The Teaching Ministry of Geoff Volker
November 2017
THOUGHTS ON MY TRIP TO ITALY AND ROMANIA
My trip began just outside of Ravenna, Italy were I was staying with Nichola and Damiani. I taught at the Chiesa Baptist Church of Cesena, Italy on Friday evening and Sunday morning. Fabiano Nicodemo was the pastor. He is a remarkable man. The church is international in its makeup with folks from Brazil, Poland, Romania, and the United Kingdom. The fellowship was rich and I loved being in Italy.Ravenna was a wonderful place to visit.
From Italy I went on to Romania. My first week was spent in Comanesti, Romania with Adrian Barzu and his church. I have been going to Comanesti for 14 years. While in Comanesti I gave a conference in “Covenants.” I love the folks there and the interaction at the conference was very stimulating. While I was in Comanesti I traveled to the town of Targu Ocna to the gypsy church that puts on a meal for the poor every Friday at noon. These guys are the real deal in the Lord. It was a privilege to be with them. After my time in Comanesti I took the train to the Bucharest, Romania, the capitol of the country. While I was there I stayed at the home of Soterius and Julia Tartaru. Staying with their family is always something very special. In Bucharest I once again gave a conference on “Covenants.” The unique aspect of that conference was that mostly mostly young adults attended it. This was a very encouraging sight.
REPORT ON THE PORCHON NCT CONFERENCE
It was a very special time of fellowship. Guys came in from around the country and participated in a unique event in Phoenix, Arizona. I especially enjoyed the other teachers, such as Blake White and Doug Goodin. Chris Fales and Paul Kaiser from Porchcon kept the conference on track and running smoothly with great attitudes. There was also a debate on the Sabbath between J.D. Hull and Louis Lyons. It was a one of a kind event and a privilege for me to be a part of it.
A “NEW” IDS WEBSITE!
We now have the new IDS website (ids.org) up and running.. It will be much more user friendly and up to date. Check out the new website for yourself.
A “NEW” IDS PODCAST!
In the new future Geoff will be doing a 5 to 10 minute podcast on “Living in the New Covenant.” Please feel free to suggest any topics for discussion. Please contact Geoff at volker.geoff@gmail.com to send in your suggestions.
IN-DEPTH STUDIES COLLEGE STUDY
Each Tuesday evening from 8:00pm to 9:00pm at a home very close to the Arizona State University campus there will be an interactive study that encourages questions as well as an open forum where questions can be discussed on a variety of topics.
The location is 126 E. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281
For more information please contact Nathan Roman (480-434-1725, mailto:nathanroman97@gmail.com) or Grace Roman (graceroman99@gmail.com).
The topic of this study will be, “How we can know that we are in the will of God.”
THEOLOGICAL DISCUSSION GROUP
Saturday, December 9
How does a believer handle holidays?
The discussion group is from 8:00am to 10:00am at the home of Geoff Volker. Paul Honeycutt is going to be leading this discussion. All are invited to be a part on this theological discussion. If you desire to attend please notify Geoff Volker (volker.geoff@gmail.com 480.313.8558).
IDS Theological Discussion Group meets most every month on a Saturday morning at my place. The purpose of this group is two-fold.
#1 An opportunity for believers to be iron sharpening iron with one another so that we can make progress on our understanding of Scripture. Each meeting one individual leads an interactive discussion on a biblical topic that believers do not all agree on.
#2 To learn how to discuss biblical issues that we disagree on in a manner that honors the God of Scripture. 1 Corinthians 10:31
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
The begging portion of this Newsletter
As always, financial support will not be refused if you should decide to give some to me. All you need to do is to make out a check to “IDS” and send it to the address of the ministry, IDS, PO Box 3482, Gilbert, AZ 85299. You can also send a check through the online banking of your bank. Personally I have found this method to be the most convenient way to support other ministries. Finally, you can give money by going to the IDS website (www.ids.org) and use the pay pal giving button. Please be aware that a portion of your gift through pay pal (2.5%) goes to pay pal. If you ever have questions regarding how we handle financial matters you only need to call or email me and I will answer all your questions.
THEOLOGY 101 FOR MEN ONLY, PARADISE VALLEY
Book of Ecclesiastes
The Home of Dave Scholl
(5246 E. Fantol Dr., Paradise Valley, AZ 85253, Dave’s cell is 602.525.3469)
Please contact Geoff Volker (480.313.8558) for more information on this study. We meet at the man cave of Dave Scholl. The study normally meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 7:30am to 10:00am. This is an invitation for any man to come and join us.
Future Meetings
Wednesday, November 22 (David Scholl’s)
Thursday, December 14 (David Scholl’s)
READING FORUM
American Apocalypse: A History of Modern Evangelicalism by Matthew Avery Sutton, published by Harvard University Press, 2017, 374 pages, paperback. This is available from Amazon for $20.23.
The Reading Forum meets on a Saturday morning from 8:00am to 10:00am at the home of Geoff & Priscilla Volker (3324 E. Enid Ave., Mesa, AZ 85204-4836). You must read the assigned reading in order to attend the discussion group. Please let Geoff know if you are planning on taking part in this reading group.
