Chapel 2002 - 2003

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Bart Tarman spent 18 years at Westmont after working on Young Life staff in Denver and serving as associate pastor at El Montecito Presbyterian Church. He lives in Washington, D.C., where he and his wife, Linda, minister to members of Congress. He has been associated with the National Prayer Breakfast for more than 30 years. An ordained Presbyterian minister, he graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary and the University of Denver.

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Ken Gire is the author of more than twenty books and founder of Reflective Living. Ken has written several faith-enriching devotionals, such as Intimate Moment with the Savior, Incredible Moments with the Savior, Instuctive Moments with the Savior, and Intense Moments with the Savior. In addition to the Moments with the Savior series, other titles by Ken include The Divine Embrace, Windows of the Soul, The Work of His Hands, and the Reflective Life series.Reflective Living, a non-profit ministry, is entirely devoted to helping people learn how to slow down and live more reflective lives so that their life’s experiences can be felt more deeply, especially in moments with God and other people. Ken graduated from Texas Christian University and Dallas Theological Seminary.

Rudy Carrasco is the executive director of the Harambee Christian Family Center in Pasadena, California. Mr. Carrasco graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. and since then has focused on indigenous leadership development. Mr. Carrasco’s articles have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Christianity Today, Religion News Service, the Pasadena Star News and other publications. He is a 2006 contributor to the Christian Vision Project. In 2002 Rudy was inducted into the Hispanic Scholarship Fund's Alumni Hall of Fame. In May, 2001 he joined a group of nine Hispanic religious leaders from around the country who advised President George W. Bush on the faith-based initiative. In 1996 Rudy was selected as one of 50 Leaders Under The Age Of 40 To Watch by Christianity Today. He serves on the board of directors of World Vision, the Christian Community Development Association, Emergent Village and TechMission.

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Stan D. Gaede (Ph.D., Vanderbilt) is currently Scholar in Residence at Gordon College, Wenham, MA, after completing ten years of service as President and Provost at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA. He is a past professor of sociology at Gordon College. Gaede is the author of numerous books and articles; is a frequent speaker at colleges, conferences and churches; and has been a regular speaker in chapel at both Gordon and Westmont. His books include An Incomplete Guide to the Rest of Your Life and When Tolerance is No Virtue: Political Correctness, Multiculturalism, and the Future of Truth and Justice, both published by IVP.

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Francis is one of the most sought-after youth speakers in California. He has spoken to thousands of young people throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia and can be heard on his radio program, Truth Be Known. He has an outrageous sense of humor, a genuine love for Christ and a commitment to teach straight from the Word of God. He graduated from the Master’s College and Seminary.

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Dr. Douglas J. Rumford was called as Senior Pastor to Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Santa Ana, California in November 2006. Previously Doug served as pastor/ head of staff at First Presbyterian Church in Fairfield, Connecticut, at First Presbyterian Church, Fresno, California and at Colonial Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Missouri. Doug received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, graduating summa cum laude, as valedictorian of the seminary. He graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. Doug has authored seven books: SoulShaping: Taking Care of Your Spiritual Life; TouchPoints for Leaders; What About Heaven and Hell?; What About Spiritual Warfare?; What About Unanswered Prayer?; Questions God Asks, Questions Satan Asks, and Scared to Life. He has also written a number of articles for Leadership Journal, Christianity Today, Moody Monthly and other leading evangelical publications. Doug is currently writing study notes for several new study Bibles to be published by Tyndale House Publishers. Doug often speaks at conferences and is active in the Presbytery of Los Ranchos.

Britt Merrick grew up in the little town of Carpinteria. In his childhood years Britt’s singular passion was surfing, and soon he was making surfboards along side his father (Al Merrick) at the Channel Islands, Inc. surfboard factory for some of the best surfers in the world. Britt was also handling the famous company’s advertising, marketing, and amateur surf team. Shortly after re-committing his life to the Lord in his early twenties Britt began to teach bible studies at his parent’s home for the surfer kids in Carpinteria. These bible studies eventually led to Britt teaching and preaching at a Friday night college ministry at a local church in Santa Barbara. Under his leadership, this ministry grew from about 10, to almost 700 people. In the fall of 2003, sensing a further call to ministry, he and his wife and some close friends started a church called Reality in his hometown of Carpinteria. Reality Carpinteria is active in, and passionate about: youth, community transformation, birthing other churches, sending missionaries overseas, and equipping the next generation of leaders. The Reality network of churches has grown to include churches in Ventura, Los Angeles and Stockton, CA, and soon London and San Francisco.

