Endorsements from Jay Wegter’s classes and seminars and books
I really have enjoyed this class. It has taken my evangelistic efforts to a new level and I have been getting deeper in conversations with non-believers that I ever have with gospel only methods that did not address the underlying worldviews.
This stuff is gold.
Thanks again for being a great communicator of this material; it has inspired me and given my greater confidence in defending God's word and saving the lost..
I have been getting very deep into conversations with unbelievers using the worldview approach. They never know what hit them as the Gospel gets presented in response to their rather shallow and inconsistent worldviews. The gospel fits nicely into the conversation to fill in ultimate truth. The responses have been great. I really appreciate this class and your excellent instruction.
Dan
Dan (Aug ’08, CPS Worldview)
Dear brother Jay,
I give thanks to God who directed your steps for His ministry to us at Grace Bible Church. Truly He has placed you at the pointy end of the spear. The work of Christ is prospering in your hands, by His boundless grace. He uses you to speak the words of His love for His bride, even into her heart, to make her fruitful in His glorious presence, by the power of His gospel. Praise to our God forever.
These links are to recommend to you the two books we spoke of. A SEVERE MERCY, by Sheldon Van Auken, and DON'T WASTE YOUR SORROWS, by Paul E. Billheimer. They are filled with comfort and grace.
Please accept three more of my poems for your review. I hope they add some grace to your life. One details what God has done in loving me by my beloved and another is dedicated to a Christian family who was given suffer for the sake of the truth and the third is autobiographical.
I will stand with you in the Spirit and I ask for your prayers in God's grace for His leading me into greater ministry before Him. I am your servant for His sake,
Michael-Jay: Anderson (no longer a legal fiction or artificial person defined for official purposes under counterfeit law)
Jay:
I spoke to you after the service (Dale's friend) last weekend about your smorgasbord of information which is so vital for Christians to grasp and which is missing in most evangelical churches today. That is the bible is authoritative on that to which it speaks and it speaks to every area of life. Therefore, a sermon such as yours has long been needed. Could the problems be the seminaries and the commentaries that we are inclined to attend and read and which simply reinforce our presuppositions whether biblical or not?
My own personal journey of faith took a drastic redirection once I began to understand that when Jesus said that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God that He really meant and lived what He said. And when Paul said that all scripture is God breathed and useful for doctrine, reproof, correction and training in righteousness that the man of God may be fully equipped for every good work that he too really meant and lived this. But today professing Christians divide and dissect the scripture until it can mean just the opposite of what God is saying. And in other cases the word of God is minimized to such an extent that the word of God is made irrelevant to vast areas of life.
I am sorry I will not be at the Sunday service to hear your sermon as I am at our farm in Humboldt County. Fortunately I will be able to hear your sermon on the GBCPH web site.
A beautiful barn owl just landed on the window sill and was looking in to check things out. God's creation is really fantastic.
Marty (Grace Bible Church, Pleasant Hill)
Dear Jay,
I was blessed to hear your call to battle, during the second service at Grace Bible Church, in Pleasant Hill. After the service I shared with you that Pastor Tony Sanelli and I had had a long conference about this very subject. It was a confirmation of your timeliness and your effectual ministry.
I've been encouraged by Tony to begin dialoguing with people who have established ministries in the areas of Christian ethics, for the purpose of producing something that proves the link between the necessary specialized focus on seemingly "secular" areas of life with the sovereign jurisdiction of God and His ordaining that all these areas be brought under Christ, the King.
I was given an abundant joy in hearing your declarations of God's glory in His establishing, by His word, the clear authority of Christ in all things. Here are some areas that I believe God's people must discern as having been hijacked and made subject to a counterfeit law system:
- The legal system has been debased from Christian Common Law to the Uniform Commercial Code which has placed corporations (legal fictions) in equality with men made in God's image. This confusion has given "rights" to these entities that challenge, with impunity and without moral constraints, the jurisdiction of God over our lives. All other areas of contemporary jurisdiction; medicine, education, finances, business and earning a livelihood, etc. are subjected to this enfranchised blasphemy.
- Being redefined as chattel assets of the Corporation, by using laws that deny God's clear jurisdiction in all things, denies our lawful right to demonstrate the image of Christ in us.
- Legally converting the unalienable rights of men into licensed privileges and subject to humanist, democratic review, diminishes the venue of God in all things. Men are now governed by a system that is legally divorced from the Laws of God.
- Here is a partial list of counterfeit systems that enable the corrupt to extend counterfeit jurisdictions over people.
* Monopolies in medicine under corporate sponsorship has justified preventing truly healing therapies in favor of the drug corporations using symptom controlling allopathic practices, which are legally protected, even when the patients suffer and die. * Monopolies over the judiciary have been established to promote revenue enhancement for the municipalities, counties, states, nations, etc. (legal fictions) and the destruction of true justice. * The socialist structures and philosophies of government have been used to deny historic rights to stewardship regarding property rights and the raising of children. * Hijacking of the hearts and minds and lives of children is the duty of those who idolatrously serve the corporation/state; it has no conscience, no moral constraints above those agreed upon by utterly corrupted, reprobate men and women, and those that serve the "state" (Moloch worship) become like what they serve. * The humanist media is the propaganda arm of those that believe in the necessary, ongoing seduction of this culture into its ubiquitous forms of idolatry. * The redefinition of the Church, which should be salt and light and the embassy of the King, but has been deceived into a parallel and dualistic mindset of contemporary Gnosticism, is sustained by a spirit of passivity and powerlessness, in the face of evil. We are codependent with a wicked generation of soulish rebels and demonstrate the symptoms of "The Stockholm Syndrome" rather than the necessary warfare that comes from a Church that walks with its King.
I hope that we can begin communicating about this warfare and the victory of Christ over all His enemies. Many of God's people equate passivity in the face of evil with the "gentle spirit of Christ" and run back into the cave which the contemporary church has become.
I look forward to receiving your thoughts and comments.
Sincerely,
Michael-Jay Anderson (Grace Bible Church, Pleasant Hill)
Hi, Jay,
A blessed Lord's day to you!
I was listening to the CD's I purchased of your two sermons this afternoon and decided to do a search on your name to see more about your ministry. I discovered that you are an artist of the highest order, in my humble opinion, in that you desire to give our Creator all the glory in your depiction of His handiwork. From my perspective, you do that beautifully.
In the morning I have a conference call with my department at PHC - Development. I plan to share your offer to do a Worldview Conference with us and see just where that might go. After viewing your art work, I'm wondering how that might work into an event in CA. I am thinking of an event which would highlight information about the college and highlight your work. I'm just beginning to brainstorm and pray about this, so any input from you - even if it's a kabosh - would be welcomed.
Blessings,
Kathy Young
YOUNGLKZS@GMAIL.COM
Regional Representative in California
Patrick Henry College of Virginia
Cell: 925-323-1675
Hi Jay,
My name is Corey Peckford and I live in Calgary, Canada. I found your teachings Every Man’s Battle part 1 and 2 on Sermonaudio.com. It was exactly what I needed to here on the subject. I since have gone to your Frontline Ministry's website and down loaded a bunch of yours and Massimo's lecture/sermons. It is a blessing to have access to teachings like you guys provide. I have shared my faith with others in the past and more recently and feel that I do spark there interest, but lack the ability provide a complete and sound foundational understanding of how Creation and the Gospel are the perfect fit for the lost soul. I was wondering if someone like you could provide a series of Lecture/Sermons that are tailored toward the unsaved. I would like to plant the seed and then have someone like you do the watering. If I could give them a CD from you that starts with your teachings on Creation and ends with how the Gospel is the perfect and true answer this would be of great value. Or I could just email them the Mp3 files to listen to. If you have time could you let me know what you think and if you are planning to put something like that together?
Take care and God Bless.
Dear Brother Jay,
My name is Grace and I met you today at Woodcrest Christian School. I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you and for the faith that He has given you by His grace. I thank God for bringing you to our school today and also for bringing you to my church in the past (Cornerstone Fellowship Bible Church, Riverside) and I pray God's continued grace and peace to you my dear brother.
Your faith encouraged me and your words were Life to me. If the Lord leads you to, please partner with me in prayer to God for the leadership both at Woodcrest Christian School and at Cornerstone Fellowship Bible Church - that these men in leadership would learn to live by faith in the Son of God, yielding to His Spirit, and not to live by a righteousness of their own derived from the Law, striving in the flesh.
