There is a statement that I often heard from my mentor, Dr. John C. Whitcomb. It was humorous but also profound—usually offered as a title for a photo he had just taken.

“The name of the picture,” he would famously say, “is ‘There’s still hope!'”

Of course, our hope in life and death is ultimately found in Christ alone (Rom. 8:38-39). Many have come to appreciate the need for such hope in a more profound way over the past two years. “Christ, Our Hope in Life & Death” was our theme this week as we gathered in Albuquerque, NM, for the annual convention of IFCA International.

That theme was expounded upon and experienced in a variety of ways—through preaching in plenary sessions, music, workshops (covering a number of theological and practical topics), business and planning sessions, chaplains’ trainings, women’s and children’s programs, and—of course—meals and other down-times.

I must confess that I specifically purposed to use my time strategically as an exhibitor for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry and found the week to be incredibly productive in that regard. Truthfully, I did not follow every twist and turn of the convention—and it already provides enough options to overload anyone who would try. However, I think I can say that there were few surprises, and little news was broken. The overwhelming sentiment that I sensed was that it was simply wonderful to gather in fellowship with like-minded brethren and share a brief respite from the rigors of life and ministry. In fact, I heard a number of testimonies regarding the good spirit of the attendees.

Organized in 1930, the IFCA offers an ecclesiastical home for those committed to Biblical inerrancy, creationism, dispensationalism, premillennialism, and pretribulationalism within a baptistic framework. Yet, it also allows liberty for individuals to hold to finer distinctions within their own congregations and ministries—and their own consciences. And that ties right into the theme of next year’s convention, which will be held at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, in the Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter, in Covington, Ky.—near the Ark Encounter—from June 26 to 30. It will focus on “Fighting the Good Fight: Reclaiming Biblical Fundamentalism.”

Dr. Richard Bargas, executive director of IFCA International, offered a preview of the 2023 convention.

“This theme will hopefully flesh out our desire to return the focus of fundamentalism to its Biblical roots and the need to continue to contend for the faith and uphold Christian orthodoxy,” he stated.

Bargas added: “We recognize that many who would call themselves fundamentalists have blended in cultural traditions along with a propensity to fight with one another over doctrinal minutia and preferences.”

Under Bargas, who became executive director in 2019, the IFCA has made purposeful strides toward fulfilling its mission with new zeal.

“We want to refocus our hearts to accomplish the IFCA’s goal, to remain grounded in Scripture while advancing the cause of Christ,” he said.

General session speakers for this year were Bargas, Rev. Chad DeJong, Dr. Alex Montoya, and Dr. Anthony Wood. Susan Heck was the women’s speaker. Steven Lee, founder of SermonAudio.com, also addressed the convention regarding the construction of The Vault on the campus of Bob Jones University.

A total of 344 people registered for the convention. There were 35 exhibitors, including colleges, seminaries, and missions organizations. A total of 21 general breakout seminars were offered.

The IFCA awarded the 2022 Faithful Servant Award to Dr. Robert Provost, the former president of Slavic Gospel Association, for his years of dedicated and strategic ministry in the former Soviet Union.

“For pastors, especially, who are often inundated with so many burdens and minister to people who are often crushed by the consequences of sin, the encouragement and strengthening of the Word of God is greatly appreciated and timely,” Bargas stated.

As we witness signs that point toward the end of this age, it appears to me that the fellowship between like-minded Christian leaders is growing closer. The sense of urgency has become more intense. Disagreements over minor issues feel less and less important. Time spent together seems more precious. Although our hope is ultimately in Christ, humanly speaking, we can also share that hope with one another.

As I sat at my exhibit on Monday afternoon and saw the registrants entering the hotel, my thoughts were summed up in the words of Dr. Whitcomb: “There’s still hope!”

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Paul J. Scharf (M.A., M.Div., Faith Baptist Theological Seminary) is a church ministries representative for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, based in Columbus, WI, and serving in the Midwest. For more information on his ministry, visit sermonaudio.com/pscharf, or foi.org/scharf, or email pscharf@foi.org.

