moscow-far-east/) - It has been five days of ministry in Moscow and five in Vladivostok. Moscow greeted me with one and only day of sunshine but quickly turned rainy and gloomy for the rest of my time there. I was glad my schedule was full and I didn’t have time for sightseeing in those windy and rather
- [April-May 2015. Moscow, Far East](https://faithsearch.org/april-may-2015-moscow-far-east/) - It has been five days of ministry in Moscow and five in Vladivostok. Moscow greeted me with one and only day of sunshine but quickly turned rainy and gloomy for the rest of my time there. I was glad my schedule was full and I didn’t have time for sightseeing in those windy and rather
- [April-May 2015. Moscow, Far East, Ukraine](https://faithsearch.org/april-may-2015-moscow-far-east-ukraine/) - Every trip is different and each is different in a different way. This one will be a couple of days shorter than my usual three weeks (last one was three days longer) but it will by far exceed all my other trips by mileage. I just could not resist flying all over to the Russian
- [April-May 2015. Moscow, Far East, Ukraine](https://faithsearch.org/april-may-2015-moscow-far-east-ukraine-2/) - Every trip is different and each is different in a different way. This one will be a couple of days shorter than my usual three weeks (last one was three days longer) but it will by far exceed all my other trips by mileage. I just could not resist flying all over to the Russian
- [January-February 2015: St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Southern Russia, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2015-st-petersburg-kaliningrad-southern-russia-moscow/) - What a contrast! In only one week, I had to adjust from the very Western and very traditionally Christian audiences of Finland, St. Petersburg, and Kaliningrad, to the looks, sounds, and characters of predominantly and historically Eastern and Muslim areas of …let’s call it “Southern Russia.” My hosts there were very careful in never mentioning
- [January-February 2015: St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Southern Russia, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2015-st-petersburg-kaliningrad-southern-russia-moscow/) - What a contrast! In only one week, I had to adjust from the very Western and very traditionally Christian audiences of Finland, St. Petersburg, and Kaliningrad, to the looks, sounds, and characters of predominantly and historically Eastern and Muslim areas of …let’s call it “Southern Russia.” My hosts there were very careful in never mentioning
- [January-February 2015: Helsinki, St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2015-helsinki-st-petersburg/) - Goodbye Finland! Hello Russia! The trees and the snow piles streaming left to right through my window haven’t changed at all once my train crossed the border, but something tells me that this is a completely different world. Oh, yes, there is a metal fence now running along the railroad trails. And the three ladies in
- [January-February 2015: Helsinki, St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2015-helsinki-st-petersburg/) - Goodbye Finland! Hello Russia! The trees and the snow piles streaming left to right through my window haven’t changed at all once my train crossed the border, but something tells me that this is a completely different world. Oh, yes, there is a metal fence now running along the railroad trails. And the three ladies in
- [January-February 2015: Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Northern Caucasus, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2015-helsinki-st-petersburg-kaliningrad-northern-caucasus-moscow/) - How in the world have I ended up going to Finland? I just cannot say “no” to a child when her mom wrote to me: “Christina is in the sixth grade and they have a class on Religion. Christina has had conversations with several of her classmates about God and faith. Many of them have
- [November-December 2014: Kolomna, Kashira, Tula, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/september-october-2014-kolomna-kashira-tula-moscow/) - “Do you mean that I will have to read the Gospel story again – now, as a real historic account? At my age of 67, I have read it probably thirty times and heard it read in church probably hundreds of times but nobody ever suggested to me to take it as a historically valid
- [November-December 2014: Kolomna, Kashira, Tula, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/september-october-2014-kolomna-kashira-tula-moscow/) - “Do you mean that I will have to read the Gospel story again – now, as a real historic account? At my age of 67, I have read it probably thirty times and heard it read in church probably hundreds of times but nobody ever suggested to me to take it as a historically valid
- [November-December 2014: Northern Urals](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2014-northern-urals/) - Seven cities and towns in six days: Yekaterinburg, Kachkanar, Serov, Krasnoturyinsk, Severourals, Karpinsk, Nizhniy Tagil, back to Yekaterinburg and off to Moscow! Not much sleep or sightseeing but lots of events, meeting new people, sharing my own faith story and hearing theirs. Each city was priding itself about something special. One has open gold mines
- [November-December 2014: Northern Urals](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2014-northern-urals-2/) - Seven cities and towns in six days: Yekaterinburg, Kachkanar, Serov, Krasnoturyinsk, Severourals, Karpinsk, Nizhniy Tagil, back to Yekaterinburg and off to Moscow! Not much sleep or sightseeing but lots of events, meeting new people, sharing my own faith story and hearing theirs. Each city was priding itself about something special. One has open gold mines
- [November-December 2014: Moscow, Bryansk, the Urals](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2014-moscow-bryansk-the-urals/) - Writing in JFK airport while enjoying the view a truly magnificent A-380 taking off with a newly built World Trade Center and the amazing Manhattan skyline on the background. Two-and-a-half hours of flight is behind me and nine and a half more to to before I land in Sheremetyevo airport. I am mentally preparing myself
- [November-December 2014: Moscow, Bryansk, the Urals](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2014-moscow-bryansk-the-urals/) - Writing in JFK airport while enjoying the view a truly magnificent A-380 taking off with a newly built World Trade Center and the amazing Manhattan skyline on the background. Two-and-a-half hours of flight is behind me and nine and a half more to to before I land in Sheremetyevo airport. I am mentally preparing myself
- [September-October 2014: Moscow, Belgorod](https://faithsearch.org/september-october-2014-moscow-belgorod/) - What a joy it is to hear a response from one of the participants at the end of the presentation: “Thank you! My mind has been always looking for what I knew in my heart. Today I have heard it and seen it – loud and clear.” Nineteen M.Div. students and about eighty undergraduate students
- [September-October 2014: Moscow, Belgorod](https://faithsearch.org/september-october-2014-moscow-belgorod-2/) - What a joy it is to hear a response from one of the participants at the end of the presentation: “Thank you! My mind has been always looking for what I knew in my heart. Today I have heard it and seen it – loud and clear.” Nineteen M.Div. students and about eighty undergraduate students
- [September-October 2014: Moscow, Belgorod, Kolomna, Kashira, Tula, Sofia](https://faithsearch.org/september-october-2014-moscow-belgorod-kolomna-kashira-tula-sofia/) - On the road again! Actually, this trip will not be covering as much ground as were most of my recent ones–to the Urals, Siberia, Caucasus, Ukraine, etc. Moscow alone, having a population of 12 million, should be quite enough for three weeks of classes, lectures, presentations, and preaching. At least, I thought so when I started planning
- [September-October 2014: Moscow, Belgorod, Kolomna, Kashira, Tula, Sofia](https://faithsearch.org/september-october-2014-moscow-belgorod-kolomna-kashira-tula-sofia-2/) - On the road again! Actually, this trip will not be covering as much ground as were most of my recent ones–to the Urals, Siberia, Caucasus, Ukraine, etc. Moscow alone, having a population of 12 million, should be quite enough for three weeks of classes, lectures, presentations, and preaching. At least, I thought so when I started planning
- [June-July 2014: Irkutsk, Petrozavodsk, Zaraysk](https://faithsearch.org/june-july-2014-irkutsk-petrozavodsk-zaraysk/) - Greetings from 35,000 feet above the ground! My plane just started its descent in Amsterdam and the “ding-dong” in the cabin woke me up. I am catching up sleep after the last two very short nights in Moscow. As always, the last days were packed with the events that had been postponed and delayed over
- [June-July 2014: Irkutsk, Petrozavodsk, Zaraysk](https://faithsearch.org/june-july-2014-irkutsk-petrozavodsk-zaraysk/) - Greetings from 35,000 feet above the ground! My plane just started its descent in Amsterdam and the “ding-dong” in the cabin woke me up. I am catching up sleep after the last two very short nights in Moscow. As always, the last days were packed with the events that had been postponed and delayed over
- [June-July 2014: Moscow, Krasnoyarsk](https://faithsearch.org/june-july-2014-moscow-krasnoyarsk/) - What seemed to be just a little sore throat back in Colorado, quickly developed into a full blown cold in Minnesota further aggravated by hours of sitting in a “flying incubator” on my way to Moscow. With ears plugged, eyes tearing, cough thundering and a killing headache from almost completely sleepless flight (I usually sleep all
- [June-July 2014: Moscow, Krasnoyarsk](https://faithsearch.org/june-july-2014-moscow-krasnoyarsk-2/) - What seemed to be just a little sore throat back in Colorado, quickly developed into a full blown cold in Minnesota further aggravated by hours of sitting in a “flying incubator” on my way to Moscow. With ears plugged, eyes tearing, cough thundering and a killing headache from almost completely sleepless flight (I usually sleep all
- [June-July 2014: Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, Kansk, Irkutsk, Petrozavodsk, Zaraysk](https://faithsearch.org/june-july-2014-moscow-krasnoyarsk-kansk-irkutsk-petrozavodsk-zaraysk/) - My summer time trips are always much harder to put together because most of the colleges are out and teachers are enjoying their vacation time. I have definitely been spoiled lately by either my school textbook publisher or the Education Department in Moscow taking care of my teaching schedule during the school year. I made
- [June-July 2014: Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, Kansk, Irkutsk, Petrozavodsk, Zaraysk](https://faithsearch.org/june-july-2014-moscow-krasnoyarsk-kansk-irkutsk-petrozavodsk-zaraysk/) - My summer time trips are always much harder to put together because most of the colleges are out and teachers are enjoying their vacation time. I have definitely been spoiled lately by either my school textbook publisher or the Education Department in Moscow taking care of my teaching schedule during the school year. I made
- [April 2014: Penza, Saratov, Pugachev, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/april-2014-penza-saratov-pugachev-moscow/) - En route from Saratov to Nalchik via Moscow. This Northern Caucasus city popped-up on my schedule rather unexpectedly while visiting with a Moscow based Navigators’ missionary and being introduced to a Baptist pastor-evangelist with a heart for reaching out to Muslims. I am now flying to his mission’ office to present the FaithSearch Discovery
- [April 2014: Penza, Saratov, Pugachev, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/april-2014-penza-saratov-pugachev-moscow/) - En route from Saratov to Nalchik via Moscow. This Northern Caucasus city popped-up on my schedule rather unexpectedly while visiting with a Moscow based Navigators’ missionary and being introduced to a Baptist pastor-evangelist with a heart for reaching out to Muslims. I am now flying to his mission’ office to present the FaithSearch Discovery
- [April 2014: Moscow, Bryansk, Krasnoyarsk](https://faithsearch.org/april-2014-moscow-bryansk-krasnoyarsk/) - It is becoming a good tradition for me to celebrate Pascha in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. Last year, the city was still pretty much covered in snow and I even had a chance to ski here. Today, during the midnight procession around the church I was in short sleeves and a light breeze was not even strong
- [April 2014: Moscow, Bryansk, Krasnoyarsk](https://faithsearch.org/april-2014-moscow-bryansk-krasnoyarsk/) - It is becoming a good tradition for me to celebrate Pascha in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. Last year, the city was still pretty much covered in snow and I even had a chance to ski here. Today, during the midnight procession around the church I was in short sleeves and a light breeze was not even strong
- [April 2014: Moscow, Bryansk, Krasnoyarsk, Penza, Saratov and Tula](https://faithsearch.org/april-2014-moscow-bryansk-krasnoyarsk-penza-saratov-and-tula/) - It will be my last trip this school year and I am trying to make as much impact as I can on it. The Russian political situation gets more and more tense and unpredictable – who knows how long this door of opportunity will stay open for us. In fact, some of our ministry friends
- [April 2014: Moscow, Bryansk, Krasnoyarsk, Penza, Saratov and Tula](https://faithsearch.org/april-2014-moscow-bryansk-krasnoyarsk-penza-saratov-and-tula-2/) - It will be my last trip this school year and I am trying to make as much impact as I can on it. The Russian political situation gets more and more tense and unpredictable – who knows how long this door of opportunity will stay open for us. In fact, some of our ministry friends
- [2014 January-February teaching trip to Ukraine and Russia: Moscow, Kirov](https://faithsearch.org/2014-january-february-teaching-trip-to-ukraine-and-russia-moscow-kirov/) - The second part of the trip, in Russia, was a little more comfortable but just as intensive as the first ten days in Ukraine. I got used to rest and sleep on the train but not on a minivan that is shaking and jumping for six hours on icy and bumpy highways. Most of my
- [2014 January-February teaching trip to Ukraine and Russia: Moscow, Kirov](https://faithsearch.org/2014-january-february-teaching-trip-to-ukraine-and-russia-moscow-kirov/) - The second part of the trip, in Russia, was a little more comfortable but just as intensive as the first ten days in Ukraine. I got used to rest and sleep on the train but not on a minivan that is shaking and jumping for six hours on icy and bumpy highways. Most of my
- [2014 January-February teaching trip to Ukraine: Kiev, Komsomolsk, Dnepropetrovsk, Cherkassy](https://faithsearch.org/2014-january-february-teaching-trip-to-ukraine-kiev-komsomolsk-dnepropetrovsk-cherkassy/) - En route from Kiev to Moscow after ten days of teaching and preaching in Ukraine. Here are but a few highlights of that part of my journey: - Young men and women at the Orthodox Church Youth Conference in Kiev on day one listened intensely to the FaithSearch Discovery presentation in the darkness of the
- [2014 January-February teaching trip to Ukraine: Kiev, Komsomolsk, Dnepropetrovsk, Cherkassy](https://faithsearch.org/2014-january-february-teaching-trip-to-ukraine-kiev-komsomolsk-dnepropetrovsk-cherkassy/) - En route from Kiev to Moscow after ten days of teaching and preaching in Ukraine. Here are but a few highlights of that part of my journey: - Young men and women at the Orthodox Church Youth Conference in Kiev on day one listened intensely to the FaithSearch Discovery presentation in the darkness of the
- [2014 January-February teaching trip to Ukraine/Russia](https://faithsearch.org/2014-january-february-teaching-trip-to-ukrainerussia/) - Some may say: bad timing - look what is going on in Ukraine! To this I will repeat the words of an Evangelical pastor in North Osetia six years ago when the war broke there on the next day after my arrival and I expressed my concerns about, yes, timing: “We need to hear this affirmation
- [2014 January-February teaching trip to Ukraine/Russia](https://faithsearch.org/2014-january-february-teaching-trip-to-ukrainerussia/) - Some may say: bad timing - look what is going on in Ukraine! To this I will repeat the words of an Evangelical pastor in North Osetia six years ago when the war broke there on the next day after my arrival and I expressed my concerns about, yes, timing: “We need to hear this affirmation
- [2013 November-December teaching trip to Russia: Pyatigorsk, Osa, Perm, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/2013-november-december-teaching-trip-to-russia-pyatigorsk-osa-perm-moscow/) - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I am back in MN with my family, safe and sound, thanks to your prayers. My hopes for squeezing at least half-a-day of downhill skiing in Northern Caucuses never materialized. All three days in Pyatigorsk were packed with events and presentations at teachers’ conferences and a local Bible college.
- [2013 November-December teaching trip to Russia: Moscow, Saratov, Kostroma, Chelyabinsk, Kurgan](https://faithsearch.org/2013-november-december-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow-saratov-kostroma-chelyabinsk-kurgan/) - It was snowing in Moscow. White was immediately turning wet as it touched the ground. There was no snow in Saratov. It was the chilling wind from the Volga that reminded me of it was winter. There was plenty of snow in Kostroma, both on the ground and in the air. Winter is also in full
- [2013 November-December teaching trip to Russia: Moscow, Saratov, Kostroma, Chelyabinsk, Kurgan, Pyatigorsk, Perm](https://faithsearch.org/2013-november-december-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow-saratov-kostroma-chelyabinsk-kurgan-pyatigorsk-perm/) - "In Russia, I prefer traveling by overnight trains. I go to sleep in one city and wake up in another. Perfect!" I wrote this during my early trips to this vast country. That worked fine back in the days when I was plotting my own schedules and routes, but not anymore. My Russian partners (universities,
- [2013 November-December teaching trip to Russia: Moscow, Saratov, Kostroma, Chelyabinsk, Kurgan, Pyatigorsk, Perm](https://faithsearch.org/2013-november-december-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow-saratov-kostroma-chelyabinsk-kurgan-pyatigorsk-perm/) - "In Russia, I prefer traveling by overnight trains. I go to sleep in one city and wake up in another. Perfect!" I wrote this during my early trips to this vast country. That worked fine back in the days when I was plotting my own schedules and routes, but not anymore. My Russian partners (universities,
- [2013 October teaching trip to Russia: Moscow, Bryansk, Moscow, Krasnodar, Moscow, Petrozavodsk, Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Krasnodar, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/2013-october-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow-bryansk-moscow-krasnodar-moscow-petrozavodsk-saint-petersburg-moscow-krasnodar-moscow/) - Krasnodar translates as a “beautiful gift” and it was indeed to me, especially after Yakutia. It was so, warm, sunny, and green, that I was tempted to make a quick trip (a two-hour drive each way) to one of the best Russian sea resorts: Anapa on Black Sea! Alas, my time in Krasnodar was scheduled
- [2013 October teaching trip to Russia: Moscow, Bryansk, Moscow, Krasnodar, Moscow, Petrozavodsk, Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Krasnodar, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/2013-october-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow-bryansk-moscow-krasnodar-moscow-petrozavodsk-saint-petersburg-moscow-krasnodar-moscow/) - Krasnodar translates as a “beautiful gift” and it was indeed to me, especially after Yakutia. It was so, warm, sunny, and green, that I was tempted to make a quick trip (a two-hour drive each way) to one of the best Russian sea resorts: Anapa on Black Sea! Alas, my time in Krasnodar was scheduled
