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Matt Boswell is the founding pastor of The Trails Church in Prosper, TX. Matt has been involved in church planting and pastoral ministry since 1998, and is also an author and hymn writer, known for songs including "His Mercy Is More" and "Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery." Matt is a Ph.D candidate at Southern Seminary with an emphasis in Christian Worship and Biblical Spirituality. Matt and his wife Jamie have four children.MODERN HYMN WRITERS MATT PAPA AND MATT BOSWELL RECEIVE TWO DOVE AWARD NOMINATIONS FOR HIS MERCY IS MORE” SONG AND ALBUMNashville, TN. Longtime songwriting collaborators Matt Papa and Matt Boswell will make their first appearance at the 51st GMA Dove Awards this week with the honor of receiving two nominations: “His Mercy Is More” for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year and “His Mercy Is More: The Hymns of Matt Boswell and Matt Papa” for Inspirational Album of the Year.Though the duo has been writing together for over a decade, they teamed up for their first joint recording project and found a new synergy that launched them into twofold contention for highest award in Christian music.The pair commemorated their first ever invitation to the Dove Awards by releasing a brand new song, “Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord)” on October 23, 2020.Authors of modern hymns such as “Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery” and “Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor,” Matt Papa and Matt Boswell started writing together in 2009. Today they are best known for the song “His Mercy Is More,” which anchors their latest album, is sung by churches on every continent, and has risen to the top 45 on the Church Copyright Licensing International charts. The song was inspired by a quote from “Amazing Grace” author John Newton: “Our sins are many, but his mercies are more.”Reflecting on why they wrote the song, Matt Papa remarks, “When we sing a lyric like ‘Our sins they are many, His mercy is more,’ that is a truth for all time, all places and for all generations and it is worth the effort for sing that truth.”The album “His Mercy Is More: The Hymns of Matt Boswell and Matt Papa” was produced by 7-time Dove Award winner Nathan Nockels (Passion, Laura Story, Matt Redman). Keith and Kristyn Getty, renowned songwriters considered among the founders of the modern hymn movement, released the album on the Getty Music label and served as Executive Producers.Matt Boswell responded to the news of the nominations with gratitude: “What a joy to have this album and specifically this song nominated for a Dove Award. I’m so thankful for the ways God has used them to build up the body of Christ.”Executive Producer Keith Getty was not surprised that the project received two nominations. He noted, “The hymns of Matt Boswell and Matt Papa have refreshed our own family and local church, a story shared by millions of other people around the world. These hymns are a beautiful, much needed resource for this generation and the next.”Matt Papa observed, “It’s been amazing to see how this simple song resonates—particularly with children. I hope the truth of the song and the album keep giving people hope—and a deeper sense of the gospel.”The songwriting pair continues to develop creative new sounds, as heard in their latest release, “Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord).” An expansive, soaring song of adoration, it expresses the exuberant joy that concludes the biblical book of Psalms.More information about “His Mercy Is More: The Hymns of Matt Boswell and Matt Papa” can be found here.More information about the song “Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord)” can be found here.For more information, interviews, or comment please contact Joni McCabe at Getty Music via: e:joni@gettymusic.com or t: (440) 539-0459

Five-time cancer survivor Erin Weidemann is co-founder of Truth Becomes Her, a brand that equips moms and women with resources to help them step into their unique leadership roles. The creator and author of the bestselling The Adventures of Rooney Cruz series for young girls, Erin is a nationally recognized speaker, radio personality, certified teacher and sought-after homeschool consultant, and host of the Heroes for Her Podcast. Erin is a spokesperson for World Vision and an active advocate for the American Cancer Society. Erin is a graduate of Penn State University with a double major in Journalism and Spanish. She and her husband, Brent, recently relocated from the San Diego oceanfront to enjoy the charm of a small, picturesque town in Montana, along with their two miracle daughters. In Ringleaders, Rooney meets six women from the New Testament: Elizabeth, Mary the Mother of Jesus, the Samaritan Woman (at the Well), Mary and Martha, and Mary Magdalene. Through the stories of these women, Rooney learns she can use her voice to share the Good News that God has called her to deliver. Young readers will be inspired to identify their own voice and use it for God’s glory and to build His Kingdom.

