February 9, 2007

Dear Friends of God,

Dr. Ariel Roth and Dr. Ken Hart have again teamed up to provide us a summer travel experience - a geology field conference and Bible retreat - all in a 12-day coach tour, which will reward us with memories, photographs, and new friendships of which you will be talking about for years.

Those of you who have traveled with Dr. Roth previously will recall that you will “get your money’s worth” and that his attention to the details is impeccable. His excitement for his subject is very obvious and catching as I have learned during the many conversations I have enjoyed with him in planning this trip. Dr. Roth will lead our Geology ’n Faith Tour this summer into the beautiful southwestern region of the United States including Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado . He is foremost a champion of the biblical story of Creation and the Flood. He and Dr. Hart will bridge the gaps between geology, Genesis, and the Great Controversy. This will be a faith-building study and experience-sharing journey through some of the most beautiful lands of this country. Dr. Roth’s emphasis will be on some of the remaining remnants of the Flood - the dinosaurs - and their contribution to the evidences of the Flood. Even though we won’t be digging or collecting, we plan to see some real, “live” bones. Each participant will be provided with a field guide to the geological features visited.  

Dr. Hart’s subject will be “Why Ellen White’s View of the Great Controversy is the ‘Good News.’” He will probe the “whys” of the Genesis account and lead us to other questions and answers throughout the biblical account. He will provide a reading list before the trip. He will, of course, have handouts and outlines to accompany his discussions. We are planning to have these discussions in the evening after dinner, keeping the heavier, less familiar, scientific material to daytime presentations.

The tour will start on Monday, July 30, 2007, and end on Friday, August 10. This coach tour, starting and ending in Loma Linda, California will encompass the Grand Canyon, Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, the Petrified Forest National Park, Arches National Park, Aztec Ruins National Monument, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Price Prehistoric Museum, Dinosaur National Monument, Dead Horse State Park, and the many other very scenic areas of this country listed on the enclosed itinerary. Some areas may be familiar to you, while others, such as a so-called fossil termite nest locality, may not be, but I am sure Dr. Roth’s insight will add to your faith and broaden your understanding of both the geography and the geology. The complete itinerary (as currently conceived) is attached for your review. A casual glance will excite your interest, I am sure.

As you review the revised itinerary, you will find our accommodations listed. Please note that they should be comfortable lodgings. At locations where there are no elevators, I have asked for some rooms on the ground floor for those who are challenged by stairs. We intend to provide all meals except for one or two dinners. (Our meal plans are not yet quite complete.) Meals will be vegetarian, except at some of the buffets where there will be a wider selection. We will have more restaurant lunches; therefore, fewer “box” lunches on this trip than we have enjoyed on previous trips. We hope to spend a relaxing Sabbath with the church congregation in their air-conditioned facility at Moab, Utah .

Plans for our Geology ’n Faith Tour are nearing completion. We are ready to accept deposits to confirm your space on this tour. Space is already limited if everyone is able to go who has indicated to me the intention to join us this summer. So please, don’t delay in contacting me if you are seriously planning to attend this field conference.

This is the longest trip we have organized and, therefore, the most expensive, but we have tried to walk a fine line between affordability and comfort, consistent with expectations of an organized coach tour, and yet include so many state and national parks, monuments, and museums. The cost is $1,400 per person, assuming double occupancy, and includes meals (except one or two dinners), taxes, and most gratuities. A deposit of $400 per person will hold your space for this tour. A second deposit of $400 per person will be due May 1. The final payment of $600 will be due July 1. As in the past, we will try to help singles arrange appropriate roommates; but if you desire a single room please contact me about the added cost.

Maps and photographs are available on our website, www.theox.org, where you may get a clearer idea of the wonderful trip we are organizing. For the most part, you will be traveling with friends, but if you are new to us, friends will be made easily. Please forward your deposit and join us July 30 for a wonderful 12 days of fun, fellowship, and faith-building adventures. To assure your reservation, please make your deposit as soon as possible as there is much interest in this trip.

Please write Geology ’n Faith Tour in the memo field and make your deposit check payable to:

Theological Crossroads

Yours in Jesus Christ,

Dennis Snider
P.O. Box 274
Mosier, OR 97040-0274
(541) 490-5185
Dennis@theox.org