At the beginning of last year, I asserted that two words describe me.
Christian and apologist.
In case you were about to wonder, yes, those two words identify me. However, the events of 2024 clarified some issues for me in my ministry.
I would like to report to you on the last year and my ministry activities.
Mark Riser – Apologist blog. This is my primary ministry and outreach vehicle. Seventy-nine people continued to view my post in 2024. I am extremely thankful for each one. Some of the most intriguing posts of the year were “On a Note of Triumph: Psalm 22 (Pts. 1 & 2)”, “Nebuchadnezzar’s Free Will?”, and “Difficult Decisions: The Election of 2024.”
Brookwood Baptist Church. I continue to serve God in my local church. My off-campus Life Group continues with a long-term study on the book of Ephesians. We have added two new members who have already been a benefit to the group. As a deacon, I have assisted in ministering to our church family. One positive change is the decision of our church to serve the elements of the Lord’s Supper directly to our members. I really am enthused to serve the elements to our congregation. 2024 also represents my last year on the Deacon Leadership Team. I continued to serve as a Greeter before our second service. My position is at the main entrance to the Worship Center. I also have had the privilege of leading our Wednesday Prayer Service for our Associate Pastor, John Harp. Among the studies I led were “Hold On”, “How To Be (Or Not To Be) A Fool”, and “New Glasses.”
Shreveport Reasons To Believe. For the first half of 2024, the Shreveport Chapter did a video study called “God Is…” Each study pointed to evidence for God’s existence. In the spring of 2024, we received news that RTB would be discontinuing the Chapter program. My Leadership Team and I were faced with a dilemma as to the future. We were unanimous in our belief that God was leading us to continue our apologetics ministry for the equipping of our people.
Brookwood Apologetics. The result of our prayer and deliberation was the change to Brookwood Apologetics. The mission statement for our new group is,
Bringing the reasons we believe in Christ to every person in every place.
We have had the support in our new efforts of the people and the church staff. We now have a core group of about twelve members and have new church members giving us a try, for which we are grateful. Bruce Hennigan and I did to event presentations during 2024, “Investigation Resurrection” and “Aliens Among Us: Little Green Men and the Christian Faith.” Bruce and I were invited to Barksdale Baptist Church to present “Investigation Resurrection” to that fine church body in 2024 as well.
Discipleship. Two significant events happened last year in the course of my personal discipleship. First, my wife Cyndy and I completed a Bible reading plan. Although, we have read the Bible through individually, this was the first time that we have read the Bible through as a couple. Second, as a part of Brookwood’s strategic program of building disciples of Christ, we took part in a four-week course called Discover Your Calling. The program was designed to allow believers to explore and express their personal calling to ministry in two memorable words. It was a unique and beneficial experience for me. As our final activity, each participant gave their calling in a phrase,
My name is Mark and I live to honor God and serve other by Teaching Confidence.
Distilling my calling into two words has clarified my ministry as an apologist and desires for each area in which I serve. I continue to thank God for how He has led me through 2024.
Soon, I will share with you my goals for the new year of 2025.
Mark Riser - Apologist 