FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Compass International

It is amazing to run across businesses and enterprises that are headquartered here and we often know nothing about them. One such international ministry is Compass International, headquartered in Coeur d’Alene and celebrating its 25th year of ministry. It’s founded by Bill and Susie Perkins. We had a chance recently to catch up with Bill and find out more about Compass, what they do and what is planned for this next year.

Bill, what is the mission of Compass International?

Our mission is simple: To defend the accuracy of the Bible from Genesis I to Revelation 22. We do that with conferences, Bible trips to the Holy Land and providing resources that communicate Bible truths.

I see that the next scheduled conference will actually be held here in Coeur d’Alene at The Resort. Tell us more about that.

These conferences are called “Steeling the Mind” and comes from Proverbs 27:17, “as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” We seek to sharpen believers with solid, conservative Bible teaching. We have held these conferences for thousands of people all over the world and the next one is Feb. 16 next year at The Coeur d’Alene Resort. Top Bible teachers will be here to make presentations on apologetics, prophecy and Biblical creation and more. This is an all-day event designed for people to come away energized and excited about their faith.

I have to admit that some of the educational trips planned are some of the most exciting that I have seen. Can you give us a preview of what is coming?

First we have three trips scheduled this next year that are all within the United States that will deepen every Christian’s faith. The first is a trip entitled “Christian Heritage Weekend” that will take place in Washington, D.C., June 6-9, 2019. This trip includes visiting the Museum of the Bible, Holocaust Museum, Lincoln Memorial, White House, Capitol and more. You’ll learn about our country’s amazing Christian roots with Andy Woods, President of Chafer Seminary, lecturing on the links between our Constitution and the Bible!

The second trip is June 20-23 next year entitled “Creation and the Canyon.” This trip shows the scientific evidences that the huge canyon was carved over just a few days or weeks about 4,500 years ago. We see the canyon from both the top rim and the bottom on a 17-mile trip down the Colorado River. Our Bible teacher is popular creationist Russ Miller, who armors you with a scientific defense of Noah’s flood. The trip is limited to one bus and has sold out every year for eight years.

The third trip we have planned is Aug. 23-24, 2019, and is called “Steeling Noah’s Ark.” This is a Bible conference where you also visit the newly rebuilt Noah’s Ark in northern Kentucky. Built to Biblical dimensions, the Ark is the largest wooden-framed structure in the world, is two football fields long and cost $88 million to build! Speaking we have top apologists Ken Ham, Josh McDowell and Russ Miller. This is a trip for the entire family and is quite impacting.

Bill, you and your staff have put together three trips that should entice anyone to sign on for their summer vacation! I know this is not all. In fact you are known for your trips to the Holy Land. What is available for those who want to learn more about their Christian roots?

You saved the best for last! Next September-October 2019 we have a Biblelands Cruise that ports in Israel, Greece and Italy, visiting scores of Biblical sites! We journey the Mediterranean on a trip (with Celebrity Cruises) that includes Athens, Corinth, Crete, Rhodes, Rome and more! Hosting this tour with my wife, Susie, and me are Josh and Dottie McDowell. This 16-day trip makes your Bible come alive more than you can imagine!

Bill, the conference in February is enticing and certainly the trips that are planned are wonderful. From all of the teaching and conferences you have held, are there other resources available through Compass?

Yes! We have DVDs, flash drives of previous events and speakers and books, all designed to defend the inerrancy of the Bible — Biblical armor for the fascinating times in which we live.

If people want to contact you for information on any of the trips or conferences or get on your mailing list, how do they do that?

They can go to our website, compass.org or call us at 800-977-2177 or 208-762-7777.