All too often in these days, it is not uncommon to hear about people having a nagging problem concerning churches that would teach Bible prophecy. The root of the issue has everything to do with the clergy; it is not too difficult to come up with a comprehensive list of preachers who teach prophetic truths – there are really not that many when compared to the others!

Perhaps there is the argument that proper eschatology is a very tough topic that is ridden with controversies – so a lot of pulpits steer clear of this area. Over the past decades, there has been much sensationalism in this realm. A chunk of this is largely the over-emphasis on dreams, visions, astronomical movements, and dates. All this has given the topic of Bible prophecy a bad name. Then there is folklore about the so-called origins of the Rapture – many are probably familiar with the story of a certain young lady!

So a lot of pastors take the above-mentioned arguments as a basis for not even scratching the topic of Bible prophecy. A good enough reason? Definitely not the case; simply because all this noise and chatter has zero Scriptural basis – it is totally manmade! That which emanates from the fallen nature is as good as quicksand. Confusion as well as disputes often arise from believing in all that stuff. Our Heavenly Father certainly has no part in all this. “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33).

Who then is the author of confusion? The adversary, who else! Unfortunately, there is no doubt that a large number of pastors are blindsided by the evil one into the misnomer that Bible prophecy is difficult to teach, boring, and hard to comprehend. These preachers fail to take a long, hard look at Hebrews 4:12. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

So there it is, a two-edged sword that will cut through all the misinformation and mayhem. When the Word of God takes the driver’s seat, potential train wrecks are avoided. The question is, how many people who call themselves servants of the Lord take this to heart. Those in the minority camp have done so and continue to do so. They bring great joy to many listeners around the globe; their conferences are often sold out, and live streaming has to be the next best option – all because of the insatiable hunger for the truth in the Living Word which is out there.

Why then is there so much reluctance on the part of many contemporary clergymen to get involved in an area of Scripture which is so relevant for the times? It has obviously reached a stage where one person’s meat has become the other’s poison. There it is again, another plethora of earthly excuses!

The wicked one who thrives on deceit and confusion is yet again at work. He feeds these feeble minds with the notion that the material in the prophetic truth is offensive to many. Unfounded fears of conflicts degenerating into strained relationships surface. Peace in the pews at whatever price, even if it brings in that which is not Biblical? Do these people of the pulpits ever read 2 Timothy 4:2. “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching.”

A good number of these pastors would worry about the church coffers, and because of this, they choose to please the pews. A clear dereliction of duty! Do they trust the LORD for every need, including financial requirements? Unfortunately, not in this instance. Crowd pleasers – the Living Word has a lot to say about this in Galatians 1:10. “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”

At this juncture, it would do no harm to label this cohort of clergymen in the manner of a spade being called a spade – they are workers of iniquity who truncate the truth. At least a quarter of Holy Writ is prophecy in the true sense. Leaving it out wholesale can cause distortions in the understanding of Scripture; everything in the Living Word is closely interrelated! Distortions ultimately lead to misinterpretations which, in turn, cause disputes. There is undoubtedly a slippery slope here; the concern about conflicts ultimately gives cause for avoidance of the truth and subsequently misfocusing on the irrelevant. Just what the father of lies ordered – a sharp swerve that is far away from the truth but more in tune with fairy tales. What follows is the unthinkable and unspeakable in places of worship.

Surely this speaks volumes about the Woke revolution!

It should come as no surprise that what is exploding before many eyes matches that which is said about the last days. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Be not dismayed with these things. It will not be for long before they will disappear and be removed from memory at the twinkling of an eye. Right at this point in time, the minority is deemed by the masses to be on the losing end. Only an illusion! Before anyone knows it, all the longsuffering which is the very heart of sticking to the Living Word will bear everlasting fruits!

Maranatha

Edwin

Contact me at edwinuk13@gmail.com