Mike, Patty and Joseph Kezele

Mike and I got home Wednesday morning from Watertown, NY (there was an unexpected overnight in Detroit) and left early Thursday morning for Phoenix, AZ. We are often asked, “Don’t you get tired by traveling so much?” Of course our answer has to be “Yes”. But the Lord is good and all it takes is one good night of sleep and we are ready to go full steam ahead. This is one of Mike’s favorite places to be in August. I must really love him because I agree to come to AZ in August year after year. Mike runs in the afternoon in the 105 degree weather. I have the opinion that Mike was made just a bit different than most – he loves very hot weather and very hot peppers.

 We are staying with Joseph and Patty Kezele. We have lost count of how many times we have stayed at their home. We feel like they are our family. Thanks Joseph and Patty for your love for us and our Creator.

Christian Teacher Training at Palmcroft Baptist

Today, Sat. Aug. 13, Mike is teaching another Christian Teacher Training class at Palmcroft Baptist Church in Phoenix. We were blessed to hear that one of the students who has attended the class 4 times here in Arizona, has also taught it. That is the way we want it to work. Thank you Jim Futch for your faithfulness.

Our Future Speakers

There are 4 young men taking the class – that makes my heart swell. They range in age from high school to young adult – may God allow them each to be able to teach thousands this truth. At the other end of the spectrum is one of my favorite people in the whole world, Jim Coleman. Jim has already shared with thousands of people. He and  his wife, Myrtle, live down the street from Arizona State U in Tempe. He has gone down close to the campus in the evenings hundreds of times in his wheel chair. He engages as many students and homeless as the Lord allows. They live a modest life so they can give to those in need. Jim and Myrtle are heroes of the faith!

Jim Coleman at the CTT

Mike teaching at Parkside Bible Church, Watertown, NY

We flew to upstate NY on Sat., August 6th so Mike could speak at Parkside Bible Church in Watertown, NY on Sunday. We were very happy to hear that the children had just completed the AiG Vacation Bible School program, Gold Rush. There was a short video of the children and workers shown during the morning services. We met Dr. Bob Harryman, an emergency room doctor, who is teaching through the Answers Academy for the second time at Parkside. His wife, Margie, was the director of the VBS program last week. We are so happy to meet people in all parts of our blessed country who have taken up the challenge to teach the truths about our Creator God.

Dr. Bob and Margie Harryman at Parkside Bible Church

The Guldan family drove two hours to attend the 11:00 service and then took us to lunch. Dr. Guldan is a dentist from Massena, NY who loves the Creation issue. He had heard Mike (and many others) at the AiG Mega Conference in Florence, KY a couple of weeks ago and brought his family to hear Mike this morning. We loved getting to know them. His wife, Elena, is from Romania. They met when Michael was on a mission trip to Romania and Elena was his interpreter. After the four years of those mission trips, they married and now have 8 year old Rebecca and 5 year old Tiffany.

The Guldan family

Mike teaching at Bayside Community Church

Lesley at Margaret's home on Tampa Bay

Mike and I flew to Tampa from Seattle and had the priviledge of staying with Margaret Riedel, a wonderful, godly woman who hosts speakers in her beautiful home every weekend. Mike spoke at Bayside Community Church on Sunday morning – this was probably the 8th time he has spoken there over the years. We love the music, the people and their commitment to the truth of God’s Word. After a very pleasant lunch with Margaret and some of her family, we drove to Spring Hill, FL where Mike spoke at the 6pm service. They have a school at the church and hope to have Mike come soon to teach the students during the day and the adults in the evening. It is such a blessing to be in so many solid churches! I wish each of you reading this blog had the opportunity to meet the people we meet. Your faith in the Christian church of America would be strengthened. We may be small in number, but are mighty in the Lord.

