All posts tagged Events related

Surveying Destruction And Beauty – While On A Discover Creation Raft Trip

by Alpha Omega Institute on September 7, 2012 in Nuttings from the Front with 1 Comment

 

Last week, Mary Jo & I led a Discover Creation Green River Raft Trip.  AOI co-sponsored the trip along with Journey Quest, a new Christian wilderness ministry and rafting company our son is helping develop. Everything went very well. We were blessed with safety, health, energy, good weather, good attitudes, great fellowship, and good learning for both the participants and the instructors! This was meant to be an exploratory trip as we had never physically explored the geology of that section of the river. We enjoyed camping in the wilderness while exploring the geology and seeing evidence of the Flood and God’s restorative power after the destruction. We also enjoyed teaching/learning more about God’s creation, and digging into His Word with fellow travelers.

Besides the landforms and geology, we saw several groups of wild horses, groups of desert big horn sheep, deer, coyotes, lots of lizards, snakes (but no rattlesnakes),  a few very old homesteads, a fossil imprint of a turtle, and drawings made by American Indians on the sandstone walls.

Mary Jo and I camped out in a tent as we are not too fond of the idea of sharing our sleeping bags with an unwelcome critter. Some of the brave ones in our group went without tents, so they could enjoy the stars since the weather was so cooperative. The days were spent floating down the river, shooting rapids, and enjoying the “mini”-lectures (we hope) and the beauty of the area.

So why do we do field trips and, in this case, the raft trip? Over the last few years, we have had many students tell us that seeing and experiencing the places we talk about not only cemented the truth of Creation for them, but also the truth of the Bible. I think all 30 of the raft trip participants, including staff, got a much bigger, hands-on feel for the scope of the Flood and how it and the aftermath of it shaped our present world.

If you want to be notified of the next field or raft trip, send an email to aoi@discovercreation.org.

 

Dave Nutting

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing.  Thanks for your partnership.

A Long Fruitful Summer

by Alpha Omega Institute on August 30, 2012 in Johnsons from the Front with No comments

 

Bowing before the Lord…

Praise the Lord … we made it through a very long, hot, and busy summer. We had to rely on the strength of God every bit of the way, and He sustained us.

We began by doing 2 ½ weeks of Rodeo Bible Camp. Checkout the blogs we posted on: the Rodeo Bible Camp; the Junior Rodeo Bible Camp; and the Pee-Wee Rodeo Bible Camp.

We did 1 family Vacation Bible School and 1 children’s VBS in South Dakota.  See the Two for One post for a little more on that trip. In the morning we did a VBS on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, then moved all our equipment and set up to do an evening VBS at the sponsoring church. It was a jam packed week! Then it was on to do another weeklong family VBS in eastern Colorado.

Tears of Joy for Salvation!

This was followed by 4 weeks of Bible Camp in Colorado (only 45 minutes away from our house, so able to get home on weekends). We then flew (and there are some challenges in flying for us) to Oregon to do another a week of Bible Camp. Amongst all the VBS’s and Bible Camps we were able to squeeze in 11 days of teaching at different churches.

One of the blessings of this summer was to be able to disciple and encourage hundreds of children and adults, and witness 86 children put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

Yes we are tired, but below is an encouraging note we received from a parent that makes it all worthwhile:

 

Dear Lanny and Marilyn

I just wanted you to know how grateful I am for the sacrifice of time, energy, comfort, etc. that you gave to teaching at ________. I so appreciate that all of my children sat under your teaching and received sound, biblical, creation-oriented, God-honoring information that continues to solidify their worldview. We’ve had discussions about what they reviewed and what was new information and we’ve also talked about what a privilege it is to hear truth that is consistent with the Scriptures vs. only growing up with a humanistic, evolutionary mindset and having to learn what is really real. I so appreciate your heart for ministry to kids of all ages. Thank you for reinforcing what we are teaching our children and for encouraging them in word and deed in the Love of Christ.  __ __

 

Lanny Johnson

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing.  Thanks for your partnership.

