This past year has been a very busy one for ARM. New doors were open to us to offer seminars and our print and digital publishing had also expanded. In addition to our own ministry activities, we were actively promoting other ministries and events throughout the year. For instance, our friend Tony Costa has been especially busy this past year as you will see in our following calendar of events.
2007 Annual Report
January
We hosted ‘In The Name of Jehovah’ seminar at Westmount Park Church. We also promoted the Decoding The Da Vinci Code Seminar by Tony Costa at Tyndale Seminary. And just to let everyone know what we were doing the previous year, I posted our 2006 Annual Report on our web site.
February
This month we were pleased to promote The Bible Skeptics Conference in Whitby, Ontario hosted by Paul MacGregor. Speakers included 
Bruce Malone from Search For The Truth, Dr. John Barnett from Discover The Book, Andrew Barron from Jews for Jesus Canada and Dave Hunt from The Berean Call. 
We have DVDs available of that conference. Write to us to find out how to get your own copy (see address below). We also promoted ‘The New Age Movement: Is it Really New?’ seminar by Tony Costa at Tyndale Seminary as well as his‘Who Is Jesus?’ presentation at York University. In response to tract distribution program done in my neighborhood by the Seventh-day Adventists this month, I responded to the claims of the tract first in email conversation with someone on the other end of the email address given on the tract. This in turn resulted in my February web posting ‘Why Sunday?’. The spamming and negative emails I have been receiving as a result of this posting continue to this day.
March
ARM hosted the ‘Understanding Islam’ seminar led by Neil Bulloch at Westmount Park Church and The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Matthew in Scarborough. 
Tony Costa was busy this month speaking at the Toronto Mission Fest on the subject of Cults in Missions, debating with Muslim Apologist Shabir Ally at McMaster University, on the subject of “Who is Jesus?” and delivering his 
‘Raiders of The Lost Tomb’ lecture at Grace Bible Church in Scarborough. ARM also promoted the ‘Becoming A Contagious Christian’ live satelite broadcast with Mark Mittleberg and Lee Strobel hosted by The Church of St. Mark – Lutheran in Mississauga and we 
promoted The Toronto Passion Play at Queensway Cathedral in Etobicoke. After receiving an amazing email letter sent to the ministry, I had to post ‘A Pastor Repents’ on web site. 
Last but not least, Pastor Sieg Pudel of Hope Community Church in Brampton invited me to write an article for The Messenger, a denominational publication of the Church of God in Eastern Canada.
April
ARM hosted ‘Mormonism: What’s The Difference?’ seminar at Westmount Park Church and The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Matthew in Scarborough led by Vincent Poldrugovac, author of ‘ENSIGN: Raising The banner of Truth.’ After receiving an amazing book in the mail called I Can’t Hear God Anymore: Life in a Dallas Cult I posted ‘The Case For Easter’ on our web site. And with last month marking the tenth anniversary of the Heaven’s Gate suicides, I directed readers once again to my posting ‘Alien Obsession!’ which includes a story by my friend Terrie Nettles.
May
We hosted ‘Catholicism: What’s The Difference?’ seminar at Westmount Park Church and The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Matthew led by Vincent Poldrugovac. We also promoted the following events: The ‘Discover the Bible’ seminar at The Church of St. Mark – Lutheran led by Rev. Dr. Jeff Loach, District Director of the Canadian Bible Society. 
The former Catholic Priest Richard Bennett’s speaking engagements in Ontario at the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church in Scarborough, Faith Reformed Baptist Church in Scarborough and Barrie Free Presbyterian Church in Barrie. 
We also promoted the ‘Deluded About God’ lecture by Alister McGrath at Wycliffe College and ‘The God Hypothesis: Theism versus Naturalism’ lecture by Tony Costa at Seneca College. Tony was also one of many speakers who participated in the The Copernicus Lectures which we also helped to promote. Finally, in response to the growing popularity and activity of a new breed of atheists I posted ‘Does God Exist?’ on the web site.
June
We were pleased again this year to help promote the Summer Fellowship Series at Knox Presbyterian Church called ‘Images of God’ with speakers like Victor Shepherd, Professor of Systematic Theology at Tyndale Seminary, and Donald Carson, Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, among many others. Also, our ministry partner Neil Bulloch taught a course on Islamics every Monday evening at Bridle Trail Baptist Church in Markham.