- [2013 October teaching trip to Russia: Yakutia](https://faithsearch.org/2013-october-teaching-trip-to-russia-yakutia/) - Only twenty hours in flight, with two stops–in New York and in Moscow for a few hours–before I landed in Yakutsk, the land of “walking houses” built on piles due to the permafrost. For the same reason, the guts of the city services–sewage, gas, water, power, and phone lines–are all above ground filling the space
- [2013 October teaching trip to Russia: Yakutia](https://faithsearch.org/2013-october-teaching-trip-to-russia-yakutia/) - Only twenty hours in flight, with two stops–in New York and in Moscow for a few hours–before I landed in Yakutsk, the land of “walking houses” built on piles due to the permafrost. For the same reason, the guts of the city services–sewage, gas, water, power, and phone lines–are all above ground filling the space
- [2013 October teaching trip to Russia: Yakutsk, Krasnodar, Petrozavodsk, St. Petersburg, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/2013-october-teaching-trip-to-russia-yakutsk-krasnodar-petrozavodsk-st-peterburg-moscow/) - Only five destinations on my map this time, but some of them are six times zones apart! In fact I will be closer to Minnesota by going East than West! Oh, I wish they could schedule their teachers’ conferences and trainings with at least some consideration of my travel preferences… But who is complaining!? A
- [2013 October teaching trip to Russia: Yakutsk, Krasnodar, Petrozavodsk, St. Petersburg, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/2013-october-teaching-trip-to-russia-yakutsk-krasnodar-petrozavodsk-st-peterburg-moscow/) - Only five destinations on my map this time, but some of them are six times zones apart! In fact I will be closer to Minnesota by going East than West! Oh, I wish they could schedule their teachers’ conferences and trainings with at least some consideration of my travel preferences… But who is complaining!? A
- [2013 July-August teaching trip to Russia. Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Oryol.](https://faithsearch.org/2013-july-august-teaching-trip-to-russia-yekaterinburg-kazan-oryol/) - For some reason, I thought my summer trip would be a little more relaxed and not as densely packed as my usual ones during the academic year. After all, there are no class schedules to fit in, and no teachers' conferences to get to on time. It almost sounded like a vacation: youth camp in
- [2013 July-August teaching trip to Russia. Izhevsk.](https://faithsearch.org/2013-july-august-teaching-trip-to-russia-izhevsk/) - My train is heading North-East, full of happy people, returning from their vacations in the Sothern parts of Russia. They must have gotten used to hotter days and nobody minds the heat and lack of air conditioning in the compartments. Well, it will only be one short night. It will actually be even shorter due
- [2013 July-August teaching trip to Russia. Izhevsk.](https://faithsearch.org/2013-july-august-teaching-trip-to-russia-izhevsk/) - My train is heading North-East, full of happy people, returning from their vacations in the Sothern parts of Russia. They must have gotten used to hotter days and nobody minds the heat and lack of air conditioning in the compartments. Well, it will only be one short night. It will actually be even shorter due
- [July-August 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Moscow, Izhevsk, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Kolomna](https://faithsearch.org/july-august-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow-izhevsk-yekaterinburg-kazan-kolomna/) - Summer time! No school! Naturally, most of my presentations on this upcoming trip will not be happening in schools or universities but at churches, Bible camps, conferences, etc. Making people to sit through a three hour lecture in this time of the year presents a very special challenge for me. Please pray for the the
- [July-August 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Moscow, Izhevsk, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Kolomna](https://faithsearch.org/july-august-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow-izhevsk-yekaterinburg-kazan-kolomna/) - Summer time! No school! Naturally, most of my presentations on this upcoming trip will not be happening in schools or universities but at churches, Bible camps, conferences, etc. Making people to sit through a three hour lecture in this time of the year presents a very special challenge for me. Please pray for the the
- [March-April 2013 teaching trip to Russia. SVO-AMS-MSP](https://faithsearch.org/march-april-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-svo-ams-msp/) - I am home, safe and sound. Thanks for all your prayers. Hope to see many of you tomorrow at https://faithsearch.org/blog/2013/01/coming-soon-2103-friends-of-faithsearch-benefit-dinner/ I am planning my next teaching trip to Russia on mid-July. Anybody knows of an event (pastors' conference, youth camp, evangelism outreach, etc.) I could plug in Russia at around that time? Please let me know.
- [March-April 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Moscow. PhD](https://faithsearch.org/march-april-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow-phd/) - It is Dr. Voskresensky from now on! One of the longest days in my life just passed and I can take a deep breath – it is done. Years, months, weeks, days and hours of preparation actually paid off – I felt confident, calm and focused. I prayed all the way through the three hour
- [March-April 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Moscow. PhD](https://faithsearch.org/march-april-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow-phd/) - It is Dr. Voskresensky from now on! One of the longest days in my life just passed and I can take a deep breath – it is done. Years, months, weeks, days and hours of preparation actually paid off – I felt confident, calm and focused. I prayed all the way through the three hour
- [March-April 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Omsk, Yekaterinburg, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/march-april-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-omsk-yekaterinburg-moscow/) - Three days in Omsk, four in Yekaterinburg and seven in Moscow! I taught in universities, presented at teachers’ conferences, shared in home churches and gave interviews to newspapers, TV and radio stations. I changed trains, airplanes and host families. And I submitted, re-submitted and re-re-submitted my PhD paperwork (thesis, abstract, review, presentation, review response, resolution
- [March-April 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Omsk, Yekaterinburg, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/march-april-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-omsk-yekaterinburg-moscow-2/) - Three days in Omsk, four in Yekaterinburg and seven in Moscow! I taught in universities, presented at teachers’ conferences, shared in home churches and gave interviews to newspapers, TV and radio stations. I changed trains, airplanes and host families. And I submitted, re-submitted and re-re-submitted my PhD paperwork (thesis, abstract, review, presentation, review response, resolution
- [March-April 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Krasnoyarsk](https://faithsearch.org/march-april-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-krasnoyarsk/) - My seven days in Krasnoyarsk passed like one never-ending 168-hour-long day. It started with a five hour redeye flight over four time zones from Moscow, and a press-conference in the city government office right off the plane. It ended today with a church conference that lasted until 30 minutes before my train to Omsk. Two
- [March-April 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Krasnoyarsk](https://faithsearch.org/march-april-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-krasnoyarsk/) - My seven days in Krasnoyarsk passed like one never-ending 168-hour-long day. It started with a five hour redeye flight over four time zones from Moscow, and a press-conference in the city government office right off the plane. It ended today with a church conference that lasted until 30 minutes before my train to Omsk. Two
- [March-April 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/march-april-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow/) - I did two FaithSearch Discovery presentations so far. One to a group of lay leaders at the Pentecostal Euro-Asian Seminary; and another one to a class of sophomore students at National State University of Social Sciences. I cannot say which of the two I enjoyed more, but the secular school was definitely more difficult and
- [March-April 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, Omsk, Yekaterinburg, PhD](https://faithsearch.org/march-april-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow-krasnoyarsk-omsk-yekaterinburg-phd/) - This time around, my three weeks of home-stay between trips felt almost like a “layover” between the flights. I am on the road again–and this time for longer than I have been in most of my travels. This teaching trip will be very different. First of all, it will not all be teaching. At least
- [March-April 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, Omsk, Yekaterinburg, PhD](https://faithsearch.org/march-april-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow-krasnoyarsk-omsk-yekaterinburg-phd-2/) - This time around, my three weeks of home-stay between trips felt almost like a “layover” between the flights. I am on the road again–and this time for longer than I have been in most of my travels. This teaching trip will be very different. First of all, it will not all be teaching. At least
- [January-February 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Petrozavodsk and Minnesota](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-petrozavodsk-and-minnesota/) - Thank you for the Surprised by Faith book, Oleg. I gave away my copy from your year 2007 visit to a friend and am so happy to have it again. By the way, that friend was a non-believer with lots of personal issues and spiritual [questions]. I met that young lady again six months later
- [January-February 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Northern Caucuses and Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-northern-caucuses-and-moscow/) - Today was the day of finals for my Open Education Institute class of public school teachers–a rare opportunity for me to test how well my material and training was actually understood by the audience. We spent four sessions on the FaithSearch Discovery during the last two weeks which allowed me to go into much detail and
- [January-February 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Northern Caucuses and Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-northern-caucuses-and-moscow-2/) - Today was the day of finals for my Open Education Institute class of public school teachers–a rare opportunity for me to test how well my material and training was actually understood by the audience. We spent four sessions on the FaithSearch Discovery during the last two weeks which allowed me to go into much detail and
- [January-February 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow/) - No water in the lavatory? The “blue screen of death” on the monitors for the whole nine-hour flight? I am not surprised when little things like that happen on a flight to Russia. We live in a fallen world and some parts of it simply has a tendency to "fall" more often. Seriously, the flight
- [January-February 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow/) - No water in the lavatory? The “blue screen of death” on the monitors for the whole nine-hour flight? I am not surprised when little things like that happen on a flight to Russia. We live in a fallen world and some parts of it simply has a tendency to "fall" more often. Seriously, the flight
- [January-February 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Getting ready](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-getting-ready/) - Getting ready for the next trip involves connecting with dozens of people over E-mail, phone, and Skype™ to propose (or respond to an invitation); to schedule; and then to confirm each event for my three weeks in Russia. Please pray that my rather intense travel and teaching schedule holds. At this point, I plan to
- [January-February 2013 teaching trip to Russia. Getting ready](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2013-teaching-trip-to-russia-getting-ready/) - Getting ready for the next trip involves connecting with dozens of people over E-mail, phone, and Skype™ to propose (or respond to an invitation); to schedule; and then to confirm each event for my three weeks in Russia. Please pray that my rather intense travel and teaching schedule holds. At this point, I plan to
- [November-December 2012 teaching trip to Russia. Around Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2012-teaching-trip-to-russia-around-moscow/) - The last week of the trip is always the most challenging and most intensive. Everything that has been postponed and rescheduled falls on these few days. Besides, I have to start planning for my next time in Russia–at the end of January. Luckily, on this trip the Russian publisher that printed my Intro to Christian
- [November-December 2012 teaching trip to Russia. Around Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2012-teaching-trip-to-russia-around-moscow/) - The last week of the trip is always the most challenging and most intensive. Everything that has been postponed and rescheduled falls on these few days. Besides, I have to start planning for my next time in Russia–at the end of January. Luckily, on this trip the Russian publisher that printed my Intro to Christian
- [November-December 2012 teaching trip to Russia. Tolyatti, Syzran' and Moscow.](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2012-teaching-trip-to-russia-tolyatti-syzran-and-moscow/) - I am on the train again. I am actually on exactly the same train that had already taken me to Samara once a week ago. This time around, however, I am traveling with my laptop and use my upper-level bunk bed as an office space to type this report. Back then I was apparently packing
- [November-December 2012 teaching trip to Russia. Tolyatti, Syzran' and Moscow.](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2012-teaching-trip-to-russia-tolyatti-syzran-and-moscow-2/) - I am on the train again. I am actually on exactly the same train that had already taken me to Samara once a week ago. This time around, however, I am traveling with my laptop and use my upper-level bunk bed as an office space to type this report. Back then I was apparently packing
- [November-December 2012 teaching trip to Russia. Omsk, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2012-teaching-trip-to-russia-omsk-moscow/) - I am back in Moscow today, waiting for the train to Samara. My presentations in Omsk for the last three days–to teachers, to church leaders, to university students–were very well received and attended. Besides, I was making many new friends and contacts for future ministry in this city and region: local missionaries, university professors, priests,
- [November-December 2012 teaching trip to Russia. Omsk, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2012-teaching-trip-to-russia-omsk-moscow/) - I am back in Moscow today, waiting for the train to Samara. My presentations in Omsk for the last three days–to teachers, to church leaders, to university students–were very well received and attended. Besides, I was making many new friends and contacts for future ministry in this city and region: local missionaries, university professors, priests,
- [November-December 2012 teaching trip to Russia. Moscow, Omsk](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2012-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow-omsk/) - I am on the commuter train to the airport again. This time, I am leaving Moscow for Omsk on a red-eye flight. This is going to be short night: three hours in the air, plus three hours of time difference plus two hours in a hotel before my presentation at the Regional Teachers’ Conference. Going
- [November-December 2012 teaching trip to Russia](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2012-teaching-trip-to-russia/) - I has been only five short weeks in Minnesota, and I am already packing for my next teaching trip in Russia! This time I will concentrate on Teachers' Conferences, Retraining Centers, and Pedagogical Universities in and around Moscow... with a couple of dashes into Siberia, Southern Russia, and St. Petersburg. In fact, my schedule is
- [September-October 2012 teaching trip to Russia: Moscow, N. Novgorod, St. Petersburg, Cherepovets, Vologda and Archangel](https://faithsearch.org/september-october-2012-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow-n-novgorod-st-petersburg-cherepovets-vologda-and-archangel/) - Three weeks on the road passed like one day! I definitely overbooked myself for this last trip – not even leaving time to keep up with my travel log. From experience, I almost expected that at least some of my event will be canceled. Not on this trip. Plus a few extra speaking opportunities that
- [September-October 2012 teaching trip to Russia: Moscow, N. Novgorod, St. Petersburg, Cherepovets, Vologda and Archangel](https://faithsearch.org/september-october-2012-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow-n-novgorod-st-petersburg-cherepovets-vologda-and-archangel-2/) - Three weeks on the road passed like one day! I definitely overbooked myself for this last trip – not even leaving time to keep up with my travel log. From experience, I almost expected that at least some of my event will be canceled. Not on this trip. Plus a few extra speaking opportunities that
- [September-October 2012 teaching trip to Russia: Moscow, N. Novgorod, St. Petersburg, Vologda and Archangel](https://faithsearch.org/september-october-2012-teaching-trip-to-russia-moscow-n-novgorod-st-petersburg-vologda-and-archangel/) - As a new school year begins, so does a new series of my teaching trips to Russia! I am leaving for three weeks of teaching the newly updated FaithSearch Discovery curriculum in Moscow, N. Novgorod, St. Petersburg and then even further North to Vologda and to Archangel – home of the Russian Northern Submarine Fleet.
- [Thank you for coming to our Benefit Banquet!](https://faithsearch.org/thank-you-for-coming-to-our-benefit-banquet/) - Some of you liked my "story" at the Banquet. So, here it is again: The story of the FaithSearch Russian Ministry is best told in the form of a conversation that went something like this. God: Dear Dr. Bierle, being a scientist and a researcher you must have noticed that chunk of land that is
- [March-April 2012 Trip to Russia/Ukraine. Rostov-na-Donu, Sochi, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/march-april-2012-trip-to-russiaukraine-rostov-na-donu-sochi-moscow/) - "Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! I know it for a fact now! It is not simply a nice folklore tradition; it is not a myth and not a later Church doctrinal invention but a fact of history. I will be celebrating Easter this year quite differently than I have before. I always considered
- [March-April 2012 Trip to Russia/Ukraine. Voronezh, Kursk, Belgorod, Stariy Oskol, Kharkov](https://faithsearch.org/march-april-2012-trip-to-russiaukraine-voronezh-kursk-belgorod-stariy-oskol-kharkov/) - One of the participants last night at the Uspenie (Dormition) Orthodox Cathedral in Kharkov, Ukraine, responded to the FaithSearch Discovery event this way: “It was so unusual! Not a lecture or a class. Not even a sermon but like meeting with a good old friend who was sharing from the bottom of his heart! I cannot believe
