October 30
³Serve God and Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action²
Matthew Sleeth, M.D., and Author
10-11:15 a.m., Faculty Seminar Room (LC 243)
(Organized by Diana Hunter; Cosponsored with the Environmental Studies,
Religious Studies and Peace and Justice Studies Programs)
OREM, Utah-What if someone gave up a fantastic career, sold his home, and
gave away more than half of what he owned? That's the story of J. Matthew
Sleeth, M.D., who was the chief of medical staff and director of ER at a
hospital on the east coast. Dr. Sleeth resigned from his position to devote
his life to environmental stewardship. He will speak on his journey and his
book, Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action, at UVSC on
Tuesday, October 30th from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in the Losee Center (room
LC243). This event is free and open to the public. It is cosponsored by
Environmental Studies, Religious Studies, Peace and Justice Studies and the
School of Continuing Education.
Serve God, Save the Planet, is a deeply personal book with far-reaching
ramifications for Christians and all those who take their devotion to God
seriously. The book presents a gripping account of Dr. Sleeth's personal and
spiritual journey to environmental stewardship, lays out sobering rationale
for life changes, and a guide for lifestyle changes that will help care for
others and help protect the earth.
Dr. Sleeth is a graduate of George Washington University School of Medicine
where he received two post doctoral fellowships. Five years ago, Sleeth and
his family lived in a big house on the coast, had two luxury cars and many
material possessions. Sleeth was living the American dream, until he
realized that something was wrong. As he saw patient after patient suffering
from cancer, asthma, and other chronic diseases, and began to understand
that the earth and its inhabitants were in trouble. Feeling helpless, he
turned to his faith for guidance. He discovered how the scriptural lessons
of personal responsibility, simplicity, and stewardship could be applied to
modern life. Together with his wife and two teenaged children, he began to
bring his lifestyle in line with his values. The Sleeth family sold their
big house and gave away more than half of what they owned.
The Sleeth family made many lifestyle changes after examining their lives.
Sleeth made an assessment of the environmental impact by his family on the
earth and was convicted to translate his Christian beliefs into action. The
home the Sleeths live in is the exact size of their old garage. They use
less than one-third of the fossil fuels and one-quarter of the electricity
they once used. They have gone from leaving two barrels of trash by the curb
each week to leaving one bag every few weeks.
Sleeth now helps lead the eco-evangelism movement from his home in Wilmore,
KY. Dr. Sleeth resigned from his position as chief to teach, preach, and
write about faith and the environment throughout the country. His book,
Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action, was released in
soft cover by Zondervan Publishing in April 2007. In Sleeth's book, he
shares the joy of adopting a less materialistic lifestyle, and reveals what
was easy and what was hard about the changes his family has made and how
material downscaling led his family to healthier lifestyles, stronger
relationships, and richer spiritual lives. To hear more about Dr. J. Matthew
Sleeth's personal book come to the powerful presentation that will change
your life's perspectives.
For more information about Sleeth's talk at UVSC call the School of
Continuing Education at (801) 863-7427.
To view more on Dr. J. Matthew Sleeth and his book online go to
www.servegodsavetheplanet.org <
http://www.servegodsavetheplanet.org/>.
*****
David Richard Keller, Ph.D.
Utah Valley State College
801.863.6363
http://davidkeller.us/