July
This month we let John Piper do the talking in our posting ‘Health & Wealth?’ on the web site.
August
This month we added the ‘Jesus in Islam’ video debate between Muslim Apologist Shabir Ally and Christian Apologist Tony Costa on the web site. 
Lawrence Hughes was busy this summer in Calgary with his continuing battle against the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society in his wrongful death suit against them. He was restored as the administrator of His daughter Bethany’s estate thereby allowing him to proceed with legal action. We will keep you posted.
September
This month we hosted the ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses: What’s The Difference?’ seminar at Westmount Park Church and The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Matthew.
We also promoted Sola Scriptura’s CHRISTIANITY – ISLAM : Two Faiths! Two Worldviews! – One God? Conference with Dr. Michael Haykin, Dr. James White, and Pastor Thabiti Anyabwile,
as well as ‘The Case For The Real Jesus’ with Mark Mittleberg and Lee Strobel live broadcast event at The Church of St. Mark – Lutheran in Mississauga.
October
We offered the ‘Called to be free’ seminar at Westmount Park Church and The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Matthew and 
promoted ‘The Truth Project’ weekend at Rexdale Missionary Alliance Church in Etobicoke. We also promoted the ‘Exploring Islam’ satelite broadcast at The Church of St. Mark – Lutheran in Mississauga as well as 
The Way of The Master Basic Training Course also offered at The Church of St. Mark – Lutheran. We were also pleased to promote ‘The Jesus Conflict’ debate between Muslim Apologist Shabir Ally and Christian Apologist Tony Costa which can be seen and heard at TheConflict.ca.
November
Our last event of the year was called ‘The Mission At Your Door’ which was an all day seminar led by myself and Vincent Poldrugovac on the subjects of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons at The Church of St. Mark – Lutheran in Mississauga and we also promoted the CCN broadcast called ‘Secret Believers- What Happens When Muslims Believe in Christ’ with Brother Andrew hosted there. Tony Costa was also busy answering ’3 Top Questions’ on God, Jesus and the meaning of life to students at Humber College.
December
Vincent Poldrugovac released an updated version of his book ENSIGN: Raising The Banner of Truth.
Comments
For those readers who have supported this ministry with your prayers and generous gifts of support and also for the benefit of those who may only have just heard of this ministry, I’d like to share some encouraging words from some folks who have been served and encouraged by The Apologetic Response:
“I enjoy getting your updates and this was a great response. Well researched and well stated. I have always seen the key being Exodus 31:17 – “It will be a sign between me and the Israelites for ever” as was stated in your post.”
Posted by Brian in response to ‘Why Sunday?’.
“I was a member of a Bible-based cult for seven years. As a Christian who was raised in the mainstream Southern Baptist denomination, who had earned an undergraduate degree in Sociology and a master’s degree in Religious Education from one of the world’s foremost Protestant seminaries—Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary—and who had worked in the mental health field for twenty years, I should have been the last person to join a cult! Cults and new religions are thriving and it is imperative that churches understand how they operate and why they appeal to Christians and nonChristians alike. I thank God for David Upton and his ministry. I pray that the Apologetic Response Ministry will continue to equip the church to better minister to individuals who have been led away from the freedom that is in Christ.”
Wendy J. Duncan
Author of ‘I Can’t Hear God Anymore: Life In A Dallas Cult’
DallasCult.com
“David Upton has a sincere heart for God, and his Apologetic Response offers a strong, consistent and much needed defense of the faith.”
Kevin Rische and Jill Martin Rische
Walter Martin Ministries
“The Apologetic Response often offers a number of informative resources such as books and DVDs to help equip Christians in their outreach efforts; however, an even greater resource that ought not to be overlooked is found in the very members that constitute A.R.M. and who, due to their unswerving commitment to serve Christ by serving His people, tirelessly share both their knowledge and their experience in reaching out to others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Apologetic Response serves as a unique resource that I prayerfully hope many congregations will consider utilizing as they consider their commitment to Christ’s commission– for it invariably includes communicating God’s Good News with cultists.”
