Monday Nights At First Evangelical Free Church

Every Monday night from 7-9 pm since 1984 we have held teaching discussion groups at First Evangelical Free Church. Someone may call and say they are bringing a friend who is involved in such and such religion could you present something on that? The regular attenders provide a people setting/platform for this to occur. The meeting is meant for members of the Body of Christ to have a forum to discuss the world we live in in order to have something cogent to share on breaks at work around the water-cooler, over the phone or across the coffee table at home with friends and loved ones.

Sometimes Kevin gives an overhead seminar presentation or we read news articles that he, or members of the group, bring in. We also watch videos or listen to an audiotape about geopolitical events from a Christian perspective and always with discussion ensuing. This is prompted by Kevin asking, "Any questions or comments about what we have just heard?"

There is no dress code and attire changes with the seasons and unpretentious casual is the best word to describe the overall atmosphere. Some come all dressed up from work and fit in as much as those in jeans.

Hundreds have come over the years and weekly attendance varies. It has been as high as 60 but usually hovers between 25 and 35. Each meeting is set up to stand on its own and people are never pressured to come. There are many Christians whose schedules shift and don't attend for a while and then find it possible to come again later. This means that we have some rotating irregular "regulars." All are very much appreciated by our ministry!

The Holy Spirit ministers through His people to His people.

Tony DeRose (second from right in the front near the pillar) became ill with leukemia and went to be with Jesus recently. Tony loved Evangelism because of his devotion to our Lord. He was a faithful and enthusiatic member of our group for many years and he will be sorely missed!

Tony DeRose In The Front Seat

Some prefer to take notes while others just
listen, make comments, or ask a question.

All are serious minded thinking Christians who come
out to learn and contribute on a Monday night!

These pictures show the wide range of age groups that meet to discuss and learn about their world and how to defend their faith in Christ in light of the Bible. Some attend regulary and others periodically. Each meeting is designed to stand alone although there have been serial seminars given. Sometimes we have guest speakers who have specialties in certain areas. Some have been from other countries.

These meetings are representative of the mystical and universal Body of Christ or The Church as a whole. We have had every race, gender and many ethnic groups and nationalities represented including Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian, African-Americans, Israelis and at least one Nigerian. We have also had over 16 different denominations in just one meeting. This puts a lie to the various Cults' assertions that "there is no unity among Christians." The unity that exists is centered around "majoring in the majors and minoring in the minors." Baptists, Pentecostals, Lutherans, Free Church and Covenant Church members and more, all fellowship together and learn to defend their common faith at this meeting.

The "majors" that all agree upon are:

1.) The Godhead: One transcendent God Who exists in Three Persons, Father, Son (Logos), and Holy Spirit. He is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent, dwelling in eternity and infinite in His Being.

2.) Christology: The Person and Work of Jesus Christ as the Second Person (see John 1:1-10) of the Godhead and Messiah and Saviour from before the foundation of the world (see Revelation 13:8) who incarnated through His virgin birth for the express purpose of being and creating the only substitutionary atonement for our sin recognized by God.

3.) Soteriology: That Christ accomplished all that was necessary for us to be reconciled with, and justified before God, through His death burial and ressurection. That we contribute nothing towards our justification before God but rely soley upon His finished work on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. (see Ephesians 2:8,9)

4.) The Bible: That the 66 books, written over 1,400 years by 40 different men are the inspired word of God and represent His authoritative and inerrant revelation to mankind. "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.
2Ti 3:16

(Please see our doctrinal statement for further elaboration)

At the end of the meeting people usually share and fellowship with each other and we end up going past 9:00 as you can see what the clock says as people are putting their coats on.

(We have recently added a Thursday night meeting in Freeport, IL If you would like more information send us an e-mail.)

Other Speaking and Speakers We have Sponsored

Dr. John Ankerberg has spoken at Two Events our ministry has sponsored or co-sponsored.

This was the crowd that Kevin addressed in Indianapolis at a conference our branch held there in the late 90s.

Kevin was the moderator there for a debate on the King James Bible controversy. The presenters were Dr. Tom Holland for the King James only side with Dr. James White representing the other view that there is no perfect translation of the Bible.

This same event featured a panel discussion and question and answer session from the audience.  From left to right are: Rev. Kevin Johnson, Rev. Floyd McElveen, Gary Kah, Agusta Harting, Dave Hunt, Dr. John Ankerberg and Dr. James White.

Kevin has been on a number of panel discussions including two at our Rockford Conference On Discernment and Evangelism.

This is a panel that took place at The Prophecy 2000 Conference in Springfield, Missouri

The speakers included Hilton Sutton, Avi Lipkin, Rev. Bali, Hayseed Stevens, Dr. David Allen Lewis, and the President of the largest Bible College in Africa. The men to Kevin's right are experts on the UFO phenomena from Florida and to his left (holding the microphone) is former Israeli general Shimon Erom.

Kevin filled the pulpit at an evening service at the church he is a member of, First Evangelical Free Church, (above) and also at that of the next door First Assembly of God church. He has filled the pulpit at many other churches and chapel services at Christian schools like the graduate chapel at Moody Bible Institute, Judson College, and Trinity College in Deerfield IL.

Mount Carmel Outreach

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