Dr. Ronald E. Smith, President
It is quite exciting to see the amount of ministry activity coming and going among our colleagues in the Francis Asbury Society. Sometimes it feels like a microcosm of what it must have felt like to be part of the Council of Jerusalem as they received reports of how the gospel was going to the ends of the earth. Reports have been coming across my desk about how God has been using our speakers out on “the sawdust trail” (a historical name for evangelists traveling to speak in various camp meetings). Our evangelists saw much fruit produced by our Lord Jesus Christ—conversions, people being sanctified holy, backslidden Christians coming to a place of renewal in Christ, and people getting specific victories over some specific challenge in their life that took a direct touch of God for their deliverance. We mingled our prayers, tears, burdens, and sorrows until God changed some to victory and joy. Lane Loman shares the historic impact from one of the camp meetings he experienced this summer here. Lane is a covenant evangelist in the Francis Asbury Society.
Most of our staff were at our two Hemlock Inn retreats in Bryson City, North Carolina. To quote the Christian experience in the book of Acts, we experienced “times of refreshing” in God’s Spirit. Our keynote speaker was Dr. Andy Miller III, vice president for Academic Affairs at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson/Ridgeland, MS, and FAS board member. Andy led us in a series of dynamic studies from the book of Jude. He passionately elucidated the difference between a “contender” (yay!) or a “coaster” (boo!) described in the book of Jude. I give Andy kudos for a job excellently done.
Let me say to our readers, if you need an excellent platform man who can deliver a dynamic message by being an excellent communicator, Andy is your man. Another speaker was Josh Hallahan, director of Student Ministries for FAS (Josh and his wife, Kelly, are working with students at our Asbury campuses) through means of support and small group spiritual formation and discipleship. Jerry Coleman, director of the Empower the Nations ministry at FAS, gave a poignant message on one-to-one evangelism. Jerry and Jan Coleman left for Egypt this week for preaching, discipling, and teaching conferences. Our retreat leader for both retreats was Dr. Mike Powers, director of Discipleship at FAS. Mike invited Rev. and Mrs. Danny Key (choir director of the Seminary Singers at Asbury Theological Seminary) and Keith and Betsy Moran (Betsy is Danny’s sister) to lead our worship. What a blessing they are!
Next year’s retreats at The Hemlock Inn will be on the subject of “Living for Global Awakening” and will be held from August 23–25 (Retreat 1) or August 25–27 (Retreat 2). Jerry Coleman’s prayer band, including Steve Seamands and Mark Nysewander, will be our speakers. This retreat will be one-of-a-kind in 2022. You won’t want to miss! Book your rooms early as reservations fill quickly. Visit our Hemlock Inn Retreats page for more information.
Josh and Kelly Hallahan are part of the sponsoring team of ICHTHUS, a popular open-air music ministry event to be held on September 18, from noon until around 9:00 p.m. here in Wilmore, KY.
Also, take time to read Dr. Vic Reasoner’s article about learning and holiness. Dr. Reasoner is a prolific author (more than 40 books) and is working with me on some key projects for the Francis Asbury Institute.
Finally, let me thank you for walking with us “in the beauty of His holiness.” That is our salvation and is only possible “by grace through faith.” Remember, when the devil and his minions accuse you of your fallenness, it’s time to stand in Christ’s risen-ness and “be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven you.”
Pro Nobis!