Kathy Noling is one of the Chaplains at Azusa Pacific University. Kathy received her bachelors degree in Political Science from San Diego State University, her Masters degree in Communications from Cal State Fullerton University, and a Masters in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Kathy has been the Director of Women’s Ministry at Presbyterian Church in Danville, a Bible Instructor at San Ramon Valley Christian Academy, the Associate Campus Pastor at Westmont College from 2001-2004, Director of Central Coast Extension Studies at Fuller Seminary, and the Director of Pastoral Care at Forest Home Christian Conference Center. She is also on the Board of Directors for Crisis Pregnancy Center, Women’s Ministry Institute, and Bay Area Women in Leadership.

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Dr. Tremper Longman III is the Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies at Westmont College. He earned a B.A. in Religion at Ohio Wesleyan University, an M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in ancient Near Eastern studies from Yale University. Tremper has authored or co-authored twenty books and written numerous articles. A number of these works are interdisciplinary. In addition, he is one of the main translators of the popular New Living Translation and has served as a consultant on other popular translations of the Bible including the Message, the New Century Version, and the Holman Standard Bible

Stan D. Gaede (Ph.D., Vanderbilt) is currently Scholar in Residence at Gordon College, Wenham, MA, after completing ten years of service as President and Provost at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA. He is a past professor of sociology at Gordon College. Gaede is the author of numerous books and articles; is a frequent speaker at colleges, conferences and churches; and has been a regular speaker in chapel at both Gordon and Westmont. His books include An Incomplete Guide to the Rest of Your Life and When Tolerance is No Virtue: Political Correctness, Multiculturalism, and the Future of Truth and Justice, both published by IVP.

Telford Work is associate professor of theology at Westmont College. He is the author of the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible: Deuteronomy (Brazos, 2009), Ain’t Too Proud to Beg: Living through the Lord’s Prayer (Eerdmans, 2007), and Living and Active: Scripture in the Economy of Salvation (Eerdmans, 2002). He is also a contributor and signatory of In One Body through the Cross: the Princeton Proposal for Christian Unity (Eerdmans, 2003). He is on the board of the Center for Catholic and Evangelical Theology and associate editor of Pro Ecclesia. His Ph.D. in religion (theology and ethics) is from Duke University, where he minored in New Testament and Islamics and distinguished himself by failing to attend even one basketball game. He also holds an M.A. in theological and biblical studies from Fuller Theological Seminary, at whose Santa Barbara extension campus he teaches, and a B.A. in political science from Stanford University. He and his wife Kim have four children; he is an assistant Scoutmaster in his boys’ Scout troop.

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

After majoring in political science at Westmont, Toya Cooper earned a law degree at the College of Law at Willamette University. She clerked in the juvenile section of the Marion County District Attorney’s Office. After her admission to the California State Bar, she worked in the private sector in the Bay Area before returning to work at her alma mater, Westmont College.

As Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students, Jane Hideko Higa oversees all of the Student Life programs and personnel at Westmont College. She has held several leadership roles in the student development profession: chair for the Commission of Chief Student Development Officers for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), member of the Racial Harmony Commission for the CCCU, and Vice President and President Elect for the Association of Christians in Student Development (ACSD). She has either chaired or served as a member of various audits and program reviews in Christian Colleges across the nation. She has also servedas a member of an accreditation sitevisit under the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Jane was the Dean for Student Affairs at Biola University in La Mirada, CA, for seven years and was the Dean of Women in the 1980’s for two years. Previously she worked at the University of Southern California (USC) as Associate Director of Residential Life and Director of Resident Student Development. Thirty years ago, she began her career in higher education as Head Resident at USC. A graduate of Westmont College and a recipient of the prestigious Kenneth M. Monroe Award, Dean Higa earned a Master of Science in Education with a major in College Student Personnel Services from USC.

Stan D. Gaede (Ph.D., Vanderbilt) is currently Scholar in Residence at Gordon College, Wenham, MA, after completing ten years of service as President and Provost at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA. He is a past professor of sociology at Gordon College. Gaede is the author of numerous books and articles; is a frequent speaker at colleges, conferences and churches; and has been a regular speaker in chapel at both Gordon and Westmont. His books include An Incomplete Guide to the Rest of Your Life and When Tolerance is No Virtue: Political Correctness, Multiculturalism, and the Future of Truth and Justice, both published by IVP.

Jonathan Wilson, BA, MCS, PHD, is the author of the award-winning book, Why Church Matters: Worship, Ministry, and Mission in Practice; God So Loved the World: A Christology for Disciples; and Gospel Virtues: Practicing Faith, Hope, and Love in Uncertain Times. He is Pioneer McDonald Professor of Theology at Carey Theological College. Prior to his recent return to Vancouver (where began graduate studies and where he met his wife, Marti), he taught at Westmont College and Acadia Divinity College.

