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Good News!

EPI-Center merging with The Rephidim Project:   We have some exciting news to report regarding the EPI-Center preaching ministry developed by The Cecil B. Day Foundation in 2015. As you may remember, a Rationale Paper was drafted and circulated widely throughout New England with the justification for beginning a concentrated emphasis on continuing education for pastors who wanted to plunge deeper into expository preaching. Since then, numerous two-day institutes have occurred in most of the six New England States utilizing the services of The Stephen Olford Center as well as Crosstalk Global with Kent Edwards. Over 450 pastors and preachers have received training, and many are enrolled in preaching cohorts today.

In 2017, we met with one of our partners, Dr. David Christensen, of Gorham ME, who presented an idea for a model of training that begins with cohort-based training rather than a two-day institute. He felt in more rural areas, this would be preferable as pastors were already gathering in small groups for prayer and fellowship. As this was largely in concert with what we were promoting, we spent time with Dave assisting as “The Rephidim Project” was born. Now, as its own 501c3 organization, Rephidim Project has launched two new cohorts, with additional cohort interest from other groups still pending.

After examining Rephidim’s strategic plan, board of directors, and operating capacity, The Cecil B. Day Foundation has taken the step to turn over the EPI-Center organization to Rephidim and allow them to operate the ministry under the auspices of The Rephidim Project. This will bring additional training resources through online instruction as well as more targeted training in expository preaching. The $200 reimbursable scholarship will continue for cohort members desiring further study and will be distributed through the Rephidim Project.

We’re excited to see this ministry continue growing throughout New England with such targeted emphasis. Over the next few weeks, you’ll be contacted by Dr. Christensen to introduce The Rephidim Project and to discuss the program further. We trust this will be a seamless transition. I’ve agreed to be a member of the Board of Directors and will work closely with Dr. Christensen throughout the transition period.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. And may God richly bless the preaching of His Word throughout His Kingdom! In the meantime, check out https://www.rephidimproject.org/.

By His Grace,
Rick Francis
Executive Director, EPI-Center
CECIL B. DAY FOUNDATION, INC.
rick@cbdf.org

“A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, a great faith will bring heaven to your soul.” Charles H. Spurgeon

Latest Sermon
PreacherTalk
Expository Preaching Resources
 
October 21, 2018 – Pastor David Christensen preaches “Arrows of Victory” from 2 Kings 13:14-19, his final sermon as Senior Pastor of Galilee Baptist Church in Gorham, Maine. Central Idea: Central Idea: Future victories depend on total commitment! 1.Will you trust God or pay lip service to the Lord (13:14); 2.Will you seize the moment or shrink in fear? (13:15-17); 3.Will you be all in or go half-way? (13:18-19).
November 12, 2018 -Sermon Waypoints
I just returned from a ten-day boat trip down the eastern coast from Falmouth, Maine to Norfolk, Virginia in Mark Halfacre’s boat Pegasus. Mark was beginning his trip down the intra-coastal waterway to Florida, and I had the privilege of joining him on the first leg. Each night Mark would get out his navigational charts on the IPad and plot his course for the next day. He had to chart a course that avoided shoals under water and buoys above yet led us to the next marina. Click to read more…
Expository preaching is the explanation of a biblical passage in its context that forms a complete unit of thought shaped by the intent of the original author and the structure of the passage which the Holy Spirit applies to the preacher and through the personality of the preacher makes the message relevant to people today. Click to read more or go to the Expository Resources Page.

 
About The Rephidim Project
 
 
Bible Tips & Tidbits
 
 
Give To The Rephidim Project
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Rephidim Project exists to support those on the frontlines of spiritual battle with the resources to be refreshed through the study of Scripture to spread God’s Word in this world more effectively. Pastors and missionaries become weary in the work and may feel isolated and discouraged. We seek to “encourage the exhausted and strengthen the weak” (Isaiah 35:3) through developing and distributing resources for Bible exposition. Click to read more…
July 25, 2018 – Being Vulnerable
When we’ve been hurt it is hard to risk being vulnerable. I know that I tend to close the door to my feelings and put out the no trespassing sign. I put up walls to protect my heart. Paul shows us another way. Ministry calls for transparency and transparency can be traumatic. “You are not being cramped by us,” Paul wrote, “but you are being cramped in your feelings. Now, in exchange, I am talking as little children, be opened wide to us also” (2 Cor. 6:12-13). Click to read more…
We thank you for your prayers and support for the Rephidim Project, as we seek to encourage and equip pastors around the world with tools to spread God’s Word more effectively through expository preaching. If you would like to support the Repihidim Project financially, please follow the link to our online giving page. Alternatively, you may mail a check directly to:
The Rephidim Project
P.O.Box 145
Gorham, Maine 04038 

 

 

 

 

Resources
 
 
 
Expository Preaching
Resources
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digging
Deeper
 
 
 
 
Seminars
&
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Sermons

Audio

These sermons are downloadable, can be listened to online, or subscribed to via an RSS feed (e.g. as a Podcast on your mobile device)
Current Sermon Series: Social Justice, The Book of Micah