I know that this is revealed and can only be revealed by His Spirit, as was the case in God's grace to me and to you also. My faith is in the Son of God concerning this and not in our prayers. Please pray with me if the Spirit leads you to, especially for Milton Vincent (Pastor-Teacher @ CFBC) and Jim Sullivan (High School Principal @ WCS).
If the Spirit leads you, pray also for me that I would stand firm in my faith in Jesus Christ, that I would hold fast my confession, that I would yield to the Spirit's work of building this house upon the ROCK, and that I would not labor and toil in vain (Psalm 127).
Resting in His easy yoke and light burden, Grace, Teacher at Woodcrest Christian School
Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in all the earth. - Psalm 46:10
Hey Professor Wegter,
It is hard to move on from having you as a teacher. I was so blessed a privileged to be in your class. It is bitter sweet moving on. Thank you for your encouragement about seminary, it means a lot to me. Thank you for studying so hard and teaching the truth of Scripture, disciple men, and your diligence to evangelize and love the lost.
I completely understand about the grade and am glad that you are abiding by the rules and doing what is necessary on your part. Thanks for teaching us!
I hope to see you soon out at Starbucks,
the Lord be with you,
Joey
Jay, I can’t stop listening to that message on “Worldview Evangelism….” There are so many profound statements and declarations you make, which demands people to have to respond. I need to learn more on this so I can engage many more of the lost and multiply my outreach triple fold…. Let me know more about, quote: “Also I have a 10 lesson syllabus which we can talk about also.” Talk to you soon. God bless you & yours, Timothy, Christ Bible Church.
Hi Jay,
I am pleased that Jerry responded to you. He could probably get you on the circuit for other conventions, administrative conferences, etc if you inquire. Some speakers travel from one convention to another speaking at several. There are thousands of teachers/administrators at conventions and hundreds of administrators at the admin.conferences.
We received your newsletter today and saw that you featured your visit to Woodcrest. Thanks for coming with great benefit for us. You are doing a great work in getting a Christ-centered worldview into the hearts of young people. We praise God for you.
See our Mission/Objectives/Expected Results attached.
Forever for Him, Randy
“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” Colossians 1:28, NIV.
I've listened to the message you gave “The Power of Christian Worldview in Today’s Evangelism” countless times already (Bro. Peter gave me the cd’s). Awesome message; still chewing on it. I humbly need to ask you how do I learn this method to evangelize? I've also listened to "The Vastness of Christ" many times too.
Timothy, Fremont, CA, lay worker in apologetics and evangelism
Expressions of Gratitude for the Ministry of Gospel for Life
Thanks again for being a great communicator of this material; it has inspired me and given me greater confidence in defending God's word and saving the lost. I have been getting very deep into conversations with unbelievers using the worldview approach. They never know what hit them as the Gospel gets presented in response to their rather shallow and inconsistent worldviews. The gospel fits nicely into the conversation to fill in ultimate truth. The responses have been great. I really appreciate your excellent instruction.
Dan, Santa Clarita, CA
I give thanks to God who directed your steps for His ministry to us at Grace Bible Church. Truly He has placed you at the pointy end of the spear. The work of Christ is prospering in your hands, by His boundless grace. He uses you to speak the words of His love for His bride, even into her heart, to make her fruitful in His glorious presence, by the power of His gospel. Praise to our God forever. I will stand with you in the Spirit and I ask for your prayers in God's grace for His leading me into greater ministry before Him. I am your servant for His sake.
Michael-Jay, Pleasant Hill, CA
I was listening to the CD's I purchased of your two sermons this afternoon and decided to do a search on your name to see more about your ministry. In the morning I have a conference call with my department at Patrick Henry College - Development. I plan to share your offer to do a Worldview Conference with us and see just where that might go. I'm just beginning to brainstorm and pray about this, so any input from you would be welcomed.
Kathy, Pleasant Hill, CA
My name is Corey and I live in Calgary, Canada. I found your messages on Every Man’s Battle part 1 and 2 on Sermonaudio.com. It was exactly what I needed to hear on the subject. I since have gone to your Frontline Ministry's website and downloaded a number of your lectures and sermons. It is a blessing to have access to teachings like you provide. I have shared my faith with others in the past and more recently and feel that I do spark their interest, but lack the ability to provide a complete and sound foundational understanding of how Creation and the Gospel are the perfect fit for the lost soul. I was wondering if someone like you could provide a series of Lecture/Sermons that are tailored toward the unsaved. I would like to plant the seed and then have someone like you do the watering. If I could give them a CD from you that starts with your teachings on Creation and ends with how the Gospel is the perfect and true answer this would be of great value. Or I could just email them the Mp3 files to listen to. If you have time could you let me know what you think and if you are planning to put something like that together?
Blessings in Christ, Corey, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
My name is Grace and I met you today at Woodcrest Christian School. I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you and for the faith that He has given you by His grace. I thank God for bringing you to our school today and also for bringing you to my church in the past (Cornerstone Fellowship Bible Church, Riverside) and I pray God's continued grace and peace to you my dear brother. Your faith encouraged me and your words were Life to me.
Resting in His easy yoke and light burden, Grace
I've listened to the message you gave “The Power of Christian Worldview in Today’s Evangelism” countless times already (Bro. Peter gave me the cd’s). Awesome message; still chewing on it. I humbly need to ask you how do I learn this method to evangelize? I've also listened to "The Vastness of Christ" many times too.
Timothy, Fremont, CA, lay worker in apologetics and evangelism
Thank you so much for the last 6 months, it was a wonderful growing experience.
~Jeff Newman, Apologetics/Evangelism (Oct ’09)
Thank you so much for the past 24 weeks. You have helped shape my theology, so much. I've been convicted, broken down, and feel a deeper burning desire for more, and more and more. It is a burden on my heart to know more about Christ, and His saving Word. Thank you for showing me the Dynamics of Grace, thank you for helping me realize I have so much to learn in apologetics, evangelism, and worldview. It is my prayer brotha that you be blessed in all that you do. Thank you for your deep burning desire to share with us all your knowledge, it has been a fountain of freshness to drink from these past six months.
Crucified with Christ, Galatians 2:20 (NASB) Julio C. Diaz III, Apologetics/Evangelism (Oct ’09)
Hi Jay,
Thank you for your faithfulness and love in discipling us.
Your ministry has been tremendous blessing to me in dozens of ways.
Between the Smackdown, Dynamics of Grace, Worldview, Apologetics & Evangelism, and Systematic Theology, my life experienced the most challenges and spiritual growth than in any other time of my life. May the Lord continue to use you mightily.
Here are two files you requested. One is all of my electronic notes. The other is the sermon draft I preached from this morning.
For His Glory, Andrew Toborowski 1/15/2010
Thanks. Huge help. Also, thanks for your faithfulness to preach the gospel. I've been struggling with contentment in the midst of a foggy future and I find myself preaching the gospel more now after meeting with you.
"In the Lord, your labor is not in vain."
Love you brother, Peter
Dear Prof Wegter,
Just a note to thank you for last evening’s lecture content. God is using your lectures and notes in my life in wonderful and healing ways. God bless you for your ministry.
Grace upon grace,
Julie Martin, Student, Intro to CT Theology, Winter 2010
Jay,
You have shown this by ministering so merciful to me (Jude 1:22-23), and I have often thought your ministry carries the same tone of the Apostle Paul who said, "I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return" (Phil. 1:9-10). I think your wife is absolutely right, when she says that more people need to somehow be exposed to your ministry - more people would truly find their healing in the cross. I am delighted to say that I am a living testimony of how your ministry has got me back into an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
If I could rewind the tape to the other night and hear you again say, "Tim will you minister to me," I would first ask the Lord to humble me, and let you know how important your ministry has been to my relationship with our Father. I really mean that Jay! Therefore, it is vitally important that you get back into the saddle of evangelism and beg God to restart that fire in your bones for the lost again. This is an important part of your ministry and it cannot be neglected in any way. We live in one of the most challenging nation to preach the gospel too, and you have been extraordinarily gifted in being merciful while dismantling people’s worldview. Your evangelism skills are completely necessary 24/7 – 365 days a year. Why? Because your Christ like example is very important to a guy like me who needs that constant "living example" in evangelism while being mentored (1 Cor. 11:1). God has graced you with a very unique and important ministry that requires you to be a "living example" in a number of areas that make up the whole Christian man, and evangelism is the one area in Christendom that us as men can become the most complacent in. In fact, before you said anything the other night - my lazy sinful nature had already noticed that my mentor lowered the bar some.