Jodie Berndt is the author of nine books, including the best-selling Praying the Scriptures series, which includes volumes for Children, Teens, and Adult Children. A speaker and Bible teacher, Jodie has appeared on Focus on the Family, the 700 Club, and a host of popular podcasts, and her writing has been featured on FoxNews, the Proverbs31 Daily Devotional, and other media outlets. Find Jodie’s videos, printable resources, and her blog at JodieBerndt.com, or follow her on Instagram @jodie_berndt. Jodie and her husband, Robbie, have four adult children.“My new book, Praying the Scriptures for Your Children: 20th Anniversary Edition, releases on Tuesday 10/20. It is an updated version of the original book and includes new material on things like our child’s use of technology and their sense of identity (which were not on my radar 20 years ago as prayer concerns!), as well as an entirely new bonus section designed to help parents teach their children to pray and to depend on the power of God’s promises.” - JodieYou can purchase it here.

God has blessed Bob Russell with a life much different than one he could have ever imagined. As a young man growing up in northern Pennsylvania, Bob had intended on becoming a high school basketball coach in his hometown. During his senior year of high school, however, Bob realized a desire in his heart to enter the ministry. Soon thereafter, he enrolled in Cincinnati Bible Seminary where he graduated in 1965.At just twenty-two years of age, Bob became the pastor of Southeast Christian Church. That small congregation of 120 members became one of the largest churches in America, with 18,000 people attending the three worship services every weekend in 2006 when Bob retired. Now through Bob Russell Ministries, Bob continues to preach at churches and conferences throughout the United States, provide guidance for church leadership, mentor other ministers and author Bible study videos for use in small groups. An accomplished author, Bob has written over one-dozen books. His latest book, “After 50 Years of Ministry: 7 Things I Would Do the Same and 7 Things I Would Do Differently,” was released summer 2016 from Moody Publishers .Bob and his wife Judy of 54 years have two married sons, Rusty and Phil. Rusty Russell is the Lead Pastor of the New Day Christian Church in Port Charlotte, Florida after serving at Southeast for many years. Phil Russell is a lieutenant with the Louisville Metro Police Department as well as a film actor with the Screen Actors Guild. Bob and Judy have seven grandchildren with whom they enjoy spending their time.Bob also enjoys playing golf and is an avid University of Louisville football and basketball fan.

Rebecca Bradley lives her best life these days in Colorado, raising her four lucky children and supporting her amazingly talented husband's film business from home. Becky earned her Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Master's in Education at Azusa Pacific University. She taught high school biology for seven years before settling into the adventures of raising a family. She loves reading, writing, taking care of her plants and is currently dappling in interior design. When she has a moment to think of the future, she dreams of how amazing of a grandmother she will be someday.Becky has a heart for hurting women and extensive experience working with youth and women in the church. She continues to facilitate groups towards inner healing from trauma through Pure Desire Ministries and is honored to witness their transformation through their healing process. Behind the Mask

Dr. Nijay K. Gupta is professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary. He has written numerous books and articles on the New Testament. His latest books include The State of New Testament Studies (co-edited with Scot McKnight; Baker Academic), Paul and the Language of Faith (Eerdmans), Reading Philippians (Cascade) and A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Studies (Baker Academic). Follow him on twitter @nijaykgupta or read his blog here.

Professional educator and author Alison Morrow loved teaching but knew from the beginning she'd homeschool her own children. Now, a fourteen year homeschool veteran and mother of two, she helps other families through the transition to homeschooling and beyond through GoodSchooling, an online homeschool coaching program that serves parents all over the world as they seek to give their children the education they deserve.