- [March-April 2012 Trip to Russia/Ukraine. Moscow, Ryazan](https://faithsearch.org/march-april-2012-trip-to-russiaukraine-moscow-ryazan/) - «Dear Oleg Vladislavovich, I want to thank you for your presentation at our Teachers’ Conference in Ryazan this morning. I teach History in school. I have a Master’s Degree in World Religions. I have been attending church for several years. It was today, however, that my faith suddenly “came alive”. Not just a wishful thinking,
- [March-April 2012 Trip to Russia/Ukraine. Moscow, Ryazan](https://faithsearch.org/march-april-2012-trip-to-russiaukraine-moscow-ryazan/) - «Dear Oleg Vladislavovich, I want to thank you for your presentation at our Teachers’ Conference in Ryazan this morning. I teach History in school. I have a Master’s Degree in World Religions. I have been attending church for several years. It was today, however, that my faith suddenly “came alive”. Not just a wishful thinking,
- [January-February 2012 Trip to Russia. Volgograd, Tula, Moscow, Amsterdam](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2012-trip-to-russia-volgograd-tula-moscow-amsterdam/) - Only a few short hours and I will be back home in MN! Amsterdam airport provided a nice brief transition time to begin an adjusting process–back to normal life. No more sleeping in overnight trains or busses; no more running around unfamiliar cities in search of unknown places; no need to always remember to introduce
- [January-February 2012 Trip to Russia. Asbest, Chelyabinsk, Ufa, Samara, Toliatti](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2012-trip-to-russia-asbest-chelyabinsk-ufa-samara-toliatti/) - The scenery behind the train window gracefully flows left to right as I am nearing the city many people in the world know as Stalingrad. It was just as cold and the snow was blowing over the vast fields and Volga River valley back in 1943, when the Nazi armies were stopped right here and
- [January-February 2012 Trip to Russia. Asbest, Chelyabinsk, Ufa, Samara, Toliatti](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2012-trip-to-russia-asbest-chelyabinsk-ufa-samara-toliatti-2/) - The scenery behind the train window gracefully flows left to right as I am nearing the city many people in the world know as Stalingrad. It was just as cold and the snow was blowing over the vast fields and Volga River valley back in 1943, when the Nazi armies were stopped right here and
- [January-February 2012 Trip to Russia. Izhevsk, Perm, Yekaterinburg, Zlatoust](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2012-trip-to-russia-izhevsk-perm-yekaterinburg-zlatoust/) - Four days, four cities, four night trains/buses… But most importantly–it is four degrees warmer here in Chelyabinsk! I was sunbathing this morning at -2F! Back in Izhevsk, famous for being the birthplace of Kalashnikov machine-gun and the largest man made city pond in the world (10 miles across) my presentations in both secular and church
- [January-February 2012 Trip to Russia. Nizhniy Novgorod, Cheboksary](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2012-trip-to-russia-nizhniy-novgorod-cheboksary/) - Amazing! These teachers came for my hour-long training on how to teach the “Intro to the Christian Culture”; and two-thirds of them were willing to stay for the complete two-and-a-half-hour long FaithSearchDiscovery presentation! Even the organizers of this event in Nizhniy Novgorod were caught by surprise: “How can you hold your audience's attention? Our teachers always complain about our
- [January-February 2012 Trip to Russia. MSP-AMS-SVO](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2012-trip-to-russia-msp-ams-svo/) - No border crossings! No "foreign" languages! My current ministry trip will all be in Mother-Russia this time! I am leaving comfortable Minnesota (+39F) in about an hour and will land in snowy and blistery cold Moscow (-6F) in just a few hours. Will you believe me if I say I am looking forward to it?
- [January-February 2012 Trip to Russia. MSP-AMS-SVO](https://faithsearch.org/january-february-2012-trip-to-russia-msp-ams-svo-2/) - No border crossings! No "foreign" languages! My current ministry trip will all be in Mother-Russia this time! I am leaving comfortable Minnesota (+39F) in about an hour and will land in snowy and blistery cold Moscow (-6F) in just a few hours. Will you believe me if I say I am looking forward to it?
- [November-December 2011 Trip. Back in Minnesota](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2011-trip-back-in-minnesota/) - Thank you for all your prayers! I am back home--safe and sound!--and in time for Christmas. My last presentation in Kashira, near Moscow, for twenty-some teachers started an hour later due to a power blackout. None of those teachers however left the room before we completed the training, and all their questions were asked and
- [November-December 2011 Trip. Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2011-trip-moscow/) - I am writing this note on an early morning commuter train to my last event location – Regional Teachers’ Continuing Training Center in the city of Kashira 100 km south of Moscow. I just realized that I could have missed this one on my last round of “confirmation” calls/e-mails. Hope they are still expecting me.
- [November-December 2011 Trip. Cherkassy, Ukraine](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2011-trip-cherkassy-ukraine/) - Knocking on the door is not enough. Walking through it when it opens is just as important. This was my lesson yesterday night at Cherkassy National University when only three students showed up for my presentation. Apparently, the local Evangelical Church was too used to being denied access to the secular schools’ classrooms. When these
- [November-December 2011 Trip. Ukraine](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2011-trip-ukraine/) - One more overnight train and I am in Poltava, covered with snow and freezing cold. Seems like the further south I travel the cooler it gets! I'm afraid that by the time I make my way from the Baltics to the Black Sea shores next week it will all be frozen over! Is that what
- [November-December 2011 Trip. Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2011-trip-lithuania-belarus-ukraine/) - I might have sliced my trip schedule too thin--I am having one or two presentations every day and no time to keep keep up with my travel blog... I did my first presentation in Kaunas: full classroom with many extra chairs brought in--half high-schoolers, half teachers, half (third half?) parish members and clergy. "It was
- [November-December 2011 Trip. Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2011-trip-lithuania-belarus-ukraine-russia/) - Does the Lord usually call those who are equipped, or does He equip those whom He has called? Either way, I feel ready for my next teaching trip. As my kids like to say - "super-prepared." Here are some specific examples of this equipping and preparation: A new Mini HP laptop, weighing less than three
- [November-December 2011 Trip. Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2011-trip-lithuania-belarus-ukraine-russia-2/) - Does the Lord usually call those who are equipped, or does He equip those whom He has called? Either way, I feel ready for my next teaching trip. As my kids like to say - "super-prepared." Here are some specific examples of this equipping and preparation: A new Mini HP laptop, weighing less than three
- [September-October 2011 Trip. Back to Moscow, and back all the way to MN!](https://faithsearch.org/september-october-2011-trip-back-to-moscow-and-back-all-the-way-to-mn/) - Oh, what an intensive trip it was! I have never before scheduled myself so tightly and never had so few of the events cancelled! In fact, the only two I missed were those in Ufa when my lost-’n-found luggage got me stuck in Moscow for an extra day. The trip also had a good ratio
- [September-October 2011 Trip. Back to Moscow, and back all the way to MN!](https://faithsearch.org/september-october-2011-trip-back-to-moscow-and-back-all-the-way-to-mn-2/) - Oh, what an intensive trip it was! I have never before scheduled myself so tightly and never had so few of the events cancelled! In fact, the only two I missed were those in Ufa when my lost-’n-found luggage got me stuck in Moscow for an extra day. The trip also had a good ratio
- [September-October 2011 Trip. Chelyabinsk and St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/september-october-2011-trip-chelyabinsk-and-st-petersburg/) - Knock and the door will be opened to you (Mt 7:7). I did and it was. I simply walked into the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in the center of Chelyabinsk and asked if anybody there would be interested in having me make a presentation on the historical validity of the Bible. It was a cold
- [September-October 2011 Trip. Chelyabinsk and St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/september-october-2011-trip-chelyabinsk-and-st-petersburg-2/) - Knock and the door will be opened to you (Mt 7:7). I did and it was. I simply walked into the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in the center of Chelyabinsk and asked if anybody there would be interested in having me make a presentation on the historical validity of the Bible. It was a cold
- [September-October 2011 Trip. Bashkortostan and Magnitogorsk](https://faithsearch.org/september-october-2011-trip-bashkortostan-and-magnitogorsk/) - Bashkortostan literally means "head-land" and is populated by a Turkic people group known to be not very tall. I should have remembered it as I hurried following pastor Renat (5’3”) down the dimmed hallway in his apartment building. Bang!!! I hope I am a true Bashkort now – at least the top of my head
- [September-October 2011 Trip. Off to Ufa! Ufta!](https://faithsearch.org/september-october-2011-trip-off-to-ufa-ufta/) - After a short delay due to my sutcases' sudden decision to spend an extra night in Paris (who will blame them?) I am now in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Two presentations in the local Evangelical Churches was as a very good start for the trip. "We are so grateful for your training! What a tool
- [September-October 2011 Trip to Bashkortostan, Ural Mountains, Moscow and St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/september-october-2011-trip-to-bashkortostan-ural-mountains-moscow-and-st-petersburg/) - It is a cultural thing: When an American sets up a date and does not cancel it, it will happen. When a Russian sets up a time and does not confirm it, it is cancelled. Guess what I have been doing for these last days before my next trip? That's right: sending out confirmation messages
- [“My Styrofoam cup runneth over!”](https://faithsearch.org/my-styrofoam-cup-runneth-over/) - “My Styrofoam cup runneth over!” Praise God with me: People in an small church class to whom I was making a presentation passed a cup around until there was enough in the collection for a replacement for my broken laptop. What a blessing!
- [April 2011 Trip to Lithuania/Latvia/Russia. Pascha in St. Petersburg](https://faithsearch.org/april-2011-trip-to-lithuanialatviarussia-pascha-in-st-petersburg/) - Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! I have seen it for myself happening in the hearts of hundreds of Russians who filled the church for the overnight service in St. Petersburg. It began at 10 pm on Saturday night and ended at 3.30 am on Sunday morning with a candlelight procession around the church
- [April 2011 Trip to Lithuania/Latvia/Russia. Bryansk and Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/april-2011-trip-to-lithuanialatviarussia-bryansk-and-moscow/) - My three days in Bryansk were both the time of sadness and the time of joy. Sadness - as the family members were saying the last good-bye to my father-in-law and prayed that the Lord will have mercy on his soul. Joy - seeing how the truth of Christ shines back to me in the
- [April 2011 Trip to Lithuania/Latvia/Russia. Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/april-2011-trip-to-lithuanialatviarussia-moscow/) - Greetings from Moscow, the most beautiful city in the world! Oh, maybe not necessarily in early April when the snow is still seen here and there, when the people are confused about what clothes to put on in the morning and the only bright color on the street are the freshly and brightly painted fences
- [April 2011 Trip to Lithuania/Latvia/Russia. Daugavpils, Riga](https://faithsearch.org/april-2011-trip-to-lithuanialatviarussia-daugavpils-riga/) - Let me share just a couple of stories from the last few days in Latvia. First, please see the Certificate of Recognition they gave me at the end of the Teachers’ Conference on Sunday. I accepted it on your behalf, my dear supporters, prayer warriors and, of course, the FaithSearch team. However, the real recognition
- [April 2011 Trip to Lithuania/Latvia/Russia. Riga](https://faithsearch.org/april-2011-trip-to-lithuanialatviarussia-riga/) - Greetings from Riga, Latvia where I am having a presentation every day, and all of them – through a translator. Having had some translator’s experience myself I feel so much for them. Last night, I finished the FaithSearch Discovery Part II at Matthew’s Baptist Church at around 10pm. However, I could not say I was
- [April 2011 Trip to Lithuania/Latvia/Russia. Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda](https://faithsearch.org/april-2011-trip-to-lithuanialatviarussia-vilnius-kaunas-klaipeda/) - Ready for a Lithuanian joke? Here it goes: -Why have you built only one room in your house? -Because there was no point of building less. My days in Lithuania were very much like this: puzzling, curious, fun, quick and paradoxical. This small country (less than 1/3 of MN by land) with ages of its own history
- [April 2011 Trip to Lithuania/Latvia/Russia](https://faithsearch.org/april-2011-trip-to-lithuanialatviarussia/) - Greetings from Amsterdam - two thirds of the way to Vilnius, Lithuania, my end-flight destination today! I am very excited about my teaching schedule for the next three weeks. As always, it includes some familiar places (like Riga, Moscow, St. Petersburg) as well as some completely new territories (like Lithuania). As always, some teaching will
- [April 2011 Trip to Lithuania/Latvia/Russia. Prayer Request](https://faithsearch.org/april-2011-trip-to-lithuanialatviarussia-prayer-request/) - Please pray with me for the next teaching trip to Lithuania, Latvia and Russia: Praise the Lord for the generous hearts that provided funds for this trip! Praise Him for opening many new doors of opportunity to preach the Gospel with evidence in the Russian-speaking countries, communities and educational institutions! Pray for the Holy Spirit
- [February 2011 Trip to Ukraine/Russia. Summary](https://faithsearch.org/february-2011-trip-to-ukrainerussia-summary/) - “Go and make disciples…” There is only so much one person can do–even the fastest one and even with the strongest voice. Now imagine my frustration when I almost completely lost my voice due to a cold in the middle of the trip. Imagine also how I felt when my train car was found to
- [February 2011 Trip to Ukraine/Russia. Minnesota](https://faithsearch.org/february-2011-trip-to-ukrainerussia-minnesota/) - Thanks to all your prayers my flight back to Minnesota was the way I like it--uneventful. My head is still spinning from the nine-hour time difference, but the last day's event still stands in front of me as very nice finale to the whole trip. Not a large audience--maybe fifteen highschoolers and maybe fifteen teachers
- [February 2011 Trip to Ukraine/Russia. Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/february-2011-trip-to-ukrainerussia-moscow/) - This was my second time attending and speaking at the "Sretenskie Chtenia" Conference of St.Philaret's Orthodox Institute in Moscow. The school is known for its very progressive and advanced curriculum as well as for its focus on intelligentsia from all over Russia. These folks know the culture, the history and the philosophy/theology stuff very well.
- [February 2011 Trip to Ukraine/Russia. Moscow, Plyoskovo, Kashira](https://faithsearch.org/february-2011-trip-to-ukrainerussia-moscow-plyoskovo-kashira/) - Thank you for all your prayers--my voice is back. At least 85% of it. I certainly didn't want to miss some additional teaching opportunities in the last couple of days simply because... they could not hear me. Honestly, I was somewhat nervous about teaching at the Plyoskovo Orthodox High School (30 km outside of Moscow)
- [February 2011 Trip to Ukraine/Russia. Pereslavl](https://faithsearch.org/february-2011-trip-to-ukrainerussia-pereslavl/) - It was a wonderful two day trip to one of the oldest cities of Central Russia--Pereslavl-Zalesskiy. And what a special privilege to share the Gospel where it was first proclaimed almost ten centuries ago! Beautiful churches, monasteries, monuments and memorials are everywhere you look! If only the cold was not so bitter: -6F! I had
- [February 2011 Trip to Ukraine/Russia. Belgorod and Kursk](https://faithsearch.org/february-2011-trip-to-ukrainerussia-belgorod-and-kursk/) - Belgorod Orthodox Seminary is the only one in Russia with the Missions emphasis. It prepares the front line warriors for the spiritual battlefields of the country. No wonder they swallowed the FaithSearch Discovery material so hungrily! Their professor said: "I have absolutely no doubt that most of this year seminarians will take your material as a 'topic' for
- [February 2011 Trip to Ukraine/Russia. Poltava, Day 2](https://faithsearch.org/february-2011-trip-to-ukrainerussia-poltava-day-2/) - The Second All-Ukrainian Conference on Biblical History and Christian Ethics was held in Poltava University. This year it featured theFaithSearch Discovery presentation. Students, teachers, professors, clergy and Education ministry officials were presented with the historical evidence for the Biblical truth as a foundation for their Christian Ethics classes. One of the organizers said: "What a perfect
- [February 2011 Trip to Ukraine/Russia. Poltava](https://faithsearch.org/february-2011-trip-to-ukrainerussia-poltava/) - Just had an Ah-ha! moment... (see the photo to the right). The audience at the Vozrozhdenie (Revival) Baptist Church loved the presentation (left). One lady in her 60s said: "I have been a believer most of my life but only this morning I realized that I was believing in my own dream. Thank you for making it
- [February 2011 Trip to Ukraine/Russia. Kiev, Kremenchug](https://faithsearch.org/february-2011-trip-to-ukrainerussia-kiev-kremenchug/) - 90 minutes after landing in Kiev I was already doing my first presentation at the Peter Mogila Orthodox Church. Sorry, no time for little things like jet-lag, rest or even a stretch after the 17 hour flight... Or, maybe, it was a bit of a stretch. Fr. Ioann commented: "Your seminar is opening a new
- [February 2011 Trip to Ukraine/Russia. MSP-JFK-AMS-KBP](https://faithsearch.org/february-2011-trip-to-ukrainerussia-msp-jfk-ams-kbp/) - ~200 miles. This was, according to the Delta pilot, by how much a terrible snow storm missed us today--about 200 miles. Praise the Lord for no delays on my trip to Kiev, Ukraine so far! In route, I am sending e-mails to my Ukrainian and Russian partners to confirm our events. In the US, if you didn't
- [Leaving for Ukraine/Russia](https://faithsearch.org/leaving-for-ukrainerussia/) - I will be flying over to Kiev tomorrow morning to spend the next three weeks in Ukraine and in Russia teaching the FaithSearch Discovery curriculum in High School, Churches, Seminaries, Universities and Teachers' Continuing Education Centers. I want you to be able to travel with me by praying for those teachers, students, seminarians and other folks who
- [December 2010 Trip to Latvia, Ukraine, Russia. Summary](https://faithsearch.org/december-2010-trip-to-latvia-ukraine-russia-summary/) - It is called déjà vu in French, but I would call it a “missionary moment.” It happens when I plan an event in some remote city across the globe three months ahead of time; I figure out the transportation and coordinate it with other events, people, locations, etc.; I try to take care of every detail: setting,