The bar must be raised again! I remember thinking to myself about eight months ago, "it is amazing how Jay Wegter is constantly asking strangers Ultimate Questions that lead into a conversation about the Gospel of Christ, " I went on to think to myself, "I want to be just like that! I want to become so confident and mature in my Christian walk, that it becomes second nature to ask anyone and everyone (all the time and everywhere) Ultimate Questions that gives the gospel a hearing."
So, I am begging you to reconcile that passion again for evangelizing the lost - it is essential for the ministry God has given you. First, for those who are being held captive by the philosophies of our age (1 Cor. 10:5), and second for the sake of the men you are now mentor and the many men you are going to mentor for many years to come. God has prepared you in this area and everyday you are not using the gift of evangelism is one less day that God's Glory isn't being fully displayed through your ministry in the way He intended. I love you Jay! Thank you for your mentorship and being a humble Godly example for me to humble myself and follow. Once again, please forgive me for my immaturity the other night that dishonored you. I hope I did not cause you too much pain.
Sincerely in Christ, Tim Clement
Jay,
This is what my girls got;
-Genuine faith is seeking and knowing God.
-He talked about the Darwin theory and how God is supreme over creation.
-He talked about Christ's vastness. He is the center of all creation, the first human to rise from the dead in glory, and the one who will judge us in the end.
- Christ is the supreme so trust and love Him for who he is.
These girls are 12 and 13. Loved the message and understood it!
We we're all very blessed.
So our families prayer is that Mr. Wegter go lead a people from the pulpit every Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blessings
Jan Cespedes
I got the book. Analysis coming in the near future.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
Dear Jay,
I want to thank you for posting your article "A Critique of the Higher Life Movement". It was excellent! We're dealing with this problem in our church right now in the form of Bill Gillham's Lifetime Guarantee Ministries/Association Of Exchanged Life Ministries. (of which Hudson Taylor's son is founder). The ELM website denies that they teach some of these Higher Life doctrines but they really do in essence. Your article really hit the nail on the head!
When I inquired about the author of this and read your profile, I was surprised to see that you work at Master's College and are also an artist. Our son and daughter-in-law live in Santa Clarita and attend Grace Community Church. We were just all down there for the Shepherd's Conference (well, the men were, that is ). We went down with one of the pastor's at our church John Cox, who is also from Grace and the Master's Seminary.
I love your artwork. My husband is also an artist by profession as well as a former pastor.
Well, thanks again for the great article! I will be sharing it on to my blogspot soon.
Blessings!
Diane Bucknell, Carson City, Nevada
www.jaelstent.blogspot.com www.robertbucknell.com
Subject: Evangelism Hi. Thank you for leading the group that does evangelism on Wednesday nights. Last Wednesday was a very good experience for me. The Lord has really impressed on me the fact that if my fear of talking to another person about the gospel outweighs my desire to proclaim the name of Christ, then I have made comfort and ease my gods. I would like to go out with the group for the next few weeks (until I leave to go back to Colorado). Thank you again for the encouragement that you spoke to all of us beforehand.
--Andrew, student, The Master’s College (4/16/10)
Dear Rev. Jay Wegter, Frontline Ministries
Dear Reverend Wegter:
I have just finished your outstanding article "True Repentance" which I noted in searching the topic for an upcoming sermon as part of our lay ministry. Thank you for taking the time to research and add your insights to a highly neglected and unpopular topic in today's self centered world. I have been a student of the bible and other religious texts for most of my life, along with my work as a medical doctor and humanitarian missionary. Your work has brought me a deeper understanding and renewed perspective. I would like to quote and reference your outstanding work in my upcoming sermon in two weeks with your permission.
Thank you again for your insight, faith and encouragement in bringing God's word closer to the masses.
May the Lord continue to bless you and all those closest to you.
Sincerely,
John S. Jarstad, M.D.
Medical Director / CEO
Evergreen Eye Centers, Inc.
34719 6th Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 98003
www.evergreeneye.com
Jay,
Great SS class yesterday. It made me think about how casually I approach God in prayer. Most times I approach Him with very little thought to His glory, power, and majesty. I have been convicted recently about the lack of fear and respect I give God so this lesson put an exclamation point on a serious sin in my life. God
FYI I will be out of town all week this week. I will be in orientation for a transportation product I will be selling as part of my business. I, like you, am trying to figure things out as it relates to what God would have me do to provide for my family. I am holding you, Michelle, and Tasha up in prayer and I covet your prayers as well.
On the purity front I am working through the Purity Work Book. I was engaged in battle 3 out of the past 6 weeks and was losing miserably until I read the chapter 5 “Lust and Amputation Factor”. I now have a filter and since there is no access I haven’t had a problem. I will be parked on chapter 6, “Our Battle with Lust is a Faith Fight”, for a few weeks. You have cited a number of large rich texts to meditate on Eph 1-2, Col 1-2, Rom 5-8, and Isa 55. I could not adequately meditate on these scriptures in just one week. I am going to spend the next 3-4 weeks meditating on them until they have made an impact on my view of God and my relationship. Thank you for writing the Purity Workbook it has been a blessing.
See You Sunday,
Steve Thomas
Tel: (909) 952-1946
email: sthomas852000@yahoo.com
Hi Jay, (6/2010)
I was really hit hard today in Smack Down, I wanted to know if you have any time we could meet to talk about purity, keeping my mind and eyes in check, as well as how to function in a relationship. I understand if you’re busy but I would really appreciate it if we could meet. Also I heard there is a Smack Down, e-mail list, who do I need to talk to about getting on that list.
Thanks for all that God has blessed you with, and the impact Smack Down has on me, I am in awe every Thursday on the dedication, love, and knowledge of our Lord. I am blessed to be a part of it, and your insight as well as the other brothers each week is helping me more and more. I thank GOD for all of this, he is truly Loving.
God Bless Devon Zemp
July 2010 I had a chance to talk with some guys at work during lunch today. Both of them from a different company but we are often on the same construction sites working together so I have seen Norris around but never had a chance to talk with him yet. At the end of the day as I was leaving he told me "I would love to be a true believer and know that I am going to heaven." But, he has questions and they haven't been answered. I got chills as we were talking and told him that he needs to submit world views to the questions of where we came from, why we are here, and where are we going. Thank you so much for the things you have taught me about effectively sharing the Gospel. I look forward to learning more and being a better communicator of the Gospel.
I will be gone on Saturday but look forward to meeting again.
Ed Barnett
Hello Jay, This is Suren.
We met this past Sunday in your class. I just finished listening to the first half of "ELEVEN MARKS OF SALVATION". I am inspired & encouraged by the style in which you expounded on the scriptures. I hope to be able to spend some time with you in the future. The foremost thought in my mind is "One cannot break free from the power of sin until the power of guilt & condemnation is broken." Of course the whole teaching is relevant & applicable but because of besetting sin (walking according to the flesh) I have been stuck in a cycle of indulgence in sin, guilt & condemnation & then a sense of unworthiness leading only to more sin. I am presently listening to "THE IMPORTANCE OF JUSTIFICATION" & once again My merciful Father is reminding me that all my debt of sin is paid. I have been granted the righteousness of Christ & I must begin "Setting my mind on the things of the Spirit & mortifying the deeds of the flesh by the power of the Spirit." You said to me "I was a student of the word." The trouble is, I have been a "double minded" man. I have periods when, by God's grace, I am walking in the Spirit & then times when after sinning against God's patience & grace I am once again in a state of misery & sin. I am presently "Crying out to God in repentance & faith" seeking to "Avail myself to His means of grace." Your prayers & words of exhortation & encouragement would be welcomed & appreciated. I have spent some time with Pastor Steve & I am also beginning to form a friendship with Monte the leader of the Men's study. I don't want to seem too needy or be a burden but I know that I am not going to realize "Godly sorrow" & true repentance without the help of my leaders & brothers. Thanks for your prayerful response in advance. Suren
P.S I just had a huge cup of truth serum (coffee) lol! (To lighten the mood!)
Well, here goes, I am hitting the send button even as my pride & flesh cry out, nooo
Suren, (July 2010)
Dynamics of Grace, TMC, Winter 2010
I have to tell you-this course is REALLY impacting my walk in a major way! Everything we learn in class and every book we read is opening my eyes SO much. Wow. I am really blown away. I think this should be the study any new believer does-I can’t believe I've gone almost 8 years in my walk without a deep understanding of all this! Thanks so much for this course! Ashley Williams
Hi Professor Wegter . . .
I wanted to touch base with you because yesterday I confessed to Jason at Master’s College that I had been academically dishonest while taking classes through the DEEP program. Unfortunately, at some point along the way, my education at Master’s became an idol in my heart and I was disobedient to the Lord because of that.