Kristyn Getty is an award-winning singer-songwriter. Her voice is synonymous with hymns, having founded, along with her husband, Keith, the Getty Music Organization, which helps people learn the Bible through hymns to carry for life. Kristyn performs annual shows at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Grand Ole Opry, where she leads the Sing! conference—based on her book by the same name. She is particularly passionate about helping children and families learn their faith through song. Kristyn and Keith are originally from Northern Ireland and now live in Nashville, Tennessee, with their four daughters. Award- winning Christian hymn writers, Keith and Kristyn Getty announce the release of their latest collection of thirteen original hymns and lullabies featuring guest appearances from Vince Gill, Heather Headley, Ellie Holcomb, Sierra Hull, Deborah Kelmme and Sandra McCracken. Born from of a family tradition, the Evensong (Hymns and Lullabies at the Close of Day), includes the thoughts, songs and prayers that Keith and Kristyn Getty use at the end of their day with their daughters.Evensong, as a practice has always appealed to people by refreshing the soul and informing the mind. During these uncertain times, the need for restful contemplation and focussing on the Word of God is more important than ever for Christians throughout the world.The Evensong album was a dream project for Kristyn Getty. On turning 40, she and Keith decided that it would be a wonderful way to celebrate the year. With the global pandemic bringing about a need of comfort to homes in the evening time, it seemed like a perfect new venture for the family. “These are lullabies and hymns we have sung to and for our own children,” says Kristyn Getty of her four daughters. “Singing God’s truth into both the more tenderand vulnerable moments of the day has been a centerpiece of raising our own kids. I know I need true words spoken into my heart and mind to help de-clutter all that presses in upon me from day to day. I hope these songs help people dwell on the Lord and His promises; to release a burdened mind, to calm a restless heart and point us towards real peace in Christ.”Keith Getty OBE says, “Evensong, is a project born out of a family tradition. We close out our days with a time of reflection in thought, song, and prayer. This collection of hymns and lullabies features a mixture of many of our daily emotions that help us redirect the mind and the comfort of the heart.”Album producer Ben Shive was able to gather recordings from each musical collaborator and masterfully create a project fusing the Celtic, folk, bluegrass, classical and Americana sound the Gettys have become known for around the world. The cover art was specially created by internationally renowned Irish artist Ross Wilson. A special concert performance of this new project was recorded at Hidden Trace Farm, Tennessee, and premiered globally online on Aug. 31 as part of the Sing!Global conference and festival. The Getty’s music is sung by over 100 million people in churches each year throughout the world. In 2017, they established the Sing! Movement to encourage families and churches towards deep theology, timeless artistry, and vibrant worship. Rather than cancelling in light of the pandemic, the Gettys have rebuilt this year’s event from the ground up to be an immersive, virtual conference engaging leaders, families and churches around the world. The four-day event started on August 30 through to September 2, 2020 and featured over 100 speakers and artists including Joni Eareckson Tada, John Lennox, John Piper, Trip Lee, David Kim, Steven Curtis Chapman, John Patitucci, Bill Gaither, Conrad Mbewe, Andrew Peterson and David Platt.Listen here.TRACK LIST FOR EVENSONG (Hymns and Lullabies at Close of Day):Produced by: Ben Shive, Keith and Kristyn Getty1. Hush-a-by (Come unto Me and Rest)2. Sun of My Soul (Shine) featuring Sarah McCracken3. Consider the Stars4. Softly and Tenderly featuring Vince Gill, Ellie Holcomb, Sierra Hull, andDeborah Klemme5. Is He Worthy?6. Lily of the Valley7. His Eye Is on the Sparrow featuring Heather Headley8. Jesus, Friend of Little Children9. The Lord Is in His Holy Temple10.My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness11. Keep Letting the Light In12.Abide with Me13.Evensong

“I wanted to offer listeners a coupon code for the online store. if they use the code: TBM15 they will get 15% off their order!’Jen Shepherd is the Creative Manager for BYTAVI, a fair trade clothing and handbag line produced in Cambodia. She started as an intern and has completed her fourth year on the team. She spends her work days seeking out new wholesale accounts, maintaining the online store, creating graphics and creative content, and being part of the team that designs, orders, and sells the BYTAVI product. She and her fiance just bought a house in Indianapolis and are navigating planning a wedding during a pandemic. In the more normal times, they enjoy going to coffee shops and breweries, planning trips and trips to Target, and spending time with their family and community around the table.

