We’ll be adding bios for our 2018 Summit Tennessee faculty to this page as they’re confirmed. Keep checking back for the latest!
Note: Not all speakers will be present at both Summit Tennessee sessions this summer.
Alan Shlemon
Alan Shlemon is a public speaker and author for Stand to Reason, an organization that trains Christians to share their convictions in a persuasive, yet gracious and friendly way. Alan has a unique ability to make complex issues accessible to anyone and is known for teaching on some of the most controversial issues of our time like abortion, evolution, homosexuality, bioethics, and Islam. He has been a guest on both TV and radio and has spoken to thousands of adults and students across the country at churches, conferences, and college campuses. Alan received his master’s degree in apologetics from Biola University.
Alycia Wood
Alycia Wood graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College with a degree in Criminal Justice and from Marygrove College with a Master’s in Social Justice. She spent two years as a Fellow with RZIM in New England. Alycia’s speaking background is quite diverse. From universities (such as MIT, UCONN, Harvard, University of Massachusetts, Boston University, Dartmouth College, and Brown University), to retreats, from conferences to men’s and women’s prisons, Alycia has addressed major issues surrounding faith to diverse audiences.
Additionally, she has traveled to countries such as Haiti, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica, volunteering at soup kitchens and orphanages as her passions for “showing Christ” extends beyond her local environment.
In her spare time, Alycia enjoys music and is a lover of all things football and hockey.
Bill Brown
Dr. Bill Brown is the Senior Fellow for Worldview and Culture at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. Dr. Brown speaks and writes about how Christians should engage the culture with the heart and mind of Christ. He has served as the President of two Christian universities and spoken in over two dozen countries. He is the Executive Producer and teacher of the multiple award-winning DVD series, reView, a worldview curriculum for high schoolers and adults that continues to influence new generations of Christians. He consults with international corporations and ministries on employee development, cultural transitions and strategic planning.
In addition to his extensive speaking schedule, Dr. Brown serves as the Senior Executive of WorldAPP, an international technology firm with offices in Boston, Kiev and London.
Dr. Brown has written over one hundred articles for journals, magazines, newspapers and encyclopedias. He is the author of Making Sense of Your Faith, Where Have All the Dreamers Gone? Observations from a Biblical Worldview, and Making Sense of Your World, a book used by many colleges and universities as an introductory text to worldview/philosophical thinking. His writings have been quoted in various national newspapers and magazines, including Reader’s Digest and Christianity Today. He wrote over fifty articles and notes for Impact: The Student Leadership Study Bible. He also serves as an editor for philosophy textbooks and ethics curriculum.
Bobby Conway
Bobby Conway is lead pastor of LIFE Fellowship Church near Charlotte, NC. He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM), Southern Evangelical Seminary (DMin), and a PhD candidate for the University of Birmingham in England. Bobby is the author of Hell, Rob Bell, and What Happens When People Die?, The Fi5th Gospel, Doubting Towards Faith, and Does God Really Exist?. He is also the founder and host of the One-Minute Apologist (www.oneminuteapologist.com). In addition, Bobby and his wife, Heather, serve on the Family Life “Weekend to Remember” marriage conference speaking team.
Brett Kunkle
BRETT KUNKLE is the founder and president of MAVEN, a movement to equip the next generation to know truth, pursue goodness and create beauty. He has more than 25 years of experience working with junior high, high school, and college students.
Brett has developed a groundbreaking approach to mission trips, creating a one-of-a-kind experience that immerses participants in real-life engagement in apologetics, theology, worldview, and evangelism in Berkeley, California, and Salt Lake City, Utah.
In addition, Brett is a Teaching Fellow at the Impact 360 Institute. He was an associate editor for the Apologetics Study Bible for Students and co-authored A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World. He received his Master’s degree in philosophy of religion and ethics from Talbot School of Theology. Brett lives with his wife and kids in Southern California.
Christopher Yuan
Dr. Christopher Yuan has taught the Bible at Moody Bible Institute for twelve years and his speaking ministry on faith and sexuality has reached five continents. He speaks at conferences, on college campuses, and in churches. He has co-authored with his mother their memoir, Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God, A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope, A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope (100,000 copies sold and now in seven languages). He is also the author of Giving a Voice to the Voiceless. Christopher graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2005 and received a master’s in biblical exegesis in 2007 and a doctorate of ministry in 2014. Dr. Yuan’s newest book, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story, was named 2020 Book of the Year for Social Issues by Outreach Magazine.