The Holy Spirit has really been doing a work in me, revealing areas of my life where I have be dishonest. And unfortunately, there is a reading report for Dynamics of Grace that stands out as a moment of dishonesty. Week 7 - I only read about 40% of the assignment. Yesterday after I confessed to Jason, the Lord really put this on my heart so I came home and looked over my syllabus and book and confirmed that I had read only pages 230-237 in Overcoming Sin and Temptation rather than pages 167-237. And actually, now that I am combing over the syllabus, I am realizing I read Luther’s commentary on Galatians 2, but not the full Galatians commentary (Consequently, that was an honest mistake, but should be noted). So that would put my reading reports as: Week 2: 100%, Week 3: 100%, Week 4: 80ish% Week 5: 100%, Week 6: 20%, Week, 7: 40%, Week 8: 60%.
I’ll be honest. Confessing this to you has been much more difficult than confessing to Jason yesterday. I consider the things I learned in Dynamics of Grace faith changing. I have gained a deeper understanding of Christ in the 8 weeks of your course than in nearly 8 years of being saved. I was really fearful of confessing this because I didn’t want you to think that I wasn’t listening or learning in your class. On the contrary, I have learned truths about Christ, sanctification and justification that are vital to my walk. I have grown SO much from your class and actually, I think that growing and learning, combined with the Holy Spirit, are what have led me to repentance.
As I mentioned to Jason, I am thankful that the Lord can see my heart, because I know He can see the true turning from sin. I don't know how I can effectively show you that I have truly repented and turned, but I am willing to do whatever it takes and accept any consequences for my sin. Below is my letter of apology. I hope it will give you a better sense of my repentance. And I pray that you can forgive me for my dishonesty.
--To the staff and leadership at The Master’s College,
I need to confess to you that in the pursuit of my degree at the Master’s College I have been academically dishonest. While taking courses through the DEEP program I used my notes on tests (During a test in Foundations of Science and on a verse quiz in Biblical Counseling) and recently, in my Dynamics of Grace course exaggerated a reading report. To say I am sorry is an understatement. I have dishonored Master’s College and I have been disobedient to the Lord and I am willing to do whatever is necessary to reconcile this.
There is no excuse for my sin and the only explanation I can give is that at some point my education at Master’s became a source of pride in my life. Actually, the hope of graduating with honors from Master’s become more than a source of pride, I would say it even became an idol in my life.
Prior to knowing the Lord, I had a career as a model and all I wanted was to be respected rather than being thought of as a dumb model. When I met the Lord, He gave me a second chance, not just in being born again, but a chance to find my identity in who He says I am. He opened up so many doors that I never thought possible and has taken me down a path that has allowed me to understand how He sees me and to get me past seeing myself as a dumb model. To this day, when I look at my life, I can’t believe the path He has led me down. And above all the experiences He has given me, my education at Master’s is the one that I’ve held in highest esteem. I can’t express what an honor it is to learn in such a prestigious environment. I sit in my classes astounded by all that I am learning.
It’s hard for me to articulate, but I think what I’m trying to say is: I’m a girl who used to be a model and now I am studying theology at the Master’s college. That leap is so great, I think I allowed my education to become an idol in my heart. I have loved telling people that I am a student at Master’s because the institution alone commands the respect that I had always longed for. Unfortunately, I allowed my honor for Master’s and my education to supersede my obedience to the Lord.
I can’t tell you how sorry I am. I am sorry that I have disrespected the staff and professors at Master’s. But more than that, I am sorry I put anything above my desire to love and serve the Lord.
The Lord has been very patient and very gracious with me as His Spirit convicted me of this sin and nudged me to confession. Recently, He brought to my attention Ephesians 5:8-13: “for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.”
That contrast between darkness and light hit me so hard. Before I knew Jesus I lived in such darkness. Now, He has given me the opportunity, the blessing, the honor of walking in the Light as a child of God. The Lord has been so patient with me as I have walked with Him. If any child has tested the patience of the Father, it has been me.
Last week, as I begged the Lord, “Please don’t make me confess this sin! It’s too embarrassing. What if I get expelled?” I realized that I was putting my education and the opinion of my professors and the staff at Master’s above my desire to please the Lord - and that broke my heart. There is nothing more that I want in this life than to please the Lord. If it means losing the respect of people I respect - that’s okay. If it means losing the education I have held in such high esteem - that’s okay. Nothing - no accomplishment, no dream, no person - is worth displeasing, dishonoring, or disobeying the Lord.
Today I can confidently say that I stand firm with Paul, “whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:7-8).
I’m sorry for the long and meandering explanation. I hope I have effectively explained my repentance. I feel very free before the Lord because I know He can see my heart. But, I know that you all can’t see my heart, so please let me know what actions I can take to fully convey my repentance. I am willing to do whatever it takes and willing to accept all consequences for my sin. I pray that you will forgive me for dishonoring my professors and the staff here at Master’s. If you have any questions, please let me know how I can better explain myself. And please let me know what I can do to reconcile this situation.
Professor Wegter. I can’t tell you how sorry I am. I hope you will forgive me. Please let me know what I can do to reconcile this situation.
Ashley
Says a CPS student of Dynamics of Grace: 1/11
This class was so awesome! Every church needs to have this course taught. I loved the way the professor taught—good illustrations. Thank you so much!
Dear Jay Wegter of Frontline,
I've read your article on Grace-Driven Sanctification . It is the most definitive article I've read on the subject. As I'm reading it my heart soars while at the same time grieving over the condition of many who name the name of Christ. Sadly much is due to the reality that many who stand at pulpits don't understand grace. There seems to be a mix of old and new covenant thinking in the Church these days. God has been most gracious to bring me and a dear brother on a journey of rediscovering grace. Thank you for your faithfulness. And yes I've been listening to John for about 25 years now but am grateful to discover writings and teachings from other faithful men.
I read the article you sent via the link, “Getting Galatians into the Bloodstream.” Thank you for that and the ministry to the Church in reminding us to be Gospel driven. I sent the message Faith in Sanctification to several men in our congregation along with the Pastors. We indeed believe in the doctrines of grace and the Sola's but I'm afraid that only applies to Justification for them. I'm in a Baptist congregation and although we identify as reformed I'm not sure that the leadership understands the meaning or fullness of that. So I ask for your prayers that the leadership will get hold of this and let grace and the Gospel truth power what we do. I pray you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Blessings, Victor in Phoenix Az.
A verse from a song I wrote several years ago - I will live on mercy, and I will live on grace, till I reach the end of my journey, and I see my Saviors face. I always believed it, but thank God for men like you who turn us back to it.
Victor Mashatt Phoenix, Az.
Hello Professor,
Thank you sir, but that is the least I could do for your faithfulness and devotion to our Lord. You have made a tremendous impact in my walk and growth in the Lord and also in my evangelism. The last few days have been weird. I never came up here to the Master’s for a degree really. I came to learn the truth and be equipped to proclaim it to my family and friends and to the lost; also to build up the body of Christ as best as the Lord uses me in doing so. I learned so much in all your classes but also in your evangelism/apologetics class. Although I was always utilizing the WOTM, you taught me how to tear down walls and how to speak to the heart of man. I know there is so much more that I can learn and do in my evangelism and many other aspects of my Christian walk as well, but I am always striving to learn and grow every day.
You have been such a tremendous blessing to me I couldn’t thank you enough. Helping your ministry out is the least I could do. I look forward to learning more from you and to your discipleship classes.
In Christ, Eddie Ochoa
My Dearest Brother,
I had a high school teacher at Village Christian H.S. who challenged his students to think beyond themselves. I wanted to thank him for his patience, and his insistence on making us examine all sides of an issue in order to get a better understanding. He forced us exercise our minds and encouraged us to develop critical thinking skills. Several years ago I got his email address from one of my classmates but failed to send him a note of appreciation. Finally, after 5 years of procrastination, I decided to communicate with him when I learned that he had died just a few weeks before. I do not want to repeat that same mistake (not that you will be passing anytime soon, Lord willing) and let you know just what an impact your teaching has had on my life.
As I write this I have tears of gratitude running down my cheeks. I have been so blessed by your teaching in the Dynamics of Grace Sunday School Class, in Smackdown, Getty Tours, newsletters, and friendship. Through your teaching the Holy Spirit has freed me from my boot strap apostate religion and I now have a joyous personal relationship with our God and Savior. I now know in my heart that my salvation is based on His Grace and not anything I have done or deserve. Out of that understanding a seed of faith was planted and is flourishing to the point that it is blissfully out of control. Praise God! Jay, thank you for faithfully teaching, encouraging, and exhorting with your insights into God's Word. God has illuminated your mind and you in turn have been faithful to minister in ways that feed souls. Thank you for showing by example how to minister to one another. You have been an inspiration to me and countless others. I love getting your articles and really like what you have done with www.gospelforlife.org. I enthusiastically give your website link to men here in NC.
