1 Peter 3:15, Yom, and Jonah—What’s the Connection?

One of the things I enjoy hearing most from other staff at AiG is how they came to work here. So I thought I would share my story. Nine years ago, during a private devotional time, the Lord laid on my heart that I needed to figure out what I believed and why I believed it concerning the issue of origins. He specifically used 1 Peter 3:15 to help me know that I didn’t have an answer when it came to the origins issue, which definitely pertains to the hope I have in Christ. I had been brought up in a Christian home and attended a Christian college, and I did believe the Bible, but also knew what I had learned in my science classes in school.

After almost a year of searching, the Lord helped me see the truth very clearly. One of the biggest impacts on me was a creation conference I attended in the summer of 2001. I was impressed with all the scientific presentations, but the one that made the biggest impression on me was a theological presentation on the meaning of the Hebrew word yom in Genesis 1. The speaker laid out very clearly why yom in Genesis 1 means a literal 24-hour day. I remember going back to my room that afternoon and thinking if that information is correct then I have no choice—God said it, and that settles it. I did some of my own research on the issue and knew there was only one choice if the Bible is trustworthy and authoritative—God created in six 24-hour days about 6000 years ago. I was now a bona fide biblical creationist! I found the websites of AiG and Institute for Creation Research (ICR) and began reading, watching videos, and attending conferences. I even had a bookstore wish list on the AiG website and told people that’s what I wanted for Christmas!

In 2003, shortly after attending my first AiG conference, my husband and I started attending a new church, Perry Chapel Baptist Church near Henpeck, Ohio (as Ken likes to mention!) When I saw a vehicle in the parking lot with the Answers in Genesis logo on the side, I got so excited as I realized this was Buddy Davis’ home church! Over the next year or so, we talked occasionally about the possibility of me doing some work for AiG since I was very interested in creation ministry. I always told the Lord concerning my interest in this area that if He opened the doors, then I would go through them. Well a big door was about to open.

Buddy told me to contact AiG about visiting their headquarters and giving a “brown bag” presentation (that’s a lunchtime meeting that staff are invited to attend.) He said they were interested in the possibility of me writing articles for them, among other things. He even said they would like me to consider moving to the Cincinnati area (I thought he was joking!). I said “no way” because we were really happy with our church, friends, and home, and we were just about to adopt our daughter from China, so we weren’t moving. Never say never! Shortly after coming back from China, I contacted AiG about a visit.

After the first visit, I was invited back to give a second presentation, and I took my husband Chris with me this time. That afternoon, Ken asked me if I would consider coming to work at AiG full-time as a speaker and researcher. My jaw hit the floor as I didn’t even know such a position was open and wasn’t aware I was interviewing for it! This was my dream job, and I knew God wanted me to walk through the door, but I could only do it if Chris knew this was what God wanted too. When we got in our truck, I turned to Chris and said, “What do you think?” He said, “Well, I don’t want to be like Jonah and have to be swallowed by a big fish to know this is the right thing to do.” Chris has such a great sense of humor! We accepted shortly thereafter and a year later we arrived.

That was over four years ago, and I’m amazed at how quickly the time has passed (probably because I keep so busy!) My husband recently started working for AiG, and our daughter has informed us that someday she will work for AiG too. (She wants to work in the bookstore because she likes the cash registers—an expected answer from a six-year-old!) I praise God for this wonderful ministry and the impact it has made in our lives—as well as the impact it is having on Christians, calling them back to the authority and truthfulness of God’s Word.