Basil Christi
Director of Christian Outreach
The Church of St. Mark – Lutheran
“With so many cults in the world today, it is refreshing to have people like David Upton in Apologetic Response providing sound evidence and resources to counter the tide of falsehoods these movements spread. This is particularly important since cults like Jehovah’s Witnesses or the Mormons can literally wreck a life or a family , sometimes they look nice and noble, but the truth is painfully different. The fact that Apologetic Response has material in Spanish was particularly valuable to me since my previous church is in Lima, Peru where Spanish is the official language. Keep up the good work David, and may Apologetic Response have an even better year in 2008.”
Jose Luis Hurtado
Beaches Worship Centre
“Both Neville and I really appreciate your ministry. Your presentations on the various cults are informative and very relavent to those of us in the
church. Our congregation certainly has appreciated your seminars. May the Lord open more doors for you so that you can educate others.”
Anna Maria Matthews
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Matthew
About Us
The beginning of 2008 marks the beginning of our fifth year as non-profit volunteer ministry consisting of myself, David Upton, Vincent Poldrugovac and Neil Bulloch offering seminars on Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism and Islam. At every seminar we offer free materials as well as materials from our resource table for purchase. We also promote other ministries and events in and around our city when we are notified of them through our friends in ministry. Our mailing list serves to notify readers in advance of upcoming events as well as a means of dialogue with readers and other ministries.
We are uniquely called to equip the body of Christ to meet the challenges of competing world views that are misinformed about the Christian faith and who Christ is. With our city of Toronto growing rapidly with almost 50% of our population being new Canadians, we are equipping individuals and churches with the tools they need to not only learn about other world views but to also learn how to share the Christian faith with them. This is accomplished through our web ministry, monthly seminars, resource table and outreach materials.
Having served and equipped individuals and churches from over 20 different denominations from as far west as Brampton to as far east as Scarborough, we are equipped to come to your church or small group with videos, handouts, powerpoint presentations and live speakers to answer questions and share with your group ways to share your faith with friends, family and neighbors in ways you may not have thought of before.
Financial Report
Support for this ministry comes solely from the gifts of A.R.M. friends. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination. Because we are a volunteer based ministry donations are not tax refundable. Donations to this ministry that make are jobs easier are especially appreciated. This year we were blessed with a 400GB external hard drive, an external firewire CD writer, a 21″ colour monitor and an older iMac hooked up to a dual cassette deck for converting our audio tape library into digital format.
How You can Help
Please write to us at apologeticresponse@rogers.com if you are interested in hosting ARM seminars in your church or small group or even if you just need further information or clarification on anything in this report. You can also write by snail-mail to:
The Apologetic Response
P.O. Box 282, Stn. D
Etobicoke, ON.
M9A 4X2
CANADA
Please Pray:
- For wisdom, guidance and direction as we offer apologetic responses to the world around us.
- For those who are angry and/or confused, that the Holy Spirit would use this ministry to speak to their hearts and minds to receive the free gift of salvation that He has to offer.
- For protection from those who would seek to discourage this ministry.
Thanks
First and foremost to our Lord Jesus Christ for sustaining this ministry this year. Thanks also go to my friends and brothers in Christ who have helped so much this past year, Vincent Poldrugovac, Neil Bulloch, Tony Costa and Paul MacGregor. I’d also like to thank Peter Cavanaugh and Bobby Greer for their technical support. I’d also like to thank the churches who hosted our seminars in 2007: Pastor Werner Peters and the congregation of Westmount park Church, Anna Maria Matthews and the congregation of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Matthew, Basil Christi and the congregation of The Church of St. Mark – Lutheran, and Pastor Lee Wong and the congregation of Bridal Trail Baptist Church. Special thanks to all the individuals and ministries who contributed resources to share with churches in Toronto; MacGregor Ministries, CCN, Living Hope Ministries, IRR.org, 4truth.net, BereanBeacon.org, Humbleheart Ministries, Silentlambs. I also would like to thank all those who have contributed to this ministry with your financial contributions, donations of equipment and your prayers. Thank you also to those who have written kind and encouraging comments both on the web site and privately. Encouraging words are as valuable and needed as money and prayers. Last but not least, I thank my wonderful wife Heather whom I affectionately refer to as ‘Holy Heather full of Grace’ simply because she is and my faith filled son Caleb who never ceases to amaze me in so many ways.
May God Richly Bless You All in 2008,
David Upton
The Apologetic Response
January 2008
