Guest: Paul Montgomery

Paul’s story begins in the North Country of New York State. A small community one hour north of Syracuse called Watertown. The Montgomery home had a continuous stream of music being played. It flourished much like the wildflowers that you could find in the forest that was a stone’s throw from Paul’s childhood home. Each and every family member was a contributor to the rich inheritance that was to shape Paul’s love for music. It started with his parents fostering an environment that allowed their children to develop a love for music at an early age. Whether it was his mothers love for that hip swiveling, upper lip curling kid from Memphis as he sang about being a Hound-dog, or the fact that Paul’s father always made sure he left his acoustic guitar in plain sight where his children could bang out a sour note or two – the Montgomery brood were blessed to be raised in a home that was filled with music. The sibling influence was a major contributor to Paul’s musical upbringing as he would sneak into his sister’s rooms to check out the latest 45’s being played. One of the platters being spun on the mono record player was a hit song (at least it was a hit to the Montgomery’s) recorded by an uncle, Frank Filardo (Bobby Francis). This allowed a connection to be made at an early age for Paul – that music wasn’t something that a person could simply enjoy listening to, but music could actually be something that one becomes an active participant in. This realization manifested itself in a very profound and real way when Paul’s older brother parted with his Mayfair electric guitar just so his kid brother would have an electric guitar to play. Add to that mix a younger brother that was and still is FAN #1 and you can see how Paul was catapulted into a life long love for music and the passion to be a part of the creative process in making it.

The story of Paul’s musical journey contains a lot of familiar themes – starting and ending various bands (with one of the earlier outfits even allowing for a paycheck at the ripe old age of 13), experiencing the highs and lows of teen romance, and of course, how rebellion can get in the way of healthy relationships with mom and dad. Through all the broken strings, broken relationships and high school drama, Paul was diligent to work on his craft and grow as a person and musician. The fall of 1981 found Paul attending the Berklee College of Music. After some earned credits and a ton of life experience, he entered the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Las Vegas, and it was here that he truly became inspired anew by the “band” concept. The importance of working within a community setting to achieve a purpose that is more important than self. This was also a season that allowed Paul to discover the person of Christ. Not just a religious figure or some far away entity, but a living, breathing savior that longs to walk and talk with His creation. The pull for rock stardom was too strong for Paul though, and he chased after his own plans as opposed to the plans that God had designed for him before He framed the cosmos.

Having located to Los Angeles, Paul attained a certain measure of success in the music business. Though the outward appearance of success manifested itself in playing well known L.A. clubs and opening for nationally known acts, internally Paul was bankrupt. Mentally drained, physically tired and spiritually dried, Paul knew in his heart that it was time for the great exchange. He knew that God was being patient with him, that the love of the Father has been poured into his heart and that it was time to exchange his personal agenda for a higher calling. It was at this crossroads that Paul’s faith became active. He withdrew himself from the band format and began to spend one on one time with God. He began to understand that the un-examined life is not worth living. Doors were opened for Paul to use his gifts in a community setting. Paul began to play guitar on the worship team as well as being inspired to write music that reflected the love that God has for His children. Paul received the honor of being a leader of worship in the community and is now in a position to lead others into the presence of God.

You can visit Paul at: http://www.paulmontgomerymusic.com/

 

Guest: Dr. Jeff Iorg

Dr. Jeff Iorg is the president of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to his service at the seminary, Dr. Iorg was the Executive Director of the Northwest Baptist Convention for almost ten years. He was also the founding pastor of Greater Gresham Baptist Church in Gresham, Oregon and has served as a pastor in Missouri and a staff pastor in Texas.

Dr. Iorg teaches leadership, preaching, and church ministry courses at Golden Gate. He speaks frequently on these same subjects in conferences and other venues, including college campuses and leadership seminars. His publications include five books – The Painful Side of Leadership, The Character of Leadership, Is God Calling Me?, The Case for Antioch, and Live Like a Missionary – along with dozens of articles and curriculum materials. Dr. Iorg maintains a leadership resources website at www.JeffIorg.com.

