(Fr) Paul Symonds Parish of Kirkinriola (Ballymena)
Desi Maxwell has an easy rapport with folk from all church traditions. I first heard him give his teaching in a Roman Catholic setting (Holy Cross Monastery in Rostrevor). I was so impressed I invited him immediately to come to Ballymena and give the talks. Initially I was thinking only of my own parish, but on reflection decided to open the talks to all and hold them in a 'neutral' environment. People from many different local churches attended and not only were they enthusiastic about the teaching, but many new friendships were developed across the churches. Desi is alive with the Spirit and brings the Word of God to life in a dynamic way. This year the 'neutral' environment was not available, so we have been holding the talks in a local Presbyterian church with great success: people from a wide variety of church traditions attend and the comfortable, relaxed atmosphere is still apparent. Desi carries his erudition lightly, puts people at their ease and yet conveys profound truths, leading his hearers into a deep experience of the scriptures 


Robert Ringland, Met-Work Technology,

Why on earth would you want to pay good money, to be lectured for approximately three hours, by Desi Maxwell in your spare time, on an archaic book that some would say has no relevance for today?

I know if you attend one of Desi's sessions you will know how to answer that yourself.
No point in me telling you what you can find out for yourself.
Come along for a really enjoyable experience. 

Some 'one-liners' after a 6 week series in Portstewart Baptist

.

‘What I enjoyed most was the principle of the journey – the Bible from start to finish.’
‘It was a pleasure and a privilege.’
‘Mindblowing.’
‘It made me intensely jealous of Desi’s knowledge.’
‘So much information – I especially liked the idea of the Jewish mind versus the Greek mind.’
‘Absolutely tremendous.’
‘I was really inspired to keep persevering.’
‘I was learning each week and wanting to come back.’
‘The value for me was getting into my Bible more.’
‘A full colour entertaining expose of the Bible.’
‘An illuminating roadmap of the Bible.’
‘It has shown me where I personally fit into the Big Picture and that has been very exciting.’


Bro. David Jardine, Divine Healing Ministries.

“I always enjoy listening to Desi Maxwell speak. His style is vibrant and full of life, and he deals with deep subjects in a way that makes it easy for the average person to understand."

Rev.Colin Dickson, Fivemiletown.

There are not too many people who would travel west of the Bann on Sunday nights during the heart of winter. Therefore we were delighted when Desi accepted our invitation to teach on four Sunday evenings in February. As a result people were encouraged and challenged through some incredible insights into the Jewish background of the Christian faith. With over a 120 people in attendance every evening, (other local denominations and Presbyterians came from Enniskillen, Omagh, and towns in between), many were renewed and refreshed in their vision of God and gained a deeper appreciation of the Hebrew Scriptures. We hope this well be a regular yearly event.

Phelim Doherty—Pastor, River City Church, L’Derry.

Desi Maxwell’s teaching ministry has been of great blessing to our church. We are delighted that this ministry is set to reach many more churches. Desi is being used of God to both bring Christians together and to inspire them to dig deeper into the riches of God’s Word. To serve such a great God, we all need to see ‘the big picture’!

Eugene and Brenda Nowlan, New Brunswick, Canada.

“Desi made the scriptures come alive to us! We fondly remember one summer, particularly, when he taught from the Old Testament and it was so exciting to go to each class and be fed from this gifted man. One thing we know for certain, Desi's purpose, is to teach with such a passion, that it excites us and fills hearts with desire to know more and more."


Gordon Campbell, part time student at Belfast Bible College.

“Desi Maxwell is to Bible teaching what Pele is to football- exciting, gifted and able to run rings around a lesser theologian like myself. I’ve been blessed by Desi’s ministry many times, his enthusiasm for God’s Word is infectious. Not only a great theologian and gifted communicator, but a very welcome encourager- a modern day Barnabas, a brother of consolation. As I look up to the Almighty in my future I can look back at the influence of a man of God like Desi Maxwell and I am grateful his shadow fell across my life.”


Larry Clark, Ph.D. –retired Director of Education, Oregon, USA.

“Desi Maxwell teaches in the "joy of the lord'. His message is thoroughly biblical, presented using fresh, current teaching methods and state-of-the-art technology. "


Dom Mark Ephrem Nolan, Superior, Holy Cross Benedictine Monastery, Rostrevor.

“Listen Israel (Dt 6:4)
By way of response to this Biblical injunction, we are happy to have hosted at our monastery on numerous occasions Rev. Desi Maxwell who has led us into an exploration of God’s Word.
Listening to the Word of God, the first source of all Christian spirituality, together, attuned to the One who is the Word, we have been led with our Christian brothers and sisters into a deeper fellowship.
Inspired and encouraged by this experience, we readily pray God’s blessing upon Desi as he steps out in faith to proclaim the Message, inviting an ever greater number of Christian brothers and sisters to Listen together to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches (Rev 2:29)"


Rev Dr. Harold Cunningham, Reformed Presbyterian Church.

“They are crying out for teaching! How often have you heard this recently? There now is a new generation of Christians with a keen spirit to explore the deeper things of God. And I believe the Lord has raised up a man for such a time as this. With many years experience as a master in Powerpoint and communication skills Desi Maxwell is widely known, respected and greatly appreciated by all who benefit from his unique style of ministry. His gift to make the Bible come alive for others is driven by his intense knowledge of God’s Word plus his enthusiastic conviction about its nature and power in his own life. To learn more about the origin of the Scriptures and their important relevance for today then I heartily recommend that you grasp the first opportunity to attend some of Desi’s excellent lectures."


Bálint Károly Zabán , Minister and PhD candidate, Hungarian Reformed Church

"For me Desi Maxwell is one of the few really genuine, very loving and approachable Christian teachers I have ever encountered. The things I have heard from him, the things he taught me, and the things he shared with me in public and in person shaped me, encouraged me and propelled me to be more passionate in my zeal to dedicate my life to Jesus, our Messiah."


Mark Miskimmin, financial consultant, Belfast

“Binoculars are one of those most amazing inventions in that when in focus they allow you to see something that seems a far off very clearly and with a definition that you could almost touch that which it is focused on.
Desi Maxwell’s teaching and life experience allows us to do that with scripture taking both lenses of the old and new testament and beautifully and passionately bringing them into focus, for those trying to understand what light scripture throws on how to live today, informed by an ancient book.”


Sebastion Forjan, former student. Slovenia

The Bible doesn't start with the cross. There is a progress which is mostly written in the Old Testament. But the problem is how to understand OT? How to understand Jesus without understanding the OT?
Before meeting Desi OT books were not my favorite or “read-them-as-fast-as-possible” so that I could say I have read the whole Bible. I didn’t have any idea what the OT was all about and what it has to do with the new one.
Sounds strange but I would say that Desi’s lectures helped me to remove veil that is upon the OT. Now I can see the Big picture that is so clear in the Bible. OT makes sense now and is the key to understand the new one. Thank you Desi for opening my eyes on the best book ever given to the people.


Peter Lawrence, Orrel Park Baptist, Liverpool

“Desi teaches the bible with enthusiasm and knowledge that helps those who listen to understand and explore who God is. His knowledge of the Old Testament and his gift to communicate it with passion and relevance brings people face to face with Gods wonderful Promise and final Word, Jesus Christ.”


Brian Bibby, Former part-time student, Newtownards

“I believe with all that is in me that you are a man set apart and specially gifted by God to spread His Kingdom here on earth. Your teaching is filled with wonder, insight and enthusiasm that enlightens, encourages and excites Christian plodders like me. You Desi are The “Contagious Christian”. Oh, and your pastoring is full of wisdom and grace. Those who have any experience of your ministry in the past are richer for that experience.”


