Get to Know the Speakers...Jason Helopoulos

It's a joy to welcome back Jason Helopoulos as a conference speaker. Jason spoke at our conference two years ago on The Glory of Christ in His Transfiguration. Audio from this excellent message and all other past conference messages can be accessed here.

Jason has served as the Associate Pastor of University Reformed Church (soon to be in the PCA) in East Lansing for four years. He also is a frequent contributor to the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals' Christward Collective blog and The Gospel Coalition website.

What’s your wife’s name, how long have you been married and do you have any children?

•  Leah (18 years) and I have two children: a daughter who is 10 and a son is 7.

Share a little about your educational background.

• B.A. in History and Secondary Education -- Eastern Illinois University
• ThM. Historical Theology and Christian Education -- Dallas Theological Seminary

What were your favorite parts about your educational experience?

• Getting introduced to new ideas and seeing the hand of the Lord work throughout history.

Have you pastored elsewhere?

• Yes. A PCA church plant in East Lansing for 5 years and a PCA church in North Carolina for 3 years.

What have been some of the best lessons you’ve learned in your role as a pastor?

• The need for utter dependence upon the Lord
• Necessary reliance upon the ordinary means of grace to work: Word, Sacraments, and Prayer
• Patience and long-suffering are not to be despised and mark all good ministers of the gospel
• The only thing sweeter than the love of God's people is the love of God Himself

What would you most like your church to be known for?

• Faithfulness to the Scriptures

  

What books of the Bible have been most impactful on your personal growth and ministry?

• Colossians

Who are some of your greatest spiritual influences in these three categories:

1) Pastors/scholars/authors from the past

• Jonathan Edwards, Thomas Watson, John Calvin, Richard Baxter, Geerhardus Vos, and JC Ryle

2) Current pastors/scholars/authors

• Sinclair Ferguson, Ligon Duncan, Paul Settle, and David Powlison

 3) People we maybe haven't ever heard of...but would be blessed by if we had

• Paul Settle

Are there any books that you find yourself regularly re-reading?

• Stott's The Cross of Christ, Ryle's Holiness, and Edward's The End for Which God Created the World

Are there any books that you have either written, edited, or made contributions to?

• A Neglected Grace: Family Worship in the Christian Home by Jason Helopoulos, Christian Focus Publications, 2013.
  

• The New Pastor's Handbook: Help and Encouragement for the First Years of Ministry by Jason Helopoulos, Baker Books, 2015

If you could spend an entire day with one person of your choosing from the Bible (not including Jesus), who would you choose and why?

• Apostle Paul--I don't think I would need to do much talking. I could just sit back and listen to him discuss God and the things of God and soak it all in. I would love to hear him on the subjects of Christ's glory and the church. 

If you could have been present at any event in the Bible, which event would you choose and why?

• Reading of the Law upon its discovery during the reign of Josiah. I would want to see what a true revival of God's people looks like as they respond to hearing and being moved by His Word.

What are some of your hobbies/interests apart from the Bible/theology?

• Cooking, reading, and playing with my kids.

Conference Book Table Partner Announced

We are thrilled to announce that Reformation Heritage Books will be hosting a fantastic book table for MMRC attendees this year. We have had a wonderful partnership with RHB over the years as they have on numerous occasions provided us with a conference book table.

RHB is a publisher and bookseller whose mission is, by the Spirit’s grace, to aim for the conversion of unbelievers and equip the saints to serve Christ and His church through biblical, experiential, and practical ministry, via books, tracts, and other resources. RHB aims that reading material be God-glorifying and be in accord with the Scriptures and historic Reformed creeds for the promotion and defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They believe that this purpose is well-served by providing instruction and training that develops knowledge and skills as well as the personal piety and Christian character that is essential for a faithful and growing life in Christ.

Don't wait for the conference; check out RHB's website here. They have many wonderful deals and offer free shipping on domestic orders of $50 or more.

Get to Know the Speakers...Adam Barr

We are thrilled to have Adam Barr joining us this October. Adam has attended the conference before, but this will be our first time having him as a speaker. He is in his fifth year as the Senior Pastor of Peace Church (EPC) in Middleville.

Here are Adam's answers to a list of questions we sent to each of the pastors who will be sharing with us at this year's conference:

What’s your wife’s name, how long have you been married and do you have any children?

• My wife, Jennifer, and I have been married for 15 years. Jen and I have four sons (12, 10, 8 & 6).

 

Share a little about your educational background.

• I’ve had the opportunity to gain a BA (Religion, Philosophy), MDiv, and ThM (Philosophy of Religion) and have also completed several PhD courses. Along the way, I had the chance to study at Hope College (BA), University of Aberdeen (Scottland), Western Theological Seminary (MDiv), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (ThM), and Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia, PhD classes).

What were your favorite parts about your educational experience?

• I’ve had the opportunity to meet some really amazing professors along the way. The interest, time and wisdom they invested in my life have blessed me so much! Additionally, I appreciate the opportunities I’ve had to dig deeply into subjects that interest me. Finally, it has been a profound joy to “build relationships” with fellow believers throughout church history by reading their works. The more time I’ve had to do that, the more I see that the challenges of our time, while unique in some ways, were clearly faced with courage and wisdom by those who have gone before us.

Have you pastored elsewhere?

