God has blessed us with a variety of gifted speakers presenting on a wide range of subjects.

Seminars will be offered all morning on the Sabbath in the Marriott Farm Suite.

Here’s a look at some of this year’s seminars!

Dusti Howell

Title: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Problems & Being Deceived by Demons… Are these related?

Description: AI is now making available to us the most powerful tools imaginable. We’ll look at the evolution of technologies over the past century and then see where AI fits in this matrix. We’ll look at positive examples of AI being used in churches and in Bible study. However, after looking at the negative elements of AI that appear to have demonic elements, we’ll address whether it is wise to tap into AI.

Bio: Dusti Howell, Ph.D. Dusti is an Ambassador College graduate. He spent over two decades teaching Instructional Design and Technology courses at the university level. He is now focused on ‘The Quest for Happiness’ project (http://dustihowell.com) to combat the rising wave of depression covering the globe. He and his wife Deanne also facilitate Bible-based courses for Common Faith Academy (http://www.commonfaithacademy.org).

David Freeman

Title: When You Want God to Call Your Loved Ones

Description: One of the things that God’s people want is for God to call their loved ones, family members, husband, wife, and children. This seminar goes through a list of things we can do versus some of the mistakes we can make.

Bio: David and his wife, Teresa, of 38 years, live in Penhook, Virginia. They have a wonderful daughter and son-in-law, Rebekah, and Garrett. David is part owner of a company called U. S. Stone Corporation that does beautiful rock work. (www.rockworkbyuustone.com) David has been serving the Rocky Mount Church of God for 28 years, he is also the creator of the program and website, Is That Really In The Bible, that deliberately challenges many of the false beliefs of mainstream Christianity. (www.IsThatReallyInTheBible.org)

Larry Carmichael

Title1: Burying your Bible

Description: God’s Word has been attacked since Eden (‘Hath God said?’) Now A.I. has entered the fray along with Yuval Noah Harari. What should we do?

Title2: What did Paul really say and mean?

Description: We will look at the physical evidence of two of his key scriptures to find the answer.

Bio: Larry has been in the faith since the late 1960s and visits various congregations.

Wes Higgins

Title: The Eighth Day: God’s Time

Description: Though the week is only seven days long, the Bible keeps pointing to the importance of ‘the eighth day’. We will examine the use of the eighth day throughout scripture. Let’s see what the Bible has to say about it.

Bio: Native Idahoan raised a Lutheran and called to the Sabbath in late teens. Currently serving as the Pastor for Celebration Church of God in Ontario, Oregon and on the Ministerial Council of the Church of God Seventh Day, Meridian Conference.

Kurt Hoyer

Title: Hezekiah the Great!

Description: The 8th century B.C. is an historically well attested period in the history of Judah and Israel. There are archaeological finds, historical documents, and the biblical record that all touch on the same things. Pulling all these things together we can get an amazing illumination into what the Bible is telling us and what we can be learning from those accounts. Although there were several kings during this century, Hezekiah’s accomplishments, not all of which are recorded in the Bible, put the capstone on this incredible century. Come see the historical accuracy of your Bible and explore what you can learn from King Hezekiah the Great!

Bio: Kurt Hoyer was raised in the Church of God and grew up with great friends and fond memories. Those experiences and memories were strong ties connecting him to a way of life that can be challenging while it is rewarding. He met his wife Jennifer at Ambassador College; they have been married for 35 years and are the proud parents of three young men. He recently retired from 22 years as a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State, a job that took the family around the world working in Mexico, Cyprus, Kenya, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Philippines. Kurt is currently completing an MA in Archaeology from Hebrew University.

Robin Clary

Title: The Shell Parable

Description: Faced with a dilemma for which I had exactly zero good options, I was certain recently that my life was going to shatter into a thousand pieces. I agonized for months, seeking some answer, some relief. Though I prayed some brutally honest prayers, Heaven was silent. Then one day, God gave me my very own parable, and everything shifted.