Trusting God In An Immoral World Micah 7:1-20 by Pastor David Christensen

Sep 2, 2018
Trusting God In An Immoral World Micah 7:1-20
By: David Christensen
Series: Micah
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
  • Sep 2, 2018Trusting God In An Immoral World Micah 7:1-20
    Sep 2, 2018
    Trusting God In An Immoral World Micah 7:1-20
    By: David Christensen
    Series: Micah
  • Aug 19, 2018A Grand Jury Indictment Micah 6:1-16
    Aug 19, 2018
    A Grand Jury Indictment Micah 6:1-16
    By: David Christensen
    Series: Micah
  • Aug 12, 2018The King’s People Micah 5:1-15
    Aug 12, 2018
    The King’s People Micah 5:1-15
    By: David Christensen
    Series: Micah
  • Aug 5, 2018God’s Surprises Micah 4:1-13
    Aug 5, 2018
    God’s Surprises Micah 4:1-13
    By: David Christensen
    Series: Micah
  • Jul 29, 2018Selling Out God Micah 3:1-12
    Jul 29, 2018
    Selling Out God Micah 3:1-12
    By: David Christensen
    Series: Micah
1 2 View All
Additional Sermon Series
 
1 John:
Fellowship With God
1 Samuel: Integrity,
The Fulcrum
Hebrews: The Supremacy Of Christ
Titus: Healthy
Church Practice
Romans:
Sanctification
Judges:
Culture Wars
Philippians:
Living Fellowship
1 Peter: Living In A
Hostile World
Ecclesiastes: Meaningless! 
Life Without God
Acts: His Church
And Our Mission
Genesis: The Book
Of Beginnings
Revelation: Final
Judgement

Luke: To Seek
And To Save

 

Blogs by David Christensen
 
 
 
 
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Articles

 
 
 
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by David Christensen
 
 
 
 
 
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by David Christensen
 
 
 
 
by Dave Deuel
 
 
 
 
 
 
by David Christensen
 
 
 
 
by David Christensen
 
 
 
 
 
 
by David Christensen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
by Dave Deuel
 

 

Books

 

Author
Page

 
 
Resources can be purchased online in physical or electronic formats.  Please find the following books below:
 
Transformed By Adoption
 
 
 
 

 Transformed By Adoption

Our Heavenly Father has adopted us into His family and our adoption is the foundation for our transformation. Spiritual transformation is a gradual process of change as we learn the ways of our Father. Christians want to live a victorious life immediately. Talk of being radical or revolutionary Christians excites us but these descriptions imply that other Christians are lesser members of the family of God. Many consider the normal Christian life inferior to the higher Christian life. What is a normal Christian life? The Apostle Paul describes a normal Christian life in Romans 6-8. A normal Christian pursues holiness while wrestling with sin throughout life. The habits of sin must be replaced with the habits of holiness by the power of the Spirit. We grow to be like Christ as we walk in step with the Spirit. We are children of God by adoption so we must learn the ways of God by practice. When we fail we run into the arms of our Father and find our security in His love.

 
Friends With Jesus
 
 
 
 

Friends With Jesus

 

Is your Christian life dull and dry, full of rituals and responsibilities without any passion or joy? Has your obedience become a duty and your faith turned into an obligation? Renew your relationship with Jesus through this study of John 13-16. Jesus invites you to be His friends not merely His servants. Kindle the passion of fresh friendship with Jesus as He opens His heart to you in these chapters. His self-disclosure encourages your transparency as you explore what it means to be friends with Jesus. Jesus wants you to experience the depths of spiritual intimacy with Him. He desires your friendship, not just your service. Enjoy the riches of His love as you explore Jesus most intimate teachings shared just before He died for you.

 
Expository Insights On John 13-17
 
 
 
 
 
Expository Insights On John 13-17
 
 
Expository preaching exposes the ideas in the biblical unit of thought, so the sermon follows the flow of the passage. The hearers should be able to think their way through the passage after the sermon has been preached.  The preacher seeks to visualize the flow of thought – to picture the structure of the passage. The sermon should expose the hinges on which the passage swings by developing an outline based on the structure but written in contemporary language. This workbook provides a structural diagram based on the Greek text side by side with a format for the expositor to develop an outline from the passage. Short, practical insights add exegetical depth and sermon seed thoughts to help the preacher flesh out the message. The workbook encourages the preacher to mine the riches of John 13-17 for personal growth and sermon preparation.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchase from Amazon.com
 
 

The Faces of Forgiveness:

Healing for the Hurts We Feel

Forgiveness is not easy despite the pictures painted in many sermons. We all struggle to forgive the hurts we feel. Bitterness and resentment threaten our souls if we do not release the poison to God. Pastor David Christensen deals honestly with the pain we feel while pointing us to the wonderful release we can enjoy when we give and receive forgiveness. The book uses the metaphor of faces to teach about forgiveness. The faces of those who experience healing form the backdrop for a theology of forgiveness. There are vertical and horizontal faces of forgiveness as we look to God and others. There are judicial and relational faces of forgiveness as we deal with God and others to find the healing that forgiveness brings to our hearts. David lays out the practical steps we must take to experience the healing power of forgiveness. We must learn to accept the grace, name the blame and release the poison of unforgiveness to find healing for the hurts we feel.

 
 

About The Rephidim Project

The Rephidim Project exists to support those on the frontlines of spiritual battle with the resources to be refreshed through the study of Scripture to spread God’s Word in this world more effectively. Pastors and missionaries become weary in the work and may feel isolated and discouraged. We seek to “encourage the exhausted and strengthen the weak” (Isaiah 35:3) through developing and distributing resources for Bible exposition. Read More…

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David Christensen
Galilee Baptist Church
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