Inge Verschoor - Tour guide in Israel

“As a tour guide in Israel, I usually do my work during the day, and retire to my room in the evening, to rest and prepare for the next day. When I was guiding your group, Desi, I came to your evening teachings, contrary to my habit. I must say, that I was always refreshed and blessed. Your teaching is so creative and full of original ideas, very much on a Biblical foundation, that it was an inspiration to me. I was happy to give up my free evenings in order to hear you and to fellowship with the tour group.”


Valerie Murphy, Percept Ministries

“It has been a privilege for us at Percept Ministries NI to partner with Desi over the last two years. Desi’s unique ministry provides Bible students with a vivid, colourful and cultural context in which to interpret the Bible text, bringing it to life in a fresh and dynamic way. He communicates with humour and his goal is always to see the truth being applied and lived out in those who hear.”


Dr.David Shepherd, Principal, Belfast Bible Colleges

In his many years at Belfast Bible College, Desi has touched the lives of countless students by helping them to rediscover the Bible in ways which are
exciting, inspiring and truly transforming. A gifted communicator, Desi doesn’t merely bring the Bible to life, he brings its wisdom to bear on every aspect of life.


                          

Jim Carey, New Brunswick, Canada

“Having known Desi Maxwell for the past 25 years, having sat under his biblical preaching and teaching and having witnessed his use of the many gifts the Lord has provided to him I am firmly convinced the Lord has been preparing Desi the past 25 years for his special ministry of service. The Lord has extended a call- Desi has answered the Lord’s call. Praise the Lord. The Lord will richly bless Desi, a humble, mature, well qualified servant of his Savior Jesus.”


Philip Johnston, Airline pilot, Scrabo Hall, Newtownards

"Since first hearing Desi Maxwell teach a few years ago I have been stunned and yet excited to understand in much greater depth the Jewish aspect of Christ's teaching and of scripture as a whole. It was almost as if a curtain had been lifted and a new dimension of Christian insight revealed which I and many of us miss in our rather conventional understanding of scripture." 


Gwen Davis, Precept Ministries and former part-time student.

"Do you ever feel you have more knowledge of the bible in your head than is in your heart? That's how I felt until I heard Desi Maxwell teach on a 'Jewish World View.' When he explained that we read an Eastern book (the bible) with a Western mindset I knew he was describing my approach to bible study. Desi's teaching started me on a journey that began to change the way I viewed God and His words by taking me back to the Jewish roots of my faith. It is a wonderfully liberating journey enlarging my vision of God, and Desi communicates these truths with creativity, humour, clarity and enthusiasm." 


Brian Agnew – Pastor, Kingdom Life Faith Centre

"Anointed, insightful, humorous and life changing are words that come to mind when I think of Desi Maxwell.
Through XPLORATONS Desi uses his teaching gift to bring the bible to life, instruct the listener and create a hunger for more of God.
His call is not limited by culture, creed or colour.
Desi is a wonderful gift to the Body of Christ, his world is one where doctrine and life application collide to bring great advancement to Gods kingdom."
 

Rev. Prof. Drew Gibson, Union Theological College, Presbyterian Church in Ireland

"I am very happy to commend ‘Xplorations’ and its director, Desi Maxwell. The aim of the ministry, to present Christ, through the Scriptures, with the aim of maturing and empowering believers, is most appropriate for the 21st century Church. Desi brings to this task a wealth of teaching experience, a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, a high level of communication skills and a deep commitment to Christ and His Church. In a culture that expects high standards, ‘Xplorations’ will do its work to the standard that society expects and, more importantly, to a standard that the Message itself demands."


Oti and Laszlo,Bodrog, Hungary.

"Desi Maxwell has a very good thorough grounding in whatever he teaches. He passes this knowledge enthusiastically, with brilliant visual aids. He usually challenges his audience to think.
He shares the good news and the love of Christ through his teaching , his gifts and with a passion for the ones who need Christ."