Ever since last year, I’ve been amazed at how God has been directing my teaching, speaking and training ministry and taking me to places I never thought I’d go. In this post, I’ll share a few apologetics ministry highlights from 2012. Don’t forget, we’re in this thing together. Like I always say, “If God can use me, He can use you!”
7 Ministry Highlights from 2012
1. I spoke at Reasonable Faith in an Uncertain World II
This was my 2012 project with Biola University at Bridgeway Christian Church in Rocklin, CA–the sequel to our very first collaboration in 2011.
Interestingly, it was the same day that Richard Dawkins and followers of the New Atheism gathered at the Reason Rally in Washington D.C.. Meanwhile, I was on the other side of the country, speaking alongside fellow defenders of the faith at an event called Reasonable Faith in an Uncertain World 2.
It was cool speaking alongside J.P. Moreland and Criag Hazen once again. Joining us at this event was John Mark Reynolds (now the provost at Houston Baptist University) and my college friend, Sean McDowell (We actually lived a couple of rooms away from each other in our dorm at Biola)—two people I’ve been wanting to work with for a long time.
Miss this conference? Download a professional recording of the entire event. Listen to audio from the conference here.
2. I spoke at “Apologetics Weekend” for the Desert Apologetics Network
I had a blast speaking at the Desert Apologetics Network’s Apologetics Weekend–my very first time in Palm Springs (CA)!
After driving through countless miles that looked like U2’s Joshua Tree album, we came up a lush resort and golf course that was an oasis in the desert. I brought my family with me and they enjoyed a welcome basket full of orange stuff—Pringles, oranges, orange soda, orange candy, etc… It was evident that this group took their motto seriously: “Making Apologetics Fun!”
I spent an entire morning training believers to defend the faith with confidence and the evening featured a lecture on Christianity in a world of religions by Craig Hazen. The conference organizer, Allie Black, said:
Mikel does an excellent job of engaging the audience and providing useful and insightful information. His presentations are well thought out and he comes prepared to deliver a an exciting message that motivates his audience to want to learn more about defending their faith. I hope to work with Mikel again in the future!
3. I launched an accredited, online apologetics course with William Jessup University
This was actually my New Year’s Resolution. I wanted to take the Apologetics course I developed for William Jessup University (Rocklin, CA) online through their School of Professional Studies. We did it! Here’s what one of my online students had to say about the class:
My faith has been strengthened and my confidence has grown. Apologetics has given me the courage to stand up for what I believe and boldly share my faith. – Gail Grey, WJU/SPS Senior (Counseling Psychology)
Next semester will be the 3rd time we’ve run the course–and the demand is still up! I love being able to do my adjunct work for WJU remotely from Dallas, Texas. Find out more about taking the course here.
4. I was interviewed by Alex McFarland on the Janet Mefferd Show
When Southern Evangelical Seminary President Alex McFarland was asked to guest host the Janet Mefferd Show, he invited me to join him for a short segment on the basics of apologetics.
I’m not one of those guys who gets intereviewed all the time, so I wasn’t too sure what to expect. But it turned out to be a lot of fun and it was cool to know that he’d been following my ministry as well. I even got to field a call at the end. I learned that the most challenging thing about radio is thinking on your feet and keeping your responses super-short.
Listen to the segment by clicking on the video thumbnail here.
5. I entered the Th.M Program at Dallas Theological Seminary (Dallas, Texas)
My wife and I had been talking about this for a long, long time.
It seems the Lord has been moving me more and more into Christian higher education and earning a 4-year Master’s Degree in Theology from DTS is the perfect “next step” to getting into a good Ph.D program down the road. This is the same program that J.P. Moreland entered many years ago.
One of the major highlights of my time here has been studying New Testament Greek in the Honors Greek class with Dan Wallace. I’m excited about the potential partnerships and opportunities to get more involved in the Texas apologetics scene in 2013.
6. I heard Greg Koukl read my blog on the Stand to Reason Radio show
Greg Koukl is one of my apologetics influences.
Ever since I first heard him speak while I was in the M.A. Apologetics program at Biola University, his ministry at Stand to Reason has inspired and encouraged me to develop the knowledge, wisdom and character needed to be an effective ambassador of Jesus.
When I was a missionary in the Philippines, I’d burn the MP3s to CD and listen to the show (including ads for events in Hermosa Beach, CA) while driving around the streets of Manila!
His book, Tactics: A Gameplan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions, is definitely a must-read for everyday defenders of the faith and I’m happy to keep promoting it. Glad he noticed my mini-review!
Listen to Greg Koukl read part of my article, “8 Great Books that Rocked My World” on the radio.
7. I turned the Accessible Apologetics Workbook into a Classroom-in-a-Book
Before leaving California, I recorded a live version of each of my Accessible Apologetics Workshops at Bridgeway Christian Church in Rocklin.
Now, the Accessible Apologetics Workbook includes a full audio course that you can take with you on your mobile device. Complete the workbook at a coffee shop, on the train, on the beach, or wherever your day takes you. Take my series of 5 church workshops on your own time and go at your own pace.
Look inside the workbook on Amazon.com.
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Want to Bring Accessible Apologetics to Your Group?
Let’s talk. Tell me how I can come alongside your group and help Christians defend the faith with confidence. I’d love to hear from you!
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