Abdu Murray (JD, University of Michigan) is Senior Vice President of RZIM and a regular speaker at churches, college campuses, and business and government gatherings. He hosts the podcast The Defense Rests. A scholar in residence at the Josh McDowell Institute of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, he is the author of many articles and three books, including Grand Central Question, Saving Truth: Finding Meaning and Clarity in a Post-Truth World, and his latest, Seeing Jesus from the East. https://seeingjesusfromtheeast.com. For most of his life, Abdu was a proud Muslim who studied the Qur’an and Islam. After a nine-year investigation into the historical, philosophical, and scientific underpinnings of the major world religions and views, Abdu discovered that the historic Christian faith can answer the questions of the mind and the longings of the heart. Abdu has spoken to diverse international audiences and has participated in debates and dialogues across the globe. He has appeared as a guest on numerous radio and television programs all over the world. Abdu holds a BA in psychology from the University of Michigan and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. As an attorney, Abdu was named several times in Best Lawyers in America and Michigan Super Lawyer. Twitter: @AbduMurray

You can find Lee on twitter @leestrobel and on his website www.leestrobel.comThe Homeschooling information Lee talked about is: www.goodschooling.netTo watch the video of this interview, click here.Atheist-turned-Christian Lee Strobel, the former award-winning legal editor of The Chicago Tribune, is a New York Timesbest-selling author of more than forty books and curricula that have sold fourteen million copies in total. He has been described in the Washington Post as “one of the evangelical community’s most popular apologists.” Lee currently leads the Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics at Colorado Christian University. He was educated at the University of Missouri (Bachelor of Journalism degree) and Yale Law School (Master of Studies in Law degree). He was a journalist for fourteen years at The Chicago Tribune and other newspapers, winning Illinois’ highest honor for public service journalism and investigative reporting from United Press International. After probing the evidence for Jesus, Lee became a Christian in 1981. He subsequently became a teaching pastor at three of America’s largest churches and hosted the national network TV program Faith Under Fire. In addition, he taught First Amendment law at Roosevelt University and was Professor of Christian Thought at Houston Baptist University. In 2017, Lee’s spiritual journey was depicted in an award-winning motion picture, The Case for Christ, which showed in theaters across America and around the world. The movie is still on Netflix. Lee won national awards for his books The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith, The Case for a Creator, and The Case for Grace. His latest book is The Case for Miracles. Lee and Leslie Strobel have been married for forty-seven years. Their daughter, Alison, is a novelist, and their son, Kyle, is a professor of spiritual theology at the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. LAKEWOOD, COLORADO, August 27, 2019 – New York Times best-selling author Lee Strobel is teaming up with Colorado Christian University to launch an unprecedented new center for evangelism and apologetics, with the goal of fueling a spiritual renewal in America. “Who is the next Billy Graham? It is millions of contagious Christians who are trained, equipped, and deployed,” said Strobel. “We have a vision to fulfill this mission as quickly as possible.” The Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics will offer accredited courses on the undergraduate and graduate levels – all designed to help churches, ministries, and individual Christians share and defend their faith naturally and effectively. CCU is the preeminent interdenominational Christian university in the Rocky Mountain region, with an online impact that spans the globe. “We stand within the great tradition of Christian universities who are serious about faith and the gospel, and we’re thrilled to have Lee Strobel join our team,” said CCU President Don Sweeting. “Strobel’s background as a former atheist, portrayed in the book and film The Case for Christ, gives him valuable insight into how to reach people who are far from God.” Described in the Washington Post as “one of the evangelical community’s most popular apologists,” Strobel has authored more than forty books and curricula that have sold nearly 14 million copies, including The Case for Faith, The Case for a Creator, and The Case for