Mike at Spring Hill Baptist Church

Mike, our son, Eric, our Grandson, Wesley

Grandson Wesley - another athlete

Mike and I flew from Spokane, WA to Seattle on Monday, July 25th. We arrived at our son Eric’s home just in time to stay with our grandson, Wesley, while Eric went to work. Wesley is 3 years old and very precious of course. Eric’s wife, Robyn, is a RN and Eric is a 1st Lt. in the Army reserve. He was due to go to Iraq in May of this year but due to emergency surgery in Feb., he was not able to go.  So, for now he is part of the honor guard for funerals at the Tahoma military cemetery in Covington, WA. On Tuesday, I was able to go with him on one of his “missions”. I was very proud to see him look so sharp as he gave the commands for the men to fire their guns in salute for the veteran who was being honored.

Eric saluting a veteran at his funeral

On Wednesday, Mike and I went to 1st Baptist Church in Redmond, WA where he gave his “Battle Cry for the Next Generation” lecture. It was great to see many people we have known for years. This is the church where “The Riddle 6-Pack DVDs” were recorded. Thanks to Pastor Doug Johnston and his wife Barbara and to Dr. John Johnson for hosting a luncheon with 18 people.

Mike speaking at 1st Baptist, Redmond, WA

Kenny and Lois Moore with Mike at dinner in Post Falls, ID

On Saturday evening Mike and I shared a delightful meal with Kenny and Lois Moore at The White House in Post Falls, ID. We met Kenny and Lois several years ago at Candlelight Christian church. Mike and Kenny have the Marine Corps in common and Lois and I have the privilege of being married to a former Marine in common. Of course, we also have our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as the best common ground. It was a beautiful day and evening in northern Idaho. As someone told me, this was the only part of the US that was not in the “extreem heat” catagory on the weather channel.

On Sunday morning, Mike spoke at River of Life Friends church in Post Falls. We were encouraged when we heard that they have “apologetics night” on Tuesdays and they have shown Mike’s videos several times. They made us feel right at home as they welcomed Mike to speak “in person”.  After the service, we went to a Mexican restuarent with some of the members of the church. Thanks to Pastor Mike Slothower for inviting us in and for teaching the truth.

River of Life Friends Church in Post Falls, ID

I am praising God for two successful flights yesterday from Cincinnati to Spokane, WA. It was the first time I have flown since April 5th when I had serious problems with my ears. My ears are still clogged a bit, but the flights did not make them any worse! Thank you to those of you who prayed for me and understood how hard it was for me to stay home and let Mike go out on his own. (He really does need me!)

Christian Teacher Training Class at Candlelight Christian in Coeur d'Alene, ID

So now we are in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, ID. On Saturday, Mike taught the all day Christian Teacher Training class at Candlelight Christian Fellowship. We have been to this church several times for the “Steeling the Mind” conferences and for Mike to speak on Sunday mornings. We feel at home at Candlelight. Many thanks to Diane and Todd Nybo and Pastor Bryan Varney for all the work they did to get ready for this event.

Calvary Bible Church, Ellerslie, MD

On Friday, July 8th, Mike and I drove 7 hours from Hebron, KY to beautiful Ellerslie, MD. We set up everything for our 29th Christian Teacher Training Class and then had dinner with Pastor Greg Miller and his wife Autumn. Mike LOVES Mexican food and the hotter the better. So he was pleased when we went to a Mexican restaurant in historic Cumberland, MD. George Washington traveled there several times but I don’t think he went to the same restaurant!

On Saturday we had 25 students come for a full day of teaching (8:30am – 5:30pm). There were pastors, Christian school teachers, parents and former missionaries in attendance – all wanting to learn how to defend their faith in the literal reading of the first few chapters in the Bible. Mike loves teaching this class. Thanks to Autumn for all of her work to get the snacks and lunch ready.

I am very happy to report that I am back on the road doing ministry with Mike. I have been grounded since the beginning of April because of ear problems.  Our next few trips are in driving distance so I don’t have to worry about the pressure on my ears from taking off and landing. I have plans to fly on July 22nd and am trusting that I will be ready by then.

