Ron Oja Confirmed for Knoxville Conference
Volunteers Needed
I have been out of the office for a week, having just returned from a teaching tour in Florida. In a rhetorical allusion to big-time wrestling, Ron Oja and I did some “tag team” teaching there. The only mention of wrestling in the New Testament is found in that famous passage in Ephesians 6:12 where “…we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness {or against wicked spirits} in high places.”
Our teaching meetings were not large gatherings open to the public, but private invitations held at two locales in Florida with relatively small groups at each. We are always blest as we seek to be a blessing to others.
A larger gathering (we hope) will be in Knoxville, Tennessee on what the world (and the church in general) calls “Easter weekend,” April 10-12, 2020. We prefer to avoid calling the holiday “Easter,” recognizing it as a celebration dedicated to the ancient false goddess Ishtar/Astarte. For us it is a gathering to observe the Christian remembrance that Christ is our true Passover sacrifice, followed by His glorious resurrection from the dead early on the third day.
The essential details about this upcoming Bible Conference are in my initial blog about this gathering. I can now confirm that Ron Oja has also accepted my invitation for him to teach at the Knoxville Conference. Ron rounds out the speaker/teacher roster as he joins Rob Corry, PA; Stephen Jones, of God’s Kingdom Ministries, MN; Alan Newton, SC; Allen Snow, TN; and James Bruggeman, NC.
The room rate is $69 for either a king-room or a room with two queen-size beds. All prices are per night and before taxes. A hot buffet breakfast is included. The cut-off date for you to book at this rate is March 25th.
As is my usual practice for Conference preparation, this is now my “call for volunteers.” Did you know that Tennessee is nicknamed the volunteer state? It is a moniker going back to the call for troops in the war between the states. And did you know that Tennessee was the 16th state to enter the united States of America? {lower-case “united” not a typo!} In the Bible, the number 16 is associated with perfect love—agape love. The word “volunteer(s)” does not appear in the KJV but it is certainly hidden in this Psalm.
Psalm 110:3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
The New King James translation makes it clearer:
NKJ Psalm 110:3 Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth.
Friends, this is the day of His power! Look around you; don’t you see it, feel it, perceive it? …Sorry, started a “preach” there…
But please do give consideration, though, if you might be willing, in agape love for the Body of Christ, to offer your assistance at/before the Conference in one (or more) of the following ways. Please contact me if you feel led to help out. My office land line is 828-277-7733. Leave voicemail if I cannot answer.
Singers and musicians. In going into battle, the Scriptures say, “Judah shall go up [to battle] first.” The name “Judah” means “praise.” Therefore, in spiritual matters, our first order of business should be that we seek to praise our God. Our Father has blest us with volunteer singers/musicians, praise & worship leaders, at all our Conferences. We trust He will do the same in the Volunteer State.
Music Coordinator. This would be one individual who will plan and coordinate which singers/musicians will be leading praise at whatever particular time during the Conference.
Registration Table. Our dear sister, Pat Thomas, will coordinate those who will volunteer to assist her in this task. Six to eight persons to help her would not be too much. It is heavily time-weighted in the early part of the Conference when most attendees will be arriving. Serving at the registration table is a great way to meet your brothers and sisters in Christ!
Transportation/Air Travel Shuttle Service. The Knoxville airport is located south of Knoxville while our venue, The Clarion Inn & Suites, is located on the northern edge of the city. Knoxville is not that large, and I would estimate that, barring accidents on the freeway, it is about a 20-minute drive, one-way. I do not know how many attendees might need this service. If you do, please advise ASAP. Of course, some air travelers might be renting an automobile and if you might be willing to bring along another flier or two in your vehicle, that could prove helpful.
Room-share Coordinator. Some who are on a tight budget might be able to attend if they can share the room cost. This Coordinator can relieve me of the task of matching up those willing to share a room with those wanting/needing to share a room.