Now on VIDEO! “Prophet Sharing” Community Faith Forum

In the event you couldn’t join us in person at our forum yesterday, please enjoy our community Faith Forum, titled,“PROPHET Sharing”

Video 1 – Panelists share
Video 2 – Q & A

Some claim to have had direct contact with God and have brought the message back to the people. Are there still prophets alive today? Who are the modern prophets? What is their function exactly? Do they have a large say in places-of-worship matters?

Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Program: Panelists share, followed by Q & A. We’d like to thank our panelists:

Rabbi Arthur Lavinsky – Jewish: Rabbi Lavinsky has an extensive bio at https://www.bethelphoenix.com/about/The short version is – His love for Jews and Judaism are evident in every aspect of his service to the congregation, and Beth El has enjoyed a significant increase in activity and participation since his arrival. Rabbi Lavinsky vows to “work hand in hand with Beth El’s staff and officers to make Central Phoenix’s only Conservative congregation stronger and more vibrant than it’s ever been before.”

John Akram & Iman Sultan Salahudin – Islam: John Akram was drafted into the military and joined the Air Force. While in the Air Force, he served in VietNam as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician on Fighter Jet Aircraft in Europe and the Middle East.During his extended tour of active duty in Saudi Arabia, John was able to visit the Holy City of Mecca, and perform the Umrah, the lesser Hajj, which is one of the Five Pillars of the religion of Al Islam. Upon returning to the United States after his tour of duty in Saudi Arabia was over, he and other members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, jointly organized the Muslim American Military Association (MAMA), which was authorized by the Chief of Staff Chaplain at the Pentagon in Washington DC. A year later, MAMA took 100 military members from all services to the Hajj, in Mecca Saudi Arabia, to fulfill the fifth pillar of Al Islam, which is that every Muslim is to perform the Hajj at least once in your lifetime, if you can! John went on to set up Mosques at every Air Force Installation that he was assigned to. Each one of these assignments were authorized by the Installation Chaplains and the Base Commanders as well. John received many letters of appreciation and recognitions for his efforts in conducting Islamic services and participating in on base religious forums and committees that enhanced the spiritual and moral development and maintenance on the bases.

Eldred Spain – Community of Christ: Eldred is an ordained Evangelist. He was a High School Social Studies Teacher for 19 years and served a full time ministry in Community of Christ for more than 21 years. He has advanced degrees from Graceland University, University of Central Missouri, Arizona State University, and the Southern California School of Theology.
— Brent Jameson – Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Brent was raised in Utah and received his B.A and M.A degrees in French from Brigham Young University. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in France and Switzerland. He taught French at Phoenix College for 37 years. He retired in 2009 and he and Lorraine served a mission for the church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi after which they were called again by the church to return to the Congo and oversee missionary work in six French-speaking African countries for an additional two years.
Tom Picard – Family Federation for World Peace and Unification: Tom grew up in Louisiana where he was raised in a Catholic home. In 1978 he joined the Unification Movement (now called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification). He was matched to his wife Mamiko by Rev. Moon; and together they received the Marriage Blessing in 1982 in Madison Square Garden along with 2074 other Unification Church couples. Tom is a software engineer. He and Mamiko have been part of the Arizona Family Federation community since 2000.

Moderator: Rev. Dr. Mitzi Lynton

We are pleased to offer Community Faith Forums, monthly, through the school year, to discuss topics of the day together in a respectful manner, listening and considering many different perspectives. While AZIFM doesn’t take positions on issues, through the different viewpoints discussed, hopefully one can have a more sound basis for their own viewpoints. We’d like to thank our panelists and those who attend and ask such great questions that help us all learn!!