I thought I would take a little time to tell you what I have been up to so you can pray for me and maybe give me advice. As I have stated before, I am a lineal thinker. I process most issues from a point of origin, possible obstacles, contingencies, and desired outcome. I see life through a prism of flow charts. It's kind of weird, I know.
Presupposition:
I believe we are either in the last days or we are in the last days of our nation being a super power. I am not sure our culture and nation can survive barring supernatural intervention. I think we are in for some very interesting times and it has been my observation that the Holy Spirit is stirring hearts. C.S. Lewis wrote in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe "Aslan is on the move." Maybe it's my over active imagination but I have this gut feeling based on headlines and current world events that something big is about to happen. If you disagree please feel free to correct me as I respect your insights.
Our nation is in trouble because our churches are weak, our churches are weak because the Christian family is weak, the Christian family is weak because Christian men have become apathetic toward their creator. Just like the Ephesian Church we have forsaken our first love. We have become idolaters who pursue wealth, status, comfort, and pleasure at the peril of our very souls. We want all this world has to offer and we want heavenly rewards without commitment or sacrifice. In essence "we want our cake and eat it too."
The only hope for our nation, churches, families and souls is for Christian men to repent and return to worshiping the true and everlasting God. I know I am preaching to the choir. because this is has been your message. I just wanted to let you know that what you are teaching is changing lives.
What God is doing
In God's sovereignty, he has placed us at Crestview Baptist Church in Jacksonville, NC. It is a church of about 500. It has 3 full time pastors. Due to the size of the sanctuary we have 3 services and construction of a new sanctuary is currently underway. The teaching pastor is very humble and believes that the Bible should be preached expositorily. Our congregation is made up largely of military families, former military people, and retired military. Because of the demographic the congregation is very transient. This sounds oddly familiar doesn't it? In my last email I related to you my burden for ministry here.
One of the Deacons has been going to Seminary on line at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Two years ago he started a men's Bible Study with a guy he was discipling. Today there are about 20 guys most of whom are in their 20's and early 30's and 3 other men in their 40's and me. Sound familiar? After attending a month I asked to meet with one of the associate pastors to tell him about my passion for men's ministry that I learned from you. He pretty much gave me the green light to run with it. I then approached the leader of the Bible study and asked him if I could come alongside him and start some one on one discipleship and asked if it would be ok to get him and the more mature guys together to discuss and plan how we could disciple the men in our group and other men in our congregation. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the level of teaching and preaching I received at FBC, PBC, and you. The vast majority of the people at our church have a very elementary understanding of the Gospel and God's Word and are in real need for unadulterated Truth.
We have had 3 meetings so far and are going through Wiersbe's book "On Being a Servant of God" together lead by the associate Pastor. This past Saturday the leader of the men's Bible study asked me and a number of men in our study to come to his house to watch a paid per view UFC fight. Earlier that day he called to ask if I would come over an hour early to meet with him and another Brother before the other guys arrived. Upon arrival he was exuberant over some material he had read regarding discipling. He was convinced that we should not delay another day and although meeting and strategizing was good we needed to start and start now. His enthusiasm was contagious and we prayed together and promised each other we would start looking for 2 men each we could start ministering too. I have to tell you it's exciting! There is much more I could tell you but I know you are busy and I don't want to make this too long.
I love you Brother and words cannot express my deep appreciation of your faithfulness to the teaching of God's Word. You have inspired me and pointed me to the one place to find the courage to proclaim His love. Through your faithfulness and by His grace you have saved my life!
Your Fellow Servant, May 2012
Steve Thomas
President
WORLD-PROOFING
I have not spoken to you in a long time and just wanted to thank you for how you have poured into Kevin and I when we started the singles ministry, and how you continue to with your articles. I am preparing a message for v-day and I am leaning heavily on your "renewed in Christ" article (along with some Piper and various sources) that beautifully define this vital topic.
Thank you for your devotion and time walking with the Lord that allows the spirit to pour out of you to fill and equip the rest of us.
Much Love, Daniel Mastrolonardo
Dear Jay, Thank you so very much for sharing this material with all of us. I was greatly encouraged by your seminar this past Saturday, and this material will be a great help as I teach "Worldview" to seniors at Western Christian High School with Derek Mackie. You are a great encourager and example of one who lives out what he teaches. Thank you!
Hello Professor Wegter,
Thank you for the PDF files! Your information is so needed by youth today, and parents too for that matter! My apologies for the delay in reply. I've forwarded your email tom Jeremy, and mentioned to him your interest in making the content available to the students through the web. I asked him about the possibility of the churches' website for that purpose. I'm not sure if the site is hosted locally, or if they use a webhosting company. He mentioned that with the Mexico trip just next weekend (or this coming weekend), he might not be able to give it much consideration till they return. I didn't realize the extent of the messages you've already made available. I've already started listening to the other messages! I found an even better example of what I was thinking, at this site: http://media.planning.org/stream/SocialMedia/index.htm. I believe they used PowerPoint, as well as another program to display the subtopics in the left column. The benefit to this is the ability of the one viewing the presentation to go to a specific topic/point in the presentation. I'll see if I can locate information on the procedure used to produce this type of media file. We're very excited to hear that you will be visiting Grace Chapel in the fall, for a worldview training session! I know there will be so many who will benefit from your knowledge!
I'll let you know as I find further information on creating the presentation, and the options to host the files. Thank you again, and God bless your ministry!
Hugo
From Smackdown
I have greatly enjoyed the blessings the Lord has poured out upon me through your teaching and leadership and each and every one of the men there at Smack Down have touched my life and the Lord has used them all to work in my life and push it that much closer the completion on that wonderful day He either calls me home or returns. I can't thank any of you enough for putting up with this wicked and evil sinner who talks just to hear himself and thinks He knows the Word but lacks in wisdom and you guys have brought me in as your equal and looked over me in this short time I have learned so much from first hand experiences what the love of Christ looks like and Lord willing move on in this new chapter of my life not leaving Smack Down but rather and extending arm of Smack Down that now reaches out to Utah and them men there that the Lord might call to Him.
Ronnie Floyd
Thanks for all the service you give to the Lord and thanks for all that you have taught me in my endeavors with Christianity. I will never forget these classes I took at The Masters College and they have shaped my life and my worldview into what I recognize as the true Biblical walk with Christ. Keep teaching the generations this truth of worldview and I am grateful for having learned the importance and necessity of a Biblical Theistic worldview. Thanks again Jay. Corbin Wright
Hi Mr. Wegter, ART ARTICLES
Once again I can't thank you enough for taking the time to share your articles with us! I started with the shorter ones and am now working my way through the one that goes with the museum tour. Wow – it's really resonating with the things I've been learning lately. I finally realized how visually illiterate I am! Until a few years ago I was convinced fine art was morally wrong because it dealt with feelings (my background is a bit unusual – it's been a bit of a journey.) I know – yikes! Just this past month I am finally able to start appreciating art beyond the technical aspects. It's very exciting.
I have a list of specific questions but I'm going to finish reading through the articles first in case they are addressed there. Thank you again – this has been incredibly helpful! It's not easy to find Christians who have educated themselves on the arts to the extent you have!
Have a blessed day, Lisa
Owning the reality of Discipleship
By Jeremy Haynes (April, 2013)
I had the great joy of getting to know Professor Jay Wegter through the CPS program at The Masters College and during that time I quickly recognized that he lives a life that was uniquely committed to following Jesus. This is fact about Jay has lead me to write this brief summary of our time together.
About 10 months ago I approached Jay after I had accepted a new job with my local church where I was now responsible for building a men’s small group ministry and maintaining the existing church wide small groups ministry. This has been a great opportunity for me to pour my life into my local community. Furthermore, I would like to share three attributes of a godly ministry that I have picked up for Jay Wegter.
First, character, Jay has taught me that I need to help people leave behind the “divided life”. In this divided life people have two ways of life, the church life and the personal life. On one hand, you are committed to riches and glories of Christ, and on the other hand you are committed to desires of the world. In order for you to make an impact on people for sake of the Gospel you need to see Christ as you ultimate joy and be intentional removing sin from your own life. This is “divided life” war is at the heart of true character building for the Kingdom.
Second, conviction, this was my biggest blind spot. I understood the importance of having my own personal convictions. But, I was not sure how to go about training other people in their convictions.
