RTB’s harvest field now encompasses Hong Kong. One Christian university and three secular universities, including Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, invited Hugh to present scientific evidences supporting faith in Christ. Each event drew open-hearted students and faculty, and God moved in the hearts of many to entrust their lives to the Savior. Another result of this venture was the formation of an outreach coalition comprised of faculty from all four campuses. They will team up to lead the kind of "open forum" for skeptics we’ve seen effective here in the U.S. From Hong Kong Hugh made a return visit to Japan, where Timothy Boyle arranged for him to speak in two Tokyo churches and in a "Science City" church. A film crew from Baptist Media Center videotaped segments (some in pouring rain) for a Japanese version of the video currently in production at Global Net, Seattle, Wash.
Cross Currents television program in Toronto, Ontario, interviewed Hugh alongside a Christian physiology professor. Though the intended topic was Hugh’s latest book, Beyond the Cosmos, most of the discussion surrounded the professor’s rejection of scientific evidences as a tool for outreach.
Thanks to the Praise the Lord and Hour of Power television broadcasts and two interviews aired by Dr. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family ministry, Hugh brought RTB’s message to many more countries around the world. The mail and phone response has been tremendous.
Two Christian businessmen in Denver pulled together an enormous team of volunteers—including prayer warriors—and a meticulous ministry plan to prepare for Hugh’s outreach and training series there in early December. To pave the way for the greatest possible church involvement, they organized a luncheon mini-conference for Denver-area pastors in October. Hugh had the opportunity to preview his message and answer questions for the nearly 100 church leaders in attendance.
At Dallas Theological Seminary this fall, Hugh addressed a chapel session attended by nearly a thousand students, faculty, and staff. Despite a stir of opposition (from an outside group) among the students, God’s Spirit prevailed and swept away many obstacles to respectful dialogue. The faculty and chaplain expressed keen enthusiasm for all that was accomplished in so brief a time. During that same trip, Hugh spoke on the campus of Houston Baptist College, participated in radio and television interviews, and enjoyed meeting large numbers of RTB’s friends and supporters in both Dallas and Houston.
Hotliner Jeff Price taught a four-week course entitled "Creator and the Cosmos" at Cedar Park Church in Bothell. Several participants have already asked to be added to our mailing list, and the pastoral staff has requested a repeat of the course.
Volunteers contributed heavily to local outreach activity also. Alan Graas led a seven-week "Science and the Bible" adult Sunday school class this fall at First Presbyterian Church, Fresno. Attendance grew from about 45 the first week to 65 the last week. Enthusiasm ran so high he was invited to speak for an all-church outreach banquet in November attended by several hundred members and guests.
Closes to home, hotliner Paul Wolfe, accompanied by his wife, Lisa, spoke to the junior high and senior high youth at Bethany Bible Church in Long Beach. More than fifty kids attended and became involved in a lengthy question-and-discussion session. The Wolfes have been asked to return as soon as possible.
Eyon and Allison Karnoff, two correspondence volunteers, were slated to address a similar meeting at Eldorado Park Community church, Long Beach. When they became ill, Kathy Ross filled in and enjoyed the kid’s enthusiastic participation. Some of the students asked her to consider addressing their middle school’s on-campus Bible club, which now draws more than fifty students weekly. Arrangements are in the works.
Hugh served with J.P. Moreland and Greg Koukl as keynote speakers for the third annual Stand to Reason apologetics conference, held this year at Evangelical Free Church, Fullerton.
Exciting news! Beyond the Cosmos has made the Christian Booksellers’ best-seller list in the theology books category. It currently ranks fourth, just behind C.S Lewis’ ever popular Mere Christianity.
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