Central Baptist Church, Willisville, IL

We drove to Willisville, IL yesterday, Friday, June 10th. We met Pastor Cletus Zimmerman for dinner at the Pioneers Cabin Restaurant. We had our meeting at Central Baptist Church in Willisville. It is a church with lots of history and character. We had a small group, but as Pastor Cletus said, the ones who came were the ones who care. Mike gave his “Battle Cry for the Next Generation” talk. We were very blessed to have two new supporters of our ministry.

Hummingbirds on the Smith's back porch

After the meeting we drove to Bob and Beverly Smith’s lovely home. After a great night of sleep, we started our Saturday morning sitting on the Smith’s back porch watching the hummingbirds feeding. They are amazing! Mike had a couple of them land on his finger.

Tomorrow morning, Mike will speak at Kinkaid Christian Fellowship in Ava, IL. I will tell you all about that later.

Mike and I flew home from Philadelphia on Tues. March 29 after a great time in Bellmawr, NJ.

Les and Eva Johnson, Mike, Harry and Irma Pressley

Here is a picture of Mike with Les and Eva Johnson on his left. they are volunteers for AiG and came to help us in NJ. I could not have managed without them. On Mike’s right are Harry and Irma Pressley, the pastor of Calvary Chapel,  Bellmawr and his wife.

When we got home, we had a great visit with Dr Jobe and Jenna Dee Martin and their daughters, Tayren and Mirren. They stayed at our house while Jobe spoke at the homeschool convention in Cincinnati. You may recognize his name from the Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution DVD series. They have been friends of ours for  years and we enjoy so much being with their family. They have a new series of DVDs called Creation Proclaims.Along with Dan, the Animal Man, Breeding, Dr. Jobe introduces you to some of the most fascinating creatures. You can read all about them at www.biblicaldiscipleship.org.

After two very short days at home, we flew to Oklahoma City, OK on Friday, April 1st – our first time to this great city.We got the book tables and the classroom all set up for the Christian Teacher Training on Saturday. We had 41 students and want to thank Beth Groh for all the work she did for the event. On Sunday, Mike spoke to two groups in the morning and had two sessions in the evening. We were encouraged by the desire of many to not only learn the information, but to be able to teach it themselves. On Monday morning, Mike spoke to over 200 children and then had two more good sized groups in the afternoon.

Then there were the challenges. Mike’s 8 year old projector died (no suprise there), my brand new netbook computer would not start, and I got an earache. Unfortunately, in the process of flying home (we had 3 flights), my eardrum burst and I got an infection and then the other ear got infected and burst as well. So, I will not be traveling with Mike for awhile. The hardest part is that he will have to do the things I normally do on our trips. Please pray that my ears will heal quickly and I will be able to travel with him again.

Sunday Morning at St. John’s Lutheran Church

Wow, this is an exciting place to be. We love to be in the house of the Lord and fellowship with believers who are hungry for Truth. That is so evident here at Calvary Chapel, Bellmawr, NJ. Pastor Harry told us yesterday that the church is located in an area that is riddled with crime and drugs. He feels that God has him right where he needs to be. Many in his church are new believers and are busy talking to their family and friends about the love of our Lord.

They have had to go to three services in order to get eveyone in on Sunday mornings. Here is a picture of the packed second service. May God continue to bless this church and each person who serves here.

Second Service, Calvary Chapel, Bellmawr, NJ

Pastor Harry Tressler and Mike at Calvary Chapel, Bellmawr, NJ

Last night Mike spoke at Sussex Bible Church in Harbeson, Delaware. They had a delicious dinner at 6pm and then Mike spoke at 7. Several years ago we met another Marine in Delaware who is on fire for the Lord, Skip Venable.

Andy Roth, Skip Venable, and Mike

 When Skip found out that we were going to be in the area, he got to work and through his faithfulness, Mike got to speak to high school students, appear on a radio call-in show, and speak at this church. We were very happy to see him and his friend, Andy Roth, last night. Thanks Skip for your love for the truth!

