2008 Oxford Round Table And Mission Report
David Everson
In July, I was able, due to the generosity of several congregations and individual Christians, to travel to England and participate in another Oxford Round Table – as well as speak for three congregations of the Lord’s people. The trip was both rewarding and frustrating but, indeed, pointed out the tremendous need for Christians to stand up for the truths found in God’s word.
In February, The Oxford Round Table accepted my abstract, “The Popularity of Creationism As a World View Is Not Due To Scientific Illiteracy,” for presentation to the Round Table. So, I began to assemble the information that might allow others to see that the belief in the creation events as recorded in God’s inspired word is not due to being scientifically ignorant, but a logical and rational choice which is made by considering all of the evidence we have about these occurrences. The paper was written, and I prepared the power point presentation that I hoped would represent those truths to the scholars at the Round Table.
At the same time, I began contacting congregations of the church for speaking opportunities in England. The churches there, with the recommendation of Brother Jason Snethen from the congregation at Bristol, readily accepted my offer to speak on Christian Evidences. I set up a workshop for my first three days in England with the church at Reading. I met with the church in their homes and at the local rented community building where they meet and worship. We had seven good meetings with a great deal of interest in the topic. The Bible class and worship times were well attended with 55-60 members and visitors in attendance. We enjoyed a time of fellowship after the morning services before I had to leave to go to Oxford. Brother Derek Stevenson drove me the 40 miles from Reading to Oxford.
At Oxford, I was able to arrange for the congregation to meet on Wednesday. The brethren there normally do not assemble for a mid-week service. Nine of the thirteen members gathered and Jason and Heidi Snethen from Bristol came to visit and study with us. We met for almost two hours and discussed the Biblical evidence for the creation of the world. Then we enjoyed fellowship together for another hour and I was left with a strong feeling that the church there is doing everything they can to be the church of the New Testament.
Then, on Friday, at the end of the Round Table, I traveled via bus to Bristol where I met with the youth group that evening. We enjoyed talking about the challenges that they face in the school system there concerning the truths of God’s word. In many ways it was similar to what American young people face, and, in other ways, it was very different. On Saturday evening, we held two services, and I spoke for both services on Sunday. All of these meetings were met with a great deal of interest from brethren, as well as several visitors from denominations in the area.
My impression of the churches in England (now that I have visited four over the past two years) is that this is, indeed, a mission field, one that has very great challenges that face the church there. There is a great deal of animosity to all organized religions in that country. People have little-to-no interest in spiritual things. The Christians that I met with were strong about their desire to be faithful to the Lord in a difficult environment.
The Round Table was, as before, a difficult challenge. College professors and teachers from six countries were represented. Most had very negative feelings about the Bible or to the truths of the creation account. Indeed, on more than one occasion it was said that “Creation has been dead for over 400 years” and that, “If allowed license, creationists are dangerous.” When given the opportunity to present my talk, I began by telling them that I was sorry if I had scared any of them and that I was, according to them, the most dangerous man in England. My presentation was listened to with interest as most were looking for ways to destroy the arguments that I made. The round table discussion went on for about one hour as we had time allowed for that. During that time, it became obvious that there were only four creationists in the group. One of the professors from Canada commented that I was the first creationist he had ever met.
The 2008 Oxford Round Table experience again showed me that the truths of God’s Word are still under attack by the educational communities of the world. Christian young people need to be grounded in the truths of God’s Word and know the challenges that they are going to face in the world as they study in the educational systems of the world.
I want to thank the many individuals and congregations who supported this trip with their prayers, encouraging words, and financial contributions. The entire cost of this trip was covered by their generous support. Much work needs to be done in many areas of evangelism, and we need to continue to teach the scientific truths that support the creation account of the beginning of the world.
Any congregations who would like to have presentations on Christian Evidences and the missionary work in England, please contact me at aedeverson@yahoo.com -Rt 1 Box 116A, Belington, WV 26250. (304) 823 2776.