The Unmerciful Servant

Dennis Paul Fischer

Dennis’ first contact with God’s Church occurred in the mid '60s. At that time, a friend of his mother Genene told her about Mr. Armstrong and the Radio Church of God. She contacted the church shortly after that and requested to meet with a representative from Pasadena to discuss attending services.

The associate pastor who first visited Mrs. Fischer expressed to her that he thought it was very unlikely that Dennis would accept the Church because of his deep involvement in high school life. He excelled in athletics (8 varsity letters) and held numerous school offices including Student Body President his senior year. Upon graduation, the faculty awarded him the distinction of Student of the Year.

Dennis’ father was very antagonistic toward the church and was furious when his son informed him that he wanted to begin his collegiate studies at Ambassador College instead of a more “prestigious” university. He had already been accepted to some of the most prominent schools in the country.

Despite the explosive protest of his father, Dennis attended Ambassador’s Pasadena campus and later the University of Southern California (USC). He was baptized by Mr. Howard Clark in November 1968 during his sophomore year. Dennis describes his AC days as a rich experience with some self-inflicted disappointments. His academic performance was very modest, which surprised those closest to him. He rejected as a factor the stress of disappointing the father he so dearly loved. According to Dennis, “I just dropped the ball.”

Mr. Fischer’s professional background is somewhat diverse. He taught high school for five years, including coaching varsity basketball. His teams were among the best in the state in their division with some of his players going on to play major college basketball. It was at this time that Mr. Fischer stopped attending services. Simply put, he “left the church.” When describing the cause of his departure (1975-1981) Fischer acknowledges that it was “nothing other than complacency and I’m terribly ashamed of it.”

However, during these prodigal years, Dennis was presented with some very unique experiences. He was a featured speaker at the California Republican convention on two occasions. During that time he was approached by party leaders and asked to run for a seat in the US House of Representatives. He declined the invitation immediately.

In 1981, Mr. Fischer, at the urging of his then-fiancée, Anne Rogers, resumed attending God’s Church in Reseda, California. Anne, who was introduced to the truth by Dennis, was baptized in 1982. They were married at Ambassador College the following year. Mr. Fischer has repeatedly described his marriage as “the closest thing to perfection” he has ever witnessed. He would later say, “Annie is a combination of Ruth and Esther on their good days.” Years later he would have pictures of their wedding converted into a touching video (Dreams) and given to Anne on their twentieth anniversary. “It still makes me cry every time I see it,” said Anne. The video, which was produced by his close friend Randy Vild, actually helped inspire the format of Blow the Trumpet.

In December 1984, Anne gave birth to the Fischer’s only son, David John. “DJ,” as he is called, has been a source of immense joy to his parents. Throughout his school years his teachers repeatedly touted him as a model student. His high school water polo coach referred to him as “the gift.” DJ excelled as a competitive swimmer, winning numerous medals in various meets including the Junior Olympics. However, one moment in his swimming career had a profound impact on the Fischers. It occurred in the fall of 1999, three months before his 15th birthday.

The Drowning

At the conclusion of a “High Stress Level” workout, DJ blacked out and sank to the bottom of the team’s pool. Remarkably, this took place at the precise time his team was preparing to go to their locker room, thus no one saw him. A few minutes later as he lay still, 12 feet below the water’s surface, his coach came out to retrieve some equipment that had been left behind. At this time he saw David and knew the situation was critical. DJ was immediately retrieved from the pool and administered CPR by Dr. Lennis Burke, a pediatric cardiologist and his wife, Mary Ann (also a doctor), who were parents of one of DJ’s teammates. For several minutes there was no respiration or pulse. The following week when recounting the event, Dr. Burke would tell Mr. Fischer that for a moment, “David was gone.”

In many respects, everything about this apparent tragedy was surrounded by God’s presence. For example, Dr. Burke was almost never at the pool. He just, for no apparent reason, decided to drop by—arriving as DJ was being pulled out of the water. Dr. Burke knew David well because his son Patrick and DJ were best friends. They shared the same events (Breaststroke and Sprints) and even shared the same birthday. They were inseparable at meets and the Burkes genuinely loved David. It was Patrick who actually pulled him from the bottom of the pool. Some who were there as the rescue was taking place said, “Dr. Burke fought to save him [David] like he was his own son.”

