Our Writers on our 500 Week Milestone
As mentioned yesterday, this week marks the 500th week of publication for Proclaim & Defend. For today’s post, we solicited testimonials from some of our writers. We thought they might encourage you to subscribe to our feed [see the link near the bottom of the right hand column on our main page] and read the work of these men and many others.
Pastor Ken Brown of Community Bible Church, Trenton, MI
The Internet Age has made a tsunami of data available to the average person so that we are confronted with more knowledge than we can properly process. A mere glance at social media reveals more information but far less wisdom. In a world awash and adrift in foolishness and falsehood, a site to which one can safely anchor is a blessing from the Lord. Proclaim and Defend consistently offers solid biblical content to stimulate the mind and refresh the soul. Congratulations on this milestone. May the Lord grant P&D many more years of service to Him and His people.
Brent Niedergall, Chief Editor at Positive Action for Christ in Whitakers, NC, meditates on “500”
Reflecting on the significance of the number 500 for Proclaim & Defend, I was curious if “500 weeks” ever appears in Scripture. I found 500 years, people, animals, money, and cubits, but no weeks. Checking other sources, I found papyrological evidence dated to AD 30 that reports the theft of 500 bundles of hay (P Ryl II. 129), but still no weeks. A search of early Christian writings only turned up a discussion on mythical phoenix, experiencing death and rebirth every 500 years, as an example of the resurrection (1 Clem. 25). It turns out 500 weeks is just a nice round number to mark God’s goodness in orchestrating a consistent flow of Christian writing, engaging, and applying Scripture. Although my search came up empty, 500 weeks is a fun milestone. I appreciate the contributors and Don’s commendable effort to keep things running along. I pray the Lord continues to use this ministry to encourage the body of Christ for many more weeks to come.
Cameron Pollock, assistant pastor of youth and music at First Baptist Church of Lebanon, PA
Contributing to P&D has been a privilege. I am thankful for this group of writers who take seriously the need to present the truth in an accessible way in the 21st century. We have a great responsibility to herald the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, and the internet is one of the best tools we can use to spread the seed.
Bobby Howell, Pastor of Warrior Creek Baptist Church in Gray Court, SC
P&D has been a blessing. I appreciate all the contributors, not only because they address significant theological and sociological issues, but the way they address them. They fulfill Paul’s encouragement to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). I am thankful for this wonderful blessing to pastors and churches.
Matt Recker is the pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in New York City.
Praise God for this milestone of 500 weeks of publishing timely and necessary blogs that keep the pulse of our changing culture with God’s unchanging truth. Congratulations must first go to Pastor Don Johnson who is the human foundation-rock of Proclaim and Defend. Don researches to publish many articles, writes others, and seeks to light a fire that others would write. Many times others are slow to do this and while we fail to engage consistently int this ministry (that’s me!), Don has been faithful and consistent looking after it day by day. Let’s pray for Don and Pastor Kevin Schaal, the President of the FBFI as they continue to work together and oversee Proclaim and Defend into the days ahead. May God give them, and us, wisdom in continuing this work for God’s glory.
David Oliver is the pastor of Ashley Baptist Church in Belding, MI.
It was a pleasant surprise for me when Proclaim and Defend first published one of my articles. I had been writing brief essays as bulletin inserts for my church for several years. Then we started putting them on the church website. To have some of them get a wider reading on Proclaim and Defend is a great privilege.
Writing has helped me express some thoughts that might not find their way into sermons. It has also been an avenue to communicate with people that may not hear the messages I preach on Sunday. I have also found as a preacher that writing is a good discipline. It helps me distil words effectively. It challenges me to be both clear and concise, which is translates well into the pulpit.
I have enjoyed very much reading what others have written on the FBFI web page. I encourage others who perhaps do not write to pick up a pen (I am old school), or open a word document and start writing. Thanks to Don Johnson and the FBFI for providing this platform for communication. If Jesus tarries, I hope it will only grow in influence.
Note: each author’s name links to all of his posts on P&D.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash