• When: Every Wed, 1200-1300
• Where: Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Bldg 643 (CE), Rm 208, WPAFB
  If the Rm changes, I'll post it on the door of 208 which is on the second floor, north end (AFIT is the Air Force Institute of Technology)
• What: Lunch time discussion group that usually reviews, then discusses current videos on apologetics, Bible, Creation, etc.

Many of you have seen email posts from me regarding "AFIT CLM." Many may wonder, "What is that?" Well ... I'm writing this to the Wright-Pat Believer's Net to explain what these acronyms stand for and what my role in the WPAFB Christian ministry is.

First, a little background:

I was on the faculty at AFIT (the Air Force Institute of Technology) teaching Engineering (Electrical) Design and Management courses from Sep 91 to 1 May 97, when I retired from the Air Force. In Jan 93, a fellow faculty member witnessed to me showing me some of the scientific evidences against evolution. I was a firm believer in evolution, and I didn't really believe in God. I hadn't attended church more than a few times since I'd graduated from High School in 1973. As I studied the creation/ evolution arguments in great depth, I saw the major flaws in evolution "facts," and I also saw explanations from the creation standpoint which better fit the empirical data. The realization that "there must be a God (or gods)" led me to systematically check out the many varied world religious systems. I started with Christianity. I found a whole area of "apologetics" which comes from the Greek word "apologia" meaning a defense - in the case of Christianity, it means to provide a defense of the faith. This is very helpful when you are witnessing to bring others to Christ - it shows that Christianity is a reasonable faith (not a blind faith) with a multitude of evidences to back up it's claims. You don't have to "check your brain at the door" when you worship God (at least as far as Christianity is concerned). What startled me was the lack of evidence to back up other religions! Where were the historical, archeological, scientific, statistical (prophecy probabilities), medical, nutritional, geological, astronomical, legal (the "resurrection" case), and psychological evidences which all piece together to undergird and support the Christian faith? They were absent. Other faiths are blind. Atheistic evolution does provide evidences, but the assumptions involved negate placing those evidences into the realm of fact. The "theory" of evolution (if it can even be called a theory) is based of theoretical facts which are far from proven. Evolution in reality is a religion based on questionable facts. I discovered, as have many before me, that if you truly seek the truth with all your heart, you will find it (see Jeremiah 29:13 and Matthew 7:7,8), and I believe you will become a Christian. I recognized I was a sinner in desperate need of a savior, and, in Sep 93, I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and became a Christian. It's by far the most important decision I've ever made, and it has drastically changed my life (2 Cor 5:17).

What is CLM?

CLM, which stands for Christian Leadership Ministries, is an official organization through Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC). It's goal is to provide Christian witness and evidences aimed at university faculty, staff and students. Christian apologetics is at the core of this ministry. The Ohio State University CLM chapter contacted AFIT in early 1995, and I volunteered to run the AFIT CLM. It is sponsored by the AFIT Chaplain, Major Eric Fenton, and he has given me a free hand in showing videos, listening to audio cassettes, and organizing discussions on apologetics issues. We have had two of the world's greatest creationist debaters speak at AFIT - in Oct 95 Law Prof. Phillip E. Johnson, author of "Darwin on Trial," 2nd Ed., 1993, "Reason in the Balance," 1995, and most recently, "Defeating Darwinism by Opening Minds," 1997; and in Nov 96 Dr. Gary Parker, PhD, Biology, author of "Creation Facts of Life," 1994. Both of these men consistently win debates with evolutionists (usually university professors) world wide.

Since I became a Christian, I've amassed a fine collection of books, videos and cassette tapes on Christian evidences, cults and non-Christian religions. Though I haven't made any money at this yet, I do feel called by God to continue in this ministry. There is a real spiritual world out there, and there is a war going on. God has provided only one way to heaven - one way sinful humans can become righteous in His eyes, and that is through a true belief in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31). This is a message most of the world doesn't know, and Christians are to love unbelievers enough to preach this good news (Romans 10:14). It's not easy and we'll face rejection and criticism, but it is our calling. One thing I have found helpful is having answers to the common objections to Christianity, and what I do with CLM is provide a forum to discuss those answers.

So, now you know what AFIT CLM is about. No doubt I've left something out in my ramblings above, but you should all have at least a basic understanding of what's going on at AFIT every Wednesday at noon. Try to join us in the future.

Some of you may want to use my materials in your own Bible studies. I'm open to that. Contact me and we can work it out.

As a postscript, there is a local creationist group called The Ark Foundation which meets once a month (every second Monday) from 7 to 8:40 p.m. in Kettering. I am a charter member and occasionally the guest speaker. The discussions are always interesting, and I highly recommend it to you - the time is well spent.

Good bye for now and God Bless, Steve