Bio: Robin Clary is a long-time COG attendee who currently lives in Georgia with her husband Tim and various and sundry farm critters. She enjoyed being a homeschool mom for many years and is now transferring her “teaching” skills onto furry friends, getting certified as a dog training instructor. She is a volunteer with the local Humane Society. She loves studying the Bible and journaling, and her hobbies are paper crafting, gardening, working with animals, quilting, and baking.

Eric & Emily Gibson

Title: Are you preparing to be blessed?

Description: In considering that God searches to and fro throughout the Earth seeking to bless His children and those who follow and worship Him in spirit and in truth, do we sometimes question or wonder why God is blessing others more than or seemingly instead of ourselves? In a world full of technology, abundance, and distractions, how do we drown out the “noise” to recognize, receive and appreciate God’s blessings in our lives? Through scriptural examples, Biblical stories, and personal testimony, we will discuss how God has and does work good and blessings into our lives, often in ways we are unable to understand, recognize or appreciate in those moments. And while acknowledging that God is faithful in providing for, protecting, and preparing His children for their life of purpose and victory, we must also challenge ourselves to grow in our faith and trust in Him for our daily walk of endurance and hope.

Bio: As a husband, father, and business owner, Eric and his wife Jenny and family live, worship, and work in West Tennessee. While still raising 2 of 6 children and having 7 grandchildren, Eric has come to realize and appreciate that while God is faithful and true, His blessings often don’t come wrapped in pretty “blessing boxes” in the size and shape we were expecting or the timing we had envisioned – but God knows best! Emily has entered her sophomore year in college where she hopes to further develop and grow her love and passion for God’s work through journalism and sharing the gospel and good news of our Messiah and His kingdom.

Erin O’Brien

Title: Mind your mind

Description: Are you struggling to be the woman you want to be? What if I told you, it’s all in your head? How can perspective change everything from our walk with God to our relationship with our husband and children to the emotions and stress we experience every day? Let’s dig deep and look at what’s keeping us up from loving like we want to and thriving instead of just surviving. You might just uncover some bad theology along the way.

Bio: Erin is a stay-at-home mother and home educator of three boys. She’s passionate about growing in Christ and eating delicious food.

Dennis Gonzalo

Title1: Can you effectively explain why the new covenant does not abolish God’s law?

Description: The New Covenant is multifaceted, but one aspect that stands out is the belief in mainstream Christianity that the New Covenant abolishes God’s law. Most of us believe that the New Covenant does not abolish God’s law, but actually establishes God’s law. The question is can we explain this fact clearly and logically? This presentation will discuss how we can effectively explain this belief.

Title2: Can we still raise faithful children and grandchildren in our secular society?

Description: Many Christian parents initially feel confident that they are raising faithful children. That is, until their children get older and begin making choices contrary to their Christian faith. Our secular society has had a significant negative impact on their efforts to raise faithful children. This situation has reached a crisis stage.

Isolating children from the world by homeschooling them, making sure they attend Sabbath classes and observe the Feast days, etc. are all good to do but they do not always seem sufficient.

This seminar will discuss what Christian parents and grandparents can do to raise godly children and grandchildren who not only will be able to deal with this secular society and stay in the faith, but also raise their own children to stay in the faith for succeeding generations.

Bio: Dennis Gonzalo and Michelle, his wife of 40 years, live in Michigan. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and seven grandchildren. He has been a church member for about 50 years and has served as an elder in Michigan for several years. He has a BA in English, and also holds an MA and MBA in Computer Information Systems, and has a PMP in Project Management. He worked for the IT department of a Michigan electric and gas utility company until he retired about two years ago. He has an interest in photography, Christian Apologetics, and helping brethren disciple their children.

Jim O’Brien

Title: The Abomination that Makes Desolate

Description: When the disciples asked Jesus about the end of this world, His answer was a direct statement about one defining event. What is the Abomination of Desolation and what does it have to do with the Jews? Does it have a connection to the current conflict in Israel? These prophecies of Daniel are coming alive as God directs world events and reveals His plans.

Bio: Jim O’Brien serves as Pastor of the Church of God Cincinnati. He and Donna will soon celebrate 54 years of marriage. She has an MA in History and Political Science and has taught history at the college level. She inspired Jim to connect historical events to the prophecies of the Bible. They have three children and eight grandchildren.

