Dennis Gundersen
Dennis Gundersen is Senior Pastor-teacher at Grace Bible Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and has served in the Tulsa area in this role since 1981. He is author of two books: "Your Child's Profession of Faith" and "Courtship or Dating: So What's the Difference", and is a frequent speaker at church conferences, men's retreats and home education conventions. He and his wife Naomi have been married since 1976, and have four sons.
The Gundersens own and operate Grace & Truth Books as their family business, publishing over 60 books, most of which are reprints of children's books from the 1800's. Dennis came to faith in Christ in 1971, while pursuing his career (at that time) as an FM-rock DJ. He is an avid mountain climber and photographer.
Workshops
Building A Good Conscience in Your Child (Friday 9am Ambassador Room)
What the Bible calls “a good conscience” is vital to form in youth! Parents can strengthen a child’s conscience, so he becomes an adult of strong convictions and is compelled away from sinful living and towards righteous choices, even when parents are not present. A practical plan for achieving this is the subject of this seminar!
Courtship & Dating – So What’s the Difference? (Friday 1:15pm Room AB)
Families hear much about “courtship” these days, but often lack clear ideas of where the differences lie between a “dating” approach and the “courtship” concept. We want to spare our children the pitfalls of the modern “dating” tradition, but often don’t know how to explain to them how “courtship” works! This seminar gives 6 easily-understood differences between the two approaches, to help any family apply the old approach in a modern era, but without arbitrary, Pharasaical rules. Dennis gives parents principles they can apply, in varied household situations.
Go For the Goal! Shepherding our Children with Eternal Aims (Friday 6pm Ambassador Room)
What are you aiming for? This motivating message is based on the Apostle Paul’s summary of why he taught – 1 Timothy 1:5: “The goal of our instruction is, love from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and a sincere faith” – perfect goals for godly parents! The work of pastors and parents have this in common: both are "shepherding" souls! Dennis designs in this message to train and equip parents to raise up children whose lives overflow with love, from inner personal purity; guided by the moral discretion of a good conscience; and built on a sincere faith.
What We Were Taught About “Self” Before “Self-Esteem” Came Along (Saturday, 9:15am Room AB)
Most homeschool families raise their children on modern, humanistic views of “self”, for lack of knowing a better option. The modern views of self are based on the widely-accepted tenets of the “self-esteem” movement, prevalent in public education today. Few are even aware of the alternative, Biblical view of “self”, held for centuries among Christians prior to the ‘60’s. This seminar exposes the lie of this new false religion of man’s self-worship, and teaches parents the foundations of how to train their children’s minds in a Biblical view of their identity.
Deadly Weaknesses in the Strong Man: Moral Lessons Fathers Must Teach Their Sons (Saturday 2:30pm Ambassador Room)
An entertaining but challenging look at a bizarre and remarkable life: Samson! Learn why Samson failed big in relationships, and most of all: learn how not to repeat Samson’s mistakes! This peculiar man, mighty and strong where it mattered least, and weak where it mattered most (character!) makes for a fascinating story, full of truths that fathers must pass on to our sons.