Although the poolside rescue resuscitated DJ, the emergency was far from over. His skin was very jaundice in color and he was barely conscious. Physically, he was almost limp. Additionally, all his vital signs were very erratic and required immediate attention. He was transported by ambulance to the nearby trauma center of a prominent hospital. At this point, one of David’s coaches called Mr. Fischer and advised him that there had been an accident involving his son at the pool. When Mr. Fischer asked if everything was ok, the coach responded, “It’s pretty serious.”

The coach’s tone was unmistakable. As Mr. Fischer was driven by his sister to the hospital (he decided not to drive himself because of the stress) he began imagining what life would be like without his only child. “I actually started to prepare for DJ’s funeral. I know this sounds strange, but I had resigned myself to accepting the worst. I thought of who we would invite and all the arrangements. My heart also went out to Jeff (David’s coach). He was a man of remarkable discipline and talent. And David admired him so much.”

When Mr. Fischer arrived at the hospital, he was met by Jeff Thornton (DJ’s coach), who had been crying. “It was clear he was devastated over this,” Fischer said when recounting the moment. Inside the trauma center, doctors explained that it was critical that David’s “vitals” be stabilized. They explained that they would have to do a tracheotomy if his numbers didn’t change quickly. After connecting him to three monitors, the medical team presiding over this emergency decided to give him a few minutes to see what would happen. Two physicians were placed in an adjoining room and anxiously watched corresponding monitors tracking David’s activity.

At this time, Mr. Art Braidic, a close friend and pastor of the Fischers arrived at the hospital and anointed their son. Immediately, David’s vitals stabilized. “It was amazing to see the three monitors in the room all race toward normal levels,” his father would say. One week later, DJ had resumed a full workout regimen and within two months won a bronze medal at the Winter Age Group championships. His friend Patrick won a gold medal and set a national mark in the Breaststroke.

This experience had a profound impact on Mr. Fischer and would be instrumental in shaping his appreciation for God as a REAL Healer.

Returning to the '80s

While attending the Reseda congregation from ‘81-'86, Dennis’ pastor and mentor was Mr. Ron Laughland, a man for whom he has enormous respect. Mr. Laughland inspired a huge desire in him to passionately study God’s word and to be ready always to give an answer of the hope that lies within him. According to Mr. Fischer, “You can still see a little of Ron Laughland in me and I’m honored to say that.”

Dennis and his family continued attending the Reseda congregation until 1993 when the “new understanding” coming out of Pasadena (WCG headquarters) led him to resign his membership. At that time his pastor was Mr. James Friddle. When describing his decision to leave WCG Dennis said, “I really liked Mr. Friddle, but I hated what was going on in God’s Church.” He would later acknowledge that a widely circulated sermon by Mr. Dave Pack called “Thirty Reasons” was instrumental in persuading him to withdraw his affiliation with the WCG.

The Corporate World

After a brief teaching career during the '70s, Mr. Fischer entered the corporate world serving as a Vice President for a multi-billion dollar thrift institution—working in their administrative offices in Simi Valley, California. While there, he oversaw four retail banking departments, including its video production group. There, he produced numerous training videos as well as high-energy multi-media productions used in corporate sales rallies and national conferences. He was also commissioned to write speeches for senior executives including the Chairman of the Board. He served in this capacity for approximately ten years. During this time, Mr. Fischer traveled extensively spending as much as a thousand hours a year giving presentations to clients as well as company personnel.

During the nineties, Mr. Fischer headed up the major accounts division of a leading research firm specializing in analyzing sales and service cultures for some of the premier financial institutions in the country. At this time, he and his family began attending the recently formed Global Church of God in Sierra Madre, California. It is there that he developed a close friendship with his pastor, Mr. Art Braidic. That friendship would grow immensely, in part because of tragedies that would later beset both of them.

Dennis and his family remained in what became the Living Church of God until 1999. At that time he was approached by his closest friend, Mardy Cobb, and asked to help him form a group for a small community who were still attending the Worldwide Church of God. Mr. Cobb was also attending the WCG when he sought Dennis’ help in this endeavor. Mr. Fischer consented in an effort to bring his dear friend out of the apostasy that had so infested that once-great church. The good news is that it worked. The bad news is that it didn’t work the way he thought it would, and as a result, created a rift between him and his dear friend. When describing his reason for helping Mr. Cobb, Mr. Fischer said, “I honestly thought this was simply a step to lead some of God’s people to a group that was already established, or at the very least to seek out an ordained pastor to care for them. As it turned out, that wasn’t the case.”