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Shirley Mullen, the current president of Houghton College, is no stranger to Westmont. She was a member of Westmont's history faculty from 1984-2006. During part of that time, she also served as the interim Dean of the college, and as Westmont's Provost from 2002-2006. While she did not know Dr. Wallace Emerson personally, she came to known him and to appreciate his contribution to Westmont through conversations with Dr. Paul C. Wilt, longtime member of Westmont's history department, and the college archivist, and Mrs. Margaret Voskuyl, who first came to Westmont in the 1940's as an assistant to Dr. Emerson. Shirley's academic training is in the fields of history and philosophy--focused on the Enlightenment and its Legacy. She currently brings her intellectual passion to the task of creating effective and enduring Christian liberal arts colleges for the challenging world of the 21st century.

Andrew F. Walls is one of the most important interpreters of Christianity and its missionary role in our time. His understanding of the church’s transformation from Christendom to world Christianity cuts across disciplines of history, theology, mission studies, and biblical exegesis, and runs deep into the life of the church. M. Noll offers the assessment that “no one has written with greater wisdom about what it means for the Western Christian religion to become the global Christian religion than A.F. Walls….” Presently two volumes, both published by Orbis, collect some of his most important essays, The Missionary Movement in Christian History: Studies in the Transmission of Faith (1996) and The Cross-Cultural Process in Christian History: Studies in the Transmission and Appropriation of Faith (2002).

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Shirley Mullen, the current president of Houghton College, is no stranger to Westmont. She was a member of Westmont's history faculty from 1984-2006. During part of that time, she also served as the interim Dean of the college, and as Westmont's Provost from 2002-2006. While she did not know Dr. Wallace Emerson personally, she came to known him and to appreciate his contribution to Westmont through conversations with Dr. Paul C. Wilt, longtime member of Westmont's history department, and the college archivist, and Mrs. Margaret Voskuyl, who first came to Westmont in the 1940's as an assistant to Dr. Emerson. Shirley's academic training is in the fields of history and philosophy--focused on the Enlightenment and its Legacy. She currently brings her intellectual passion to the task of creating effective and enduring Christian liberal arts colleges for the challenging world of the 21st century.

Stan D. Gaede (Ph.D., Vanderbilt) is currently Scholar in Residence at Gordon College, Wenham, MA, after completing ten years of service as President and Provost at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA. He is a past professor of sociology at Gordon College. Gaede is the author of numerous books and articles; is a frequent speaker at colleges, conferences and churches; and has been a regular speaker in chapel at both Gordon and Westmont. His books include An Incomplete Guide to the Rest of Your Life and When Tolerance is No Virtue: Political Correctness, Multiculturalism, and the Future of Truth and Justice, both published by IVP.

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Stan D. Gaede (Ph.D., Vanderbilt) is currently Scholar in Residence at Gordon College, Wenham, MA, after completing ten years of service as President and Provost at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA. He is a past professor of sociology at Gordon College. Gaede is the author of numerous books and articles; is a frequent speaker at colleges, conferences and churches; and has been a regular speaker in chapel at both Gordon and Westmont. His books include An Incomplete Guide to the Rest of Your Life and When Tolerance is No Virtue: Political Correctness, Multiculturalism, and the Future of Truth and Justice, both published by IVP.

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

As founder of the Institute for Outreach Ministries at Azusa Pacific University, Carolyn has taken thousands of high school, college-age and single adults on missions trips throughout the world. Annually, IOM sponsors Mexico Outreach, a program for young people that allows them to participate in week long ministry trips south of the border. Carolyn speaks in a wide variety of settings: conferences, conventions, seminars, schools, churches, cruises, women's events, prayer breakfasts, military functions, and singles groups. In addition, she has appeared on Hour Magazine, 700 Club, Robert Schuller, Oprah Winfrey, Sally Jesse-Rafael, Focus on the Family, and other national radio programs. She has also been featured as the cover story for Today’s Christian Women, Family Life Today, Guidepost, and numerous other magazines.

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Kathy Noling is one of the Chaplains at Azusa Pacific University. Kathy received her bachelors degree in Political Science from San Diego State University, her Masters degree in Communications from Cal State Fullerton University, and a Masters in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Kathy has been the Director of Women’s Ministry at Presbyterian Church in Danville, a Bible Instructor at San Ramon Valley Christian Academy, the Associate Campus Pastor at Westmont College from 2001-2004, Director of Central Coast Extension Studies at Fuller Seminary, and the Director of Pastoral Care at Forest Home Christian Conference Center. She is also on the Board of Directors for Crisis Pregnancy Center, Women’s Ministry Institute, and Bay Area Women in Leadership.

