Reasons To Believe has just embarked on a new and promising ministry frontier-the worldwide network of computer communications enthusiasts, which is growing by large proportions every month, every year. The Internet, also called the information superhighway, gives RTB a cost-effective opportunity to present our message about the harmony of science and Christian faith to people around the globe. In October we'll go on line with a home page, Facts & Faith, and some biographical data on Hugh, as well as on Kevin Westley, the RTB hotline volunteer (and computer whiz) who spearheaded the venture. With the help of Miguel Endara, Erika Carlson, and our latest recruit, Steve Hughes, Kevin hopes to maintain and enhance our use of this ministry venue.
Kevin and his team are not the only hotliners who've been active in outreach these past few months. Miguel Endara and Richard Cottle spoke to 40 inmates in the Brig at Mira Mar Naval Base in San Diego. Their topic, "The Universe: Accident or Design?" generated keen interest and a lively Q-and-A session. Lynn Carta addressed a biology class at Gladstone High in Azusa, Calif., challenging students to take just a few minutes a week to keep up to date on scientific developments that affect their daily lives-and their beliefs.
Mark Ritter asked a United Methodist family camp at Cedar Glen, near San Diego, to "Consider the Heavens." In addition to his talks, Mark organized a star-gazing party. Campers of all ages were glued to the telescope for two and a half hours. Also in the San Diego area, Carl Shannon captured the interest of an adult Sunday school class with "How the Big Bang Model Supports the Biblical Account of Creation." Class leaders reported double the normal attendance. Their only complaint was that time ran out too soon.
A new format for the Open Forum for skeptics in Pasadena, Calif., has brought a doubling of attendance. Hugh now begins each luncheon meeting with a brief overview of the latest scientific discoveries and their theological significance, allowing time for questions and discussion. The group's veterans say enthusiasm is running at an all-time high.
In addition to writing several more chapters of his extra-dimensionality book, Hugh has been involved in the continued development of our two video projects, and we have exciting progress to report. Producer Michael Lienau asked Hugh to come to his Seattle studio to help in preparation of the script for "Journey Toward Creation" (that's the working title of our video for Christian schools, churches, and individual outreach). Project leader Bob Stuart and a Seattle-area supporter, Jim Harding, seized the opportunity to organize a fund-raising event, which (of course) turned into an outreach. Through Bob and Jim's efforts, more than 150 people heard Hugh's message, and to date nearly half the project funding has come in.
Alex Metherell, who's heading up "The Cosmos and the Creator" film project for secular television, is pleased to report that Hugh's edits of the script outline have been read and accepted by the writer and producer. The producer has just met with executives of a large PBS station in the Southeast who are committed to airing the series.
Publications director Janet Kobobel (soon to be Janet Kobobel Grant) reports that the new edition of The Creator and the Cosmos arrived in the nick of time this summer. The first edition has completely sold out, and in less than two months we've shipped out more than 1,800 copies of the second. Janet expects materials' distribution to increase dramatically with the addition of a special 800 phone line designated for credit card orders and gifts. (See announcement on pages 14-15.)
Here are more details on these and other recent events:
Conferences and Retreats
RTB again sponsored a booth at the annual CHEA (Christian Home Educators Association) in Anaheim, Calif. This was our fourth year of participation, and we had the greatest number of sing-ups ever for our mailing list and materials. Mark Ritter presented "When I Consider the Heavens" at Camp Cedar Glen, San Diego, Calif., for a United Methodist Church family camp. The RTB staff enjoyed an all-day planning retreat at the home of our vice president Steve and Zana Scheele in Temecula, Calif. Steve, an experienced executive, led the session. We also hosted a dinner event for our hotline team at our offices in Glendora, Calif.
Business and Professional Groups
At a luncheon outreach of the Newport Beach Christian Businessmen's Committee, Hugh told the story of his coming to faith in Christ. One man, who has heard the story eleven times, said, "This was definitely Hugh's best telling of it." Open Forum for Skeptics continued its bimonthly luncheon meetings at the University Club, Pasadena, Calif.
Churches
Carl Shannon made the link between Genesis 1:1 and the big bang for the adult Sunday school class of Seacoast Community Church, Encinitas, Calif.; Hugh gave "New Scientific Evidences for God's Existence" in the 9 and 10:30 A.M. worship services at Willamette Christian Church, West Linn, Ore.
Schools
Caltech biologist Lynn Carta described her nematode research and its implications for creation and evolution to Mary Chandler's biology class at Gladstone High School, Azusa, Calif.
Radio
Roy and Ann Masters hosted an hour-long interview and call-in program with Hugh on KOPE, in southern Oregon. USA Radio Daily, a nationally syndicated call-in program from Dallas, Tex., had Hugh on the air twice to discuss his research and writing about scientific evidences for God and about a variety of science-and-Scripture topics.
Television
The latest "Reasons To Believe" series continues on Trinity Broadcasting Network and its affiliates. In southern California it airs Saturdays at 2:30 P.M. on Channel 40.
From South Africa
David, Liz, and Aaron Block have just returned home to South Africa from Toledo, Ohio, and various parts of Canada, where they spent the summer working, ministering, and visiting relatives. Liz asks us to pass along this corrected fax number for RTB South Africa: 011-27-11-672-3791.