The estrangement between Dennis and Mardy has been characterized by Dennis as “the greatest failure of my life.” He would later confess, “I am still heartbroken by it and ache for the time when we will be reconciled. Mardy was my dearest friend and I love him as much today as I ever have. He just wanted something from me I couldn’t give.”

It was during this time that Mr. Fischer began to suffer a huge financial setback. The business he helped to build and which had thrived throughout the nineties was now failing. In an attempt to sustain it, he dedicated virtually all of his assets to its operation. The strategy failed and Mr. Fischer and the family he loved so much found themselves with nothing. For the next several months they lived a transient life. They resided in motels and later at the homes of friends. They even spent a few nights sleeping in a borrowed car. This was such a stark contrast to a life of luxury automobiles, large homes and exotic vacations that was so commonplace for them.

However, this tragedy did reveal something about his family that Mr. Fischer cherishes to this very day. He described it this way: “At a time when my family could have fallen apart, it seemed to grow stronger. I never felt more loved and respected by Annie and David than I did during this great trial.”

Shortly before this, Mr. Fischer’s close friendship with Art Braidic would be transformed from that of member-pastor to brother-brother. During this period, Mr. Braidic resigned from the Global Church of God. Much has been said about the reason for this decision, including a lot of finger pointing at Mr. Braidic. However, Dennis was deeply struck by his former pastor’s humility when dealing with this low point in his life. Recently, he responded to a prominent COG group that vilified his friend for past mistakes.

“With respect to Mr. Art Braidic I will say this: I have never known a man I respected or admired more, including Mr. Armstrong, or even my own father for that matter. This highly flawed Christian is more than decent. He is good. I have watched him humble himself in ways that would terrify self-righteous hypocrites like those who would rather slander him than forgive him. I, for one, would bet a fortune that he has even moved God Himself to tears of joy.

"Art Braidic has quietly comforted the weak, cared for the poor, counseled scores of disenfranchised casualties of God’s Church, and has never asked for anything in return. In addition to that, he has been my friend beyond measure. To say that I love him is an immense understatement.”

During the late '90s, Mr. Braidic was committed to reconstructing a life that appeared to be shattered. However, instead of walking away from his association with God’s people, he began to dedicate himself to God and His work as never before. Because he was a devoted student of the Bible, he began investing great amounts of energy to writing. At this time he approached Mr. Fischer to assist him in producing several booklets. Mr. Fischer willingly consented and the publishing team of Braidic & Fischer was born. Since its inception, they have co-authored several articles and numerous booklets including:

The Historical Jesus		Twelve Keys to Understanding Revelation

Dennis affectionately describes his writing relationship with Mr. Braidic this way. “Mr. ‘B’ gives our work life. I give it manners.”

It Came Without Warning

In 2002, Mr. Fischer embarked on two significant writing projects. The first was a work entitled:

It Came Without Warning

This book examines the attack on America on September 11, 2001. It sets this tragedy to the backdrop of the Olivet Prophecy and how Jesus’ words relate to the world, to the nation and to the church. This book crystallized in Dennis’ mind a great need for God’s people to preach the gospel as a warning witness. It even chastises COG leaders for softening their message. It was during this time that Dennis began seriously pondering the idea of Blow the Trumpet.

A Sabbath Test

The second writing project involved an examination of the issue of dining out on the Sabbath.

A Sabbath Test

Mr. Braidic had approached Dennis on this idea because of its widespread practice in the church. Both of them had engaged in this sin themselves but had repented of it after an exhaustive study on the subject.

What would follow would be the most comprehensive work on this issue ever produced in God’s Church. At first, Braidic and Fischer thought A Sabbath Test would be well received by the leaders of God’s people. Its message was so clear. But even more than that, it was totally non-judgmental. The book’s introduction put it this way.