Jay effortlessly showed me how to think about the process of helping people remove the obstacles that hold them back from sanctification. And the importance of equipping people with a healthy
diet of solid biblical theology. This step scares the average congregant at my church but after working with Jay I could see that this was the missing link for people in my church. After Jay’s teachings, I could clearly see that all Christians need to have solid convictions that would literally run out their mouths and figuratively pour out of their lives.
Third, competency, in my past I have always thought that if someone has real passion for Christ, this will carry him or her through most of his or her Christian life. Sadly, this type of thinking is exclusively reserved for the immature Christian, this type of shallow thinking needs to be addressed if the congregants of my church are going to shake the community in the name of Jesus. Jay taught me that, they would need to grow in their ability to not only articulate the words of the gospel but also be able to explain the lofty things of God. And have the ability to approach the Word of God with a good measure of certainty, and in turn this will translate into their evangelism and discipleship technique’s.
Finally, these three attributes are now an indispensable part of my ministry and with these three tools I will be able to make an impact on my church for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Jay has shown me that my church needs to replace the American dream with cross of Christ and by doing that they will be equipped with Christ-like character, rock solid convictions, and lofty desires for being able to equip each other unto maturity. With Jay’s contagious style and approach to Christian ministry, I am confident that he has made an impact on lives through my ministry for now and years to come.
My Dearest Brother, 5.8.13
I am excited to go to Smackdown on June 14 & 21. I am so looking forward to seeing my Brothers there. Where and at what time do you have it? If you would like I could share for a few minutes on the need for real Gospel Revival in the Bible Belt and the doors that are being opened up for me there and how Smackdown gave me the ideas for my own ministry.
It was in your Dynamics of Grace class that I knew that I knew my adoption was official. I don't remember the date but I remember with clarity the overwhelming freedom I experienced one Sunday in class. I knew almost instantaneously that my heart was regenerated. My desires were immediately changed from the inside. Prior to that I was always trying my hardest to "gut out" my conformity to Christ under my own power. I was a rudderless ship with no locomotion, no sail, no wind, no engine, not even a trolling motor. It was that Sunday that all the pieces of the Gospel puzzle were miraculously fit together in perfect order. What a beautiful panoramic picture that puzzle created when ALL pieces fell into their proper place. I will never forget the key missing piece that set my Gospel misunderstanding straight. You said, "After regeneration when Gods views me through the prism of the cross He no longer sees my sin but the righteousness of Christ". I don't know if that quote is verbatim but that was the general idea. These were beautiful words to me and struck me down like the blinding light Paul experienced on his way to Damascus.
I have a request. I have wrestled some 20 years plus with whether or not I was saved when I was baptized at 12. About the time I was ready to do it again it became very popular at Foothill Bible Church to be re-baptized. Because of my sinful arrogance I did not want to just join the crowd of many who were also convicted of the same thing. I never followed through. In retrospect I would have had doubt about that baptism anyway and would still be in doubt. Would you consider baptizing me after Smackdown on one those days at a local lake or stream? It would be a real honor if you would do that for me?
With All the Affection that Christ Has Placed in My Heart,
Steve Thomas
P.S. Feel free to share this with my Brothers.
Jay,
Thanks for being used of God as an instrument of His marvelous race. Last night God was pleased to empower what you said and illustrated in such a way that it really hit the bull’s-eye! The small group discussion what rich and engaging for the students. During the wrap up session their responses confirmed to Laurie and I that they got it! Your illustration of the crushing of the elements and their symbolism really connected with the students. Thanks for keeping the cross central. (Jay’s message on 1 Cor 11 at GBC AWANA, 11.18.13). John Stone
Greetings, 11.20.13 Praise for 30 Days of Grace from Bob Litts When Jay Wegter was with us at RVBC I bought some of his material that he had displayed and one of them was his book "30 Days..." I finished reading it recently and was not only impressed with how great the subject was dealt with but was awed by the depth of insight and clarity. I was truly blessed, spiritually enriched and challenged.
I have been praying for a ministry of sorts that won't take more energy than what I have. I am going to try to see if the use of this book in the life of others might be it. Our pastor, Byron Yawn, is preaching on this subject as he is going through the book of Romans. I have bought 5 more copies and they have 80 more pages (unabridged edition) than the one I had bought earlier. WOW!!
I gave one to our pastor; one to Danny, and will give a couple of copies to a young couple that I'll see Saturday at our Home Fellowship Group. They have been believers for 5 years and are struggling with understand how grace works in a Christian's life. Exactly what Jay deals with.
Some of my mental alertness is returning. I have had a couple of days that have been quite productive. I have stopped using my walker and have had a few days without my cane even though I take it with me when leaving the house just in case.
I still have problems with shortness of breath because my heart doesn't get enough oxygen. I can only stand for a short time while talking. Recently I had problems when I was in a lengthy conversation and I was sitting down. Sharon has been a real trooper. She now also gets my meds for me. I got to the point where just removing the caps from some 16 bottles put stress on my systems. So some positive things and some less positive things. Please pray that we might have a good ministry here. Praying for you all, Bob Litts
SMACKDOWN GRATITUDE:
Hi Jay,
I know what you are going through and my prayers are with you and Michelle as you go through this difficult time. I will stay in touch and will welcome future hikes and discipleship. Smackdown has made such a big impression on me and I hate to see it end. I’m sure I share the same sentiments as many other men who attended. Let’s stay in touch and plan a hike soon. Richard I.
I love you brother. I am always fervently praying for you and will fervently and continually pray for your dear wife Michelle. Smackdown has been a fountain of refreshment and nourishment for me in those days which the Lord enabled my attendance. My precious brother, I'm reminded of the unspeakable impact your ministry has had upon my walk with Christ. I can never forget your sacrificial labor of love, truth, and example to me personally.
God bless you my precious friend and dear Michelle, Doron, G.
Thank you Jay for all your wisdom and guidance. You have helped me in unimaginable ways in my walk. It’s been a treasure to get real spiritual food from a solid biblical teacher. God bless you and your wife.
Jeff Aragon
I'm sorry to hear the end of an era! I've told you before and I'll tell you again that the Lord used you mightily in my life as you opened the Word and taught it clearly and faithfully.
Jake Ebner
Jay,
Thank you for your service to me and the rest of the men in past five years. I have been personally blessed beyond my imagination and thank God for Smackdown. Thanks for not giving up on me. The fruits of my ministry is a result of you speaking into my life. Michelle and you are in my prayers. I love you guys so much.
Your friend, brother, and son, Tim Clement
Dear Dr. Wegter, 6.30.14
Hope all is well with your family. Eddie forwarded your message to me on "Declaring holy war on passivity", it was such a great message. What an encouragement to my heart! I believe that All men need to hear this! It was the most relevant message I have heard in a long time, and it is so timely in light of the times we live in. Thank you brother!
John 17:17
Dave
Dear Mr. Wegter,
Thank you for leading our group and interpreting the beautiful art at The Getty. Your knowledge of art is vast, and we appreciated how well you explained the historical background along with the spiritual influence. You brought the art alive with so much depth of historical and spiritual understanding. I gained a new appreciation for the master artists and the fabulous collection of paintings which the Getty holds.
You did a fabulous job! My only regret was, our tour with you was finished. I hope I will have another opportunity to glean from your knowledge of both Scripture and art; the integration of the two is fascinating. Again, thank you for your time in leading our group. ~A. Mullenbach
Blessings to you, 6.9.15 ~Allyce
Hi Jay,
Thanks for your prompt reply.
Looks like you are very busy with coming classes and of course with Michele health. Hope and pray her
treatment goes well and she is healed medically or miraculously by our great God.
Sad you are not able to come but hoping the Lord will open another opportunity to come in the future. Your brilliant mind, humble heart and effective creative teaching is so valuable for us to be equipped. Your gift of encouragement is infectious. With all that on your plate, it makes sense about the Nepal relief but I think eventually it’s worth it.
Peter Malakar, Delhi Capital Bible Church 8.19.15
From Jeff Ceurvorst: Great news, to be sure, Jay. I want you to know that I want to continue to support GFL financially. I never know if you would prefer me to earmark my contributions or make the contribution available to where there is greatest need. I will write a check for $500 to GFL targeted to the Brazil translation.
I may also make a contribution to Marcelo personally for his work. I just didn’t want that offer to affect his negotiating and making a commitment to the Lord's work.