Dr. Iorg is a graduate of Hardin Simmons University (B.A.), Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min.). He is married to Ann and has three adult children. His hobbies include umpiring baseball, reading, and searching for the world’s best barbeque restaurant. His personal ministry includes outreach to the professional baseball community in the Bay Area.

Guest: Caroline Savage

Caroline R. Savage is an Ordained Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She enjoys reading and writing inspirational poems. Jehovah God’s inspiration affords her the opportunity to write her first book ¿Uncertainties? And Reasoning. Caroline desires to share the Word of God and her poetry. Her personal wish is to share scriptural passages from the Bible that serve as a personal reflection as we ponder upon individual decisions and chosen paths. Caroline is a native of the Republic of Panama where she resides with her husband Shawn, and son Danté.

In keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, providing mutual encouragement, emotional motivation, obeying Jehovah, and joining His ranks leads to eternal bliss and heavenly salvation. We should continue acquainting ourselves with the Scriptures, God’s promises, growing spiritually, and becoming Jehovah’s instrument to promote His will. As Christian believers, faithfully obeying Jehovah’s commandments serves as a testament to edify God while valuing and respecting our Lord’s divine design and creation.

Visit Caroline at: http://www.CarolineSavage.com

About: Gaylyn Williams

The author of fifteen books, Gaylyn is best known for her practical, biblical approach to self-help. She addresses the struggles, disappointments and challenges that are common to all, honestly sharing from personal experience, including: abandonment as a child, deaths of her six-month-old son and her fiancé, an abusive marriage, divorce, fifteen years as a single mom, and her oldest son’s destructive choices.

Her titles include The Door to Joy, All Stressed Up and Everywhere to Go! and The Surprising Joy of Exploring God’s Heart. She has been published by traditional and nontraditional publishers including Readers Digest, B&H Publishing Group, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Wycliffe Bible Translators, International Training Partners, Outskirts Press, Success Books, Standard Publishing, and Joshua Morris Publishing.

Raised as a missionary kid in Guatemala, Gaylyn went on to serve as a missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators for fifteen years and The Navigators for three years. Since 1999, she has directed a nonprofit international ministry called Relationship Resources. To support the ministry, she started a real estate investment business in 2003.

Today Gaylyn writes and speaks nationally and internationally. A frequent media guest, she has been featured on dozens of radio and television programs. She has taught as an adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, Wheaton College, and English Language Institute China. She has also served on the boards of Relationship Resources, Colorado Springs Customer Service Association, and Pikes Peak Landlord and Investor’s Association.

Readers and students alike agree: Gaylyn is passionate about encouraging and equipping people in their relationship with God, themselves and others. Her writing and speaking are practical and biblical, empowering people to grow spiritually, personally, relationally, and professionally.

Visit Gaylyn at: http://www.RelationshipResources.org

 

About: Joe Ortiz

Joe Ortiz was born in Indio, a small desert town in Southern California. After a stint in the Air Force as a military policeman, he became involved in community and social service activities before launching a 25 year career as a radio and television talk show host, news reporter and newspaper columnist. Having the distinction of being the first Mexican American in US history to conduct a talk show on an English-language, commercial radio station, he began his broadcasting career in 1971 at KABC Talk Radio 790 AM, in the highly competitive Los Angeles media market.

Raised and educated through the religious principles of Catholicism, he drifted away from the Catholic Church early in his teens. On January 5, 1975, after many years of living a hectic, jet-set lifestyle, Joe Ortiz turned his life over to Jesus Christ and began attending various Assemblies of God churches in Southern California. After much Bible study, on August 29, 1979, he founded God’s Broadcaster Ministries, Inc. (GBM). From 1979 to 1985, he traveled throughout the country evangelizing the Gospel and lecturing from his first book, Saved? What Do You Mean Saved?

Fascinated by end times topics and his journalistic penchant for delving into the true meaning of words found in the Bible, he began an extensive study of eschatological matters and began reading and examining hundreds of  books written mostly by dispensationalists and Pre-Tribulation Rapture advocates.

