Video Focuses On Finance

It’s a new year, with a new chance to get your finances in line - with a little help from above.

That’s the idea behind a series of taped seminars that will be shown at Spokane Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church beginning Wednesday.

Although he’s not there in the flesh, Ed Reid’s pre-recorded finance lectures can be a big help to anyone feeling a pinch in the pocketbook.

“He is an attorney, pastor, and just a dynamic speaker,” says the Rev. Charles Ferguson, pastor of the church at 12323 E. Mission.

Sound like a varied resume? It is. Reid’s published works reflect that, too - he has written a popular personal finance guide, “It’s Your Money,” and a book on Bible prophecy.

Reid now lives and works in Washington, D.C. He heads the stewardship department of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, but grew up nearby in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Ferguson doesn’t see the mix of religious and financial counsel as strange. On the contrary, he says Christian spending advice is the best kind.

That was Reid’s motivation for creating the series.

“He really saw a need for Christian counsel,” Ferguson says.

Reid sees getting out of debt, planning wise investments and retirement plans as key to being a good steward of material gifts.

The church has shown some of the seminars before, and the video concept worked out fine. Ferguson says people found they could see the big screen better than if the speaker was actually there anyway.

The seminars happen at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday through Feb. 7. An optional workbook is available for purchase for $3. For more information, call 926-5866.

Fighting crime

Valley Church of Christ, 17221 E. Broadway in Greenacres, will host a gang awareness seminar on Sunday, Jan. 21 at 5 p.m.

Lance Ladines of the Washington State Patrol Gang Task Force will talk about why teenagers get involved in gangs and how parents can tell if their children are at risk.

The seminar is intended for adults only. For more information, call 928-0518.

, DataTimes