Written by Mike Penninga | 23 January 2012

We are excited to welcome one of my mentors, Dr. Paul Chamberlain, to KGF for a special weekend. Paul is one of the leading Canadian apologists, defending the Christian faith around the country. He is the author of six books on the subject, the latest one being released in 2011 and entitled: “Why People Don’t Believe: Confronting Seven Challenges to Christian Faith.”

Dr. Chamberlain will be preaching Sunday January 29th, 9am & 11am on the subject “Is Faith Reasonable” as well as presenting two workshops Sunday night and Monday night at 7pm on the topic “Don’t All Roads Lead To God? He will also be available to take your questions. Mark your calendars, plan to join us, and invite others as well!

 Paul’s passion is to equip believers to communicate the message of God’s love to their friends and neighbours in a way that is accurate, credible, and relevant to their lives. Based in Abbotsford, Paul is married to Gail and have two sons. When he is not teaching, he enjoys swimming outdoors, camping, motorcycling, and other outdoor activities.

If you’d like to get to know Paul a bit in advance, take a look at his appearance on 100 Huntley Street a few months back.

Books by Dr. Paul Chamberlain:

Why People Don’t Believe: Confronting Seven Challenges to Christian Faith. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2011.

How To Talk About Good and Bad Without Getting Ugly: The Art of Moral Persuasion. Downers Grove: Intervarsity press, 2005.

Whose Life Is It Anyway? Assessing Euthanasia and Other End-of-Life Issues. Norcross, Georgia: RZIM, 2002.

Final Wishes: A Cautionary Tale About Death, Dignity, and Physician-Assisted Suicide. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2000.

Can We Be Good Without God?: A Conversation about Truth, Morality, Culture and a Few Other Things that Matter. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1996.

Find out more about the ministry Paul is currently involved in here:

Written by Mike Penninga | 22 January 2012

John Mackay is the Australian Director of Creation Research http://www.creationresearch.net and documents how the scientific evidence supports a biblical creation model rather than an evolution model. John has debated notable evolutionists including Dr. Richard Dawkins, Dr. Eugenie Scott (National Centre for Science Education), Dr. Christopher DiCarlo (Centre for Inquiry Canada), Dr. John Polkinghorne (UK’s leading theistic evolutionist) and, on occasion, has debated two or three evolutionist professors at the same time!

Download the poster for the week here:

Okanagan Speaking Schedule:

1) Genesis 1:1 – Is it real history?, Sunday Jan 22, 9 am and 11 am, Kelowna Gospel

Fellowship, 3714 Gordon Dr, Kelowna

2) God created - in 6 days?, Sunday Jan 22, 7 pm, Evangel Church, 3261 Gordon Dr, Kelowna

3) Darwin and Dawkins Deluded, Monday Jan 23, 11:30 am, UBC Okanagan, Library Bldg, Room Lib-305

4) Apemen, Adam and Us, Monday Jan 23, 7 pm, UBC Okanagan, Arts and Sciences 2 Bldg, Room ASC-140 (amphitheatre)

5) Confirming Creation, Tuesday Jan 24, 11 am, UBC Okanagan, Science Bldg, Room Sci-333

Written by Mike Penninga | 15 January 2012

As part of our new series “Reasonable Faith?” we are inviting you to engage in some “extra study” over the coming 3 weeks. We have provided some book resources Sunday @ KGF, and we encourage you to also look at some of Pastor Mike’s Masters papers, written on subjects addressing apologetics.

Mike has a passion to write about real life issues in a way that is faithful to both the Bible and the nature of God, as well as the reality of our human experiences. Feel free to read, respond, and pass on to others. May these help encourage you in your spiritual journey as you love God with your heart, soul, mind, and strength!

Download & Read Papers here: 

Written by Drew Clifton | 11 January 2012

This year I am even more excited about gathering together in prayer, united as a city. For me, this comes after spending some significant time in prayer this pas year for unity in the church – a topic that I believe God is burdening the hearts of His people with heavily world-wide. 

