Articles from our E-Update

The Gathering welcomes Dr. Richard J. Mouw as our Bible Teacher this year. A philosopher, scholar, and author, Mouw has served as president of Fuller Theological Seminary since 1993. He joined the faculty of Fuller Theological Seminary as professor of Christian philosophy and ethics in 1985 and also served for 17 years as professor of philosophy at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

In 2007 Princeton Theological Seminary awarded Mouw the Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Life. He has also served for six years as co-chair of the official Reformed-Catholic Dialogue, and is a leader for interfaith theological conversations, particularly with Mormons and Jewish groups. He is also the author of 17 books, including The God Who Commands, as well as serving as a panelist in the online forum "On Faith" offered by the Washington Post. 

Mouw's wife, Phyllis, is an art historian who is involved in seminary and community programs. Their son Dirk, daughter-in-law Christine, and grandsons, Willem and Peter, live in Arkansas.

Read Dr.Mouw's blog: "Obama, Catholics and Religious Freedom"

Read Dr. Mouw's article for CNN: "My Take: This evangelical says Mormonism isn't a cult" 

We are delighted to announce that Roberta Green Ahmanson, and her husband, Howard, have opened their home as hosts for one of our Friday Night Dinners this year at our conference in Dana Point.

Roberta is a passionate philanthropist, art historian and collector. She is also chairman of the board of the Museum of Biblical Art (MOBiA) in New York City. Roberta often speaks at the International Arts Movement's annual encounters and is frequently asked as a commentator on the arts. Roberta was also the 2011-12 "visionary in residence" at Biola University as part of the school's Year of the Arts. 

The Ahmansons have also been included as two of TIME magazine's "25 Most Influential U.S. Evangelicals."

Read "What is Sacred Space?" from biola magazine.

Watch Roberta in a four-minute video from IAM's Encounter 11: "The Humanity of Faces."

Read Roberta's transcript from giving the Biola commencement address, December 2011.

Eugene Peterson is our friend. He was also the Bible Teacher from our conference in 2011. 

We are delighted to announce Eugene graciously gave us permission to publish his words from our time together on Amelia Island: "A Generous Savior: Jesus' Birth and a Generous Creation; Jesus' Death and a Generous Salvation; and Jesus' Resurrection and a Generous Community."

The book cover features the beautiful photography of Gathering participant Adella Thompson.

"A Generous Savior" will be made available at no charge in limited quantities.

You are probably familiar with the paradigm-shifting book, When Helping Hurts, authored by Dr. Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development. The book has made a huge impact in the conversation about church-centered poverty alleviation.

The book has also led to a natural question needing answers: What are the implications of When Helping Hurts' school of thought for Christian philanthropy?

In an effort to address this question and other issues, the Chalmers Center has launched the Global Leadership Network (GLN), working hard to identify and create a community of leaders who are committed to supporting and advocating church-centered, gospel-focused, microeconomic development strategies.

Learn more here about the GLN and the qualifications to join.

The GLN will host its first meeting this May 18-20 in Atlanta, Ga. Watch a short video here with Brian Fikkert to learn more about attending the GLN annual meeting.

Peter Greer is the president and CEO of Hope International, and he's our friend. Those of us fortunate enough to know Peter know he is the real deal - full of life, love and an unending passion to help others break the cycles of physical and spiritual poverty through microfinance. (Not to mention his insights and wonderful sense of humor.)

We thought you'd enjoy this read about Peter from his friend and HOPE co-worker, Chris Horst. And we're delighted to announce Peter will be with us at The Gathering in Dana Point this September.

Peter and his wife, Laurel, live in Lancaster, Pa., with their three children.

Read "Newt Gingrich vs. President Obama vs. Peter Greer" here.

Read Peter's article from Catalyst: "The Good News (You Haven't Heard)" here.

Read Peter's personal blog "Aid is not the Answer" here.

Visit the Hope International website here.

Their names really are Shane: Shane Barnard and Shane Everett. The two met while attending Texas A&M and then combined forces and harmonies to create some of the most beautiful acoustic music found in worship and on the radio today.

Thirteen years have passed since those college days, and the boys have become husbands and fathers. They have also won a few Dove awards and gone on tour with "everyone from Mat Kearney to David Crowder." (And you might also recognize the name and musical talent of Shane Barnard's wife, Bethany Dillon.)

Still, Shane and Shane consider their music a second calling to the call they feel to share Jesus Christ. They've cut back on their tour dates to be home more with their families and to be able to be more involved in church leadership.

We're thrilled Shane and Shane have chosen to spend time with us this year as our worship leaders for The Gathering in Dana Point.

Watch and listen to Shane and Shane's "The One You Need" here .

Click here to check out Shane and Shane's blog for "behind the song" stories of their latest releases.

Watch and listen to Bethany Dillon's "Dreamer" here.