Kim Kihlstrom is a computer science professor at Westmont College. She got her Bachelors in science and Masters degree from Stanford University, and her Ph.d from University of California in Santa Barbara. She has received the Wilkes Award, Best paper published in a volume (year) of The Computer Journal, 2004, Bruce and Adaline Bare Teacher of the Year Award, Natural and Behavioral Sciences, Westmont College, 2003-2004, Faculty Research Award, Westmont College, 2003-2004

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Robert Wennberg, who taught philosophy at Westmont College for 37 years and authored several books—Life in the Balance: Exploring the Abortion Controversy; Terminal Choices: Euthanasia, Suicide and the Right to Die; God, Humans and Animals: An Invitation to Enlarge Our Moral Universe; and Faith at the Edge: A Book for Doubters. He had earned a doctorate in philosophy from UCSB in 1973 and held master’s degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Testifying to his popularity is his having been named teacher of the year at Westmont a record five times, elected to the vice-chairship of the faculty four times, and chosen to speak at baccalaureate four times.

Lamin Sanneh, a naturalized U.S. citizen, is descended from the nyanchos, an ancient African royal house, and was educated on four continents. He went to school with chiefs' sons in the Gambia, West Africa. He subsequently came to the United States on a U.S. government scholarship to read history. After graduating he spent several years studying classical Arabic and Islam, including a stint in the Middle East, and working with the churches in Africa and with international organizations concerned with inter-religious issues. He received his Ph.D. in Islamic history at the University of London. He was a professor at Harvard University for eight years before moving to Yale University in 1989 as the D. Willis James Professor of Missions and World Christianity, with a concurrent courtesy appointment as Professor of History at Yale College. He has been actively involved in Yale's Council on African Studies. He is an editor-at-large of the ecumenical weekly, The Christian Century, and serves on the editorial board of several academic journals. He is an Honorary Research Professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies In the University of London, and is a life member of Clare Hall, Cambridge University. He serves on the board of Ethics and Public Policy at Harvard University, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. He is the author of over a hundred articles on religious and historical subjects, and of several books. For his academic work he was made Commandeur de l'Ordre National du Lion, Senegal's highest national honor.

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Keith Phillips is president of World Impact, a Christian missions organization dedicated to ministering to the inner cities of America. His books include They Dare to Love the Ghetto, The Making of a Disciple, No Quick Fix and Out of Ashes, which chronicles the history of the urban poor in America and explores their present needs and future hope. A graduate of UCLA, he earned master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Lamin Sanneh, a naturalized U.S. citizen, is descended from the nyanchos, an ancient African royal house, and was educated on four continents. He went to school with chiefs' sons in the Gambia, West Africa. He subsequently came to the United States on a U.S. government scholarship to read history. After graduating he spent several years studying classical Arabic and Islam, including a stint in the Middle East, and working with the churches in Africa and with international organizations concerned with inter-religious issues. He received his Ph.D. in Islamic history at the University of London. He was a professor at Harvard University for eight years before moving to Yale University in 1989 as the D. Willis James Professor of Missions and World Christianity, with a concurrent courtesy appointment as Professor of History at Yale College. He has been actively involved in Yale's Council on African Studies. He is an editor-at-large of the ecumenical weekly, The Christian Century, and serves on the editorial board of several academic journals. He is an Honorary Research Professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies In the University of London, and is a life member of Clare Hall, Cambridge University. He serves on the board of Ethics and Public Policy at Harvard University, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. He is the author of over a hundred articles on religious and historical subjects, and of several books. For his academic work he was made Commandeur de l'Ordre National du Lion, Senegal's highest national honor.

John Fischer is a singer/songwriter, recording artist, pioneer of Jesus Music, best-selling author, and popular speaker. He authored the Purpose Driven Life daily devotional and other insightful articles that appear on PurposeDrivenLife.com.

Ben Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne University in 1966 and his master’s of divinity from The American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1972. Ben served the New Providence Presbyterian Church of New Jersey from 1989 until his appointment as Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in 1993. From 1975 to 1989 he was with the Irvine Presbyterian Church of California, of which he was the founding pastor. Ben has written several books including: Serving God: The Grand Essentials of Work & Worship, Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, amongst many others. For over ten years the Reverend Ben Patterson has been the Campus Pastor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Stan D. Gaede (Ph.D., Vanderbilt) is currently Scholar in Residence at Gordon College, Wenham, MA, after completing ten years of service as President and Provost at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA. He is a past professor of sociology at Gordon College. Gaede is the author of numerous books and articles; is a frequent speaker at colleges, conferences and churches; and has been a regular speaker in chapel at both Gordon and Westmont. His books include An Incomplete Guide to the Rest of Your Life and When Tolerance is No Virtue: Political Correctness, Multiculturalism, and the Future of Truth and Justice, both published by IVP.

Professor Howell has taught at Westmont since 1978. He was honored to receive Westmont’s “Teacher of the Year” award in 1984, and again in 1999. He co-led Westmont’s Europe semester in 1994, and led a summer European study group in 1980. He enjoys playing tennis, the piano, ocean kayaking, and taking walks on the beach with his wife (Kay) and yellow lab (Dickens).