Reading Schedule
Saturday, November 4 chapters 7-9
Saturday, December 2 chapters 10-epilogue
ON-GOING PRAYER REQUEST FOR BELARUS
We would love to raise $10,000 to enable Vladimir to purchase a reliable used vehicle. If you would like to participate in this then make your donation to IDS and note that it is for “Vladimir’s Vehicle.” We have already raised about $4,500.
IN-DEPTH STUDIES VIDEO AND AUDIO
Ids.org/video, ids.org/audio
IDS Hour
We are currently in the midst of a series on “Covenants.” We are examining all that the Scripture has to say about covenants.
The Colloquy with Geoff and Brian Arnold on the subject, Is the Cross All Sufficient for our Salvation? Is now available on video on the IDS website (IDS.org) and on Youtube (youtube.com). On youtube look under “IDS Colloquy.”
TRAVEL SCHEDULE.
Cape Town and George, South Africa (November 7-20)
I will be doing a conference, along with Errol Wagner, on New Covenant Theology in George from November 13-16. Errol Wagner (errolbeth@gmail.com) is sorting out the arrangements. The conference is being held at the Carmel Guest Farm (carmelguestfarm@co.za)
Greenville, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC (March 2-12)
Paul Honeycutt and I will be helping out the Tar River Fellowship in Greenville, NC and then traveling to Myrtle Beach, SC for a New Covenant Theology conference (March 9-11). Please see Brad Woodlief for conference details (brad.woodlief@gmail.com).
A NEW NCT CHURCH IN GREENVILLE, NC
Tar River Fellowship
Brad Woodlief and Scott Webster are now in the process of gathering a group of believers to start a new church in Greenville, NC. There desire is to have a New Covenant Family of Believers that is modeled after New Covenant Bible Fellowship in Gilbert, Arizona. A study is now in progress and meets on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Please contact Brad for more information at brad.woodlief@gmail.com or 252-412-2775.
IN-DEPTH STUDIES OF THE CAROLINAS
In-Depth Studies is now in North and South Carolina. Brad Woodlief is the IDS staff member who makes his home is Greenville, NC. If you have interest in what we are doing in the Carolinas please contact Brad Woodlief, who would be more than happy to talk with you. Brad teaches bible studies in the Greenville area as well as equipping a students from East Carolina University. Brad would also love to meet with anyone who would want to be equipped with the tools to handle Scripture and is also available as a competent bible teacher for your church or group. Besides teaching You can contact Brad through email at Brad.Woodlief@gmail.com or through Skype at Brad.Woodlief. Please check out Brad’s blog (After Darkness, Light Shines, http://afterdarknesslightshines.blogspot.com).
AMAZON SMILE PROGRAM
An easy way to support IDS without emptying your wallet
Go to smile.amazon.com and select a charity that you want to support. To support In-Depth Studies “IDS” you would look up “New Covenant Bible Fellowship.” IDS is under NCBF. Select “New Covenant Bible Fellowship.”
As a result of your selection .05% of your purchase of qualified items will go to IDS.
Instead of logging on to Amazon using their standard address (amazon.com) use smile.amazon.com.
Once you have selected “New Covenant Bible Fellowship” it will always be your charity of choice when you purchase something that qualifies under the Amazon Smile program.
Not all items on Amazon will qualify for the Amazon Smile program.
AN INVITATION FOR AN EVENING OF THEOLOGY
I would be more than happy to come to your home to conduct an Evening of Theology on the topic of your choice. You choose the topic and who you want to invite, and provide a little finger food. There is no cost involved to bring me to your place to conduct the Evening of Theology. This is a tool to affect your family and friends for the Kingdom of God. Consider having one of these gatherings. Please contact Geoff Volker (480-313-8558,
volker.geoff@gmail.com) to schedule an Evening of Theology.
MEETING ONE ON ONE WITH GEOFF
One of the most effective forms of ministry that I do is to meet with guys one on one. It is in this setting that I can tailor what we study to meet the needs of the one I am meeting with. If this appeals to you all you have to do is to let me know that you want to meet together. It can be a one-time meeting or an on-going commitment. In light of full disclosure you ought to know that I benefit more from these meetings than the person I am meeting with. Please contact me at
480-313-8558 or geoff.volker@ids.org.
NEW COVENANT CONFESSION OF FAITH
http://ids.org/featured/updated-ncbf-confession-of-faith/
The “New Covenant Confession of Faith” is available for your use. Please feel free to use this confession as you see fit. It is for the church at large.
MORE MESSAGES AVAILABLE
If you are looking for more times of teaching from me you could check out our churches website where the Sunday messages are available to you. http://ncbf.net. You can also check me out on sermonaudio.com. Look under Geoff Volker for messages delivered at New Covenant Bible Fellowship.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Geoff Volker
Director of In-Depth Studies, volker.geoff@gmail.com, www.ids.org, www.ncbf.net
In-Depth Studies, PO Box 3482, Gilbert, AZ 85299. Geoff’s home address is 3324 East Enid Avenue, Mesa, Arizona, 85204-4836. Cell: 480.313.8558, Skype: “geoffvolker”
In-Depth Studies is a Theological Outreach of New Covenant Bible Fellowship, Gilbert, Arizona, which seeks to equip the believer with a theological foundation from the point of view of the Doctrines of Grace and New Covenant Theology.