And to see such growth in both the size and the fervency over just last year! What an encouraging time for us.

Here are some take-away thoughts from Monday night's gathering, which focused on marriage and family. 

Written by Mike Penninga | 09 January 2012

Reasonable Faith. . . are those two words even possible in the same sentence? If you’ve come to believe that faith is a journey for the mindless, then this series is for you! We’re going on an intensive four-week journey to discover the reasons behind faith. Along the way, we want to tackle some of the biggest questions raised about our origins, God, the Bible, and why we’re here.

Sunday January 15^th – Leaving Your Mind Behind?

Sunday January 22^nd – Who’s Behind It All?

Sunday January 29^th – Is Faith Reasonable?

Sunday February 5^th – Stumbling Blocks

We are also excited to host two interactive workshops with Dr. Paul Chamberlain

Sunday January 29th & Monday January 30th – 7pm “Don't All Roads Lead to God?”

These events are open to anyone with questions about God and faith, and those who are looking to develop thoughtful responses to life’s biggest questions.

Sundays, 9am & 11am

Kelowna Gospel Fellowship - 3714 Gordon Drive

Written by Mike Penninga | 08 January 2012

I had a chance to be a part of the first night gathering for the city wide week of prayer @ Willow Park Church, and it was powerful! There's something amazing about worshipping and praying alongside hundreds of other brothers and sisters who you don’t know but who are passionate for Jesus and His church!

I put together a 2 ½ minute reflection video that you can view here:

Join us Monday January 9th, 7 - 9pm as KGF hosts the city, and we turn our attention to praying for Marriages & Families.

Don’t forget, as part of the city wide week of prayer, we have set Wednesday aside as a day of fasting. We encourage you to fast that day, or even for a meal, and use that time and “physical hunger” to draw your attention to God.

Let’s ask God for what only God can do! After all, that’s what He invites us to do!

Know that you are loved.

Pastor Mike Penninga

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20

Written by Mike Penninga | 04 January 2012

The following testimony was shared by Elaine Embury at the Christmas Eve service.  Her powerful words ministered to many people, and you can read them now here:

From an early age -- while I didn’t have an understanding of God -- I certainly had a recognition of God. It was born out of my parent’s near constant war over religion. My father was Baptist and my Mum was a Jehovah’s Witness. I grew up too fast in a troubled and abusive battlefield where many awful things were said and done. I survived my youth but struggled with low self-esteem and anger over a childhood that never was. I then survived a very self-destructive phase in my late teens which was fueled by a search for answers, acceptance and love. 

At 22, I was tired of being bullied by life. I decided to stop looking back – and to start looking forward. I made a very conscious decision to not be defined by what was my parent’s legacy – not mine.  The emotional and economic hardships that I had experienced to this point in my life -- coupled with feeling isolated and powerless -- created a deeply grounded drive for security and control in my life. And unfortunately, this turned me into a workaholic and an overachiever. At that time I felt if I could just climb the ladder of personal and professional success and make it to the top I would have everything that would bring me happiness and fulfillment. I worked hard and fought my way to the top of my professional life. And in my personal life I found a relationship that was everything that my parent’s marriage was not.

Written by Mike Penninga | 03 January 2012

The New Year is a great time for new beginnings. A chance to reflect on where we’ve been, and where we hope to go. That’s why the churches of this city are gathering together to pray to the God of new beginnings. 

We invite you to join us January 8th to the 13th, 2012.  Six nights. . . Six churches.  No agenda but prayer, tuning our ears to God. Celebrating His sovereignty.  Calling on His mighty power to fall afresh on us. Our city . . . Our churches. . . Our lives. 

Who knows that maybe God put us in this place for such a time as this!
City Wide Week of Prayer
Sunday January 8 – Friday January 13
Starting the New Year on Our Knees!

Watch the 3 1/2 minute Promo Video Here: