POSITION: Founder and President
LOCATION: Draper, Utah
PHONE: (801) 572-2153
WHAT DOES THE ORGANIZATION DO? MRM has basically two functions.
1) We are an apologetic organization in that we respond to those who would attempt to discredit the Christian faith. We also desire to help teach Christians how to effectively dialogue with those who are members of the Mormon Church.
2) MRM is also a missionary organization in that we conduct outreaches at Mormon events and train young people for mission outreaches in Utah.
YOUR PRIMARY DUTIES: As president, my duties involve seeing that the ministry runs smoothly and effectively. I respond to questions from both Mormons and Christians that come to the ministry via our web site (www.mrm.org), and as editor of our quarterly newsletter I oversee the articles that we include and make sure it is published in a timely manner. I also speak at several conferences, churches, and Bible colleges each year.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH? As the Lord provides, I would like to see MRM continue to be an important resource for Christians around the world.
WHAT AREA OF EXPERTISE OR SPECIALTY DO YOU HAVE OR ARE YOU KNOWN FOR? Though I was never a Mormon, I've developed a pretty good grasp of Mormonism's history and thelogy. This has enabled me to write three books on the subject; two of which I wrote with my friend and associate, Eric Johnson.
WHERE DO YOU FEEL THE LORD IS LEADING THIS ORGANIZATION? We feel called to help Christians defend their faith directly with those who are members of the LDS Church. Thanks to the Internet we are now reaching more people than we could have ever dreamed when we began in 1979.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING TO YOU? My biggest frustration lies in the fact that many Christian churches do not see the need to teach doctrine. This is a sad commentary since the Apostle Paul spent considerable space in his pastoral epistles stressing the need for a clear understanding and defense of Christian teachings. Because many Christians do not have a well-grounded understanding of the faith, they are not only easy prey to false religions that permeate our society, but they also do not see a need to reach out to those who are lost in false groups.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST IN YOUR JOB? I love researching and I love being able to share my faith with those who may disagree. It is especially rewarding when someone writes or calls to say that the information we provide helped someone out of Mormonism or prevented someone from joining.
HOW CAN PEOPLE PRAY FOR YOU OR YOUR ORGANIZATION? Pray that we will be sensitive to the Lord's leading as to where He wants us to minister. We are definitely up against a huge corporation with vast resources.
DO YOU HAVE A NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS? We do use volunteer help but are OK at the moment.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY: The Lord blessed me with my beautiful wife, Tamar, 27 years ago. Together we have three children, Kristen, Kendra and Jamin. We also have two grandchildren with another one due in May.
WHAT IS YOUR HOME CHURCH AND YOUR INVOLVEMENT? We attend Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon. I "coach" a high school Bible study group as well as lead an adult Bible study.
IS THERE A BOOK THAT HAS MADE AN IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE? Martin Luther's Bondage of the Will.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE? Titus 3:5.
IS THERE A "NUGGET" YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE? Ravi Zacharias said it well when he wrote, "Truth cannot be sacrificed at the altar of a pretended tolerance."