Pastor Duane Smith and Mike

Pastor Duane Smith has a great congregation – we were blessed to see how hungry they were to hear about the biblical account of creation. As we talked to the folks, we realized that they are being taught truth every week. Oh, if only we could see that happening in every church we pass by as we travel this country.

This morning we drove to Baltimore, MD so Mike could teach from 6:10pm to 8pm at Maryland Bible College and Seminary. There were about 100 students who heard Mike’s talk: “Taking Back American Education”. The school is located at Greater Grace  World Outreach – their mission is to propogate the finished work of Jesus locally, nationally, and internationally. We pray that they will start with the first verse as they prepare to spread the Word.

Mike at Maryland Bible College and Seminary

Mike at Delmarva Christian School

Tuesday morning we loaded up and drove down the Delmarva Peninsula (named that because the peninsula contains Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia) so Mike could speak at Delmarva Christian School in Georgetown, DE. The students were responsive and very polite. We noticed because that’s not always the case. Then Mike taught in a couple of classes in the afternoon. We pray that many students will be bold and use the information to tell others about the truth in God’s Word.

This morning (Wed) at 7:15 Mike was a guest on the Dan Gaffney Morning Show on WGMD. Here is a link to what was said: www.wgmd.com/?p=20405 Just click on the arrow under “Dan Gaffney Audio”. We appreciate Dan and the way he conducted the interview. He certainly asked the right questions!

Mike and Dan Gaffney at WGMD

Mike was whisked back over to Delmarva Christian School to do another chapel and two more classes. Thanks to Duane Smith, pastor of Sussex County Bible Church, for getting Mike on the radio and for driving him around while I washed clothes and caught up on a couple of details. I also found time to drive the couple of miles to the beach here in Rehoboth.  Mike will not have time to go to the beach, but that is nothing new. He is so focused on teaching that he doesn’t mind missing the touristy thing.

Tonight Mike will speak at Sussex County Bible Church. Then we are off to Baltimore tomorrow where he will teach at a Bible College. More about that later.

Yesterday Mike had two sermons in the morning and two more sessions last night here at Calvary Chapel, Delta, PA. It was a wonderful Sunday and we met many giving and committed Christians. Today (Mon. 3/21) Mike got to speak to his scariest audience, the K – 6th graders. Why are they so scary? Well, when the youngest ones raise their hands, you never know what they are going to say.

Mike teaching his "Old Bones, Fossils, and the Flood" talk at Calvary Chapel, Delta, PA

 He talked about fossils and the Flood. We plan to film this talk when we are able to hire our video expert. We want to have a series of children’s talks that will equip them to answer questions that they will face as they grow up. Mike was impressed with the children and how much they already knew. That speaks well of their parents and their church.

Mike, Pastor Doug McClean and Youth Pastor Josh Harris

We are very happy to report that Pastor Doug McClean is not ashamed of the Word of God. He understands the importance of teaching the Bible as truth from the very first verse. He told us at lunch on Sunday that any leader or teacher in this church has to sign a statement of faith that includes a belief in the biblical account of creation in 6 literal days. Josh Harris (High School Pastor) told us that the youth leaders are going through the book of Luke, line by line. He plans to use Mike’s new apologetics DVDs next to equip the students with answers to many questions that can be used when they are witnessing to their friends and families. May God bless this church and each one who commits to sharing the truth, no matter what, to an unbelieving world.

After 3 very full days of getting things done at home, Mike and I flew to Baltimore, MD yesterday (Sat) and drove to Delta, PA, a beautiful rural area just over the Maryland line into Pennsylvania. Mike spoke at Calvary Chapel, Delta this morning. The day started out with a bright sun and birds singing! Yes, spring begins today and even though the temperature is in the 30’s, the process of rebirth is beginning – God’s design that every year we would witness new life in creation. Our desire is that there will be rebirth  – new life – in many people as the Holy Spirit opens their eyes to the Creator of everything.

