In the will of the Lord, we will hold our 45th annual Family Conference as follows:
Dates:
Wednesday, July 3 – Sunday, July 7, 2024
Venue:
Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN
Theme:
Discipleship
Theme Verse:
If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. – John 8:31-32
Speakers:
Viji Roberts, Mississauga, Canada
Viji was saved at Sunday School at the age of twelve, in Hyderabad, India, where he grew up in a God-fearing family. Later, his work took them as a family to the Middle East from where they moved to Canada. In 2012, the Lord called him to full-time work, and since then he has been involved with the ministry of Biblical Eldership Resources. He has also been serving as an elder at New Life Bible Chapel, Mississauga since 2007. He is married to Joyce, and they have a son, Daniel.
Thomas Rajan, Dallas, TX
Thomas Rajan was born and raised in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was there that he accepted the Lord as His personal Savior, was baptized, and began participating in assembly fellowship. He immigrated to the United States to pursue his undergraduate studies and has lived and worked across the country since.
Thomas has spent the last 15+ years of his professional career as a senior management executive in global roles or as a strategic advisor to senior business leaders. He graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Thomas has served as an itinerant preacher for nearly two decades, preaching the gospel and teaching in various groups and communities. He also serves as one of the elders of Edmonds Lane Bible Chapel in Lewisville, TX, where he and his wife Keerthi have been in active fellowship for the past seven years. They live in the Dallas area with their three sons – Rohan, Adarsh, and Vinod.
Jon Glock, Dubuque, IA
Jon Glock was born in Chicago, Illinois. He was raised in a Christian home and trusted in the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior at an early age.
Jon received his undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies from Emmaus Bible College in 1991. He also studied at Dallas Theological Seminary and received his M.A. in Biblical Studies in 1994. Since that time, Jon served in both youth Jon and adult ministries at College Heights Chapel in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In 2005 he moved to Dubuque, IA to serve full time at Emmaus Bible College. Jon served in various capacities while at Emmaus including Vice President for Student Development and Vice President for Advancement.
He currently serves as board chair at Horton Haven Christian Camp and also serves on the boards of the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry & Legacy Ministries Canada.
In April of 2018, Jon began serving as a Trust Officer for Legacy Ministry Services.(formerly Believers Stewardship Services) Jon greatly enjoys connecting and interacting with people and counts it a privilege to represent LMS nationally by sharing with individuals, local churches and ministries the services offered pertaining to stewardship matters.
He maintains a dynamic itinerant preaching ministry as he frequents camps and conferences across North America. Jon and his wife, Kati have been married for 19 years and are the parents of Anna Kate (17) Jonathan David (15)
The Glocks, also known as G-Force, love to travel together and are dedicated fans of the Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers.
Other Speakers To be announced
Plenary Sessions
Abstract: In John’s Gospel, the first followers of Jesus were disciples of John the Baptist (John 1:35–37). They start to follow Jesus when John the Baptist identifies Him as the Lamb of God, and only after this does Jesus turn and tell them to follow Him. In John’s Gospel, the usual circumstance of Jesus calling His disciples is only partially true. There is a strong contrast between disciples and non-disciples in John. A disciple is one who believes and accepts Jesus’ claims about His identity (John 6:69). Such a belief will then radically change the life of the disciple, resulting in externally recognizable marks of one’s belief: that the disciples love each other (John 13:34–35), that they stick to Jesus’ words (John 6:66–68), and that their lives bear fruit (John 15:8).
Throughout the Gospels, Peter’s interactions with Jesus Christ and the disciples reflect a person who is impulsive, ambitious, self-assertive, and quick to commit without fully understanding the meaning of words or actions of the Lord. Peter exhibits the outspoke character, willing to challenge actions and teachings (John 13:6) of the Lord. Although quick to commit to Lord’s challenges (John 13:9), he is unsteady in demonstrating his commitment during time of Lord’s suffering (John 18:15, 25). However, Peter is transformed in John 21 from the ambitious, self-motivated, impulsive, and inconsistent follower of Jesus, to the fully committed disciple of the Lord. Lord
Session 1: Freedom of Discipling
“If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31, 32
In the backdrop of Jesus Christ our Lord as the ultimate example of disciple maker (discipler), the discussion will bring forth His discipling characteristics.
Study Portion: John 8:12 -59
In this session, we will discuss a true disciple, both disciple maker and disciple that – they continue to abide in His Word. They are not saved by abiding in His Word, but they abide in His Word because they are saved. They are already believed and have come to know that Jesus Christ is the Holy One of God John 6:69. We will discuss Justification by faith as the beginning of discipleship. Disciple maker knows and experienced the Light of the world, and freedom in Christ to continue in His word, to trust and encourage one whom they disciple to follow Jesus every day in this dark world. We will cover the promise made to every true disciple to know the truth, and how truth sets them free.
