Isaiah 25:6-9, Matthew 8:5-13 From the beginning of the Bible’s story, God has been calling a people who will extend the blessings of His salvation to ALL peoples of the earth. From the beginning of that story, God’s chosen people have neglected, even resisted, that central dynamic of faith – the extension of the salvation to all people groups. Jesus repeatedly worked to redirect faith from a self-centered cul-de-sac of “bless me and mine” to the long road of “bless the world through me and mine.” His startling healing of a Roman soldier, who represented the despised occupying power of Rome, gave Him occasion to reveal the true nature of the Kingdom: a feast of life set up for all classes and cultures. The point of the whole Bible could be summarized as “Some will come from every tribe and tongue, if only we who know will only GO!” Bio for Rev. Dr. Thomas Theriault (Guest Speaker) Tom Theriault is a grateful follower of Jesus who was brought to faith in high school. His walk with Christ was much strengthened by his involvement in Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship while attending the University of Washington, where he majored in Psychology and History, and where he felt called to vocational ministry. He twice attended Fuller Seminary, first earning an MDiv and then a DMin in Intercultural Studies. Tom served Presbyterian churches in La Crescenta, CA, Yakima, WA, and he retired last summer after 21 years as Mission Pastor at Solana Beach Pres. For six years, along with his wife, Judy, he directed the Presbyterian Center for Mission Studies. He and Judy are immensely blessed with two daughters, a son, and five grandchildren, all of whom live in the San Diego area! So they happily do a lot of grandparenting!!