Mike speaking at Calvary Chapel, Delta, PA

Mike’s sermon, “Is Genesis Relevant?” challenges those in church to critically look at some foundational reasons from the Bible that millions of years contradicts the truth that is clearly revealed in the Scriptures. Last week, I gave my favorite evidence, the death before sin issue. Another powerful one is the world-wide flood as described in the book of Genesis. The words so clearly point to the fact that the water covered the whole earth and that everything with the breath of life died except those on the Ark. Those who believe in millions of years use fossils as their best evidence. If there was a worldwide flood, many of those fossils would have been formed as a result of the violent effects of the Flood, not from millions of years of slow processes. It changes everything if you are willing to believe God’s Word. The Flood would account for much of the geology that we see today. We have just witnessed the effects of what lots of water can do from the terrible tsunami in Japan. However, that is nothing compared to what a worldwide flood would do. It definitely would have upset all the layers of soil that would have contained the fossils that evolutionists believe had been forming for millions of years. Let’s stick to what the Word of God says, not the opinions of man.

Today we spent some time at Plymouth Christian Academy which is located at Calvary Baptist Church in Canton, MI. Mike spoke to the upper grades this morning and the elementary children this afternoon. We love having the chance to talk to the students – we never know what God will do with the words that are spoken. I have heard many testimonies from adults who could remember in detail what someone said to them when they were children that changed the way they thought about the Bible. May God use Mike’s words today to encourage these young people in their Christian walk. 

Elementary students at Plymouth Christian Academy, Canton, MI

Tonight will be the final lecture at the church on dinosaurs. We find this subject interesting to all ages – not just the children. We have enjoyed our time here in Michigan and look forward to coming again someday.

We had a full day of ministry at Calvary Baptist Church in Canton, MI. At 9:30 Mike spoke to over 350 people during the study hour. He gave his new Apologetics 101 lecture. Then the worship service was packed with over 600 in attendance.

Worship Service at Calvary Baptist Church, Canton, MI

Mike’s talk was “Is Genesis Relevant?” He gave reasons why we should consider the creation account in Genesis important. My favorite one is the death before sin issue. The Bible clearly states in Genesis and in Romans that death is the penalty for sin. If evolution is true, then there would have been millions of years of death, struggle and disease before Adam and Eve came along. In other words, you can’t have it both ways. Death cannot be the result of sin if it had been happening for millions of years already.

Mike and Fred (Abe Lincoln)

Mike and I both got a good night of sleep after the first CTT class. We are thankful because we started all over again this morning.

Sat. March 12 Christian Teacher Trainng Class

We had another 70 students show up early on a sunny Saturday morning. Friday’s students  were mostly teachers at Plymouth Christian Academy which is a ministry of Calvary Baptist Church here in Canton, MI. Today, we had many of the teachers in the Sunday School and Bible Fellowship Adult classes from the church. We were surprised when a very special friend from many years ago, Frank Riviera, showed up for the class this morning. He was a young man twenty two years ago when he was in one of the first technical training classes that Mike ever taught at Microsoft in Redmond, WA. We became good friends when we found out that he was a believer. We have followed his life as he married, had 5 children, and moved here to MI where he still works for Microsoft.  

Mike and Frank Riviera, long-time friends

Tomorrow and Monday, we have the priviledge to speak at Calvary Baptist in Canton, MI. I will take some pictures and tell you how that goes later.

Mike and I flew home from St. Louis, MO on Tuesday, washed the clothes, took care of paper work, saw the grandchildren, and then drove to Canton, MI on Thursday morning. This morning, Fri. 3/11, was our first of two Christian Teacher Training Courses. It started at 8:30 and finished at 5:30. It was a full day of information about teaching creation and included a manual, a DVD with all the PowerPoint slides and lunch and snacks. We had 71 students who braved the day and 20 of them received a continuing education unit from ACSI, a Christian organization for accreditation.

