John Breakout Sessions

David Artman

David Artman · The Unreserved Universalism of David Bentley Hart: Does it change the conversation?

In David Bentley Hart’s new book That All Shall Be Saved he states that, “… if Christianity is in any way true, Christians dare not doubt the salvation of all, and that any understanding of what God accomplished in Christ that does not include the assurance of a final apokatastasis in which all things created are redeemed and joined to God is ultimately entirely incoherent and unworthy of rational faith.” In this breakout session, participants will receive an overview of hopeful inclusivism, reserved Christian universalism (Robin Parry), and unreserved Christian universalism (David Bentley Hart). Then there will be time for discussion.

David is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He has a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from TCU in Ft. Worth, TX. His new book, Grace Saves All: Salvation by Grace Alone for Everyone, will be published by Wipf and Stock in 2020. He has draft copies of the manuscript available at the author’s table.

(video coming soon)

Leslie Walkin Schmidt

Cliff Dyrud

Cliff Dyrud & Leslie Walkin Schmidt · Yahweh Is Love! How God Changed Our Paradigm through Prophetic Words and Scripture

God propelled our little faith community from the traditional belief in eternal damnation to complete confidence that Yahweh, our Father and Savior, has made a way for ALL to be reconciled and restored. Jesus Christ is that Way, and He will not rest until every last child is Home in the Father’s arms. God fueled this great paradigm shift through prophetic revelation, in which He illuminated and clarified key Bible passages. Join us as we share our faith journey, as well as a sampling of prophetic words in which God reveals the great depth of His love for all humanity.

Cliff Dyrud has facilitated hundreds of individuals in inner healing, intercession, and how to hear God’s voice, both close to home and overseas. Cliff recently moved from Arizona back to the Fargo ND area. Leslie Walkin Schmidt, a middle school teacher, lives in Fargo’s sister city, Moorhead MN, with her husband and son. After they began to experience God speaking to them in their small worship/intercession group, they invited God to correct any false beliefs they might have. He answered by gradually revealing that Jesus Christ is truly Savior of ALL, and that the after-life judgments are a means to restoring His lost children. What JOY!

(video coming soon)

Rev. Kalen Fristad

Rev. Kalen Fristad · A Goldilocks Story: Universalism Is Just Right

In this presentation, I will explore Calvinism (which is too hot), Arminianism (which is too cold) and universalism (which is just right). The basic gist of this message is that it is not possible to believe that God is both all-loving and all-powerful with Calvinism (all-powerful but not all-loving) or with Arminianism (all-loving but not all-powerful). With universalism, however, we can affirm that God is, indeed, both all-loving and all-powerful. And what good news that is!

Rev. Kalen Fristad has been a United Methodist minister for more than 40 years and has written a book entitled, DESTINED FOR SALVATION: God’s Promise to Save Everyone, and a Study Book with the same title. He traveled the country full time with his wife, Darlene, from 2003 to 2006, accepting invitations to speak at churches, countering the teaching that many people will suffer for eternity in hell and proclaiming, instead, the hopeful message of universal salvation. Following then, he served churches in Iowa half time, while spending half time on the road. He retired from the parish ministry in 2013 but continues to travel the country speaking on universalism. Over the past 16 years, he has spoken at more than 350 churches in the United States, Canada, and England.

destinedforsalvation.org

Phil Henry

Phil Henry · How to Share Jesus as the Savior of All—in Five Minutes!

In 2016, as a long-time financial adviser but a newly ordained minister, I wanted to use my presentation skills (which are debatable) learned in business to share short, powerful videos each week about God’s love for and plan to save all through Christ. And so PhilHenryPowerGospel.org was born. In this presentation, we’ll actually (1) watch a sample FIVE MINUTE POWER MESSAGE (maybe one that featured Peter Hiett), (2) film a new message with you as a live studio audience and (3) talk about how these short videos might help you share your convictions about God’s relentless love for all.

A native of Pittsburgh, Phil Henry is very happily married and a dedicated father of five. He is the founder of Henry Wealth Management, LLC and a serious student of God’s word. Phil earned his undergraduate and MBA degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he also played football. Not shy with a microphone, he was a college DJ/entrepreneur and won the first-ever Mr. IUP talent show. As a young businessman, Phil would frequently accept and orchestrate public speaking opportunities. Those “skills” would soon be used for God’s glory and in 2016, he founded the Phil Henry Power Gospel ministry.

PhilHenryPowerGospel.org

George W. Sarris

George W. Sarris · The Gospel of Relentless Love

The Gospel of Relentless Love focuses on who God really is. He is good! His love is unconditional … His power is irresistible … and He never gives up in His desire that all those created in His image will be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. That message was the teaching of the Early Church … the teaching of the Bible … and what the Scripture reveals about the nature and character of God.

George W. Sarris is a popular author, speaker, and performer. He is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and has served on the staffs of three missionary organizations. He is the narrator of The Holy Bible, New International Version featured on BibleGateway.com, and the creator of an award-winning series of CD’s that bring the Bible to life. His book, Heaven’s Doors … Wider Than You Ever Believed!, was awarded the Silver Medal in Theology in the 2018 Illumination Awards for exemplary Christian books.

heavensdoors.net