Dinosaurs, Monuments, and The Gospel

by Alpha Omega Institute on August 29, 2012 in Stepaneks from the Front with No comments

 

On Monday, August 27th, I had the great opportunity to host both a Colorado National Monument tour and a Dinosaur Journey Museum tour for Mountain Valley Christian Academy.  The day started at 9:00 am at the monument with a presentation explaining the landscape by the evolutionary model and then by the creation/flood model.  We talked about the effects of the flood on geology.  The creation/flood model fits so much better with the observed data.

After finishing at the monument we drove into Fruita, CO, for a one and a half hour dinosaur program.  The program consisted of information about ancient civilizations living with the dinosaurs, as well as the many discoveries of soft tissue found in dinosaur bones.  We also explained how dinosaurs could grow to such gigantic sizes when they hatched from such small eggs.  We ended the presentation with what happened to all the dinosaurs.   To explain all this and much more, we then turned to both science and the Bible. Teaching about dinosaurs is an excellent way to proclaim the gospel!

After lunch, we finished the day with a museum tour.  The museum is a wonderful place to reveal God’s incredible design in dinosaurs, the consequences of Adam’s sin on the world, and much, much more.  We all had a great day of discovering God’s incredible creation, and learning more about God and His unfathomable love for us!

 

Rich Stepanek

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing.  Thanks for your partnership.

Training The Future Generation

by Alpha Omega Institute on August 17, 2012 in Stepaneks from the Front with No comments

I spent two weeks helping with the children’s program at Camp Redcloud.  We had from 12-18 children each day.  They were an active, fun, and enthusiastic group.  One of the favorite activities is always making sock puppets.  The children enjoy performing with them for their parents on Thursday during the variety show.

Some of the older children (age 11-13) , who had been in the program in previous years, enjoyed being able to be helpers as well.  Some are very interested and quite knowledgeable about creation issues.  A few children gave short presentations to the class about certain animals they had studied.  Alan and Diane Galbraith, directors of the children’s program at Camp Redcloud, recognize the importance of training the future generation to be leaders in creation teaching.  It was a blessing to assist them in this endeavor.

 

Diane teaching the future

Sue Stepanek

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing.  Thanks for your partnership.

Another Great Experience at Redcloud Mountain Adventures

by Alpha Omega Institute on August 16, 2012 in Stepaneks from the Front with No comments

What a great time we had at Redcloud Mountain Adventure!  Family camp is always a rewarding time to minister to the entire family.  Our desire is to grow families in their relationships to each other and with the Lord. Primarily we want to train fathers to be the spiritual leaders in their families. The first week had many teens with unique issues to be addressed.  We trust that God will do great things in their lives in the coming days and years.  The second week we had families with many little children.  One mother commented that it was the most relaxing vacation they could have had.  We are so thankful that it was a refreshing week for them.

There was also a great interest in the teaching.  It was a blessing to see the eagerness that many had… even after a long day.  In addition to the scheduled teaching, the speakers spent extra hours in the afternoon and evening answering questions and providing more for those who were seeking to know more.   One teen commented that this was a life-changing week for him. What a difference the Word of God can make in a person’s life!

 

Rich Stepanek

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing.  Thanks for your partnership.

The Challenges of Taking to the Air

by Alpha Omega Institute on August 15, 2012 in Johnsons from the Front with No comments

Looking at the optical illusion below, you will see larger boxes being packed into much smaller boxes. Of course, this is an impossible figure; however, Marilyn and I face the same kind of problem whenever we fly as a part of our family/children’s ministry.

We carry a lot of equipment to do Vacation Bible Schools and Bible camps: puppet stage, puppets, memory verses, sound equipment, speakers, speaker stands, projector(s), projection screen, projection tables, fossils (3 boxes totaling about 100 lbs), hands on crafts (3 – 4 boxes), computer(s), hand-out sheets (1-2 boxes), books for sale (13 – 15 boxes average),  toiletries, shoes, clothes (1 suitcase for me and 2 for Marilyn ), and other miscellaneous items.