## Pages

- [Landing Page](https://faithsearch.org/) - This is an example of a WordPress page, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many pages as you like and manage all of your content inside of WordPress. Reason #1 Why You Should Buy My Product This
- [Adrian Van Vactor](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/meet-our-speakers/adrian-van-vactor-associate-evangelist-speaker/) - FaithSearch International celebrates the remarkable missionary work of Adrian Van Vactor—an international award-winning illusionist who utilizes the distinctive combination of apologetics and the art of illusion to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ across cultures and generations. Over six continents and in twenty-seven countries, Adrian's creative ministry has led hundreds of thousands to faith in
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- [Meet Our Speakers](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/meet-our-speakers/) - We are a dedicated group of individuals with a shared passion for communicating the timeless truths of Scripture in a way that is both impactful and relevant to today’s world. With diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, our team brings a rich variety of perspectives to the table, making each presentation and teaching opportunity unique.
- [Kristi Wanamaker](https://faithsearch.org/about-community-outreach-team/evangelism-leadership-team/kristi-wanamaker/) - Kristi is serving as a vital link with our U.S. churches, pastors and leaders. She oversees the scheduling and facilitation of events for our evangelists, as well as the follow-up of those who have responded to Christ. Kristi is an encourager in the vision to proclaim the Gospel with evidence in every venue possible. She
- [Rick Wattman](https://faithsearch.org/about-community-outreach-team/evangelism-leadership-team/rick-wattman/) - Director of Communications and PublicationsRick is a vital link in our ministry of proclaiming the Gospel with evidence. As communications director, he supports and enables each department by reviewing and editing virtually all the ministry’s messages (both verbal and visual) to all of our constituencies. This ranges from newsletters (print and electronic), promotional materials, press
- [Dr. Don Bierle - Bible Teacher, Speaker and President](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/meet-our-speakers/dr-don-bierle/) - Dr. Don Bierle, christian speaker and president of FaithSearch International, holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in the life sciences, and an M.A. in New Testament Studies. As a research scientist he was a team member on scientific expeditions to both the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions. As an educator and academic dean, Dr. Bierle has been
- [Dr. Oleg Voskresensky - Evangelist, Trainer](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/meet-our-speakers/oleg-voskresensky/) - Инфомация о миссии "В поисках веры" . Download Ministry Opportunities PDF Give a Gift Read Oleg's latest News Oleg Voskresensky was born in Moscow and grew up in a family of Russian intelligentsia in the Soviet Union. Before coming to the U.S.A. in 1991, to pursue an M.Div. from Bethel Seminary, Oleg taught
- [2025.03 Office Manager and Clerical Services](https://faithsearch.org/2025-03-office-manager-and-clerical-services/) - FaithSearch International JOB DESCRIPTION This is an outline of responsibilities in the operational area of the ministry of FaithSearch International. The position is approximately 20-24 hours per week. Accountability is to the President, but we are reminded in the Scriptures that we are to do our work “heartily, as for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). This list of
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- [Event Confirmation, Honorarium and Expenses](https://faithsearch.org/adrian-van-vactor/) - Welcome to your event confirmation and honorarium payment portal. Below you can pay your deposit, honorarium, and event reimbursement expenses for hosting International Award-Winning Illusionist and Speaker Adrian Van Vactor If you need a more detailed receipt, please contact our office and we'd be glad to provide one.
- [Live with Dr. Don](https://faithsearch.org/dr-don-live/) - Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, CST Times have changed since Dr. Don was presenting the Gospel with evidence in living rooms using a white board in the 1970s. In the 1990s and 2000s, we upgraded to PowerPoint® and multimedia presentations to larger audiences in large theaters and auditoriums. The worldwide restrictions on large gatherings due to
- [Gospel & Evidence Based Events](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/) - Timely Issues... Timeless Answers Attacks on the foundations of the Christian faith require that churches and their people be prepared to make a defense (give reasons) for the hope we have in Christ (1 Peter 3:15). The FaithSearch message—what we call "the Gospel with evidence"—is a powerful antidote against such attacks, encouraging the faith of believers
- [Paraclete Archive](https://faithsearch.org/paraclete-archive/) - 2022, Volume 5 Volume 5, Issue 6: October 2022 Volume 5, Issue 5: September 2022 Volume 5, Issue 4: July 2022 Volume 5, Issue 3: May 2022 Volume 5, Issue 2: April 2022 Volume 5, Issue 1: January 2022 2021, Volume 4 Volume 4, Issue 6: October 2021 Volume 4, Issue 5: August 2021 Volume
- [Egypt](https://faithsearch.org/egypt/)
- [Becoming New in Christ](https://faithsearch.org/becoming-new-christ/) - To help you understand what it means to be a new creation, and how to become one—with the personal assurance of eternal life—FaithSearch has designed this brief study for you. By completing it you will learn… How a person becomes a Christian How to know that you will have life after death What changes occur
- [Without Excuse](https://faithsearch.org/without-excuse/) - The Evidence for God (This content is available for purchase in a 25-pack, and as a printable PDF.) Note: If you would like to discover a personal relationship with God for yourself, go to our Web site (www.faithsearch.org) and download and complete a Bible study called “Becoming New in Christ.” Let it guide you to
- [The Discovery Lay School of the Bible](https://faithsearch.org/discovery-school-of-the-bible/) - “…feed My sheep.” Dr. Don Bierle, Director Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 The Discovery Lay School of the Bible (www.faithsearchcenter.com), with campuses in Sioux Falls, SD, and Surprise, AZ, is a division of FaithSearch International
- [Information Request  Form](https://faithsearch.org/school/) - Complete this form to receive future updates. Read the School description here.
- [Ardis](https://faithsearch.org/ardis/) - Special download page. Licensed PowerPoint® file, ©2022 FaithSearch International, issued under previous teacher license: 2022 FaithSearch Discovery Movie files (make sure they are in the same folder as the .ppt file. PowerPoint may ask you to convert the file): Man on the street videoRolling stone video NOTES: This PowerPoint file is similar to what was
- [Redirect to Specials](https://faithsearch.org/redirect-to-specials/) - This page loads the current specials.
- [Discovery Presentation Installer](https://faithsearch.org/ppt-installer/) - Because you recently attended a training event offered by Dr. Oleg Voskresensky, you have been given the opportunity to download and use the presentation for your own ministry. PLEASE NOTE: This presentation is copyright ©2007 by FaithSearch International. All rights are reserved. You have been granted a free, limited use license to download and present
- [Paraclete Print Archive](https://faithsearch.org/paraclete-print-archive/) - 2021, Volume 4 Volume 4, Issue 6: October 2021 Volume 4, Issue 5: August 2021 Volume 4, Issue 4: June 2021 Volume 4, Issue 3: May 2021 Volume 4, Issue 2: April 2021 Volume 4, Issue 1: January 2021 2020, Volume 3 Volume 3, Issue 6: December 2020 Volume 3, Issue 5: October 2020 Volume
- [Video Archives](https://faithsearch.org/archive/) - Creation Vs Evolution Does God Exist Historical Jesus Incarnation Resurrection Growing Faith Surprised by Faith Life After Death World Views Creation Vs Evolution Why would a skeptical scientist abandon Darwinian evolution and turn to belief in a creator? Does God Exist Does the origin of the universe provide insight into the existence of a transcendent,
- [Special Pricing on Evidence-Based Outreach Resources](https://faithsearch.org/special-pricing-on-evidence-based-outreach-resources/)
- [Subscribe and get the latest evidence right in your inbox!](https://faithsearch.org/subscribe/)
- [Many Ways You Can Help](https://faithsearch.org/friends/) - Friends of FaithSearch, You often ask me how you can help the ministry of FaithSearch. Here is a checklist of ways you can make a huge difference. Help us make 2018, our fortieth year of ministry, the most spiritually impactful ever. Register as a Friend of FaithSearch Complete the "Friends of FaithSearch" form to ensure
- [About FaithSearch - Our Promise](https://faithsearch.org/about-community-outreach-team/) - The mission of FaithSearch International is to "Extend the Gospel with Evidence to all peoples Everywhere." FaithSearch delivers the "Ah-ha!" moment in your church and community with an exciting, relevant Christian experience which will reveal the astonishing evidence for biblical faith, so that once understanding is established in the mind, the heart can follow. Founded
- [Statement of Faith](https://faithsearch.org/statement-of-faith/) - We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.We believe in the deity and humanity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning
- [Answers to "How well do you know what the Bible says about Christmas?"](https://faithsearch.org/answers-to-how-well-do-you-know-what-the-bible-says-about-christmas/) - How did you do? Here are Dr. Don's answers: c fdTc eaedMore than onec
- [September 2020 BOGO+](https://faithsearch.org/september-2020-bogo/) - The greatest and most foundational need in America today is spiritual. It is NOT the cure for COVID-19; nor is it success in the November election. The urgent need is for God! Following the trend in many countries of the world, America is experiencing an erosion of faith in God. Only 27% of the French,
- [ALIVE! Affirming Resurrection Hope](https://faithsearch.org/affirming-resurrection-hope/) - In these difficult times, don't despair: THERE IS HOPE. God has not abandoned us; not to the global pandemic, nor to our own sin. This Easter season, the message of God's free gift of eternal life is exactly what we need to hear. In the crucifixion, Jesus paid for the sin that separates us from
- [July-August 2020 BOGO](https://faithsearch.org/julyaugust-2020-bogo/) - All or parts of July and August are sometimes referred to as the “dog days of summer.” The ancient Romans noted that the dawn rising of the star Sirius coincided with these months. They believed that its heat, together with that of the sun, accounted for the hot and sultry weather. Since Sirius is the
- [COVID-19 Update](https://faithsearch.org/covid-19-update/) - During this time of social distancing, FaithSearch in-person events have been curtailed. Please contact us to discuss opportunities for including a FaithSearch speaker as part of remote or virtual events in your church or community, and to discuss scheduling future in-person events when it is safe to do so. Even in quarantine, FaithSearch is active and available. The Sky is the
- [Paraclete: Advocating for the Truth of the Christian Faith](https://faithsearch.org/paraclete-advocating-truth-christian-faith/) - In 2018, FaithSearch celebrated its fortieth year of evidence-based ministry. As part of that celebration, we introduced Paraclete, a news digest designed to "come alongside" [Greek: παράκλητος *] to help you understand and defend your Christian faith. Each issue since (six per year) has reviewed recent literature, topics, and events for evidence demonstrating the validity—and impact—of the
- [Communications Preferences](https://faithsearch.org/preferences/) - Update your FaithSearch communication preferences by completing and submitting this form.
- [My Reasons: Evidence for God](https://faithsearch.org/rfg/) - This three-part series was originally published in The Paraclete. Dr. Don Bierle discussed evidence which supports his belief in the existence of God. Here are links to those three articles: Without Excuse: The Evidence for God (Part 1)A Great Light: The Evidence for God (Part 2)Salt and Light: The Evidence for God (Part 3)
- [FaithSearch International Privacy Policy](https://faithsearch.org/faithsearch-international-privacy-policy/) - This privacy policy has been compiled to better serve those who are concerned with how their 'Personally identifiable information' (PII) is being used online. PII, as used in US privacy law and information security, is information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person,
- [Terms and Conditions](https://faithsearch.org/terms-and-conditions/) - Payment Options We will process your order in US dollars, and we reserve the right to change pricing at any time without prior notice. Shipping and handling quoted costs at the time of order are estimates only. If the shipping amount changes, we will contact you for authorization of the new amount. Credit Cards FaithSearch
- [Biblical Worldview Essentials](https://faithsearch.org/worldview-essentials/) - Truths for Navigating our Lives to Think Like Jesus (Click here or the image to the right to download a printable PDF of this worksheet.) A. Core Ingredient on which every worldview must have a position in order to be legitimate God The eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, benevolent, loving, infinite, personal, and triune Creator of the
- [<font color="red"><b>WOW, Lord!</b></font> <i>The Adventure Continues</i>](https://faithsearch.org/give-to-faith-search-international-today/wow-lord-the-adventure-continues/) - With Thanksgiving in mind, and the Advent of Christmas just around the corner, may we say, “Seasons greetings!” As we look back over the year, we’re giving praise and thanksgiving for answered prayers, and for changed lives. We look forward to continuing this journey with your partnership. We’re also looking forward with excitement for several
- [Thank You!](https://faithsearch.org/thank-you/) - Thank you for your donation in support of our worldwide evangelism ministry. We are committed to proclaiming the Gospel with evidence to all peoples everywhere.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery Leader's Resources](https://faithsearch.org/faithsearch-discovery-leaders-manual-download/) - FaithSearch offers a FREE Leader's Guide to accompany the FaithSearch Discovery DVD. The DVD breaks the presentation into ten sessions, and the Leader's Guide is a valuable resource for facilitating discussion in a small group or classroom setting. Download the FaithSearch Discovery DVD Leader's Guide FaithSearch also provides the FREE FaithSearch Discovery Leader's Manual and related
- [We moved!](https://faithsearch.org/were-moving/) - FaithSearch has moved to new offices in Edina, MN! Our offices in Minnetonka are now closed. We are open in our new location in Edina. Our E-mail and phone systems are back up and running, so we are once again in business, proclaiming the Gospel with evidence to all peoples everywhere. (We are still unpacking,
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Policy on Donated Funds](https://faithsearch.org/give-to-faith-search-international-today/faithsearch-policy-on-donated-funds/) - FaithSearch International is a donor-supported Christian ministry; an interdenominational, not-for-profit religious entity [organzied and approved under provision 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code]. As such, all donations to FaithSearch are tax deductible to the full extent of IRS regulations. The FaithSearch policy on donated funds is, first and foremost, to be a good steward with what God has entrusted
- [Remove Me from your Mailing List](https://faithsearch.org/remove/) - Please complete this form to complete the process of removing yourself from our mailing list. Thank you for your interest in our ministry and for your participation in our calling to "proclaim the Gospel with evidence to all peoples everywhere."
- [2018 Explore the Evidence Coach and Cruise Tour of the Greek Isles](https://faithsearch.org/2018-explore-evidence-coach-cruise-tour-greek-isles/) - The trip has been cancelled. For Additional Forms and Questions Contact: GOLDEN EAGLE TRAVEL & TOURS • 21250 Excelsior Blvd., Excelsior MN 55331 • Phone: 952.474.0903 • Fax: 952.474.3424 • Website: GoldenEagleTravelGroup.com[/su_note]
- [Celebrating Our Year of Gratitude](https://faithsearch.org/thanksgiving/) - Throughout 2018, FaithSearch International is celebrating our 40th year of ministry. We have been proclaiming the Gospel with evidence to all peoples everywhere since 1979. Thank you for all your support and interest in our ministry. Living in a world full of doubt and skepticism… people are searching. Please prayerfully consider partnering with us monthly
- [2017 Annual Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction: Friday, May 5](https://faithsearch.org/give-to-faith-search-international-today/annual-benefit-dinner/) - What a Blast! What a great ”Early Show” evening we had on Friday night, May 5, 2017, at New Hope Church where nearly 200 friends, staff and guests stormed a silent auction, enjoyed a tasty dinner, and experienced a live "Talk Show." The FaithSearch team was in full force with witty interactions, skits, and even custom-made
- [Billy Graham Touched Us, Too!](https://faithsearch.org/billy-graham-touched-us/) - —By Dr. Don Bierle The passing of the world’s spiritual statesman and evangelist, Rev. Billy Graham, certainly set my mind into reflection. Others will recount the impact he had on millions around the world. I just want to reveal that his influence was even greater than most people even imagine. In the 1980s, the Billy
- [My Response](https://faithsearch.org/myresponse/)
- [Let’s Continue to Make the Christ Child Known](https://faithsearch.org/lets-continue-make-christ-child-known/) - YES, Don, I am rallying with you to enable a spiritually powerful fortieth year of ministry!
- [Merry Christmas 2017](https://faithsearch.org/merry-christmas-2017/) - FaithSearch Celebrating Forty Years of Ministry in 2018 Dear FaithSearch Friend, Christmas Greetings! We join you, our ministry partner, in this season of great joy to celebrate our Savior’s birth. …for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11). Christmas Celebration & Gratefulness
- [Explore the Evidence Community Breakfast!](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/explore-the-evidence-community-breakfast/) - Consider how often you hear a message, a good answer to a tough question, or attend an event or conference; then find yourself wishing that some individual in your sphere of influence was there at that very moment. These "teachable" moments are difficult to predict or plan. Family, friends, co-workers, those you wish to have a deeper grasp of the
- [Friends of FaithSearch Registration](https://faithsearch.org/friends-registration/) - Register here to be a "Friend of FaithSearch." We will add your name to our database so we can keep you informed about our ministry for one year. After that time, if you no longer want to hear about our ministry, just let us know and we will remove you from the database. When you
- [Praying for FaithSearch International](https://faithsearch.org/prayer/) - Thank you for your interest in praying for the worldwide ministry of FaithSearch International. We are grateful for your commitment to upholding the spiritual and physical needs of our ministry before the throne of grace. Simply complete the form below, and we will begin sending you prayer updates so you can pray regularly, intentionally, and
- [Become a FaithSearch Volunteer](https://faithsearch.org/volunteer/) - Thank you for your interest in volunteering your time and talents with FaithSearch International. We'll contact you whenever we have an opportunity that matches your interests and abilities. We're confident you'll have fun and be blessed by the fellowship. PLUS, we're also confident that God will be blessed by your contribution to the FaithSearch mission
- [2017 Explore the Evidence Invitational Golf Classic Results](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/2017-explore-evidence-invitational-golf-classic-results/) - The 2017 “Explore the Evidence” Invitational Golf Classic was held Monday, September 18, at Pheasant Acres Golf Club in Rogers, MN. The sixth such annual tournament was played under rainy conditions, as eighteen teams vied for a coveted spot on the trophy cup. The Lord greeted us with cool air and cloudy skies as each team challenged the elements and the
- [2016 Explore the Evidence Invitational Golf Classic Results](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/2016-explore-evidence-invitational-golf-classic-results/) - The 2016 “Explore the Evidence” Invitational Golf Classic was held Monday, September 26, at Pheasant Acres Golf Club in Rogers, MN. The fifth such annual tournament was played under ideal conditions, as twenty teams vied for a coveted spot on the trophy cup. The Lord greeted us with fresh air and sunshine so each team could have a good time
- [Join us for the Explore the Evidence Invitational Golf Classic](https://faithsearch.org/give-to-faith-search-international-today/explore-the-evidence-golf-classic/) - We hope you are excited to participate in our sixth annual “Explore the Evidence” Invitational Golf Classic. Our tournament will be played at Pheasant Acres Golf Club in Rogers, MN on Monday, September 18th with a 1:00 pm shotgun. Each foursome participating with us at Pheasant Acres will be able to choose between entering a
- [Golf Classic Registration Confirmation](https://faithsearch.org/give-to-faith-search-international-today/explore-the-evidence-golf-classic/golf-classic-registration-confirmation/) - Thank you for your registration! Pheasant Acres Golf Club in Rogers, MN on Monday September 18 Schedule: 11:00 am – Registration & Range Open 1:00 pm – Shotgun Start 5:00 pm – Happy Hour & Fellowship 5:30 pm – Taco Bar Dinner & Awards & Raffle IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Dress smart - Weather can change quickly in September! This will
- [What Leaders Are Saying...](https://faithsearch.org/what-leaders-are-saying/) - Here is some of what church and ministry leaders, including event hosts, have to say about the ministry of FaithSearch International.
- [What People Are Saying...](https://faithsearch.org/what-people-are-saying/) - Here is a sampling from some of the thousands of comments we have received about our events, videos, and books.
- [Esther & Mundo Gomez - Associate Evangelists, Spanish Language Ministry](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/meet-our-speakers/esther-mundo-gomez-associate-evangelists-spanish-language-ministry/) - Mundo & Esther Gomez have responded to God’s call to become Associate Evangelists with FaithSearch International, to bring the Gospel with evidence to Spanish-speaking peoples everywhere. Mundo and Esther met in their teen years and went on to study separately at Word of Life Bible Institute: Mundo in the jungles of Venezuela; and Esther in upstate New York.
- [Scott Boeser - Associate Evangelist, Teacher](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/meet-our-speakers/scott-boeser/) - Scott Boeser is a trained, experienced Christian counselor. In addition to his counseling ministry, Scott served for five years in Slovakia as a missionary where he participated in Christian camp ministry using sports as an outreach to young people. Another primary ministry for Scott was his outreach to the prisons around Slovakia where he had the
- [Frequently Asked Questions](https://faithsearch.org/historical-jesus-questions/)
- [Unmasking the Masquerade Event](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/unmasking-masquerade-event/) - Unmasking the Masquerade On Stage! A magical performance event that is as highly entertaining as it is thought-provoking and truth-imparting. Events can be customized to your church or organization’s needs. Anywhere from a one hour program to a half-day show and seminar event to an entire day of intensive learning with lots of fascinating illusions
- [Secrets of the Supernatural Exposed](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/community-outreach-events/secrets-of-the-supernatural-exposed/) - Adrian Van Vactor is an international award-winning magician and illusionist. His 25 years experience as a student in the field as well as his expertise in investigating and exploring paranormal claims across the globe provides a powerful background for clear answers in Secrets of the Supernatural Exposed. Do the dead rise? Is there life after
- [Operation Armor: Youth Initiative](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/church-training/operation-armor-youth-initiative/) - Fight For Your Youth by Equipping Them with God’s Armor! Young people have questions, and they deserve to be answered with supporting evidence. Yet many of our youth are stepping into their post-high-school lives without the spiritual armor they need to stand firm in their Christian faith. As many as 70% of young people from Christian families LEAVE their
- [Surprised by Faith Fourth Edition Now Available](https://faithsearch.org/surprised-faith-fourth-edition-now-available/) - Dr. Don Bierle's best selling book Surprised by Faith, with over 300,000 copies in print, has been released by Aneko Press, in an updated fourth edition. Some contend that turning to faith is anti-intellectual. “God is about religion,” they say, “a crutch for the weak.” These are mere caricatures resulting from ignorance. This book confronts false
- [Why I Believe... in Creation](https://faithsearch.org/why-i-believe-in-creation/) - This is our latest ministry resource... A Ph.D. scientist and college educator shares the evidence which moved him from belief in random evolutionary events to Intelligent Design by a Creator. This DVD presentation features Dr. Don Bierle. He holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in the life sciences, and an M.A. degree in New Testament studies. As a
- [FaithSearch ORIGINS - Intelligent Design and Evolution, Where does the evidence lead...](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/community-outreach-events/origins-intelligent-design-evolution/) - Making Sense of Creation, Intelligent Design & Evolution With all the fuss over what should and shouldn't be taught in schools, and with politicians weighing in on all levels, this is a must see presentation. Ph.D. biologist Don Bierle uses current scientific evidence to unravel creation, intelligent design, evolution and the meaning of life. His lively
- [Why I Believe... in God](https://faithsearch.org/why-i-believe-in-god/) - One of our latest products... A Ph.D. scientist and college educator shares the evidence which moved him from skepticism to belief. This DVD presentation features Dr. Don Bierle. He holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in the life sciences, and an M.A. degree in New Testament studies. As a scientist and former skeptic, Don shares his remarkable
- [The Resolve Conference, 2016](https://faithsearch.org/resolve-conference-2016/) - Resolving doubts. Strengthening resolve. November 18-20, 2016 Inspiration Hills Camp & Retreat Center 1242 280th Street, Inwood, IA 51240 RE•SOLVE \ri-’zälv, : to find an answer or solution to (something) : to settle or solve (something) : to make a definite and serious decision to do something At The Resolve Conference, 2016, we will explore
- [FaithSearch ANSWERS - Events dealing with Questions and Answers about Christianity](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/community-outreach-events/questions-answers-christianity/) - This series of topical presentations is ideal–and widely popular–for Sunday morning worship services and adult education classes re: Questions and Answers about Christianity. With the compelling evidence and logical presentation you've come to expect from FaithSearch, these messages are adaptable and customizable to meet the needs of each local community. Always in touch with the most
- [The Da Vinci Code: Distinguishing Fact from Dangerous Fiction](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/community-outreach-events/questions-answers-christianity/the-da-vinci-code-distinguishing-fact-from-dangerous-fiction/) - Media and popular culture always have something in the limelight to challenge the faith of followers of Jesus. These challenges attempt to separate the Christ of "faith" from the Christ of history... as if they were two different figures. In other words, the culture portrays Christians as having a blind emotional faith in a mythical
- [<strong><em>FaithSearch</em></strong> Community Outreach Events](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/community-outreach-events/) - FaithSearch is committed to New Testament teaching that the church is God's vehicle for reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We come alongside the local church to provide community outreach events offering dynamic, evidence-based presentations that appeal to the needs and interests of those outside the church. Three primary events, as well
- [FaithSearch Church Training events](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/church-training/) - FaithSearch has developed time-tested, effective, and strategic materials to equip every individual to be an effective part of God's Kingdom. These church training events work hand-in-hand with our outreach events to multiply the impact in the community. FaithSearch Influence: Friend to Friend This is a positive outreach and discipleship strategy that empowers all believers to reach
- [2015 Explore the Evidence Golf Classic Results](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/2015-explore-the-evidence-golf-classic-results/) - The results are in from the fourth annual "Explore the Evidence" Invitational Golf Classic, which was held under ideal conditions at Dahlgren Golf Club in Chaska, MN, on September 11, 2015. This yearly event is both a fundraiser and a time for fellowship with many of our golfing friends who are involved in the FaithSearch community. Our tournament this
- [FaithSearch DISCOVERY: Reasons and Evidence for God, Jesus, and the Bible](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/community-outreach-events/reasons-evidence-for-god-jesus-and-the-bible/) - FaithSearch DISCOVERY is an eye-opening, logical case for discovering the reasons and evidence for God, Jesus and the bible - for everyone who wonders why they should believe (outreach) … and for everyone who wonders why they do (spiritual growth). FaithSearch DISCOVERY has challenged, inspired and wonderfully changed hundreds of thousands of people around the world, leading participants to ten
- [Explore the Evidence Youth Camp](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/church-training/explore-the-evidence-youth-camp/) - Your questions deserve to be answered, with supporting evidence. Are you able to give a reason why you believe in Jesus? Get REAL ANSWERS!! Expose the lies of secular culture that draw us in and deceive us so easily! After attending Youth Camp, you will be able to articulate the evidence for the truth of the
- [Registration Confirmation - Explore the Evidence Youth Camp](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/church-training/explore-the-evidence-youth-camp/youth-camp-confirmation/) - Thank you for your registration and for your commitment to "Explore the Evidence" and to equip others to give a reason for the hope we have in Christ! Be sure to download, print, and send to our office the camp waiver form (download here). All registrations are complete once the waiver has been received by our
- [Growing Faith Discipleship Training Event](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/church-training/discipleship-growing-faith/) - FaithSearch Discipleship: Growing Faith Biblical foundations for a lifelong relationship with God. Growing Faith is an ideal tool for discipling new Christians, or for those still investigating the claims of Christianity. The Growing Faith discipleship manual contains eight easy-to-follow lessons that help a person get firmly rooted in the truth. Each lesson leads the user
- [Friend to Friend - Bringing Gospel evidence to your friends](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/church-training/gospel-evidence-friends/) - Topics include: How today's non-Christian thinks Developing a plan for building relationships with non-Christians Finding freedom from the guilt and helplessness of not being an evangelist It's a changing world. Most people in our society no longer see the Christian faith - and the Bible - as relevant or authoritative. We can't reach them by
- [FaithSearch DESTINY: Your Destiny and God](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/community-outreach-events/faithsearch-destiny-your-destiny-and-god/) - With terrorism, disease, natural disasters, struggling economies, even approaching old age—is it any wonder the world lives in fear? Who knows what tomorrow will bring? God does. Using logic, and biblical and historical evidence, FaithSearch DESTINY: Your Destiny and God, separates truth from fiction concerning the afterlife. This compelling presentation covers critical issues, including: The existence
- [Evidence Events Calendar](https://faithsearch.org/evidence-events-calendar/) - [localendar username="joefaith" type="full" style="mb" hide_events="false" ]
- [Calendar](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/christian-outreach-event-calendar/)
- [Resources](https://faithsearch.org/shop/)
- [Pardon our Dust...](https://faithsearch.org/pardon-our-dust/) - Welcome to our new website, thank you for visiting us! You may find that there are some broken parts here and there when it comes to formatting and links, or that some pages may not fully load yet. Please pardon our work as we put some finishing touches on our new website. If parts of
- [Joe Evangelist](https://faithsearch.org/gospel-evidence-events/meet-our-speakers/joe-evangelist/) - This is a test form page.
- [Our Ministries](https://faithsearch.org/our-ministries/) - Learn about our ministries and our serving trips. This is an example of a WordPress page, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many pages like this one or sub-pages as you like and manage all of your
- [November-December 2012 teaching trip to Russia. Omsk, Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/november-december-2012-teaching-trip-to-russia-omsk-moscow/) - I am back in Moscow today, waiting for the train to Samara. My presentations in Omsk for the last three days – to teachers, to church leaders, to university students – were very well received and attended. Besides, I was making many new friends and contacts for future ministry in this city and region: local
- [Contact Page](https://faithsearch.org/contact/) - * This contact form was developed with a third party plugin called Gravity Forms and is not included in the Genesis Framework. It is for display on this demo site - though we highly recommend using it.