Session 2: Mark of Discipling
By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.” John 13:35
Jesus Christ our Lord as the ultimate example of disciple maker (discipler) have- loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
Study Portion: John 13:1-38
In this session, we will discuss the identifying mark of a true disciple, both disciple maker and disciple that – they have love for one another. They love because Christ have loved them first. They are given a new commandment to love one another, just as He Loved them John 13:34. Disciple maker knows and experienced Love of Christ, in the midst of heart condition of betrayal and denial, and how Christ comforted the true disciples “”Do not let your hearts be troubled” . We will discuss Sanctification by faith as the ongoing process to be Christ-like in discipleship. How we are being saved from the power of sin and the practice of sin. How we are given the power to love God and what God loves. This requires divine power, and this power is only given to those indwelt by the Spirit.
Session 3: Fruit of Discipling
My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. John 15:8
Jesus Christ our Lord as the ultimate example of disciple maker (discipler) have- glorified the Father through obedience, by doing exactly as He commanded John 14:31
Study Portion: John 14:15-31; 15:1-17; 16:1-15
In this session, we will discuss the characteristics of a true disciple, both disciple maker and disciple that – they bear much fruit through obedience. The obey because Christ obeyed the Father and they are in Christ. Believers can bear the fruit of a-Christ-like character is by living in touch with Christ moment by moment. This means how well each disciple yields to the pruning, correcting, lifting, encouraging of the Lord. Lord is patient in this process with each disciple. We will discuss Live by Faith as the ongoing process to have a fruit-bearing life. Disciple maker knows and experienced Victory in Christ, in the world that hates believers John 15:20. In spite of the rejection by the world, the Spirit of Truth from the Father helps the disciple through the comforting and convicting ministry.
Session 4: Consecration of Discipling
John 17: 19 “And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.”
Jesus Christ our Lord as the ultimate example of disciple maker (discipler), who sanctified Himself fully for the sake of His disciples to be sanctified in truth to be fully committed witnesses in the world. John 17:19.
Study Portion: John 16:16-33; 17: 1-26
In this session, we will discuss the characteristics of a true disciple, both disciple maker and disciple that – they are perfected in unity for a consecrated life with blessed testimony.
In this high priestly prayer of our Lord, a perfect unity of these disciples is in His heart. This unity is not of this world, not put together by human effort or human spirit. Lord set Himself apart for the work His Father sent Him to do—that is, His sacrificial death. His sanctification is the pattern and the power for the disciples. We will discuss Walk by Faith as the ongoing process to have a consecrated life. Disciple maker knows and experienced Peace of Christ, in the world of tribulation, can remind the disciple to take courage John 16:32, 33
Session 5: Contentment of Discipling
John 21:22 Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”
Jesus Christ our Lord is the ultimate example of disciple maker, who said “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.” John 4:34
Study Portion: John 18:1-27; 20:1-10; 21:1-23
In this session, we will discuss the characteristics of a true disciple, both disciple maker (discipler), and disciple that – they are perfectly content with the work Lord has given to each.
Lord have taken the character of an outspoken person of the disciples, willing to challenge Jesus actions and teachings (John 13:6) to become one who boldly proclaim the gospel. He was quick to commit to Jesus’ challenges (John 13:9), he was unsteady in demonstrating his commitment during Jesus’ time of suffering (John 18:15, 25). Lord was gentle & gracious with him because He loved him to the end. It was the faithfulness of Lord Peter that sustained Peter all the days of his life. Now there was only one command His master has for him “Feed my sheep”. Lord told him at the end of his life, he would be arrested, bound, and carried off to execution. Peter would glorify God by dying as a martyr. He who had denied the Lord would be given courage to lay down his life for Him. As Peter saw John, the thought probably crossed his mind, “What about John? The Lord’s answer was that Peter should not be concerned about John’s latter days. Finally, Peter is transformed from the ambitious, self-motivated, impulsive, and inconsistent follower of Jesus, to the fully committed, charismatic disciple of the Lord, to become a humble “co-elder” serving the great shepherd.
We will discuss Persevere in faith as the ongoing process to have a life of joy & contentment. Disciple maker knows and experienced eternal security in Christ, in the world of distractions, can remind the disciple “all that the Father gives me will come to me” and “I shall lose none of them that He has given me” John 6:37, 39. All who have been “born again” have eternal security and will persevere to complete the work Lord have given to each.
Workshops:
Each workshop below will be repeated twice; on Thursday morning and Saturday morning. The Malayalam workshop will be repeated twice; on Friday afternoon (after lunch) and Saturday morning.
