Category Archives: Herald of Truth

Ten years at Herald of Truth

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hflThis month makes ten years that I’ve been working with Herald of Truth. (We’re now using the name Hope For Life, a Herald of Truth ministry) During that time, I’ve gotten to do some amazing things as part of my work here. Here are a few:

  • I’ve been blessed to work with lots of amazing people, from fellow ministers to office staff to board members.
  • I’ve gotten to see firsthand the work of local churches around the U.S. and around the world.
  • I’ve co-authored four books and been the sole author of another. I write regularly for Heartlight and less frequently on other sites.
  • I’ve spoken on lectureships at Lipscomb University, Harding University, Pepperdine University, Faulkner University, and Abilene Christian University. I’ve also spoken at the Tulsa Workshop and the Orlando Spiritual Growth Workshop.
  • I’ve done men’s retreats, family retreats, areawide church gatherings, gospel meetings, and church seminars around the U.S.
  • I’ve been blessed to preach in campaigns in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Spain.

None of that’s to my credit; it’s all been what God has done through the ministry of Herald of Truth. I hope there’s at least another ten years of ministry ahead for me here. Thanks to all of you who give generously to keep this ministry functioning! In a way, you too have done all of the things I’ve listed above through your support.

Equip Conference in Orlando

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equip logoI’ve been invited to speak at the Equip Conference in Orlando, Florida, this year. It’s been 8 years since I’ve been to this conference (formally known as Spiritual Growth Workshop), so I’m really looking forward to being back. Hope For Life, a Herald of Truth ministry, is paying my way, for which I’m very grateful.

The theme of the conference is “Harvest.” I’ll be doing two classes in English and one in Spanish, all covering material from Church Inside Out. The English classes are labeled as being in the missions track; hoping no one will be disappointed, because I won’t be addressing missions in the traditional sense. I’ll be discussing churches engaging their communities, as the book focuses on. In Spanish I’ve been given the theme “Cultivating Relationships,” which will have an evangelistic overtone based on the overall theme of the conference.

If you’re going to be at the conference, I hope you’ll let me know in the comments section so I can be looking for you. I’d love to have you come to one, two, or even all three of my classes.

The conference is June 30-July 3. It will be held at the Rosen Centre, in Orlando. All of the information you need can be found on the conference website or by contacting the Orange Avenue Church of Christ in Orlando:

Equip Conference
c/o Orange Avenue Church of Christ
1511 East Orange Avenue
Eustis, Florida 32726
Phone: 352-357-6616
Fax: 352-357-5335
Email: Office@myoacoc.org

Guatemala trip

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Just got back from a great trip to Guatemala, traveling on behalf of Hope For Life, a Herald of Truth ministry. Roberto Alvarez did a great job of organizing a campaign with five of the smaller congregations in the Guatemala City area.

With Roberto Alvarez at Radio Progreso

With Roberto Alvarez at Radio Progreso


Besides being a preacher and church planter, Roberto directs the BICA (Biblical Institute of Central America) school in Guatemala.

Some of the BICA students worked hard the week of the campaign going from house to house to invite people, talk to them about Jesus, and study with them.

Steve speaks to the BICA students while Roberto translates

Steve speaks to the BICA students


Roberto, Steve Ridgell, and I were on the radio each day at midday, inviting people to the conferences. During the week there were 20 baptisms and 10 restorations, which was very exciting for these small churches.

On Sunday we had a combined service with congregations from the Guatemala City area.

Part of the crowd at Centro Histórico

Part of the crowd at Centro Histórico


Over 500 people crammed into the Centro Histórico church building. Steve preached to the children and adolescents upstairs, while I spoke to the adults downstairs. There was another baptism that day.

All in all it was a great trip. I’m fortunate to get to do what I do.

Contributing to the conversion process

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baptismWhile doing research for the book A History of Churches of Christ in Cuba, I ran across an article written in the 1950s that had addresses for the church in Cuba. I sent the list to Tony Fernández, my co-author and Herald of Truth representative in Cuba, to see if it might prove useful.

Tony noticed one of the addresses was for a church in Agramonte, a town where there was no longer a Church of Christ. Tony traveled to Agramonte and went to that address. The property owner was suspicious at first, thinking that Tony was wanting to lay claim to the house. When he realized that Tony was merely seeking former church members, the owner directed Tony to several of them.

If you know Tony Fernández at all, you’ll not be surprised to learn that there was soon a growing, active congregation in Agramonte.

When we were in Matanzas several weeks ago, a man was baptized. His wife had been baptized in Agramonte 60 years before. It was a wonderful continuation to the story.

In Church Inside Out, I talk about all the different ways you can contribute to someone’s coming to Christ, noting that conversion is a process, not an event. Last month I saw that even library research can play a small part in reaching someone who needs God.

2016 Cuba Men’s Conference

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Men's conferenceAs part of my work with Hope For Life (Herald of Truth), I get to go once or twice a year to Cuba. I usually get to go at the time of the national men’s conference, which was held last week in Varadero. In some ways, the conference is an excuse; that’s how we get the religious visas that allow us to freely teach and preach. (And yes, despite what you may have heard, you can freely teach and preach in Cuba, within certain limits)

The conference brings together church leaders from across the island(s), with somewhere between 250 and 300 men attending. I got to deliver two keynotes, as well as teaching a class.

Our main purpose is to visit Tony Fernández, Herald of Truth’s representative in Cuba. He continues to do amazing work, planting churches and ministering to those in existing churches. Our radio programs generate hundreds of responses every month; Tony follows up by mail, phone, and personal visits. No media outreach can be successful without consistent follow-up on the ground. We’re blessed to have people like Tony and his team.