Marcelo has a niece named Sara, who translated for our teams. Her brother created a short thank you video for the sending churches this year. This was nice to have for my report to the congregation. I thought you might enjoy it and it is Marcelo doing the narration. Note the Scripture references in Portuguese.
youtu.be
Preview by Yahoo
Lastly, below is a note I sent to him this afternoon. I thought you'd find it of interest.
In Christ's Love, Jeff
Marcelo,
I am glad that you came to an agreement. I have contributed to many of his projects in the past, including training up pastors in India, and for disaster relief. I had seen firsthand Jay's part in God's preparing young men from my area to become faithful evangelists, missionaries, world changers, etc. I have seen men give up their jobs to become long term missionaries in the Middle East, Nicaragua, India, and in the U.S. Jay has been a teacher to the teachers in many ways, and I find his theological understanding of God's grace through sanctification to be key Biblical truth.
I have been blessed by his Purity Workbook. I have taught through it twice in my men's group, both times with an increase in the number of men attending. Going through this study has doubled the size of our group. Jay writes in a way that I evaluate other Christian writers. That is, he backs up every statement with Scripture so that it is Biblical and not one man's opinion. He is capable in helping others "unpack" Scripture, creating a fuller understanding of what Scripture tells us. Of course, that is the Holy Spirit's work, first and always! Anyway, I always printed out sheets accommodating every chapter of Jay's book so all the Scripture references would be accessible in one place. I have done this so a third of our class time would not be people flipping through pages and not focusing on the discussion. Normally, I do not do that because I want the men to learn well their Bibles' order. I laugh because the ones most familiar with the Bible can turn to a Scripture faster than any of them can do on their cell phone app!
I will also contribute some money to this translation, and of his other books. I didn't want any contribution I make to influence your negotiations. I am also not done investing in you, Marcelo. As you assume greater roles in being a strong Christian leader as an adult, I am there to help. I know you were not adequately compensated by me for the incredible gift of service that you have been to the Brazil mission trips. I know the Lord will compensate you, of course. The increase of His Kingdom is reward enough! We are not done, brother!
Thanks again for your enthusiasm for the Lord's work, for your sincere friendship, and for letting me be your American dad, too. It is a privilege to learn from a strong, younger man like you.
Blessings,
Jeff
Attachments area
Preview YouTube video Mission Trip 2015
Mission Trip 2015
ENDORSEMENT OF 3O DAYS OF TRANSFORMING GRACE 3/16
Good morning Mr Wegter!
Ever since I had the privilege of attending his 2013 World-Proof Weekend with our youth group, and Jay’s former student and our youth pastor Jeremy Hartley, I’ve been blessed by Jay’s messages, both at the Gospelforlife.com website and the more extensive list of his messages at: http://gospelforlife.sermon.net!
I’ve spent the last 3 years putting together an Apologetic Resource Guide, initially intended for high school students, which has over 20 references to Jay and links to his messages. I hope that is OK. It’s in PDF, so if you would like me to send it for you to approve, that would be great. If the “Christianity and the Culture” series is eventually available online, I would love to add the links to the guide too.
Thank you for the blessing of your ministry, and the lives being changed through the truths you have imparted!
In His service and yours, Hugo Schraer
Rixon Aquino, Dominican Republic D-ship Seminar Apr 7 (4
days ago)
to me
Prized Wegter Pastor Jay, thank God for your ministry, in which our loving God was to be exalted. And while building his people, in this case our congregation. I remember I mentioned in the last session, when you were here (Rep. Dominicana) because there are some of his disciples who are praying for the nations, so that they understand that it was God who sent him to listen and answer those prayers. We Glorias God who has always hears and answers our cries. I tell him that we also have a small group which, God has kept us approximately 3 years of praying, praying and crying out to God, that he appears more and more to each of the brothers so that we are a people who enjoy a God so wonderful, gentle, compassionate, and tender mercies just as only the person of God. God confirmed to us to continue to pray for our country and around the world. When a Christian has God as a real person, that He uses it to change the life of that person in a radical way. Our wonderful God, is worthy of us to give our lives to be used by Him. God is always its strength, passion and delight.
Note: Google translation.
Rixon Aquino Tel.: (809) 565 9683 Móvil (809) 449-1859
Hi there, Dr. Wegter!
Well, having started your "30 Days of Transforming Grace" on 2/29/2016, I finally finished it today, 11/1/2016! What a wonderful study - and I am thankful to have taken the time. 30 days would not do justice to your work! 30 weeks - well, I think that is about how long it took me. Some things were pretty easy to get through and so was able to do much in a day. Others took a paragraph a day with much meditation. Still, I have been changed in the study and will be reading thru it again one of these days. Have lots of sticky notes poked out to remind me of the things I forget and the profound thoughts I cannot remember.
Hoping you are having a great time teaching this course! And, I hope you and your family have a wonderful and blessed holiday season ---- all of this because of God's amazing grace!! : )
Sola gracia! Soli Deo Gloria! Kathleen
Dear Wegter, Greetings in the name of Christ
I have been reading your article since we have met here in seminar in Pokhara and it’s been a real boost for my spiritual self and intimacy with Christ have been growing since. Thank you for that...
I have a friend who is into REIKI faith (trusting over healing through activation of inner Chi or something)... So how can I approach him Biblically in order to put some sense towards him, in a positive way?
Thanks Shishir POKHARA, NEPAL
Dear Prof. Wegter,
Thank you for your time. Day 13 of Transforming Grace (Mortification of Sin), really cut me up, heavy stuff (at least for me) straight to the heart. This is something I need to work on and apply. On pg. 118, section III, numerical #1, you mention that we must "know our spiritual resources and appropriate them." Are you referring to prayer, Bible/meditation and body life as the resources?
Ben Ferrara
Dear Jay,
I just finished reading both of your articles. At one point I was moved to tears. At other times, I had to read and re-read so as to comprehend all the nuances of what you were saying. To be sure, it was not “light reading” material of a kind found so prevalent in Christian Bookstores today.
I’m sure it took a LOT of time to write such insightful and lengthy articles. So I would like to say, “Thank You.” I pray the LORD imparts grace for me to be Kingdom Conscious every moment of every day. And to be worthy of the high calling I have in Christ Jesus. To live according to the Spirit so as to not gratify the lusts of the flesh as well.
As for yesterday, my apologies in misunderstanding what you were saying. Of course, I would be more than willing to meet you in your “neighborhood.” The 12 minute drive is nothing in comparison to the value of fellowship/discipleship I receive when I am with you.
I will be getting back on the ship on 12FEB for two weeks. I look forward to meeting again next Friday 08FEB wherever you send location directions. I am also in leave 04-06FEB to gain some rest and rehabilitation for the next round of under ways.
To that end, I find my time with you very beneficial and theologically stimulating. So if the LORD allows it, between our schedules, I would count it an honor to meet again sooner, even before the 8th, should that be something that interests you as well.
Again Jay, thanks for your ministry and friendship.
God bless you brother.
Joe Roach, Navy Chaplain, San Diego, CA
Good morning Jay and Michele,
So grateful to receive your encouraging email, Michele's cell number, and for adding me to your email newsletter list. A huge thank you for sending the box of materials which I received Saturday. Extremely excited to discover that there was an expanded version with a leader's guide attached to Christ's Pattern for His Church and wanted to check out a couple chapters and peruse the leaders guide before writing you.
Honestly, I'm blown away at God's goodness and faithfulness. God has narrowed down the search for resources and directed me to your books. I'd been looking over various counseling books and helps but it kept coming back to the subject of "making disciples". God has given you spiritual gifts that allow you to gather many biblical resources and treasures from God's word and compile and organize them into your books. I'm overjoyed to see how the Lord has used you both, to model discipleship and for the spread of the Gospel! What a huge help, comfort and hope to me! Thank you for paving the way and articulating God's word in a deep, practical way.
On a personal note, my heart is pierced by my need to grow in obedience and courage in the area of sharing the gospel with the lost and intentional discipleship of women. Having God's word and your materials to help me organize and focus on maturing as a disciple of Christ and in discipling and serving other women is invaluable. On pages 73 and 77, to name a couple, from Christ's Pattern and His Church I was deeply encouraged and exhorted to move forward, and yes this is exactly what God has directed me to do, even when it's not popular, even when others want to hinder that process. My husband, Tim and my mom are loving, supportive, and encourage me to persevere. But more than any of those things is love and obedience to Christ!!!! I want to be pleasing to Him.
Thank you both again for the Gospel for Life Ministries and your personal direction and help. I'm open to suggestions, wisdom and resources. Please pray that the women would grow in love and obedience to Christ, grow in discipling others, that our church would consider using these materials as they embark in the discipleship direction, and that I would be honoring and obedient to God and seek to glorify Him in the ministry of discipling other women.