Miracles. The Yale-trained former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune also has been a teaching pastor at three of the largest and most evangelistic churches in the country. The Center’s executive director is Strobel’s long-time ministry associate Mark Mittelberg, the bestselling author of such books as Confident Faith, The Reason Why Faith Makes Sense, and The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask (With Answers). Through their Becoming a Contagious Christian training course, Strobel and Mittelberg have already equipped nearly two million Christians worldwide in how to reach others with the gospel. They have also led the outreach and apologetics efforts of one of the largest and most outreachoriented churches in America, and for three decades have innovated evangelism and apologetics conferences, training seminars, national simulcasts, and outreach events. Strobel explained that the word apologetics comes from a Greek term used in the Bible for defending the faith – something, he added, that’s needed more than ever in our increasingly skeptical nation. “We’re focusing on what we’re calling ‘applied apologetics,’ which means we’re going to equip Christians who will be actively engaged in the marketplace of ideas – in local churches and communities, in the media, in the entertainment world, on the Internet, and throughout popular culture,” he said. Strobel and Sweeting agreed that CCU is the perfect home for the new center. Explained Sweeting: “It is a Strategic Priority of Colorado Christian University to share the love of Christ on campus and around the world, and to teach our students to be evangelists. The Strobel Center at CCU is an incredible vehicle to enable us to make new strides to achieve these priorities.” One of the Center’s unique objectives is to train and certify evangelism directors for local churches, who will serve full-time, part-time or on a volunteer basis in partnership with the senior pastor in order to mobilize the church to reach their community for Christ. “We believe in the power of leadership,” Mittelberg said. “The senior pastor can’t do everything himself. We want to equip, mentor, and deploy leaders who will work creatively and effectively under the direction of the senior pastor to reach everyone with the gospel.” To facilitate that training, the Center’s courses will be offered through CCU Online so that people from all backgrounds and stages of life can study from the convenience of their own home. “The Center will feature the latest and most creative technology, the most current and proven content, and live interaction with passionate and credentialed educators,” Strobel said. Other unique features of the Center include organizing a Think Tank, composed of leading Christian scholars, innovators, and practitioners, to collaborate on fresh ways of explaining and spreading the gospel, as well as hosting national conferences to share best practices and encourage churches in saturating their communities with the Christian message. Founded in 1914, Colorado Christian University provides Christ-centered higher education that transforms students to impact the world with grace and truth. Located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver, CCU is consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees for traditional and adult students through its College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 8,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online. The Strobel Center’s courses are expected to begin Fall 2020. For more information on the new Lee Strobel Center at Colorado Christian University, visit www.ccu.edu/strobelcenter.

Keith and Kristyn Getty are pre-eminent modern hymn writers in the world today with Keith being the first Church Musician of the modern era to be awarded the OBE from Queen Elizabeth II, for services to music and hymn writing.Their hymns such as “In Christ Alone”, written with Stuart Townend, uniquely cross musical genres and teach Christian doctrine.As ambassadors of hymn writing they have performed for presidents, prime ministers, their annual national hymn tour and Christmas tour including sell-out concerts each year at Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.Since founding Gettymusic, it has expanded to include a publishing company of modern hymn writers, record label, touring company, online learning company, foundation and inspired by their first book, the “Sing” Conference & Festival which welcomes over 15,000 people to Nashville every year.Keith & Kristyn live between Nashville and Northern Ireland with their four daughters.Sing! the Book: http://thesingbook.comSing! the Conference: https://gettymusicworshipconference.com/