In the past, we carried most of this equipment in a 5′ x 10′ enclosed utility trailer. Recently, we have began traveling in a 5th wheel travel trailer, where we use every available nook and cranny (including rear seats of the pick-up truck) to haul all the equipment.

The challenge for flying is similar to the optical illusion … how do you get all that stuff in 3 checked bags and 2 carry-on bags? The answer – we don’t! We have to pare down everything!

All the puppet equipment (stage, puppet, memory verses, and props) go into a traveling golf bag. Everything else goes into the 2 remaining suitcases … clothes, toiletries, shoes, etc. and equipment. We sort the fossils and only take a representative few (weighing around 10 lbs). We don’t take any sound equipment, other than a personal microphone (we rely on the camp or church to have sound equipment), nor any projection tables. The books (only a representative few that can be ordered) and hand-out sheets are shipped ahead of time. We carry our projector and computers with the carry-on baggage.

Years ago, when our 2 daughters traveled with us, we were allowed 2 bags each, weighing up to 75 lbs., so we could carry quite a bit of “stuff”. But today, it is just Marilyn and I. We are still allowed 2 bags each, but now the weight is limited to 50 lbs. To make matters even worse, most airlines now charge for all checked baggage. At an average of $25.00 for the first bag and $35.00 for the second bag, we are usually looking at $170.00 baggage charge for a round trip air flight … that is above and beyond the much higher airfares. So to be good stewards, we limit ourselves to just 3 bags (actually 4 bags plus carryon bags are nearly impossible for 2 people to manage anyway).

We always warn the people that pick us up from the airport to bring a BIG vehicle. Many soon learn that we were not joking when we said BIG. The look on some of the faces when they see the pile of luggage that somehow has to be crammed into what they considered big, can be quite humorous.

 

Lanny Johnson

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing.  Thanks for your partnership.

My Missionary Lizards

by Alpha Omega Institute on July 20, 2012 in Stepaneks from the Front with No comments

Pastor Ramon invited me and a variety of Bible teachers from Mexico to teach at a youth convention which was being held at the Nogales Baptist Seminary in Nogales, MX.  Over one hundred youth attended the event.  Many more signed up to attend, but were unfortunately turned down, due to lack of room.  I observed in the youth of Mexico a desire to know the truth.   Both young and old around the world have an interest in creation, especially the subject of dinosaurs.

After finishing up my dinosaur presentation, one of the kids was concerned about where he would spend eternity.  He approached Pastor Ramon wanting to talk to him about salvation.  Pastor Ramon led the youngster to the Lord!  I know of at least two  who trusted Jesus as their Saviour during the conference.  By knowing the truth about dinosaurs, they will truly glorify the LORD.  I frequently refer to dinosaurs as my missionary lizards.  During the conference, Pastor Ramon noticed an excitement in the attendees to learn more about the Bible.  He has seen on many occasions that the youth were not very interested in the Biblical account, but at this conference there was an enthusiasm about knowing more!

 

Richard Stepanek

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

Down, But Not Out!

by Alpha Omega Institute on July 19, 2012 in Stepaneks from the Front with No comments

One Sunday morning, a few weeks ago, I was traveling to Gateway, CO to teach at the Wayside Chapel.  After passing many of the fire fighting vehicles on their way to fight a forest fire west of Gateway, I heard a bang coming out from my vehicle.  At first I thought I had blown one of my tires, but the truck I was driving did not give that impression.  Then I noticed what I thought was burning rubber coming from the front of the vehicle.

Quickly coming to a stop, I checked all the tires.  They checked out just fine.  Next, I thought the problem must be under the hood.  I knew the situation was bad when I saw the serpentine belt lying on top of the engine.  Antifreeze was everywhere and the fan was in the radiator.  This was not a good sign!  Analyzing the situation, I discovered that the water pump bearing went out and had subsequently caused the fan to fall into the radiator.  This caused major damage to both the radiator and fan, leaving parts of the fan blades along the road.