## Products

- [Surprised By Faith](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/church-resources-all-resources/surprised-by-faith/) - Pages: 160 Print: Perfect bound Retail price: $12.99 Read sample pages (PDF files. Requires Acrobat Reader, free from Adobe): Back cover (578 KB) Preface (147 KB) Selected sample pages (512 KB)
- [FaithSearch Discovery: Participant Guide](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/discovery/faithsearch-discovery-participant-guide/) - Pages: 32 Print: Saddle stitched 1 book (case quantity=50)
- [Unmasking the Masquerade](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/unmasking-the-masquerade/) - Unmasking boldly reveals the powerful secrets behind the supernatural, psychic ability and the limits of Satan: Do some humans have supernatural powers? Is it possible to read minds? How do psychics get their secret information? Could the miracles of Jesus have been an illusion? Was Jesus merely a myth, perhaps a clever magician, or the Messiah? Should we be afraid of Satan?
- [Surprised by Faith Study and Discussion Guide](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/discovery/surprised-by-faith-study-and-discussion-guide/) - The Surprised by Faith Study and Discussion Guide is a thorough examination of the material in the FaithSearch Discovery presentation and in Surprised by Faith. It is ideal for in-depth study for individuals, for one-on-one discipleship, or in a classroom setting. Click here for information about the FREE Leader's Manual.
- [Why I Believe... in Creation DVD Study Bundle](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/curriculum-packages/why-i-believe-in-creation-dvd-bundle/) - Evolution is perhaps the one topic to have led more Christian youth to say to tearful parents: "I don’t believe in God or the Bible anymore!" —Dr. Don Bierle The Presentation by Dr. Don Bierle: “Why I Believe… in Creation” This is an enlightening and challenging presentation, using current biblical and scientific evidence, and illustrated with
- [Discovery the Reality of Knowing God](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/outreach/discovery-the-reality-of-knowing-god/) - This brochure prints on US Legal paper in four columns, front and back. You can also purchase printed copies from our office.
- [Surprised by Faith Combo](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/discovery/surprised-by-faith-combo/) - Package Contains Surprised by Faith Surprised by Faith Study and Discussion Guide
- ["Why I Believe... in Creation" Leader's Guide](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/curriculum-packages/wibic-leaders-guide/) - Dr. Don Bierle has created the "Why I Believe... in Creation" Leader / Facilitator / Coordinator Guide to help get more out of one of his most popular and powerful presentations. The Guide is coordinated with the Making Sense of Creation and Evolution Manual and the presentation on the "Why I Believe... in Creation" DVD. It
- [Without Excuse: The Evidence for God 25-pack](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/church-resources-all-resources/without-excuse-evidence-god-25-pack/) - Twenty-five illustrated, evidence-based brochures.
- [A 315 Response: Fulfilling Jesus' Heart 6-pack](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/outreach/315-response-fulfilling-jesus-heart-6-pack/) - Six illustrated, evidence-based brochures.
- [Unwrapping the Truth About Christmas: 25-Pack](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/print-resources-all-resources/pocket-guides/unwrapping-the-truth-about-christmas-25-pack/) - "Unwrapping the Truth about Christmas" is the original "FaithSearch PocketGuide," now at a NEW LOW PRICE. Based on FaithSearch Discovery, our flagship event, this pocket-sized booklet is perfect for sharing the true meaning of Christmas with everyone in your circle of influence. This timeless and timely booklet explores evidence for the Christian faith, focusing on the Christmas story. For topics included, see description below.
- [Making Sense of Creation & Evolution DVD](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/multimedia-resources/video-dvd/making-sense-of-creation-evolution-dvd/) - In response to many, repeated requests, FaithSearch has released a two-hour DVD of Dr. Don Bierle's popular presentation of FaithSearch Origins: Making Sense of Creation & Evolution. 1 DVD in album (NTSC Fullscreen, Color, Approx. 120 min.)
- [Without Excuse: The Evidence for God 6-pack](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/outreach/without-excuse-evidence-god-6-pack/) - Six illustrated, evidence-based brochures.
- [Growing Faith](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/church-resources-all-resources/growing-faith/) - FaithSearch Discipleship: Growing Faith See a sample lesson here. (PDF file; requires Acrobat Reader, free from Adobe.)
- [Discovering the Truth about Jesus: 25-pack](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/print-resources-all-resources/pocket-guides/discovering-the-truth-about-jesus-25-pack/) - The newest "FaithSearch PocketGuide," now at a NEW LOW PRICE, presents eye-opening evidence for believing in the deity of the historical person of Jesus. Based onFaithSearch Discovery, our flagship event, this pocket-sized booklet is perfect for sharing evidence for the Christian faith with everyone in your circle of influence. Topics include (click here for complete text):
- [Discovering the Truth about Jesus: Single](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/print-resources-all-resources/pocket-guides/discovering-the-truth-about-jesus-single/) - The newest "FaithSearch Pocket Guide" presents eye-opening evidence for believing in the deity of the historical person of Jesus. Based on FaithSearchDiscovery, our flagship event, this 12-page, pocket-sized booklet is perfect for sharing evidence for the Christian faith with everyone in your circle of influence. Supply is limited, so don't delay. 1 booklet (Also available in 25-packs.)
- [Surpris par la foi - eBook](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/multi-language-resources/french/surpris-par-la-foi/) - French translation of Surprised by Faith, by Dr. Don Bierle. This is the text for the FaithSearch Discovery Presentation. Download the PDF (non-printing) of this new translation.
- [Surprised by Faith 10-pack](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/church-resources-all-resources/surprised-by-faith-10-pack/) - Package Contains Surprised by Faith Ten-pack of Surprised by Faith at a special price. Each copy is only $4.00. You save $6.00 off our regular price. Pages: 160 Print: Perfect bound Retail price: $12.99 Read sample pages (PDF files. Requires Acrobat Reader, free from Adobe): Back cover (578 KB) Preface (147 KB) Selected sample pages (512 KB)
- [Growing Faith Study Bundle](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/spiritual-growth/growing-faith-study-bundle/) - FaithSearch Discipleship - Biblical foundations for a lifelong relationship with God. This is an ideal tool for discipling new Christians. The Growing Faith discipleship manual contains eight easy-to-follow lessons that help a person get firmly rooted in the truth. Each lesson leads the user through selected readings and key Scripture passages that help the believer
- [<em><strong>FaithSearch</strong></em> Discovery DVD Study Bundle](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/curriculum-packages/faithsearch-discovery-dvd-study-bundle/) - Honest Questions... Life-Changing Answers! With intellectual validity, FaithSearch Discovery study builds its case first on the external evidence of natural revelation, biblical manuscripts, and archaeological discoveries. Then, using logic and the eyewitness and historical text of the New Testament, it demonstrates the truthfulness of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The key factors of a valid faith are revealed and each
- [Why I Believe...  in God DVD Study Bundle](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/why-i-believe-in-god-dvd-study-bundle/) - The foundational question in 21st Century western culture is not whether Christianity is true. Instead, it is whether a personal God exists, other than in the imagination and wishful thinking of theists. In this presentation, Dr. Bierle details three easily understood and persuasive reasons which reveal the “fingerprints” of God: the argument for Intelligent Design
- [Why I Believe...  in God DVD](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/multimedia-resources/why-i-believe-dvd/) - A Ph.D. scientist and college educator shares the evidence which moved him from skepticism to belief. Dr. Bierle holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in the life sciences, and an M.A. degree in New Testament studies. As a scientist and former skeptic, Don shares his remarkable journey from skepticism to faith. DVD in album case, NTSC widescreen, color, approx. 63 minutes.
- [FaithSearch Discovery DVD: Complete](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/multimedia-resources/faithsearch-discovery-dvd-complete/) - This all new recording of the popular FaithSearch Discovery presentation by Dr. Don Bierle includes all ten "Ah-ha!" discoveries. FaithSearch Discovery is an eye-opening presentation of the case for Christian faith for believers and unbelievers alike. (Leader's Guide included on the DVD; also available separately.)
- [<i>FaithSearch</i> Discovery DVD Leader's Guide](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/church-resources-all-resources/faithsearch-discovery-dvd-leaders-guide/) - Teaching Helps for the Teacher/Facilitator of FaithSearch Discovery DVD.
- [Why I Believe...  in Creation](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/multimedia-resources/why-i-believe-in-creation/) - A Ph.D. scientist and college educator shares the evidence which moved him from belief in random evolutionary events to Intelligent Design by a Creator. Dr. Bierle holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in the life sciences, and an M.A. degree in New Testament studies. As a scientist and former skeptic, Don shares his remarkable journey from skepticism to faith. DVD in album case, NTSC widescreen, color, approx. 117 minutes.
- [Why I Believe ...in God DVD Leader's Guide](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/curriculum-packages/believe-god-dvd-leaders-guide/) - The foundational question in 21st Century world culture is not whether Christianity is true. Instead, it is whether a personal God exists, other than in the imagination and wishful thinking of theists. In this presentation, Dr. Bierle details three easily understood and persuasive reasons which reveal the “fingerprints” of God: the argument for Intelligent Design
- [Growing Faith Leader's Guide](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/church-resources-all-resources/growing-faith-leaders-guide/) - This resource helps build biblical foundations for a lifelong relationship with God. See a sample from the guide here. PDF file; requires Acrobat Reader, free from Adobe.)
- [Making Sense of Creation & Evolution workbook](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/creation-vs-evolution/making-sense-of-creation-evolution-workbook/) - by Dr. Don Bierle Ph.D. biologist Don Bierle uses current scientific evidence to unravel creation, evolution and the meaning of life. His careful research strips off the hype and takes a scientific approach to the evidence. 1 book (Case quantity=50)
- [Surprised by Faith Russian edition](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/multi-language-resources/russian/surprised-by-faith-russian-edition/) - Special Price while supplies last Surprised by Faith—Russian Edition by Dr. Don Bierle, translated by Oleg Voskresensky. Read sample pages (PDF files. Requires Acrobat Reader, free from Adobe): Back cover (354 KB) Preface (305 KB) Selected pages (1.27 MB) 1 book (Case quantity=50) Инфомация о миссии "В поисках веры" на русском языке. (435 KB PDF)
- [Surprised by Faith - Czech edition](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/church-resources-all-resources/surprised-by-faith-czech-edition/) - Surprised by Faith—Czech Edition by Dr. Don Bierle, translated by Dan Drápal. Read sample pages (PDF files. Requires Acrobat Reader, free from Adobe): Back cover (552 KB) Preface (592 KB) Selected pages (1.15 MB) 1 book Also available for delivery in the Czech Republic through Czech publisher Samuel. (Look for "Překvapen vírou," by Don Bierle.)
- [A 315 Response: Fulfilling Jesus' Heart 25-pack](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/print-resources-all-resources/315-response-fulfilling-jesus-heart-25-pack/) - Twenty-five illustrated, evidence-based brochures.
- [FaithSearch Discovery DVD with Participant Guide Combo](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/multimedia-resources/video-dvd/dvd-participant-combo/) - Buy one FaithSearch Discovery DVD and receive a FREE FaithSearch Discovery Participant Guide. (Limited to quantities on hand.)
- [New Testament History & Survey, vol. 1 & 2 Combo](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/church-resources-all-resources/new-testament-history-survey-vol-1-2-combo/) - A Chronological Study of the New Testament, vol. 1 & 2 The Four Gospels: Walking with Jesus (120 pages). Acts through Revelation: The Church (150 pages).
- [Creation Curriculum Set](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/curriculum-packages/creation-curriculum-set/) - Retail: $26
- [Growing Faith with Leader's Guide Combo](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/church-resources-all-resources/growing-faith-with-leaders-guide-combo/) - (See a sample lesson here. (PDF file; requires Acrobat Reader, free from Adobe.) Growing Faith classes are also offered periodically through the FaithSearch Center. Check our event calendar for dates. 1 each of two books
- [Making Sense of Creation & Evolution: 3-pack](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/creation-vs-evolution/making-sense-of-creation-evolution-3-pack/) - by Dr. Don Bierle Special three-pack at a special price. Ph.D. biologist Don Bierle uses current scientific evidence to unravel creation, evolution and the meaning of life. His careful research strips off the hype and takes a scientific approach to the evidence. 1 book (Case quantity=50)
- [New Testament History & Survey, vol. 2](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/church-resources-all-resources/new-testament-history-survey-vol-2/) - A Chronological Study of the New Testament, vol. 2 Acts through Revelation: The Church 150 pages in 3-ring binder.
- [New Testament History & Survey: Two Volume Set](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/church-resources-all-resources/new-testament-history-survey-two-volume-set/) - Through September 2021, buy one volume, get the other FREE!
- [Looking for the Truth About Easter: Single](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/print-resources-all-resources/pocket-guides/looking-for-the-truth-about-easter-single/) - "Looking for the Truth About Easter" is the second, seasonal FaithSearch PocketGuide." Based on FaithSearch Discovery, our flagship event, this 12-page, pocket-sized booklet is perfect for sharing the true meaning of Easter with everyone in your circle of influence. This timely booklet explores evidence for the Christian faith, focusing on the Easter story. Topics include
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery Leader's Manual](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/church-resources-all-resources/faithsearch-discovery-leaders-manual/) - Teaching Helps for the Teacher/Facilitator of FaithSearch Discovery and the Answer Key for the Surprised by Faith Study and Discussion Guide This resource is available FREE online by clicking here. You can download and utilize the manual on-screen, or print chapters as needed for your personal use. (NOTE: If you are unable to access this online version, we will print and deliver the completed resource for $15 plus shipping and handling. Simply click the "Add to Cart" button and follow the on-screen instructions.)
- [New Testament History & Survey, vol. 1](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/church-resources-all-resources/new-testament-history-survey-vol-1/) - A Chronological Study of the New Testament, vol. 1 The Four Gospels: Walking with Jesus 120 pages in 3-ring binder.
- [FaithSearch Discovery Audio CD: Is the Bible true?](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/multimedia-resources/audio-cd/faithsearch-discovery-audio-cd-is-the-bible-true/) - Is the Bible True? Two sessions from the popular FaithSearch Discovery presentation address this and other critical questions on this audio CD. 1 CD in jewel case, Approx. 53:25. Also included: Useful charts
- [FaithSearch Discovery DVD: Is the Bible true?](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/multimedia-resources/video-dvd/faithsearch-discovery-dvd-is-the-bible-true/) - Is the Bible True? Two sessions from the popular FaithSearch Discovery presentation address this and other critical questions on this DVD.
- [Revealing the Fingerprints of God audio CD](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/multimedia-resources/audio-cd/revealing-the-fingerprints-of-god-audio-cd/) - From the FaithSearch Answers Series, our Revealing the Fingerprints of God audio CD addresses the question, "How can we know whether there is a God?" 1 audio CD in jewel case (Color illustrations, Approx. 43 min.)
- [Looking for the Truth About Easter: 25-Pack](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/print-resources-all-resources/pocket-guides/looking-for-the-truth-about-easter-25-pack/) - "Looking for the Truth About Easter" is the second, seasonal FaithSearch PocketGuide," now at a NEW LOW PRICE. Based on FaithSearch Discovery, our flagship event, this pocket-sized booklet is perfect for sharing the true meaning of Easter with everyone in your circle of influence. This timely booklet explores evidence for the Christian faith, focusing on the Easter story. See topics included in the description below. 25 booklets
- [Jesus' Resurrection: Hoax or History? DVD](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/multimedia-resources/video-dvd/jesus-resurrection-hoax-or-history-dvd/) - Two popular presentations by Dr. Don Bierle are now available on DVD. "Jesus' Resurrection: Hoax or History?" will strengthen your own faith, and can easily be shared with skeptics as well. 1 DVD disk in album (NTSC, Fullscreen, Interactive menu, Approx. 57 minutes)
- [Revealing the Fingerprints of God DVD](https://faithsearch.org/shop/categories/multimedia-resources/video-dvd/revealing-the-fingerprints-of-god-dvd/) - From the FaithSearch Answers Series, our Revealing the Fingerprints of God DVD addresses the question, "How can we know whether there is a God?" 1 DVD in album (NTSC, Fullscreen, Color, Approx. 33 min.)