Michael grew up in Brisbane before joining the Army and serving as a paratrooper, intelligence operator, and then chaplains assistant. It was during his time in the military that he came to faith from a non-Christian background, and soon after felt a call to ministry. He graduated with a BMin from Malyon College (2001) and Honours and PhD from the University of Queensland (2002, 2005). Michael taught New Testament at the Highland Theological College in Scotland (2005-9) before joining Brisbane School of Theology as lecturer in Theology (2010-12). He joined the faculty at Ridley as lecturer in Theology in 2013.Michael describes himself as a “biblical theologian” who endeavours to bring together biblical studies and systematic theology. He believes that the purpose of the church is to “gospelize,” that is to preach, promote, and practise the Gospel-story of the Lord Jesus Christ. Remembered by students for his mix of outlandish humour and intellectual rigor, he makes theology both entertaining and challenging.As an industrious researcher, Michael has written and edited over thirty books in the fields of Septuagint, Historical Jesus, the Gospels, St Paul, Biblical Theology, and Systematic Theology. His book Evangelical Theology is an attempt to develop a truly gospel-based theology that promotes the advance of the gospel in Christian life and thought. He is the co-editor of the New Covenant Commentary Series, an associate editor for Zondervan’s The Story of God Bible Commentary, and an elected member of the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas (the international society of New Testament scholars). He often speaks at conferences in Australia, the UK, and USA and is currently working on a New Testament Introduction co-authored with N.T. Wright. He also runs a popular blog called Euangelion.Michael is married to Naomi and they have four children.Teaching Areas: Synoptic Gospels, Paul’s Letters, Systematic TheologyResearch Interests: The Gospels, Pauline Theology, New Testament Theology, and Christian Origins.Hobbies & Interests: When he is not busy with work, Michael enjoys running, rugby league, tennis, and despising coffee. He secretly aspires to play the role of “the American” in the musical “Chess.”Books: The New Testament in its World (written with Prof. N.T. Wright) – Zondervanhttps://zondervanacademic.com/pages/new-testament-in-its-world Evangelical Theology, 2nd edition – Zondervanhttps://www.zondervan.com/9780310093985/evangelical-theology-second-edition/Rap Battle:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7xNg6AMDAk

Karen Swallow Prior, Ph. D., is Research Professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is the author of Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me (T. S. Poetry Press, 2012), Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More—Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist (Thomas Nelson, 2014), and On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Literature (Brazos 2018). She is co-editor of Cultural Engagement: A Crash Course in Contemporary Issues (Zondervan 2019) and has contributed to numerous other books. Her writing has appeared at Christianity Today, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, First Things, Vox, Relevant, Think Christian, The Gospel Coalition, Religion News Service, Books and Culture and other places. She is a founding member of The Pelican Project, a Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum, a Senior Fellow at the International Alliance for Christian Education, and a member of the Faith Advisory Council of the Humane Society of the United States. She and her husband live on a 100-year old homestead in central Virginia with sundry horses, dogs, and chickens. And lots of books.

Join Megan as she interviews Christopher Yuan, a professor at Moody Bible Institute. Christopher's testimony includes being redeemed from drugs, same sex attraction, and more. You won't want to miss this interview!

Chrystal Evans Hurst is an encourager who teaches people to love God, to love others, and to love themselves. Chrystal is a wife, mother of five and grandmother of two. She is also a speaker and the best-selling author of She’s Still There and Kingdom Woman and the newly released, The 28-Day Prayer Journey. Chrystal is an energetic, life-loving “girl-next-door” who loves encouraging others to fulfill their potential in Christ. With humor and vulnerability, Chrystal tells it like it is but does so with grace, integrity, and love. You can find Chrystal regularly sharing encouragement via her podcasts and blogs, where she poignantly reflects on faith and speaks with frank honesty about the everyday experiences of women. Chrystal firmly believes God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans that I have for you…” and she desires to help other women believe and apply that truth to their lives.

