FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2011
Contact: Paul Carden
(949) 496-2000 or events@thecenters.org
Fundraising Dinner to Fight Cults and Defend Christianity in East Africa
Evangelical Apologist Dr. Ron Rhodes to Headline as Keynote Speaker
(San Juan Capistrano, CA)—Dr. Ron Rhodes, one of today’s top evangelical apologists and an ECPA Silver Medallion winner, will be the keynote speaker on Saturday, October 22nd at a fundraising dinner benefiting The Centers for Apologetics Research (CFAR). The theme of the annual fundraising event is “Empowering Africa—Transforming with Truth”. The evening’s program will highlight the opportunities God has opened for this Southern California based ministry to train and equip pastors in East Africa to be prepared to resist the spreading of cults and false teachings in their communities.
The event will be held at the Community Center in San Juan Capistrano, California and has previously featured such prominent apologists as Josh McDowell, Norman Geisler, and Greg Koukl. Dr. Rhodes’ message is entitled “Understanding and Answering the Challenge of Islam.”
CFAR’s countercult work in East Africa will be featured throughout the dinner by African nationals who serve with CFAR “on the ground” in Uganda and Ethiopia, Rodgers Atwebembeire and Tesfaye Robele. Atwebembeire is the regional coordinator of the Africa Centre for Apologetics Research (ACFAR) in Kampala, Uganda. Robele is the founder and director of the Society for Apologetics, CFAR’s affiliate outreach in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Among those endorsing CFAR’s work in East Africa is Robby Muhumuza, former Area Director for World Vision East Africa and author of False Teachers and False Teaching. He explains that “East African nations continue to be hotbed for all sorts of religious cults, false prophets, and false teachers. Some are imported, others are home-grown; both lure unsuspecting, innocent people into their claws with disastrous consequences. ACFAR is uniquely positioned to contribute to meeting this need. We immensely need your contribution towards researching, writing, publishing, and broadcasting messages that will deal with cults in East Africa.”
Attendees will have an opportunity to financially support CFAR’s dramatically expanding work of inoculating and equipping pastors and lay believers in East Africa. CFAR specializes in fighting the spread of cults and false teachings throughout the developing world.
The Centers for Apologetics Research was founded in 1995 by Paul Carden, who has devoted more than 30 years to cult-related research and outreach in Latin America, Africa, eastern Europe, and the former Soviet Union.
To attend this event, CFAR requests that calls be directed to (949) 496-2000 or e-mails sent to events@thecenters.org. CFAR is actively seeking partnerships with businesses and individuals to sponsor tables for this limited-seating engagement.
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Speaker Bios
Dr. Ron Rhodes, Keynote Speaker
Ron is founder and president of Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries. The author of over 50 books (including 3 Silver Medallion winners) and former co-host of The Bible Answer Man, Ron regularly addresses cults and other issues on national radio and television. He teaches at Veritas, Dallas, Talbot, and other well-known evangelical seminaries. Ron received his Th.M. and Th.D. degrees in systematic theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He lives in Texas with his wife, Kerri.
Rodgers Atwebembeire
Rodgers is a graduate of Africa Bible University in Kampala, Uganda and serves as regional coordinator of the Africa Centre for Apologetics Research (ACFAR). His teaching on cults and discernment can be heard across Uganda and in South Sudan on the Words of Hope broadcast. He and Prossie have one son, Favor.
Tesfaye Robele
Tesfaye is the founder and director of the Society for Apologetics (CFAR Ethiopia) in Addis Ababa. The author of dozens of books and articles on cults, apologetics, philosophy, and ethics, Tesfaye is completing his master’s degree in theology in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He and his wife, Samrawit, have three sons.
Paul Carden
Paul Carden is a longtime specialist in the field of cults and new religions around the world. He serves as executive director of the Centers for Apologetics Research (CFAR), a unique international network of agencies equipping Christians to recognize and resist the efforts of cultic groups. He is also the series editor for a variety of apologetics-themed publications, including the bestselling Christianity, Cults & Religions.
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