Brian Smith

Title: The End of the World and… Hanukkah?

Description: Is Hanukkah just a holiday themed in blue and white that Jews keep to compete against Christmas? It turns out, the answer is no. Hanukkah is tied to some very important historical events that Jesus said were signs to watch for His return. Ever heard of the Man of Sin? The “abomination that causes desolation”? Come and find out the history of these terms and how they all relate to the return of our soon-coming King!

Bio: Brian Smith has been married to Stephanie for 27 years, and has three sons, one daughter, and two grandchildren. He currently lives in Tennessee where he helps with the garden, chickens, goats, dog, and various sundry chores. Brian has had the blessing of teaching at churches, conferences, and schools in locations across the United States (from CA to TN), and across the world (from India to Thailand).

Wendy Pack

Title: Has stress got a hold on you?

Description: Women are more likely than men to have an anxiety disorder… Research suggests that women may feel the symptoms of stress more or get more of the symptoms of stress than men, manifesting as depression and anxiety. (Source Government office on women.)

As Christians we do not escape the effects of stress, but shouldn’t we? God says, “I go before you and will be with you, I will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” Does this ever seem impossible?

Is stress handling you or are you handling stress? I will share with you how stress got a hold of me.

What is your anxiety? Family, job, children, finances, marriage, disappointment, grief, future, health, failure or private addictions.

We will discuss techniques for letting go and placing all our burdens on Jesus. Join us for this women-only seminar. Our aim is to share our “stressors” and “relievers” together to encourage each other.

Bio: Days are full for Wendy. She still works many hours in her two health food stores with her son Jason, encouraging better nutrition for people searching to improve their health. There are fourteen grandchildren who keep her praying for their bright and blessed future. There are varying life experiences in Wendy’s past.

She has raised four wonderful children with her husband Bill, a church pastor for several years. She has worked in mortgage banking and co-owned an insurance inspection company. Currently she lives in rural Virginia on several wooded acres. She gardens, raises herbs, attends to her ducks and chickens, and enjoys mushroom hunting. Please come talk to Wendy if you have a health question. If she doesn’t know the answer, she will try to find out for you.

Reinhard Klett

Title: Removing the roadblocks to spiritual growth.

Description: We often wish we were more loving, joyful, kind, generous, patient, at peace, faithful and disciplined. But pain, worry, loneliness and other oppressive emotions keep our focus on dealing with those issues.

Reinhard will help us identify what may hold us back and how we can release it. So, we can grow more of the fruit of the spirit in our lives.

Bio: Reinhard Klett lives in Wooster, Ohio with his wife of 27 years Emilee. They have two sons, David (26) and Daniel (23). An engineer by trade, Reinhard has lived and worked in Germany, South Africa, and the United States. Since transitioning from the corporate world, he has dedicated his life to writing, speaking, and coaching people to live up to their full potential and purpose. He is a Certified High-Performance Coach and author of the book “Letting Go Saved My Life”.

Guy Swenson

Title: “God Is Not a Monster – Despite What Christian Theologians Say”

Description: The gospel modern theologians teach is one of doom, gloom and despair. Satan “wins” more souls than God. The overwhelming majority of people are condemned to suffer excruciating torment forever in the eternal fires of hell.

No rational human would do to others what theologians say God happily does to most people – clearly the picture they paint of God is that He is a monster.

Yet most people not only believe in this monstrous God but will vigorously defend and justify what they have taught.

How can you effectively share the hope of the true gospel unless you understand what people have been conditioned to believe – and know the right questions to ask so they begin to doubt their assumptions and open their minds to understand God loves humanity – and is not a monster.

Bio: Guy Swenson has been an elder in the church of God since 1976. He and his wife, Jennifer, own several businesses and have four married children and sixteen grandchildren. He leads Common Ground Christian Ministries, preaches in congregations regularly, and with Jennifer, organize Camp Outreach, a youth ministry that rehabs homes at no charge for the poor and elderly.