## Testimonials

- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> International](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-international-2/) - Dr. Don Bierle and the FaithSearch ministry has blessed our congregation immensely throughout our many years of partnership. Surprised by Faith is a favorite among our Christian education offerings on Sunday mornings, and this resource has been effectively used in a variety of formats within our congregation including groups large and small as well as individual instruction.
- [Answered Prayer](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/answered-prayer/) - Thanks for what you do. I just received the free DVD with my donor receipt letter. It was truly an answer to prayer. I have felt a pull during my prayer time to engage more with those in my family who do not know Christ. I went to the mail and there was my free
- [Dr. Don Bierle](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/dr-don-bierle/) - I’m grateful for your regular teaching here in the park [55+ community in Mesa, AZ] and very happy to know of the consistent attendance of 40+ people. Many people talk about the study around the park. That is so encouraging. God has used you, and continues using you to make a difference here in the
- [<i>Surprised by Faith</i>](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/surprised-by-faith/) - Dr. Bierle, I have just finished reading your book and must confess that this book meant more for me than all the other books combined which I have read and studied in an effort to improve my faith and build a personal relationship with God. Being a scientist myself, I enjoyed the systematic approach and
- [<i>Surprised by Faith</i> and <b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/dr-billy-graham/) - "(FaithSearch) will strengthen your own faith in God, in the reliability of the Bible, and in the truth of Jesus Christ."
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery and <i>Friend to Friend</i>](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/dr-stephen-goold/) - Friend to Friend and FaithSearch are user-friendly evangelism that results in everyone experiencing the blessings of obedience as thousands come to Christ.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> International](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/dr-leith-anderson/) - [FaithSearch] International is making a significant contribution to the body of Christ. Dr. Bierle's FaithSearch effectively evangelizes and disciples people. It has been very well received at Wooddale Church, and has added a new dimension to our evangelism ministry. I enthusiastically recommend it.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/bob-wilber/) - The FaithSearch seminar was the best apologetic seminar I have ever been part of. Not only did [it] share evidence that supports biblical faith in a systematic way, [the] visual presentation was the best I have seen bar none! Adding credibility was [the] integration of personal testimony and contemporary developments. I heartily recommend FaithSearch to any church seeking to
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> International](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/mark-mcsweeney/) - One of the greatest things about [FaithSearch] International is an experienced, flexible staff who can provide seasoned advice, and can also flex with the needs of the church and the needs of the outreach target audience. The presentation was very popular with our community–in fact we underestimated attendance by half!
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/tim-jones/) - FaithSearch was a shot in the arm for our congregation. We had a number of people grow in their faith and their understanding of their relationship with God. We have seen an increased interest in Bible study and discipleship programs as a result. We've also seen an increased interest in peoples' willingness and desire to share
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> International](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/dee-rock/) - Don Bierle knows how to touch the heads and the hearts of those who listen to him. [He] brought together young and old, skeptic and supporter to hear his personal testimony, scientific evidence, and biblical truth. He is especially understanding of opinions that differ from his teaching, and he engages people in conversation for greater
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/jeff-meyer/) - FaithSearch provides an invaluable resource in defending key issues of Christianity. [It] provides the believer a renewed confidence in their faith, while the skeptic is challenged in their unbelief.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> International](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-international-3/) - FaithSearch International has been a vital defender of Christianity for many years. Their engaging speakers, thoughtful resources and timely events help seekers discover the truth and equip Christians to defend what they believe. Now, more than ever, organizations like FaithSearch International are critical to the growth, maturity, and survival or the Christian Church.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> International](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-international-4/) - I have invited Dr. Don Bierle to preach and hold conferences in the two churches I have pastored in the past twenty years more often than any other speaker because of his appeal to both the head and the heart. His premise that faith in Jesus Christ—is a more reasonable response by a rational person
- [<i>Surprised by Faith</i> book](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/surprised-faith-book-7/) - Far from being a "leap in the dark," faith is the reasonable and rational response to an honest examination of facts, postulates Dr. Don Bierle in his simultaneously scholarly and easy to read book Surprised by Faith. In six concise chapters he lays out the evidence for biblical Christianity in a straight forward and logical
- [<i>Surprised by Faith</i> book](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/surprised-faith-book-8/) - Don Bierle was surprised by faith and it transformed his life! As a skeptical researcher and teacher he was challenged to research the evidence for Jesus. God worked and Don became convinced of the relaibility of the Bible and the truth that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life! Surprised by Faith tells
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Origins](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-origins-5/) - Thank you again for the powerful teaching you gave our church on Sunday morning. Your knowledge and insight into the Word of God and the natural world are encouraging and inspiring. We appreciate the relationship we have developed over the years and look forward to it continuing.
- [<i>Surprised by Faith</i> book](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/surprised-faith-book-9/) - Don Bierle's book Surprised by Faith has proven itself to be a great tool at enlightening and reinforcing Christian beliefs. To know what a person believes is a good first step in the journey of Christian faith. To know why a person believes what he or she believes is the all-important next step which solidifies
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Origins](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-origins-6/) - We are so thankful to have had Don Bierle speak to [our] ninth-grade group. At least seven kids stayed after to ask him questions and hear his insight on creation-vs-evolution issues as well. Don was an amazing presenter to our group. He spoke to the students with clarity and effectiveness—meeting them where they are, challenging
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-15/) - The "Discovery" presentation [gives] information which totally confronts a skeptics view of what the Bible is and why they disbelieve it. This information is rarely presented in the church today and should be understood by every believer so that they may give an answer to the hope that lies within them.
- [<i>Surprised by Faith</i> book](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/surprised-faith-book/) - Surprised by Faith has been a "go to" book for me. I have shared it with many people exploring faith or asking great questions about God, faith, and the Bible. I have also had opportunity to walk a number of people through it and have seen God change lives. I recommend it highly.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> International](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-international/) - For several decades, Dr. Don Bierle has proven to be a tremendous resource and partner in ministry, significantly in enhancing the spread of the Gospel in our Twin Cities and beyond. His ministry, FaithSearch and, book, Surprised by Faith, have been key sources of spiritual transformation within the lives of, literally, hundreds of men and
- [<i>Surprised by Faith</i> book](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/surprised-faith-book-3/) - Surpised by Faith is a great evangelistic tool when placed in the hands of people. It can bring them from the darkness of unbelief to saving faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord
- [<i>Surprised by Faith</i> book](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/surprised-faith-book-4/) - We have been extremely blessed to have had Dr. Don Bierle speak to our congregation over the years! He has strengthend, educated, and encouraged our people in dealing with difficult questions concerning evolutionary theories and secular thinking. His book Surprised by Faith is a must read! Packaged within a personal journey of faith, Bierle gives brilliant
- [<i>Surprised by Faith</i> book](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/surprised-faith-book-5/) - Dr. Don Bierle know much more that he teaches. His heart is to communicate that which is vitally important to his listeners: Christian faith is reasonable and rational, though not rationalistic. Surprised by Faith teaches the scriptural truth that God became man in the incarnation, in doing so the infinite, personal God came into the
- [<i>Surprised by Faith</i> book](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/surprised-faith-book-6/) - Surprised by Faith by Dr. Don Bierle is a must read! I am a PhD scientist (Cornell Univeristy, 1983 in nutritional biochemistry) and this book has greatly impacted me on my own faith journey. I now mention this excellent book in multiple speaking events each year, when sharing the scientific evidence that God does indeed
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Origins](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-origins-8/) - As a relatively new Christian, creation has been a challenge to me. I believed evolution and the fossil record was more or less air tight. Your course really opened my eyes to the hoax it is. The result: My faith in the Bible has increased immeasurably.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-25/) - I so needed this because my heart has been so burdened for many in my family and friends who do not believe, who are following the world religions.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-24/) - Although I had been exposed to Christianity all my life, I struggled with so many issues that I couldn't undertstand—or wouldn't accept without understanding. These doubts circled around and around in my mind and made it easy for me to just forget the whole idea of God rather than try to accept what I did
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-23/) - I loved the historical proof of the Bible & our Jesus. Growing up going to church, we always talked about faith and believing without seeing. As a bright human with questions & skepticism, it is thrilling to hear and see the tangible evidence of my faith through history and archeology.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-22/) - I appreciated the historical references to the validity of the Scripture. I am a chemist and always appreciate hearing the testamony of other scientists. I found the more deeply I got into my science studies, the more implausible the secular arguments of evolution and absence of God became. Ultimately, I too had to surrender my
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-21/) - I've heard many times from people that all religion is simply what you've been taught; and [that] you can't really know if what you've been taught is any more valid than what anyone else has been taught. You have clearly presented evidence (historical) which supports the Scriptural truth.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-20/) - I have appreciated your teaching. (I have already begun using it to answer the questions of my daugher.) Thank you! Your teaching is well-organized and clear, and full of insights I needed to be reminded of. I was challenged to share my faith with boldness, equipped to defend my beliefs. Again, thank you!
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-19/) - You teach really clearly. I found some of the facts sticking without my making an effort to memorize them. I'll confess I was skeptical about the apologist we were going to have, but you were awesome. I learned a lot. I'm challenged. God bless you!
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-18/) - As a professor of Philosophy, and as one who is reasonably familiar with your arguments, allow me to say that yours was the best presentation for the layman, of the evidence for faith that I have ever heard. Praise the Lord!
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-17/) - I thought it was great. It was very helpful to get all the scientific proof. It re-affirms what I already knew, "that it takes more than faith to not believe than to believe.,"
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-16/) - I came to this a believer, but this session helped to strengthen my faith and helped me to talk about Jesus with more confidence with facts.
- [<i>Surprised by Faith</i> book](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/surprised-faith-book-11/) - I was given Surprised by Faith to read while on a bus on a choir trip nearly ten years ago. I read it once, then again (outlining it) and reviewed it to see if I had all the data processed correctly. I started buying the books from the publisher though our church in Jacksonville where my
- [<i>Surprised by Faith</i> book](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/surprised-faith-book-10/) - My eldest son gave me his autographed copy of your book Surprised by Faith to read several months ago. I must admit that I put off reading it… for all the reasons in your book! I will purchase my own copy as I'd like to pass it on to my other two sons, their wives and
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Origins](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-origins-7/) - Sunday eve I "forced" our ninth-grade son to come, and he did—kicking and screaming. He asked to come back Monday night because he found it so interesting. Our eighteen-year-old son also came and was fascinated. Thank you so much for your message. I wish we could have had more time.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-14/) - Thank you for opening my mind and my heart to learn more. You have truly touched me. Thank you!
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-13/) - This is what I've been looking for!
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-12/) - I appreciate this eye-opening study. I have a very inquisistive and data-driven mind and this helped me really affirm what I believe and why. Thank you! I grew up [in a tradition where] religion was always "assumed," so thank you for helping me open my eyes.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-11/) - At a moment in my life where I am questioning, "Where are you God? Are you there?" you brought me hope. Thank you.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-10/) - This is the second time I have been through this material and I learn something new each time. I have shared at my workplace and am bringing three individuals the Surprised by Faith book. Thank you so much for sharing.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-9/) - Great presentation, I am starting to understand!!
- [Discipleship](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/discipleship/) - Loved hearing about the external evidence of science and literature for helping to explain to others! This is non-threatening and just good information for people who are unsure of the truth of the Scripture.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Origins](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-origins-3/) - This really amazed me and brought me closer to God. You gave me even greater understanding of the wonders of Creation.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/4189/) - [This presentation has] given me greater ability to share the historical facts backing up the accuracy of Scripture and divinity of Jesus.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery/) - An excellent review of the validity of the Bible and of Christian faith.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-2/) - I don't want to be a person who does not know why I believe what I believe. I was raised in a Chrisian home but have more doubts after graduating from a Christian College. For many years, I have believed in Jesus because that's what people told me to do. I appreciate this seminar as
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Origins](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-origins/) - It was a really good presentation. It was cool to see more proof I can use to tell my friends about creation. It helped me learn a lot.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Origins](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-origins-2/) - You answered many questions I've had over the last few years. Your examples regarding intelligent design were great!
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-3/) - This has given me reassurance in the object [of my faith]. The facts and proof solidify that my faith has been placed in the valid object, Lord Jesus Christ.
- [<i>Surprised by Faith</i> book](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/surprised-faith-book-2/) - Don Bierle's outstanding book, Surprised by Faith, is nothing less than the crowning achievement of his life's work. In it, he summarizes the powerful reasons why an intelligent faith in Christ is the most reasonable response to the historical evidence supporting the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. This is a book that
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-8/) - This is a wonderful collection of information everyone should hear! I was ripped to shreds as a freshman in college—some science majors teamed up to tear down Christianity. I didn't have anything tangible to throw back. I have spend many years rebuilding—"discovering." I'd love to meet up with them again.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-7/) - Brings tangibility and reality to the exstence of God. Provides knowledge and tools to use to support the argument of God's presence.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-6/) - I was always struggling with so many long and difficult names and locations mentioned in the Bible. Now I know why they are absolutely essential for the validity of the text. I will read them very carefully from now on. Thank you for giving me many answers to the questions I constantly hear from my
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-5/) - Thank you for capturing the minds of the teens in training. I appreciated the intellectual honesty in how the scientific method works and how our bias can lead to different conclusions.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-discovery-4/) - You reassured the fact that the Bible is not a bunch of gossip stories, but true from the eyewitnesses themselves.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Origins](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/faithsearch-origins-4/) - I have learned a lot about macro and micro evolution in my science books. You have vastly widened my knowledge on both subjects. Thank you.
- [<b><i>FaithSearch</i></b> Origins](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial/4197/) - This presentation has given me answers to some of the questions I've been asked before that I didn't know quite how to answer. Awesome job!