Love in Christ, July Ebel 8.20.19
I have greatly enjoyed the blessings the Lord has poured out upon me through your teaching and leadership and each and every one of the men in discipleship have touched my life and the Lord has used them all to work in my life and push it that much closer to completion on that wonderful day He either calls me home or returns.
Good morning, Pastor Jay, dated 2.13.20
My name's Ben Senn. I'm no one important, but just wanted to say thank you for a message you preached. I don't know when you preached Every Man's Battle pt 1 and 2, but I found them on sermonaudio.com yesterday and was incredibly challenged and encouraged. I didn't conclude listening to them with a ten step process to victory over lust, I was encouraged to have one all-consuming desire for Jesus above all else. Thanks for being faithful to the Word and assisting in reviving my own soul anew.
For the King, Dear Mr. Wegter,
Thank you for me to refocus my mind, affections and "joy" on Christ. I found your 2-part Every Man's Battle mp3 sermons on SermonAudio.com (what a blessing that site is). Recently, I have found great joy in singing praises to Jesus. I am rejoicing more in him.
I don't know if you like getting these random emails, but I am just saying "thank you". You have no idea how much your Christ-focused teaching has helped me to set a new vision for my life. I am going to forward your sermon to some of the guys that look up to me, but more than that I am going to try to live with Christ as the center of my joy. I took notes in my kitchen while listening to Part 2. Wow, I received a lot.
Much eternal good will come out of this extra time people have off from work. (I teach English to international students at a language center, which is now closed due to the coronavirus.)
Please pray for me and the Christian men I influence in Toronto - to receive a greater vision of Christ and a more fervent affection for Him.
God bless you Sir!
Timo Posti North York (Toronto), Canada
Laura Fizell
1:36 PM (7 hours ago)
to Jay
Hi Prof. Wegter,
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for a wonderful class, especially the handbooks that you wrote on Christ's TRUE pattern for His church. There are few people in life that I have met who understand the importance of discipleship both inside and outside the local church. The last church that I left in January of 2020 created a new program called the Shepherding ministry, which is very similar to what you describe in your handbook. We warned the pastors about the dangers of what they were doing, and they not only rejected and dismissed our concerns but wanted to set up a meeting to discuss our roles as members (they wanted to put us in our "place"). They clearly did not hold to the priesthood of all believers or module Biblical ecclesiology, and since they did not heed our warning, it is my understanding that their shepherding program has failed and now they are turning into a modern-day church that implements new programs and throws a bunch of events to try to get people in line with their vision for the church. The church at large is suffering at the hands of weak leadership, and it breaks my heart to see so many Christians not receive the discipleship they need to grow in their walk with Christ.
Will you be making your handbooks available to all on amazon in the future? You have addressed a HUGE need in the church today, and I know that it will be a great blessing to many.
Best, Laura (Biblical Principles of Discipleship, April-May 2021)
Dear Jay Wegter,
I hail from India and last year during the first wave of Covid pandemic I had the privilege of hearing from you through a zoom session arranged by a brother in Christ from India.
The Pdf version of the book "The Purity Workbook for Men" was shared during that session. From that time onward my Pastor, Nelson D'Cunha had been walking with me in going through the workbook as I had been struggling with porn.
This is a thank you note from my end for walking me step by step through the process of treasuring God above all else and not to rely on the lie that God is withholding good things from man, and fighting the temptation that we find greater pleasure in finding it on our own.
Thank you again. May God be glorified through your ministry.
Dear Professor Wegter, 5.10.22
I wanted to take a moment and thank you from the bottom of my heart for teaching such an edifying class - Principles of Discipleship.
These last eight weeks have truly challenged me as a disciple of Christ, and have forced me to take inventory of my heart and those things I consider most important.
I am only two classes away from finally completing my degree. After five long years, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I pray the Lord continues to give you the endurance, wisdom, and love necessary to train minds in the truth of the Gospel.
God bless you and your family!
I'd like to share a picture of my family with you because I was only pregnant with my second when I took my very first class with you. How time flies!
Blanca Aguila
Security Coordinator Trinity Classical Academy
P :
661.296.2601
Hey Caleb, (D-ship Class Dec. 2022
Great job this semester! This has been a very enriching class and I've appreciated the opportunity to interact with you and Ashley both. Regarding the material, I wanted to share what Prof. Wegter wrote about a ministering laity on page 29 in Christ's Pattern for His Church... He says: Christ's pattern for His Church is a ministering laity:
"All Christians should teach each other; though all are not teachers (Eph. 4; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 12:29; Jas. 3:1). All Christians should minister to one another; yet some are set apart as ministers (1 Pt. 4:10-11; 1 Tim. 3:8-11). All Christians should abound in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58); Yet Paul regarded himself and Apollos as fellow workers, laboring among the Corinthians for their growth (1 Cor. 3:5-9). All Christians should make disciples and speak to others about Christ (Matt. 28:19; 1 Pt. 3:15), yet some are identified as evangelists (Eph. 4:11)."
What you said is spot on. The most efficient and effective way to achieve a fully-ministering laity is through personal discipleship in the growth of conviction, character, and competency. Again, great job on your post and in the class in general, it has been a blessing! May the Lord continue to bless you throughout the remainder of your educational track and in your future and ongoing ministry opportunities.
Hey Ryan,
Thank you for your reply to my post. I too have felt enriched by our discussions throughout this class. And, I too have appreciated all the discussions therein. Also, thank you for sharing what Professor Wegter wrote about in Christ’s Pattern for His Church on page 29. This expression of ministering laity reminded me of the fact that we as believing-Christians are priests in the eyes of God (Ex. 19:5-6; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6). Hence, I can see how all Christians are ministers, one-to-another, how all Christians should work hard for-and-in the work of the Lord, and how all Christians have the responsibility of making disciples and speaking to others about Christ, however. I can also see how all Christians do not have the same callings, functions, gifts, talents, perspectives, desires, etc. within the body (Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 12). Therefore, I can definitely see how God works within the body of believers through those who love Him and seek to serve Him. With that then said, again, thank you for your thoughts, I pray the Lord blesses your socks off in life, and God bless.
Navigators’ Rally S.D. 4.15.23
On Jay’s workshop: “The Image of God and our Bodies.” Jay Here’s the feedback from conference evaluations on your workshop:
- Very good info and knowledge of subject.
– Probably the most perfect biblical anthropology I’ve ever heard. A gifted man of God.
– Not what I expected but still interesting.
– Super awesome. Shared great points on honoring and worshipping God with our bodies.
– Was a great workshop content wise, no interactive aspects which was hard for the post-lunch workshop haha. Very philosophical but great concepts and thoughts to reflect on.
- Great content, could improve delivery. I left feeling mentally challenged (good), but left wondering, “If all of this is true, how do I engage those lost in a faulty worldview with grace and compassion?”
- I found the instruction to be quite enlightening and revealing, especially concerning the new Gnosticism. - Simply brilliant! Jay’s teaching is radical! - Lesson on the Image of God and how it relates to our current culture’s issues: spot on teaching. Also, Drew, the speaker, mentioned to me that he was really impressed with your workshop, if I recall correctly.
Jay, September 25, 2023
Ryan and I just wanted to express our thanks for the time you spent with Providence Bible Church this summer. We were deeply blessed and encouraged by the topics you spoke on and are excited for how the Lord will spur our body on to boldly witness for Him.
Many conversations have been had around what you shared. We want to pass on one in particular. When we asked our kids what we could be praying for them our 14-year-old, Wyatt, asked for boldness to share the Gospel and ask his cross-country team members the 4 questions you shared. He has been faithful to use the opportunities the Lord has given. (Long runs allow for somewhat of a captive audience. :-))
We are grateful for the body of Christ and how He equips each one for His purposes. Thank you for being a faithful steward of what He has called you to.
Blessings, Ryan & Tabitha Rowedder
Hi Professor Wegter, April 10, 2024
I wanted to share a praise report with you. I had selected my sister as a disciple for the eight-week project in the hopes that it would help motivate a desire toward spiritual conversations and a desire to engage together more with Scripture. At the end of our last meeting, she said it was so enjoyable that she wanted to continue with something along the same lines. We will be started a Bible study together through the book of James soon.
I wanted to thank you for the opportunities that arose through this class and your encouragement, support, and prayers as my sister and I were working together. I am hopeful that this will be a life-long relationship building opportunity for us and continue to stir within us the desire to ministry to others (to become disciple-maker minded).
With a grateful heart, Barbara Fairchild