Mary Kassian is an award winning author, popular speaker, and a distinguished professor of women’s studies at Southern Baptist Seminary. She has published several books, Bible studies and videos, including: Girls Gone Wise, In My Father’s House: Finding Your Heart’s True Home, Conversation Peace, Vertically Inclined, and the Feminist Mistake.Mary graduated from the faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine from the University of Alberta, Canada and has studied systematic theology at the doctoral level. She has taught courses at seminaries across North America She is a popular conference speaker and has ministered to women’s groups internationally. Mary has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, and Marriage Uncensored.Mary was born and raised in Edmonton, Canada. She and her husband, Brent, have three adult sons and one daughter-in-law. Mary has mastered the art of cheering after spending countless hours in rinks, arenas, and gyms: her husband is chaplain for a professional football team, her two older sons play ice hockey, and her youngest, volleyball. The Kassians enjoy biking, hiking, snorkeling (when they can find some warm water!), music, board games, mountains, campfires, and their family pets: Miss Kitty and black lab, General Beau.

J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured cold-case homicide detective, popular national speaker and best-selling author. He continues to consult on cold-case investigations while serving as a Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He is also an adjunct professor of apologetics at Talbot School of Theology (Biola University) and Southern Evangelical Seminary, and a faculty member at Summit Ministries. J. Warner became a Christ-follower at the age of thirty-five after investigating the claims of the New Testament gospels using his skill set as a detective. He eventually earned a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies from Gateway Seminary.J. Warner has appeared on television and radio, explaining the role that evidence plays in the Christian definition of “faith” and defending the historicity of Jesus, the reliability of the Bible and the truth of the Christian worldview. Jim also speaks at churches, retreats and camps as he seeks to help people become confident Christian case makers. J. Warner’s book, Cold-Case Christianity, provides readers with ten principles of cold case investigations and utilizes these principles to examine the reliability of the gospel eyewitness accounts. In God’s Crime Scene, he investigates eight pieces of evidence in the universe to make the case for God’s existence. In Forensic Faith, J. Warner makes the case for a more reasonable, evidential Christian faith.J. Warner’s professional investigative work has received national recognition; his cases have been featured more than any other detective on NBC’s Dateline, and his work has also appeared on CourtTV and Fox News. He also appears on television as an investigative consultant (most recently on truTV) and had a role in God’s Not Dead 2, making the case for the historicity of Jesus. J. Warner was awarded the Police and Fire Medal of Valor “Sustained Superiority” Award for his continuing work on cold-case homicides, and the CopsWest Award after solving a 1979 murder. Relying on over two decades of investigative experience, J. Warner provides his readers and audiences with the tools they will need to investigate the claims of Christianity and make a convincing case for the truth of the Christian worldview.

A former atheist who came to faith, Mary Jo Sharp has experienced two worlds of American culture: the post-Christian culture of the Pacific Northwest and the evangelical culture of the Bible Belt. She first encountered apologetics in her own spiritual search while seeking answers. Mary Jo is now an assistant professor of apologetics at Houston Baptist University and the founder and director of Confident Christianity Apologetics Ministry. She has been featured in Christianity Today’s cover story “The Unexpected Defenders” and is an international speaker on apologetics, focusing on love and logic to uncover truth. She serves on faculty with Summit Ministries Student Conferences, and is a guest lecturer with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. Mary Jo is a published author with Kregel Publications, B&H Publications, and Zondervan. She is the author of the top-selling Bible study, “Why Do You Believe That?” as well as Living in Truth with LifeWay Christian Resources. She recently released her book Why I Still Believe. A clear communicator with a heart for people, Mary Jo finds great joy in sharing the deep truths of her Lord and Savior. Mary Jo is also the founder of Confident Christianity, a Christian apologetics ministry that addresses the hard questions of Christianity through research, writing, training and debate.She lives with her husband and family in Portland, Oregon.