## Events

- [Russia Ministry Trip](https://faithsearch.org/event/russia-ministry-trip/) - Oleg is teaching in Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan. Follow this ministry trip and watch for updates on his blog: https://faithsearch.org/author/oleg
- [Groveland Summer Church: Sermon](https://faithsearch.org/event/groveland-summer-church-sermon/) - Join us for a vibrant worship at Groveland Church. Dr. Don will be the guest speaker. Invite your neighbors, friends, and family for uplifting fellowship, heartfelt worship, and joyful song. Come together in community, share in faith, and make lasting memories along the shores of Lake Minnetonka. All are welcome! https://grovelandmn.com/summerchurch
- ["Discovery"](https://faithsearch.org/event/discovery-8/) - Class: DISCOVERY A workshop…about God, the Bible, Jesus and Faith Why do we believe it’s true? This eight-week class is about gaining assurance and confidence as a Christian. It’s about seeking answers. It’s being salt and light (Matthew 5:16; Micah 6:8; 1 Peter 3:16). It’s about being matter-of-fact in our conversations about spiritual things with family and friends. It’s truly believing the message and just being a messenger. It’s learning to invite. The pressure is off! Eight WEDNESDAY evenings beginning June 3 through July
- ["Discovery"](https://faithsearch.org/event/discovery-7/) - Class: DISCOVERY A workshop…about God, the Bible, Jesus and Faith Why do we believe it’s true? This eight-week class is about gaining assurance and confidence as a Christian. It’s about seeking answers. It’s being salt and light (Matthew 5:16; Micah 6:8; 1 Peter 3:16). It’s about being matter-of-fact in our conversations about spiritual things with family and friends. It’s truly believing the message and just being a messenger. It’s learning to invite. The pressure is off! Eight WEDNESDAY evenings beginning June 3 through July
- ["Discovery"](https://faithsearch.org/event/discovery-6/) - Class: DISCOVERY A workshop…about God, the Bible, Jesus and Faith Why do we believe it’s true? This eight-week class is about gaining assurance and confidence as a Christian. It’s about seeking answers. It’s being salt and light (Matthew 5:16; Micah 6:8; 1 Peter 3:16). It’s about being matter-of-fact in our conversations about spiritual things with family and friends. It’s truly believing the message and just being a messenger. It’s learning to invite. The pressure is off! Eight WEDNESDAY evenings beginning June 3 through July
- ["Discovery"](https://faithsearch.org/event/discovery-5/) - Class: DISCOVERY A workshop…about God, the Bible, Jesus and Faith Why do we believe it’s true? This eight-week class is about gaining assurance and confidence as a Christian. It’s about seeking answers. It’s being salt and light (Matthew 5:16; Micah 6:8; 1 Peter 3:16). It’s about being matter-of-fact in our conversations about spiritual things with family and friends. It’s truly believing the message and just being a messenger. It’s learning to invite. The pressure is off! Eight WEDNESDAY evenings beginning June 3 through July
- ["Discovery"](https://faithsearch.org/event/discovery-4/) - Class: DISCOVERY A workshop…about God, the Bible, Jesus and Faith Why do we believe it’s true? This eight-week class is about gaining assurance and confidence as a Christian. It’s about seeking answers. It’s being salt and light (Matthew 5:16; Micah 6:8; 1 Peter 3:16). It’s about being matter-of-fact in our conversations about spiritual things with family and friends. It’s truly believing the message and just being a messenger. It’s learning to invite. The pressure is off! Eight WEDNESDAY evenings beginning June 3 through July
- ["Discovery"](https://faithsearch.org/event/discovery-3/) - Class: DISCOVERY A workshop…about God, the Bible, Jesus and Faith Why do we believe it’s true? This eight-week class is about gaining assurance and confidence as a Christian. It’s about seeking answers. It’s being salt and light (Matthew 5:16; Micah 6:8; 1 Peter 3:16). It’s about being matter-of-fact in our conversations about spiritual things with family and friends. It’s truly believing the message and just being a messenger. It’s learning to invite. The pressure is off! Eight WEDNESDAY evenings beginning June 3 through July
- ["Discovery"](https://faithsearch.org/event/discovery-2/) - Class: DISCOVERY A workshop…about God, the Bible, Jesus and Faith Why do we believe it’s true? This eight-week class is about gaining assurance and confidence as a Christian. It’s about seeking answers. It’s being salt and light (Matthew 5:16; Micah 6:8; 1 Peter 3:16). It’s about being matter-of-fact in our conversations about spiritual things with family and friends. It’s truly believing the message and just being a messenger. It’s learning to invite. The pressure is off! Eight WEDNESDAY evenings beginning June 3 through July
- ["Discovery"](https://faithsearch.org/event/discovery/) - Class: DISCOVERY A workshop…about God, the Bible, Jesus and Faith Why do we believe it’s true? This eight-week class is about gaining assurance and confidence as a Christian. It’s about seeking answers. It’s being salt and light (Matthew 5:16; Micah 6:8; 1 Peter 3:16). It’s about being matter-of-fact in our conversations about spiritual things with family and friends. It’s truly believing the message and just being a messenger. It’s learning to invite. The pressure is off! Eight WEDNESDAY evenings beginning June 3 through July
- ["Without Excuse"](https://faithsearch.org/event/without-excuse-4/) - Class: “Without Excuse!” How sure are we about God? This four-week class is an exploration of the evidence for God’s existence. If everyone who denies God’s existence is “without excuse” (Romans 1:20), then where is the disconnect? Why don’t Communist China and North Korea believe it, and 20% of Americans? Why don’t our own families, relatives, and friends? What evidence are they not seeing?
- ["Without Excuse"](https://faithsearch.org/event/without-excuse-3/) - Class: “Without Excuse!” How sure are we about God? This four-week class is an exploration of the evidence for God’s existence. If everyone who denies God’s existence is “without excuse” (Romans 1:20), then where is the disconnect? Why don’t Communist China and North Korea believe it, and 20% of Americans? Why don’t our own families, relatives, and friends? What evidence are they not seeing?
- ["Without Excuse"](https://faithsearch.org/event/without-excuse-2/) - Class: “Without Excuse!” How sure are we about God? This four-week class is an exploration of the evidence for God’s existence. If everyone who denies God’s existence is “without excuse” (Romans 1:20), then where is the disconnect? Why don’t Communist China and North Korea believe it, and 20% of Americans? Why don’t our own families, relatives, and friends? What evidence are they not seeing?
- ["Without Excuse"](https://faithsearch.org/event/without-excuse/) - Class: “Without Excuse!” How sure are we about God? This four-week class is an exploration of the evidence for God’s existence. If everyone who denies God’s existence is “without excuse” (Romans 1:20), then where is the disconnect? Why don’t Communist China and North Korea believe it, and 20% of Americans? Why don’t our own families, relatives, and friends? What evidence are they not seeing?
- [Ministry Trip to Belarus and Russia](https://faithsearch.org/event/ministry-trip-to-belarus-and-russia/) - Pray for Oleg as he travels in Belarus and in Russia. Follow this ministry trip and watch for updates on his blog: https://faithsearch.org/author/oleg
- [The Mighty Works of God: New Heaven and Earth](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-new-heaven-and-earth/) - Due to a family emergency, this event has been cancelled!
- [The Mighty Works of God: Jesus' Church](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-jesus-church/) - Due to a family emergency, this event has been cancelled!
- [The Mighty Works of God: Jesus' Gift and Pentecost](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-jesus-gift-and-pentecost/) - Due to a family emergency, this event has been cancelled!
- ["The Mighty Works of God: The Return of Jesus, the Messiah" (Pt. 2) (5 of 5)](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-the-return-of-jesus-the-messiah-pt-2-of-2-5-of-5/) - Due to a family emergency, this event has been cancelled!
- [The Mighty Works of God: The Resurrection of Jesus](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-the-resurrection-of-jesus/) - Due to a family emergency, this event has been cancelled!
- ["The Mighty Works of God: The Return of Jesus, the Messiah" (Pt. 1)   (4 of 5)](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-the-return-of-jesus-the-messiah-pt-1-4-of-5/) - Due to a family emergency, this event has been cancelled!
- ["The Mighty Works of God: Exodus"](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-exodus-3/) - Due to a family emergency... this event has been cancelled.
- ["The Mighty Works of God: Exodus"](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-exodus-2/) - Due to a family emergency... this event has been cancelled.
- ["The Mighty Works of God: Exodus" (3 of 5)](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-exodus/) - Due to a family emergency... This event has been cancelled/postponed. Watch for updates.
- [The Mighty Works of God: Return of Jesus (Part 2)](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-return-of-jesus-part-2/) - Due to a family emergency... This event has been cancelled/postponed. Watch for updates.
- [FaithSearch Russian Ministry Report plus Q&A](https://faithsearch.org/event/faithsearch-russian-ministry-report/) - THIS EVENT WILL BE IN A HOME SETTING! Please call the church to verify location and to see if there is room to attend. Light refreshments will be available but NO meal will be served. Oleg will share photos and a fun report of his Russian ministry. It will be a great time to connect
- [Meal with Q&A time with Oleg](https://faithsearch.org/event/meal-with-qa-time-with-oleg/) - This is a special meal with Dr. Oleg Voskresensky. Come for fellowship and some Q&A time with Oleg. Since there will be a meal served, please call ahead to find out more information about attending.
- [The Mighty Works of God: Return of Jesus (Part 1)](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-return-of-jesus-part-1/) - The rejection of the existence of God (apostasy) is a developing reality today. Is God to blame for not making Himself known – is it God’s fault? Hardly! The prophets and the apostles put into print, for everyone to know, the many works that God has done throughout history – with some prophesied yet to come. The
- [Discovery: Discovering the "Ah-ha" of Life](https://faithsearch.org/event/discovery-discovering-the-ah-ha-of-life/) - Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code stirred a firestorm of debate over the integrity of the Bible as a valid record of Jesus and the early church. FaithSearch Discovery sets the record straight by presenting an eye-opening, evidence-based and logical case for the claims of the Christian faith. Be prepared to discern truth from deception regarding questions like:
- [Discovery: Discovering the Stumbling Block Along the Path of Faith](https://faithsearch.org/event/discovery-discussion-application/) - Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code stirred a firestorm of debate over the integrity of the Bible as a valid record of Jesus and the early church. FaithSearch Discovery sets the record straight by presenting an eye-opening, evidence-based and logical case for the claims of the Christian faith. Be prepared to discern truth from deception regarding questions like:
- [Discovery: Discovering the Life-Changing Dimensions of Faith](https://faithsearch.org/event/discovery-how-can-i-know-god-stumbling-blocks-along-the-path-to-faith/) - Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code stirred a firestorm of debate over the integrity of the Bible as a valid record of Jesus and the early church. FaithSearch Discovery sets the record straight by presenting an eye-opening, evidence-based and logical case for the claims of the Christian faith. Be prepared to discern truth from deception regarding questions like:
- ["The Mighty Works of God: Global Flood"](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-global-flood-2/) - This is an 3-week event at Calvary Free Lutheran, with Dr. Bierle as guest speaker. For more information please call the church. Each week’s topic is a selected part of the bigger “Mighty Works of God” event. General description of the event in it’s entirety is below: The rejection of the existence of God (apostasy)
- ["The Mighty Works of God: Creation"](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-creation-3/) - This is an 3-week event at Calvary Free Lutheran, with Dr. Bierle as guest speaker. For more information please call the church. Each week’s topic is a selected part of the bigger “Mighty Works of God” event. General description of the event in it’s entirety is below: The rejection of the existence of God (apostasy)
- [ “The Mighty Works of God: Global Flood”](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-global-flood/) - This is an OASIS 3-week event at Broadway. Dr. Bierle will be speaking. For more information please call the church. Each week’s topic is a selected part of the bigger "Mighty Works of God" event. General description of the event in it's entirety is below: The rejection of the existence of God (apostasy) is a
- [“The Mighty Works of God: Creation”](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-creation-2/) - This is an OASIS 3-week event at Broadway. Dr. Bierle will be speaking. For more information please call the church. Each week’s topic is a selected part of the bigger "Mighty Works of God" event. General description of the event in it's entirety is below: The rejection of the existence of God (apostasy) is a
- ["Mystery of the Russian Soul"](https://faithsearch.org/event/mystery-of-the-russian-soul/) - This is a special presentation following the worship service. Oleg will share insights of how he does ministry while in Russian speaking communities, here and overseas.
- [Sermon: "FaithSearch Discovery: Russian Style"](https://faithsearch.org/event/sermon-faithsearch-discovery-russian-style/) - Join us as Oleg shares a taste of the FaithSearch Discovery as he would present in Russia.
- ["The Mighty Works of God: Global Flood" (2 of 5)](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-global-flood-2-of-5/) - Join us at this five week Men's Bible Study, with Dr. Bierle teaching. This Men's Study is FREE and open to the public.
- ["The Mighty Works of God: Creation" (1 of 5)](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-creation/) - Join us at this five week Men's Bible Study, with Dr. Bierle teaching. This Men's Study is FREE and open to the public.
- [Sermon: "The Mighty Works of God: The Resurrection of Jesus"](https://faithsearch.org/event/sermon-the-mighty-works-of-god-a-segment-of-this/) - Dr. Bierle will share another exciting segment of the topic "The Mighty Works of God". Join us for this worship time at Venture Out.
- [Sermon: "The Not-so-Invisible God"](https://faithsearch.org/event/sermon-the-mighty-works-of-god-a-segment-will-be-covered/) - Dr. Bierle will share this exciting segment of the topic "The Mighty Works of God". Join us for this worship time at Venture Out.
- [Growing Faith: Hindrances to Growth](https://faithsearch.org/event/growing-faith-hindrances-to-growth/) - This class/course is intended to help a Christian believer build a Biblical foundation for Christian Spiritual growth and a lifelong relationship with God. It is for seekers looking to learn more about Christ, for new believers to learn more about Christ and for people who are already believers but need to get some “cob-webs” out
- [Russia Ministry Trip](https://faithsearch.org/event/russia-ministry-trip-2/) - Oleg is teaching in Russia. Follow this ministry trip and watch for updates on his blog: https://faithsearch.org/author/oleg
- [Discovery: A Miracle of New Life from Above (Life Changing Dimensions of Faith)](https://faithsearch.org/event/discovery-a-miracle-of-new-life-from-above-life-changing-dimensions-of-faith/) - Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code stirred a firestorm of debate over the integrity of the Bible as a valid record of Jesus and the early church. FaithSearch Discovery sets the record straight by presenting an eye-opening, evidence-based and logical case for the claims of the Christian faith. Be prepared to discern truth from deception regarding questions like:
- [Discovery: Is Jesus Really God? (pt. 1) (Discovering That He Often Said So)](https://faithsearch.org/event/faithsearch-discovery-is-jesus-really-god-pt-1/) - Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code stirred a firestorm of debate over the integrity of the Bible as a valid record of Jesus and the early church. FaithSearch Discovery sets the record straight by presenting an eye-opening, evidence-based and logical case for the claims of the Christian faith. Be prepared to discern truth from
- [Discovery: Why Am I Here? (Proposing an Infinite Answer)](https://faithsearch.org/event/faithsearch-discovery-why-am-i-here/) - Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code stirred a firestorm of debate over the integrity of the Bible as a valid record of Jesus and the early church. FaithSearch Discovery sets the record straight by presenting an eye-opening, evidence-based and logical case for the claims of the Christian faith. Be prepared to discern truth from
- [Discovery: Is the Bible True? (pt. 2) (Confirming Historical Reliability)](https://faithsearch.org/event/faithsearch-discovery-is-the-bible-true-pt-2/) - Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code stirred a firestorm of debate over the integrity of the Bible as a valid record of Jesus and the early church. FaithSearch Discovery sets the record straight by presenting an eye-opening, evidence-based and logical case for the claims of the Christian faith. Be prepared to discern truth from
- [Discovery: Is the Bible True (pt. 1) (Demonstrating Manuscript Integrity)](https://faithsearch.org/event/faithsearch-discovery-is-the-bible-true-pt-1/) - Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code stirred a firestorm of debate over the integrity of the Bible as a valid record of Jesus and the early church. FaithSearch Discovery sets the record straight by presenting an eye-opening, evidence-based and logical case for the claims of the Christian faith. Be prepared to discern truth from
- [Discovery: Is Jesus Really God? (Pt. 2) (Discovering that He Often Said So)](https://faithsearch.org/event/discovery-is-jesus-really-god-pt-1-discovering-that-he-often-said-so/) - Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code stirred a firestorm of debate over the integrity of the Bible as a valid record of Jesus and the early church. FaithSearch Discovery sets the record straight by presenting an eye-opening, evidence-based and logical case for the claims of the Christian faith. Be prepared to discern truth from deception regarding questions like:
- [Discovery: What Makes Faith Valid?](https://faithsearch.org/event/discovery-what-makes-faith-valid/) - Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code stirred a firestorm of debate over the integrity of the Bible as a valid record of Jesus and the early church. FaithSearch Discovery sets the record straight by presenting an eye-opening, evidence-based and logical case for the claims of the Christian faith. Be prepared to discern truth from deception regarding questions like:
- [Growing Faith: Body Life (Encouragement and Support Around Us [Church])](https://faithsearch.org/event/growing-faith-body-life-encouragement-and-support-around-us-church/) - This class/course is intended to help a Christian believer build a Biblical foundation for Christian Spiritual growth and a lifelong relationship with God. It is for seekers looking to learn more about Christ, for new believers to learn more about Christ and for people who are already believers but need to get some “cob-webs” out
- [Growing Faith: Spiritual Guidance (God's Spirit Given to Us)](https://faithsearch.org/event/growing-faith-spiritual-guidance-gods-spirit-given-to-us/) - This class/course is intended to help a Christian believer build a Biblical foundation for Christian Spiritual growth and a lifelong relationship with God. It is for seekers looking to learn more about Christ, for new believers to learn more about Christ and for people who are already believers but need to get some “cob-webs” out
- [Growing Faith: Staying in Relationship (Assurance of Forgiveness)](https://faithsearch.org/event/growing-faith-staying-in-relationship-assurance-of-forgiveness/) - This class/course is intended to help a Christian believer build a Biblical foundation for Christian Spiritual growth and a lifelong relationship with God. It is for seekers looking to learn more about Christ, for new believers to learn more about Christ and for people who are already believers but need to get some “cob-webs” out
- [Growing Faith: Staying in Relationship (Sin and Repentance)](https://faithsearch.org/event/growing-faith-staying-in-relationship-sin-and-repentance/) - This class/course is intended to help a Christian believer build a Biblical foundation for Christian Spiritual growth and a lifelong relationship with God. It is for seekers looking to learn more about Christ, for new believers to learn more about Christ and for people who are already believers but need to get some “cob-webs” out
- [Growing Faith: Fresh and New (Experiencing New Life from Above)](https://faithsearch.org/event/growing-faith-fresh-and-new/) - This class/course is intended to help a Christian believer build a Biblical foundation for Christian Spiritual growth and a lifelong relationship with God. It is for seekers looking to learn more about Christ, for new believers to learn more about Christ and for people who are already believers but need to get some "cob-webs" out
- [Growing Faith: Faithful and True (Experiencing Stability in Christian Life)](https://faithsearch.org/event/growing-faith-faithful-and-true/) - This class/course is intended to help a Christian believer build a Biblical foundation for Christian Spiritual growth and a lifelong relationship with God. It is for seekers looking to learn more about Christ, for new believers to learn more about Christ and for people who are already believers but need to get some "cob-webs" out
- [Growing Faith: Planning to Build (Spiritual Resources & Obstacles)](https://faithsearch.org/event/growing-faith-planning-to-build/) - This class/course is intended to help a Christian believer build a Biblical foundation for Christian Spiritual growth and a lifelong relationship with God. It is for seekers looking to learn more about Christ, for new believers to learn more about Christ and for people who are already believers but need to get some "cob-webs" out
- [Growing Faith: Prayer (Talking and Listening to God)](https://faithsearch.org/event/growing-faith-prayer/) - This class/course is intended to help a Christian believer build a Biblical foundation for Christian Spiritual growth and a lifelong relationship with God. It is for seekers looking to learn more about Christ, for new believers to learn more about Christ and for people who are already believers but need to get some "cob-webs" out
- [Afternoons with Bill Arnold](https://faithsearch.org/event/afternoons-with-bill-arnold/) - Dr. Bierle will join Bill Arnold on his radio broadcast. https://www.myfaithradio.com/programs/the-bill-arnold-show
- [Russian Ministry Trip](https://faithsearch.org/event/russian-ministry-trip/) - Oleg is teaching in Ekaterinburg (Urals), Russia, and Almaty, Kazakhstan To follow this ministry trip watch for updates on his blog: https://faithsearch.org/author/oleg
- [The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-great-moments-in-history-19/) - The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History – INCARNATION The rejection of the existence of God (apostasy) is a developing reality today. Is God to blame for not making Himself known – is it God’s fault? Hardly! The prophets and the apostles put into print, for everyone to know, the many works that God has done
- [The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-great-moments-in-history-18/) - The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History – INSPIRATION The rejection of the existence of God (apostasy) is a developing reality today. Is God to blame for not making Himself known – is it God’s fault? Hardly! The prophets and the apostles put into print, for everyone to know, the many works that God has done
- [The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-great-moments-in-history-17/) - The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History – EXODUS The rejection of the existence of God (apostasy) is a developing reality today. Is God to blame for not making Himself known – is it God’s fault? Hardly! The prophets and the apostles put into print, for everyone to know, the many works that God has done
- [The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-great-moments-in-history-16/) - The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History – BABEL The rejection of the existence of God (apostasy) is a developing reality today. Is God to blame for not making Himself known – is it God’s fault? Hardly! The prophets and the apostles put into print, for everyone to know, the many works that God has done
- [The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-great-moments-in-history-15/) - The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History - GLOBAL FLOOD The rejection of the existence of God (apostasy) is a developing reality today. Is God to blame for not making Himself known – is it God’s fault? Hardly! The prophets and the apostles put into print, for everyone to know, the many works that
- [The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-great-moments-in-history-14/) - The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History - CREATION The rejection of the existence of God (apostasy) is a developing reality today. Is God to blame for not making Himself known – is it God’s fault? Hardly! The prophets and the apostles put into print, for everyone to know, the many works that God
- [FaithSearch Discovery: Russian Style](https://faithsearch.org/event/faithsearch-discovery-russian-style/) - Oleg will share a PPT presentation of FaithSearch Discovery: Russian Style during the worship service. Come and hear about this exciting ministry and how God is reaching Russian speaking people around the world.
- [Russian Ministry Update](https://faithsearch.org/event/russian-ministry-update/) - Oleg will be sharing a PPT ministry update in the fellowship hall during the Sunday School hour. Come and hear about this exciting ministry and what God is doing.
- [FaithSearch: Russian Style](https://faithsearch.org/event/faithsearch-russian-style/) - Come and hear Russian ministry updates from Oleg, at the Ambassador's Class On Sunday morning, November 9th.
- ["The Mighty Works of God"](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god/) - Join Dr. Bierle as he teaches “The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History” Course Description: The prophets and the apostles put into print the many works that God did from Genesis to Revelation – with some yet to come. The Psalmist (40:5 NKJV) declared: “Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done… If
- ["The Mighty Works of God"](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-2/) - Join Dr. Bierle as he teaches “The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History” Course Description: The prophets and the apostles put into print the many works that God did from Genesis to Revelation – with some yet to come. The Psalmist (40:5 NKJV) declared: “Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done… If
- [The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-great-moments-in-history-13/) - Join Dr. Bierle as he teaches “The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History” Course Description: The prophets and the apostles put into print the many works that God did from Genesis to Revelation – with some yet to come. The Psalmist (40:5 NKJV) declared: “Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done… If
- ["The Study of Creation"](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-study-of-creation-4/) - Dr. Bierle will join Bill Arnold on his radio broadcast. https://www.myfaithradio.com/programs/the-bill-arnold-show This will be part 3 of a 3-part series on The Bill Arnold Show!
- [St. John's Family Camp](https://faithsearch.org/event/st-johns-family-camp-4/) - Oleg will be teaching these days at this family Camp. To attend, you must register. This is a camp for Russian speaking families. Oleg's topics will be "Historic Foundation of Christian Faith" (3 part); "Intro to Christian Pedagogy"(2 part); and "93 Arguments for the Existence of God " This camp is sponsored by St. John's
- [St. John's Family Camp](https://faithsearch.org/event/st-johns-family-camp-3/) - Oleg will be teaching these days at this family Camp. To attend, you must register. This is a camp for Russian speaking families. Oleg's topics will be "Historic Foundation of Christian Faith" (3 part); "Intro to Christian Pedagogy"(2 part); and "93 Arguments for the Existence of God " This camp is sponsored by St. John's
- [St. John's Family Camp](https://faithsearch.org/event/st-johns-family-camp-2/) - Oleg will be teaching these days at this family Camp. To attend, you must register. This is a camp for Russian speaking families. Oleg's topics will be "Historic Foundation of Christian Faith" (3 part); "Intro to Christian Pedagogy"(2 part); and "93 Arguments for the Existence of God " This camp is sponsored by St. John's
- [St. John's Family Camp](https://faithsearch.org/event/st-johns-family-camp/) - Oleg will be teaching these days at this family Camp. To attend, you must register. This is a camp for Russian speaking families. Oleg's topics will be "Historic Foundation of Christian Faith" (3 part); "Intro to Christian Pedagogy"(2 part); and "93 Arguments for the Existence of God " This camp is sponsored by St. John's
- ["Stop the Noise"](https://faithsearch.org/event/stop-the-noise/) - This is a week long camp for Junior High Students. Adrian will be teaching all week. The week will start with a fun Illusion Show on Sunday evening, with Adrian teaching principals of FaithSearch Discovery during 2 sessions each day, Monday - Thursday. You will need to register for this camp. Call for more information!
- [Russia and Kyrgyzstan Ministry Trip](https://faithsearch.org/event/russia-and-kyrgyzstan-ministry-trip/) - Please keep Oleg in prayer. Follow Oleg’s BLOG to get updates about his ministry trip. https://faithsearch.org/author/oleg
- [The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-great-moments-in-history-12/) - Join Dr. Bierle as he teaches “The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History” Course Description: The prophets and the apostles put into print the many works that God did from Genesis to Revelation – with some yet to come. The Psalmist (40:5 NKJV) declared: “Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done… If
- [The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-great-moments-in-history-11/) - Join Dr. Bierle as he teaches “The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History” Course Description: The prophets and the apostles put into print the many works that God did from Genesis to Revelation – with some yet to come. The Psalmist (40:5 NKJV) declared: “Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done… If
- [The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-great-moments-in-history-10/) - Join Dr. Bierle as he teaches “The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History” Course Description: The prophets and the apostles put into print the many works that God did from Genesis to Revelation – with some yet to come. The Psalmist (40:5 NKJV) declared: “Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done… If
- [The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-great-moments-in-history-9/) - Join Dr. Bierle as he teaches “The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History” Course Description: The prophets and the apostles put into print the many works that God did from Genesis to Revelation – with some yet to come. The Psalmist (40:5 NKJV) declared: “Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done… If
- [The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-great-moments-in-history-8/) - Join Dr. Bierle as he teaches “The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History” Course Description: The prophets and the apostles put into print the many works that God did from Genesis to Revelation – with some yet to come. The Psalmist (40:5 NKJV) declared: “Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done… If
- [The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History](https://faithsearch.org/event/the-mighty-works-of-god-great-moments-in-history-7/) - Join Dr. Bierle as he teaches “The Mighty Works of God: Great Moments in History” Course Description: The prophets and the apostles put into print the many works that God did from Genesis to Revelation – with some yet to come. The Psalmist (40:5 NKJV) declared: “Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done… If
- [Sermon: TBD](https://faithsearch.org/event/sermon-tbd/) - Join us for this special worship along Lake Minnetonka. This worship time is open to the public. Dr. Bierle will share during the sermon time.