Spiritual Gifts – Br. Thomas Rajan
1 Corinthians 12:1 says, “Now, concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.” In this session, we will cover what are the spiritual gifts as mentioned in the Bible and how to practically exercise them to build up the local church and “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12)
How to Study the Bible – Br. Justin George
A disciple of Christ is one who spends his or her life learning and growing in Christ. The Scripture teaches the tremendous importance of learning and growing in the Spirit (2 Peter 3:18). We are not to be infants in Christ (1 Cor. 3:1). In order to grow and mature in Christ, it is necessary to diligently and systematically study the Scriptures. It is also essential for the disciple to learn to accurately handle the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). However, how do we go about systematically studying the Scriptures? This workshop will discuss the methods and tools we can use to observe and interpret the Word of God. This will be an interactive study with practical examples where we will examine passages of Scripture and apply the tools and methods we discussed to learn the truths contained therein. Studying the Scripture must also lead to practical application of the Scripture in our lives. We will also discuss ways that we can apply the Word of God in our lives. This workshop will help us to be an effective disciple and grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.
Malayalam Workshop – Br. Sajeev Varghese
Building a Mentor-Mentee Relationship – Br. Elson and Sis. Jeena Abraham
“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2. Being a mentor is scary. Especially considering that you have to make yourself vulnerable. On the same token being a mentee is also scary as you have to reveal your challenges. While a mentor-mentee relationship is vital to a Christian’s and the Church’s growth, it is more and more becoming a lost art. In this workshop, we will touch upon the importance of discipleship, how to overcome barriers to discipleship, and how to continuously be engaged in discipleship. Using examples from the Bible, we will explore this very important need for the present day.
Christian Attitudes towards Sexual Immorality/LGBTQ – Br. Viji Roberts
This workshop considers sexual ethics as taught in the Bible and the continuing relevance of its principles to us as Christians living in the present culture. We will investigate issues such as orientation, gender, pornography, etc. in light of personal holiness and appropriate church response.
Learning outcomes at the end of the workshop are:
- Understand biblical teaching on current issues such as gender, orientation, and pornography.
- Inspect our positions with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Recognize appropriate church response as part of the ongoing discipleship.
- Develop a toolbox of practical tips and resources for personal holiness.
Other Meetings & Opportunities for Fellowship:
In addition to the above Plenary Sessions, Workshops, and Youth Sessions, there are many other meetings and other opportunities for fellowship. The following is a list of the many meetings and events:
- Men’s Fellowship Meeting
- Women’s Fellowship Meeting
- Young Children’s VBS
- Youth Classes (KG-3, 4-6, 7-8, and High School)
- Ministry Reports
- Nursery during Plenary Sessions
- Hymn sings
- Excellent Gymnasium (racquetball, volleyball, basketball, exercise room, running/walking track, outdoor tennis courts)
Registration:
Registration link will be available in May 2024.
Pricing:
Housing:
Indiana Wesleyan University has a beautiful campus. We have access to Townhouses, Apartments, Suites, and Dorms. But each of these is limited in number, especially the Townhouses, and Apartments. Please review the information below and select the appropriate housing during your registration. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and priority is given to those who register and attend the full conference.
Townhouses are air-conditioned, self-contained units with three bedrooms (two twin beds in each), three private bathrooms, a small kitchenette, and a living area. Each bedroom has two twin beds. This can accommodate six people comfortably. This is ideal for a larger family.
Apartments are air-conditioned with three bedrooms (two twin beds in each), one or two bathrooms (apartments with two bedrooms have two bathrooms, and apartments with three bedrooms have two bathrooms), and a small sitting area, which can accommodate four to six people comfortably. This is ideal for a larger family.
Suites are air-conditioned with two bedrooms (two twin beds in each) that share one bathroom connecting each bedroom. This is ideal for an average-sized family or singles of the same sex rooming together.
Dorms are air-conditioned, with four bedrooms (two people per bedroom) and dorm-style bathrooms (typically four bedrooms share one bathroom). Dorms are reserved as all-male or all-female housing.
When registering, please indicate if you require first-floor accommodation due to physical disability. We will try to assign you a room that is either on the first floor or in a building with an elevator. We should have plenty of rooms available, but housing is always assigned first-come-first-served. Please register early to ensure that you get your preference.
Transportation:
Airport
The IWU Campus is close to Indianapolis (Indy) International Airport (about 1 hour & 40 minutes away) and Fort Wayne International Airport (about 1 hour away). If anyone plans to fly into Indy, please call Br. Jaby Jacob at (516) 507-2222 or email jaby_jacob@yahoo.com.
If you are flying into the Indianapolis International Airport on Wednesday and require a ride, please plan to board the IWU bus before 2 PM EDT. The bus will leave the airport at 2 PM and will arrive at IWU by about 3:40 PM.
On Sunday, the bus will depart from the Townhouses at Noon and arrive roughly at 1:40 PM at the airport. Please plan your departure accordingly.
There is a cost of $25 each way per person for the use of the bus. Please pay the bus cost (both to IWU and return to the airport) when checking in.
Contact:
Don’t hesitate to contact (call or text) the following people during the day or early evening.
George Mathew (IL) 847-530-7170
George Varghese (MO) 443-636-0324
Elson Abraham (MN) 651-202-8564
Jaby Jacob (NY) 516-507-2222
Regimon Kallinkal (PA) 267-252-9830