This year has been a challenging but exciting ride. Hillary and I have moved. We are currently living in a loft in south Dallas. It’s an artsy community with tons of stuff to do. I have a longer commute to school, but it’s a better situation overall. And our pet rabbit Petunia has adjusted nicely. Meanwhile I finished my Master of Theology degree and am in my second semester of PhD work in Philosophy of Religion. Hillary is busy with photography. Between artistry and studies, we’ve had to work hard to get by. But God is good. As for ministry, we’ve had some great opportunities these last few months.

* South Africa Teaching Trip—last summer John traveled with a group from Southern Evangelical Seminary. The group is called T.E.A.M (Tactical Evangelism and Apologetics Mission). We went into Johannesburg, Pretoria and Potchefstrum, South Africa and taught in universities and churches on apologetics topics like the New Atheistm, occultism, defending the faith, worldview thinking, and ethics.

* Love Comes to Town: A Falling Whistles Event—on February 7th Hillary did the photography at a Falling Whistles event in our loft complex to raise money for orphaned children in the Congo. About 1500 people attended and $35,000 was raised. She’s still responding to the interest raised through her pictures (www.hillarymorgan.com).

* The God-Dialogues—this spring John is coordinating a round-table discussion between atheists and theists hosted by three universities: University of Texas Dallas, University of Texas Arlington, and Texas A&M. Michael Craven of the Center for Christ and Culture will join John for two sessions with Dr. Robert Sloan Lee, a college professor in the Dallas area, filling in at the A&M venue. They will be dialoguing with two representatives from the North Texas Church of Free Thought, area atheists, Dr. Zachary Moore and Derek Sansone. The Dialogues are slated for March 23rd 7-9pm (UTD), April 9th 7-9pm (UTA), and April 23rd 7-9pm (A&M).

This summer, May 13-27, we have the opportunity to go on another teaching trip to Italy. We will be returning to Naples and Rome. But we’ll also venture into Milan this time. When we went in the winter of ’07 we found ministry moments everywhere—small groups inviting us to teach, guest speaking at multiple churches every night, university training, church conferences, all in the span of about 10 days. This year we have more venues opening and more time to invest. The evangelical church in Italy is hungry for truth that can stand up to objections. They are desperate to see the Gospel in action within a skeptical world. These trips are important, but as for Hill and I, they are tough on the marriage since we haven’t been able to pool enough money in the past for both of us to go. The biggest blessing of all would be to raise enough for both of us to go. The team always needs a photographer, so she’d be a vital asset. Plus, she’s a sharp apologist herself. The cost for both of us to go is around $4000.

Please pray for us that God would make a way, pave the way, prepare the people, and shine through all of it. And please consider contributing to this trip. Please make all gifts in the following manner.

To: Southern Evangelical Seminary T.E.A.M.

For: John or Hillary Ferrer

Mail to: Southern Evangelical Seminary 3000 Tilley Morris Road, Matthews NC, 28105

Sincerely,

John Ferrer