The Real Deal

 Fall 2006 Revival at FUMC

 SEPTEMBER 7 - 10, 2006

Real Deal Evangelists

OUR EVANGELIST

Our evangelist is Dr. Ron Smith, president of Wesley Biblical Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi. Ron is a 1977 graduate of Asbury College, 1982 (M.Div.) graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary, and a 1990 (Th.M.) graduate of Princeton School of Theology. He completed the Masters of Philosophy degree at the graduate school of Drew University, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Theological and Religious Studies from the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies at Drew University. Ron is an ordained deacon and elder in the Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist church, and has served under appointment of the Bishop since 1982.

Ron pastored for eleven years in New Jersey before serving for three years as a Fellow at the Francis Asbury Society. He then served as Executive Director of the Society for two years. On January 15, 1998 Ron was elected president of Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi.

President Smith has been privileged to speak in a wide arena of denominational settings around the world. He has served as a keynote speaker in a variety of regional and national meetings for denominations and consortiums in the broader Wesleyan world. Ron has also delivered several distinguished lecture series at different colleges, universities, and theological seminaries, such as the noted Thomas F. Staley Distinguished Lecture Series.

Ron is married to Dorena (Ritzler) and together they have two daughters, Katie (16) and Laura Jane (15).

OUR MUSIC EVANGELIST

Our music evangelist is Gary Freeman. Gary has been the minister of music in many of our leading churches both in the North Texas Conference and the Central Texas Conference. Gary is a worship leader who will bring us into an intimate time with the Lord.

Our youth evangelist

Our youth evangelist is Duke Underwood. Duke is the founder of Reach-up USA and the R.O.K. youth outreach center in Lubbock, Texas. Duke has been involved in multi-age level ministry for 20 years and has conducted camps, youth choirs, praise bands, discipleship programs, college ministries and training events, worship planning and preaching. He has enjoyed ministry in both large and small churches in urban and rural settings. He believes that "any place is the right place for God to do His thing!"

OUR CHILDREN’S EVANGELIST

Our children's evangelist is our own Sammy Hargrove. Sammy will be leading our children in his infamous “Bible Bowl.” And as Sammy says, “it is the greatest Bowl in the whole wide world.”

The Real Deal  The Music