Christian Teacher Training Class at Plymouth Christian Adademy, Canton, MI

We are pleased to say that Plymouth Christian Academy is one of the few Christian schools we have seen that actually teaches their students a biblical worldview using apologetics. It makes all the difference when these students leave high school and home and go off to college. They will have the tools to stay strong and defend their faith because they have been taught the answers to the challenges they will face.

Roger Johnson, Mike and Werner Gerstmann

On Saturday, March 5th, Mike and I flew to St. Louis, MO and had a restful day that was the calm before the “storm”. We had 2 very busy but wonderful days at 1st Baptist Church in Villa Ridge, MO.  It is always exciting at the beginning of a weekend to get to meet people for the first time and wonder what God will do with the truth as God’s Word goes out. There was a great team of workers who spent many hours getting the word out about the meetings to the community and other churches. Werner Gerstmann was the “go-getter” who got it all started. Pastor Roger Johnson and Pastor Jim Creath took the reigns at the church and they all worked very hard to get large crowds. Thanks to all of those who gave their time and energy.

Congregation at 1st Baptist, Villa Ridge

On Sunday morning, Mike spoke at two services with over 800 in attendance. At 4:00 he spoke to the youth and answered questions and then had two more open sessions that evening.

On Monday morning, he spoke to the students at Crosspoint Christian School along with some pastors from the community and some visiting homeschool familes.

Monday afternoon, Mike was interviewed on KGNV Christian radio station by James Goggan. Then there were two more lectures Monday evening.

We were very pleased with the response of the people who attended the lectures. We pray that many were encouraged to trust God’s Word from the 1st verse.

 Monday morning was great with about 500 elementary children packed in to hear about Dinosaurs and the Bible. They heard that God created dinosaurs on day 6, right along with man and woman. They also heard about some actual physical evidence that man and dinosaurs lived at the same time. You can get a copy of Mike’s dino talk, “The Riddle of the Dinosaurs” here on our website soon – the online store is not quite ready yet. Mike then got to speak to the 1st Christian Academy high school students. They had some good questions for him after the lecture.

Monday night there was a terrible thunder storm and even some tornado warnings in the area. So, we were very happy with the number of people who came out to hear Mike in that weather. Mike gave his Apologetics 201 talk and his dinosaur talk for adults. There is usually a group of people all around Mike after his talks and Monday night was no exception.

Asking Mike Questions

We want to thank all the pastors at 1st Christian – they fed us well and made us feel “at home”. We hope to see them all again.

Mike and I left home on Sat. 2-26 at 6:15 am to drive from Hebron, KY to Kernersville, NC – a 7 hour drive. It was  a beautiful day and an uneventful drive – the kind we like. After setting up the book tables at the church, we went to Prissy Polly’s BBQ restaurant. We had great food, but what impressed us was the blue grass band. About half way through the show, the fiddler played a stirring version of “How Great Thou Art” right there in the restaurant. Many of the diners starting singing along. Now that is great entertainment. 

Mike speaking at 1st Christian Church, Kernersville, NC

On Sunday, Mike had the priviledge of speaking at 1st Christian Church in Kernersville for all three morning services to over 1000 people. While Mike was teaching the adults, John and Ynita Swomley were

John Swomley doing his push-ups

 with the children doing their creation-based baloon ministry. You can check out their work at: www.jandyministry.com. As you can see, John has lots of energy. That is Ynita standing next to Mike and Linda Shelton next to Ynita. Linda was my volunteer co-ordinator at the book tables and I could not have survived without her.

Mike spoke twice on Sunday night at the church and is speaking at their Academy today (Monday). He will be speaking twice tonight and then we will pack up and drive home tomorrow to get ready for the next trip. We seem to be making a habit of that. We are so blessed to have these opportunities to tell so many about our Creator God.