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://faithsearch.org/category/uncategorized/)
- [FAQ](https://faithsearch.org/category/faq/) - Frequently Asked Questions about the evidence for the New Testament as a historically reliable, eyewitness account of the life and ministry of Jesus.
- [International Projects](https://faithsearch.org/category/news-from-the-field/international-projects/)
- [Russia](https://faithsearch.org/category/news-from-the-field/international-projects/russia/)
- [News from the Field](https://faithsearch.org/category/news-from-the-field/)
- [Headquarters Ministry](https://faithsearch.org/category/news-from-the-field/headquarters-ministry/)
- [Rick](https://faithsearch.org/category/rick/)
- [Events](https://faithsearch.org/category/events/)
- [Trips](https://faithsearch.org/category/trips/)
- [Amazing Discoveries](https://faithsearch.org/category/amazing-discoveries/)
- [Paraclete](https://faithsearch.org/category/paraclete/)
- [Origins](https://faithsearch.org/category/faq/origins/)
- [Creation](https://faithsearch.org/category/faq/origins/creation/)
- [Evolution](https://faithsearch.org/category/faq/origins/evolution/)
- [Intelligent Design](https://faithsearch.org/category/faq/origins/intelligent-design/)
- [Dr. Don](https://faithsearch.org/category/dr-don/)
- [Christmas](https://faithsearch.org/category/dr-don/christmas/)
- [Happ-O-getics](https://faithsearch.org/category/happ-o-getics/)

## Tags

- [Russia](https://faithsearch.org/tag/russia/)
- [Kamchatka](https://faithsearch.org/tag/kamchatka/)
- [Far East](https://faithsearch.org/tag/far-east/)
- [Siberia](https://faithsearch.org/tag/siberia/)
- [Omsk](https://faithsearch.org/tag/omsk/)
- [Bryansk](https://faithsearch.org/tag/bryansk/)
- [Kashira](https://faithsearch.org/tag/kashira/)
- [Moscow](https://faithsearch.org/tag/moscow/)
- [Rostov](https://faithsearch.org/tag/rostov/)
- [Oleg](https://faithsearch.org/tag/oleg/)

## Product categories

- [Church Resources](https://faithsearch.org/product-category/categories/church-resources-all-resources/)
- [Print Resources](https://faithsearch.org/product-category/categories/print-resources-all-resources/)
- [Multimedia Resources](https://faithsearch.org/product-category/categories/multimedia-resources/)
- [Multi-Language Resources](https://faithsearch.org/product-category/categories/multi-language-resources/)
- [Russian](https://faithsearch.org/product-category/categories/multi-language-resources/russian/)
- [Curriculum Packages](https://faithsearch.org/product-category/categories/curriculum-packages/)
- [Pocket Guides](https://faithsearch.org/product-category/categories/print-resources-all-resources/pocket-guides/)
- [Audio CD](https://faithsearch.org/product-category/categories/multimedia-resources/audio-cd/)
- [Video DVD](https://faithsearch.org/product-category/categories/multimedia-resources/video-dvd/)
- [Resource Categories](https://faithsearch.org/product-category/categories/)
- [French](https://faithsearch.org/product-category/categories/multi-language-resources/french/) - French translations of FaithSearch ministry resources.
- [Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/product-category/categories/discovery/) - Our Flagship Presentation
- [Spiritual Growth](https://faithsearch.org/product-category/categories/spiritual-growth/)
- [Creation Vs Evolution](https://faithsearch.org/product-category/categories/creation-vs-evolution/)
- [Outreach/Evangelism](https://faithsearch.org/product-category/categories/outreach/)
- [Specials](https://faithsearch.org/product-category/categories/specials/)

## Testimonial Category

- [FaithSearch Origins](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial-category/faithsearch-origins/)
- [FaithSearch Discovery](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial-category/faithsearch-discovery/)
- [Surprised by Faith](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial-category/surprised-by-faith/)
- [FaithSearch International](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial-category/faithsearch-international/)
- [Discipleship](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial-category/discipleship/)
- [Leaders](https://faithsearch.org/testimonial-category/leaders/)