He began comparing the various key words used by pre, mid and post-tribulation advocates, by using Greek and Hebrew dictionaries and concordances to provide him greater clarity as to what those specific words truly meant. As he continued his studies,  he began to notice vast differences between the actual words used in the Bible and the prevailing pre-tribulation “Rapture” theory the Assemblies of God and many other evangelical churches were teaching. Not wanting to offend his pastors for teaching what he felt were major doctrinal errors, he left the AOG church and founded God’s Broadcaster Ministries, Inc. in August, 1979. After five more years of extensive Bible research and comparitive word studies, he began writing The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation in 1984.

Throughout his researching and writing of these two books, he also formed his own public relations company, Joe Ortiz & Associates, specializing in promoting product and service campaigns to many individuals, small to medium sized companies and many major corporations. He also developed and implemented major publicity campaigns for various celebrities and sports personalities, including Milton Berle, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rita Moreno, Boy George, T. Berry Brazelton, Ricardo Montalban, Manny Mota, Tom Flores, Jim Plunkett, and many others.

He has provided public relations services to numerous community organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, Manny Mota International Youth Foundation, Hollenbeck Youth Center, Protection & Advocacy Group, Latin Business Association, Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Salesian Boys and Girls Club, as well as the Boy Scouts/Tom Flores Celebrity Golf Tournament. He has also managed the press relations for many elected officials including California State Senator Diane Watson (now a US Representative), former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, and Los Angeles City Councilmen John Ferraro, Richard Alatorre and Robert Farrell.

Prior to forming his own public relations consultant company in 1988, he worked at various community and public relations positions including Job Agent and Parole Officer for the State of California; Public Information Specialist for the Greater Los Angeles Community Action Agency; administrative and media deputy to Los Angeles City Councilman John Ferraro; teacher/counselor at the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Skills Center Program; Director of Employer Relations at South Bay College; and National Director of Corporate Development for MALDEF, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

A 25-year veteran news reporter and talk show host, Joe Ortiz (in addition to his social work jobs) began a broadcasting career in Los Angeles on KABC Talk Radio in 1971-72. He also conducted radio and television talk shows at KLOS-FM and KCBS (then KNXT) Television, KPFK-FM Radio (where he was Chief News Reporter) and Prime Time With Joe Ortiz, which aired on KPPC-AM in Pasadena. He also co-hosted a Christian talk show with Mike O’Brien at the same station for one year called Heart & Soul. He then took his Prime Time show to KPZE-AM Radio in Anaheim for one year, then starred in a 6-9 a.m., weekday, drive time show (Mornings With Joe & Cris) with comedian Cris Franco at the same station. His last official hosting job was as a substitue for nationally syndicated host, Dennis Prager, during the Persian Gulf War in 1992. He conducted this special show at KABC Talk Radio, the same station where he began his broadcasting career 21 years earlier.

In 1976, he received a Golden Mike Award for “Member, Best News Team” while working as the Chief News reporter at KPFK-FM, Pacifica Radio; and the Angel Award for “Best Talk Host” while hosting the shows “The Siesta Is Over” and “Bienvenidos” at KCBS Television, Channel 2, in Los Angeles. In the November, 1989 issue of HISPANIC BUSINESS, he was named to that national magazine’s “100 Hispanic Influentials” list for his broadcasting excellence.

Educated at various southern California colleges, including the University of California at Riverside and UCLA, he holds California State credentials authorizing him to teach Public Affairs Broadcasting, Public Relations, Human Relations in Business and Personnel Training and Related Occupations. He has taught at Riverside City College and both the Los Angeles and Riverside Unified School Districts.

In June 2000, he returned to his hometown of Indio, California and managed a family emergency homeless shelter in Palm Springs for three years. Now semi-retired due to physical injuries, he  lives with his wife Martha in Redlands, California and devotes much of his time to more extensive Bible research, as well as managing several blogs and web sites, and also provides pro bono public relations consultation services to various  nonprofit groups dedicated to unwed mothers, the homeless and youth services.

Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the poor and needy, (Proverbs 31:8-9)

Visit Joe at: http://sites.google.com/site/theendtimespassover/Home