• Before serving at Peace, I was the Pastor of Teaching Ministries at Corinth Reformed Church in Byron Center, MI and an associate pastor at Fountain of Life Church in Lombard, IL.

What have been some of the best lessons you’ve learned in your role as a pastor?

• The Word of God is sufficient! Exposing hearts to Scripture is my first and most important task—starting with my own.

• We can’t form disciples through systems and services alone; we must form personal relationships.

• It takes time to do anything worth doing. Which means it takes patience to do anything worth doing.

• The Holy Spirit brings change; we simply stay faithful.

What would you most like your church to be known for?

• I want Peace Church to be known as a thriving, biblically-centered discipleship community.

What books of the Bible have been most impactful on your personal growth and ministry?

• Proverbs: Since I was a boy, I’ve generally made a habit of reading a chapter in Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. Proverbs has taught me the value of diligence, vigilance, and silence.

• Colossians: For such a short letter, Colossians presents one of the most exalted views of Jesus and how our identity in him leads to a live of holiness and love.

• 1 John 3:1-3: When we behold Jesus, we become more like him. We can never forget that seeing Him is the great joy that makes perseverance possible and worthwhile.

Who are some of your greatest spiritual influences in these three categories: 

1) Pastors/scholars/authors from the past

• Martin Luther, John Calvin, George Herbert, Jonathan Edwards, Herman Bavinck, Geerhardus Vos, Cornelius Van Til, C. S. Lewis, Francis Schaeffer, Greg Bahnsen, Anthony Hoekema,Watchman Nee, Chuck Colson 

2) Current pastors/scholars/authors

• Ben Patterson (mentor/pastor/author), Kevin Harney (mentor/pastor/author), John Piper, Wayne Grudem, Sam Storms, David Wells, Timothy Keller, Scott Oliphant, J I Packer, Charles Simpson, Greg Beale, Don Carson, Kevin DeYoung, Albert Mohler, Ray Ortlund, Kim Riddlebarger

3) People we maybe haven’t ever heard of…but would be blessed by if we had

• Randy Barr (my father, a pastor/missionary), Herman Kanis(mentor/prayer partner)

Are there any books that you find yourself regularly re-reading?

• Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion; C. S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia, Space Trilogy, apologetic works; the poetry of George Herbert; and others.

What books have you written, edited, or made contributions to?

Author

• Compassion without Compromise: How the Gospel Frees Us to Love Our Gay Friends Without Losing the Truth by Adam T. Barr and Ron Citlau; Bethany Publishing House, 2014
• Exploring the Story: A Reference Companion by Adam T. Barr; Zondervan, 2011 

General Editor

•  God's Word Study Bible, Baker Publishing, TBR
  

Contributor 

• Matthew by Jeannine K. Brown Teaching the Text commentary series; Baker, 2015 
• Revelation by J. Scott Duvall, Teaching the Text commentary series; Baker, 2014 
• Zondervan Bible Commentary, Ed. by F.F. Bruce; Editor; Zondervan, 2008 
• Leviticus-Numbers by Joe M. Sprinkle , Teaching the Text commentary series; Baker, Dec, 2015 
• Exodus by T. Desmond Alexander, Teaching the Text commentary series; Baker, TBR

If you could spend an entire day with one person of your choosing from the Bible (not including Jesus), who would you choose and why?

• Noah. I would be fascinated to learn what the pre-flood world was like. 

If you could have been present at any event in the Bible, which event would you choose and why?

• Old Testament: The events surrounding the Exodus, plagues-the parting of the Red Sea. It would be incredible to see God, through supernatural events, bring the greatest empire in the world to its knees.

• New Testament: The trial and crucifixion of Jesus. I would love to spend eternity worshiping the risen Lamb that I had witnessed on the altar.

What are some of your hobbies/interests apart from the Bible/theology?

• Writing and playing music, writing and reading fiction, camping, hiking, fishing and whatever else allows me to spend time with my family.

2015 Conference Speakers...The Father of Glory

Things are rounding into shape for the 12th annual Mid-Michigan Reformation Conference. Having looked at the second and third persons of the Trinity the last two years, our focus this year will be on The Father of Glory.

We are very excited about this year's lineup of speakers as we will be joined by a gifted and accomplished group of pastors:

• Doug Graham of Knox Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Harrison Township
• Adam Barr of Peace Church (EPC) in Middleville
• Bob Dickie of Berean Baptist Church in Grand Blanc
• Jason Helopoulos of University Reformed Church in East Lansing

The conference will be from 10am-4pm on Saturday, October 24th. It is free to attend, but we do request that you register here in advance.

Please LIKE the conference's Facebook page and follow the conference on Twitter at @MMRC2015 and #FatherOfGlory.

Register for the 2015 Conference

Once again, the Mid-Michigan Reformation Conference will be free for attendees in 2015. We do request that you register in advance, which you can do at this link.

Conference Audio

Audio from each of this year's messages, in addition to all of the previous ten conferences is available here.

2014 Conference Photos

This Year's Conference

The Welcome Table

Book Table

Chancel Flowers

Books by Past MMRC Speakers

Rev. Scribner welcomes attendees

Singing to the glory of God!

Our Musicians

Anna, Carol & Chris Holmberg

Calvary's Choir, led by Sue Lechota

Our Speakers

Jim Mascow addresses the conference

Doug Phillips

Ross Shannon

Ryan McVicar