The Adventure Begins

Jim and Karon’s Big Adventure

at the

European Leadership Forum in Wisla, Poland

(May 23-June 1, 2013)

Atheism is the fastest growing religion in Europe. Yet, God is raising up His remnant and a mighty army of truly born-again leaders who have refused to settle for Europe becoming “The New Dark Continent.” And Karon and I are off to be a part of the international teaching team, gathering to help equip 700 leaders from forty countries in theology, apologetics, pastoral and para-church ministry, church-planting, etc. I have particularly been invited to teach biblical ethics, Christian character, pastoral theology and church ministry. Of course, a major portion of that will cover the subject of moral purity. Karon will ne teaching and mentoring ministry leaders’ wives — a brand new ministry for the ELF.

Even before I write my trip reports (which we certainly hope you will follow), I thought it would be helpful if you had a taste of what is in store for us so that you can join us in praying. Without God’s power, very little that truly matters will happen!

Karon and I will soon be on our way to Wisla (pronounced Veesla), Poland. An advanced team of five volunteers from Campus Bible Church (and one from Visalia) are traveling before us and will join the hundreds of other volunteers who will help serve the 700 Forum delegates.

The adventure begins for us with a Speakers Banquet just minutes after Karon and I arrive Friday at the conference center. There I will rejoice to see many of my fellow Forum teachers as we are briefed about the full slate of upcoming events. We are often so busy we rarely see each other the whole time.

The next day, before the Forum officially begins, I will be studio-recording three videos on God’s design for human sexuality (to be used on the ELF website). That afternoon I will be teaching a live Pre-Forum Seminar. These six twenty-minute talks on The Purity War will be video-recorded before a live audience, with most followed by a ten minute Question and Answer Time. All of that before the conference even begins…

On the opening night, a 90-second video about The Purity War book will be shown (Check it out on the front page of www.puritywar.com.). I will also be briefly interviewed and asked to share how God led me to do my doctoral research on this subject. Following the General Session, with it’s great music and teaching by speakers from all over the world, each of the 700 participants in the Forum will receive a free copy of The Purity War book.

The next four days of the Forum will be filled with…

• morning sessions mentoring various leaders.

• ministry meetings with Forum leaders and delegates

• assigned meetings with three or four groups of pastors to discuss their special needs

• teaching (and video-recording) four live 90-minute afternoon workshops on “The Elements of a Healthy Local Church’ – “Dealing With Anger” – “A Revival of Purity” – “Safeguarding My Moral Purity.”

In addition to the duty of interviewing various delegates (as assigned by the Forum leadership), Karon will be teaching, counseling and mentoring ministry wives throughout the week. I believe she is already booked for mentoring at almost every meal. In addition to those duties, I look forward to her help in encouraging many of the leaders, especially the pastors, I will be teaching.

On the last day, as most of the delegates leave for home, I will be teaching a four-hour Post-Forum Seminar entitled: “Lessons in Purity” which covers subjects not covered in any of my other Forum sessions. These, too, will be video-recorded before a live audience.

No rest for the weary. Immediately after the Post-Forum, while the volunteers head off to some much-deserved rest and relaxation in Krakow, Karon and I will travel by car to the city of Katowice (pronounced: Katovichey). There we will meet with a number of Polish ministry leaders and stay the night. On Saturday, I will teach an all-day “Winning the Purity War” conference in English and translated into Polish. I am sure the evening will be filled with sweet fellowship with leaders of the growing church in Poland — a precious end to the seven days of teaching.

The next day, after days of travel and seven days of non-stop ministry, we take the 24 hour journey home to beautiful Fresno (Yes, even Fresno looks good at that point.). The adventure continues — with follow-up conferences in various parts of Europe. In August, I leave for Berlin, Germany and Tirana, Albania. In October, it’s Italy and Moldova.

So, you ask, why do we do this? The answer is simple. We are compelled by the Cross, commissioned by Christ and challenged by the need.