“This booklet is not an attempt to condemn the wonderful community of believers who are called according to His purpose. Instead, it is written with the profound hope that these believers will carefully examine their approach to a day God Himself calls 'HOLY.' It is intended to challenge you to consider your attitude as well as your behavior concerning the fourth commandment.” (A Sabbath Test)

However, what began as a simple and quiet expression of faith turned out to be one of the most explosive books to hit the COG in years. In the summer of 2005 it would even spark a heated debate between a prominent COG splinter group and Blow the Trumpet. While most COG leaders rejected its message, its story has played out much differently among members.

The issue of dining out on the Sabbath began to take center stage on the Internet. Numerous chat rooms and forums began seriously addressing the subject. As a result, a tide of change could be seen coming over the church. This is not to suggest that the majority of God’s people concur with the book’s argument, but it has moved hundreds, if not thousands, to turn from this practice and to speak with confidence concerning their change of heart.

It was during this time (2002), that the Fischers began attending the United Church of God in Eagle Rock, California. Their pastor was Mr. Robin Webber, a man Dennis had known from his days in Ambassador College. Dennis connected with Mr. Webber’s teaching style and characterized him as an excellent pastor. He also believes Mr. Webber’s wife Susan is “a wonderful model of Christianity.”

In June 2003, the Fischers moved to Everett, Washington, a “blue collar” community on the Puget Sound. They attend services with the United Church of God in Bellevue. Their pastor is Mr. Dennis Luker. Mr. Luker is a long time evangelist in God’s Church and although Mr. Fischer has known him for a relatively short time, he speaks with great respect concerning him. “There is not a finer man in God’s work. Everything about Mr. and Mrs. Luker reflects dignity. They are a model of how a pastor and his wife should lead God’s people.”

A Vision, A Plan and A Destiny

Shortly after the Feast of Tabernacles in 2003, Mr. Fischer began what he describes as the most significant writing project of his life. “Nothing will ever touch it,” he said. He approached this undertaking at the urging of his friend and frequent co-author, Art Braidic. However, this time there would be no collaboration. This endeavor would represent everything Dennis believes about God’s plan and mankind’s part in it. Six months later, the final touches were being put on a 350 page work entitled:

A Vision, A Plan and A Destiny

It is a gripping story of how God will ultimately accomplish something He purposed in His heart before the universe came into existence.

Mr. Fischer speaks with great affection regarding the message proclaimed in this remarkable book. “I want readers to go away understanding that God is not only POWERFUL and RESOLUTE, He is also TENDER beyond measure and His commitment to drawing His children to Himself is unwavering.”

The first comment Fischer received by a reader referred to the book as “emotional and compelling.” Some have even called it the perfect companion to Mystery of the Ages. Fischer described it this way: “It is well worth a read. Not because of who wrote it, but because of Who it is written about. I can’t imagine anyone reading it and not liking God.”

Blow the Trumpet

While Mr. Fischer was involved in writing It Came Without Warning in 2002, he was also becoming frustrated by what he thought was the church’s passive approach to preaching the gospel. It was simply inconceivable to him that prominent figures in the church couldn’t see the urgency of the times and take action. He even contemplated that the events of 9/11 were just as much a warning to God’s people as they were to the descendants of ancient Israel. His frustration came to a head when attending a COG-sponsored “Prophecy Seminar.” It was there that one of the presenters suggested that the church should guard against giving messages that offend those outside their community of faith. This high-ranking leader also argued that God’s people cannot know for sure if they are living in the last days. Dennis would later express his feelings this way: “How can you proclaim an end-time warning when you’re afraid of hurting people's feelings and you don’t think it’s the end time?”

At this point, Mr. Fischer began seriously contemplating producing a high-energy web site dedicated to proclaiming a hard-hitting message. That message would warn that God takes defiance to His law very personally and that He is going to take action in correcting mankind for thinking that there are no consequences to sin.

He then began sharing the idea of taking an Ezekiel warning public with his closest friends. Because some of these friends had positions of modest influence in various COG "splinter" groups, a decision was made to remain anonymous. Dennis would later say, “Some may disagree with our level of secrecy but to us it just made sense. We were not trying to "grandstand" with the site. We just saw a need and decided to address it. Actually, we were hoping that one of the larger groups would be encouraged to be more bold in their message. We even considered the possibility of handing off Blow the Trumpet to others and return to our roles as normal (if there is such a thing) members.”