Usually there is a warning when the water pump is going bad, such as an antifreeze leak or noisy bearing… but not this time.  I had a cell phone; I’ll just call for re-enforcements, right?  Wrong!  I am in the mountains and in the middle of nowhere.  No cell phone service here.  So I would have to find help the old fashioned way…  by walking to nearby residents!  With a quick prayer, asking for God’s intervention in this situation, I headed for my first target.

As I walked up the steps to the house, I was thinking that people would be eager to help a man wearing a suit and cowboy boots.  After knocking on the door, I began to hear noises inside.  I am in luck!  The lady quickly asked, “What’s your name?”  “Richard Stepanek,” I replied.  She then abruptly stated, “I don’t know you, I can’t help you!”  “But mam, my vehicle is broke down on the road,” I insisted.  “I don’t know you, I can’t help you!” she replied again.  I retreated from my first attempt for help.  I probably scared the poor lady half to death.  So much for my suit and tie.

The next house did not help either, as there was no one home, and the third place had a ‘beware of dog’ sign.  Being an ex-rural mail deliverer, I have learned that strange dogs and I just do not mix well together.  So I decided to skip that house.  As I was walking to the next place, a man and his wife driving by stopped and asked if I needed help.  I informed them of my situation and they were eager to help since they attended the Wayside Chapel.

I was glad I left extra early that morning for the drive to Gateway, even with all the delays I was only fifteen minutes late.  The people attending Wayside Chapel were extremely helpful, and they even helped me tow my vehicle to a safe location off the road.   I praise the Lord that I could perform the repairs myself.  After $850.00 of parts, and about two days of work, my truck was up and running again.  These are just some of the obstacles we get as a traveling ministry, but God is always faithful to see us through.

 

Rich Stepanek

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

“Genesis and science go hand in hand”

by Alpha Omega Institute on July 12, 2012 in Stepaneks from the Front with No comments

Last month I had the opportunity to teach at Camp Salvation, which is located near Weston, CO.   It was the camp’s senior high week with about 60-70 campers attending.  I had a good week teaching my Genesis Series, and interacting with the campers and staff.  While playing games, I painfully discovered that I am not as fast as I once was.

Many campers were amazed to discover how scientific the book of Genesis really is.  One young lady, who is very interested in science, was delighted to hear that Genesis and science go hand in hand.  Another camper informed me about some of his classmates that were falling from the faith because of evolution.  He even expressed that he was beginning to doubt the Bible.  The arguments his teacher was using to discredit the Bible were easily refuted by science.

The sad thing about all of this is how many young people are rejecting Scripture and Jesus Christ because of false teachings which are promoted as truth.  The good news in all this was over 12 campers trusted Jesus Christ, who is the Creator, as their Saviour.

 

Rich Stepanek

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

The Homes Have It…

by Alpha Omega Institute on June 27, 2012 in Stepaneks from the Front with No comments

 

We had a great two weeks of traveling in Nebraska and Minnesota.  We were blessed to be able to teach at our home church in SW Minnesota.  It was a wonderful opportunity to connect again with many friends and supporters of our ministry.  It is hard to believe that it was 15 years ago when God called us away from the farm, to replant in Colorado and join Alpha Omega Institute.

It is truly amazing for us to see the countless ways that He has worked in our lives through the years.  We have been so blessed to develop so many new relationships across the country.  We trust also, that the Lord has used our teaching to make an impact in the lives of other people.

We were also able to participate in the recent CHEC Homeschool Conference in Denver, June 14-16. Ken Ham was the keynote speaker at the conference.  He helped to renew the attendee’s interest in the creation/evolution issue.  Many saw the importance of equipping their children, with the much needed information, to stand strong on the unfailing Word of God.

I also had the opportunity to present two sessions covering Genesis chapter one.  It was a great time to encourage parents, to equip their children, and to meet the challenges and opposition they may face in the future.

 

Rich Stepanek

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

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