Jason Jimenez
Jason Jimenez is the founder and president of STAND STRONG Ministries, a non-profit organization specializing in equipping churches, Christian leaders, and parents with a biblical worldview. He is a pastor, apologist and is the best-selling author of Challenging Conversations, Abandoned Faith, and The Bible’s Answers to 100 of Life’s Biggest Questions. Jason travels and speaks in churches and at conferences all over the United States. He and his wife, Celia, have four children and live in Charlotte, NC.
Jeff Myers
Dr. Jeff Myers is president of Summit Ministries. As an educator and entrepreneur, Dr. Myers has become one of America’s most respected authorities on youth leadership development. Focus on the Family founder James Dobson referred to him as “a very gifted and inspirational leader.” Evangelist Josh McDowell called him “a man who is 100% sold out to preparing the next generation to reflect the character of Christ in the culture.” Through his speaking engagements and media appearances, Dr. Myers has become a fresh voice offering humor and insight from a Christian worldview. He is the author of 16 books, including Understanding the Faith, Understanding the Times, and Understanding the Culture textbooks which are studied by tens of thousands of students. Dr. Myers holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Denver. He continues to engage college students and adult learners by serving as a trustee of Colorado Christian University and through a Signature Leadership Course offered by Unbound, that offers project-based education as an alternative to traditional higher education. Jeff and his wife Stephanie and their family live in Colorado.
Jennifer Marshall
A vice president of The Heritage Foundation, Jennifer A. Marshall runs the think tank’s Institute for Family, Community, and Opportunity. In that capacity, she oversees research into a variety of issues that determine the strength and character of American society. Issues explored by Institute researchers range from marriage, life, and religious liberty to health, education, and welfare to the application of America’s founding principles to today’s challenges.
Josh Bales
Josh Bales is equal parts singer/songwriter, pastor, and private practice mental health therapist. He holds an M.Div. and M.A. in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary, as well as a Certificate in Anglican Studies from Nashotah House Theological Seminary. Originally from Chattanooga, TN Josh now resides in Orlando, FL. Josh’s music has gained a following of fans from all walks of life after recording four diverse albums and touring for more than 15 years. In 2006 Josh released “Underneath The Armor” (Only The Sinner, A Hymn For All The World, Ten Thousand Places). In 2012 Josh’s fans funded “Count The Stars,” an album recorded with multi-award winning producer, Ed Cash. In 2014 Josh released a Christmas album, “The Holly & The Ivy.” And in 2015, in addition to “Somehow I Knew,” Josh issued a collection of hymns and sacred songs called “The Birds Their Carols Raise.” Josh currently serves as Canon Priest at the Cathedral Church of Saint Luke in Orlando and is working on a second collection of hymns.
Kathy Koch
Dr. Kathy Koch (“cook”) is the Founder of Celebrate Kids and an associate co-founder of Ignite the Family. She has influenced thousands of parents, teachers, and children in over 25 countries through keynote messages, seminars, chapels, and other events. She speaks at conventions, schools, churches, and pregnancy resource centers, and regularly speaks for Care Net, Summit Ministries, the Colson Center, and Teach Them Diligently. Dr. Kathy is also a popular guest on Focus on the Family radio and other radio talk shows and podcasts. Her podcast, Celebrate Kids with Dr. Kathy, is among the most popular parenting podcasts. Kirk Cameron chose her as an expert in his documentaries, The Homeschooling Awakening and Connect: Real Help for Parenting Kids in a Social Media World. She is the author of six books published by Moody Publishers. Dr. Kathy earned a PhD in reading and educational psychology from Purdue University and served as an associate professor, school board member, teacher, and coach all before founding her ministry. She has loved Jesus for years and her faith and desire to serve and glorify God is the foundation of her ministry.
Mark Mittelberg
Mark Mittelberg is a bestselling author, international speaker, and the Executive Director of the Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics at Colorado Christian University, which offers accredited online BA and MA degrees, as well as lower-priced certificate courses (see: StrobelCenter.com).
Mark recently released his all-new book and training course, Contagious Faith: Discover Your Natural Style for Sharing Jesus with Others. Before that he was the primary author of the Becoming a Contagious Christian training course (with Lee Strobel). This course was translated into more than twenty languages and helped nearly two million people around the world share Christ in natural ways. He also wrote the leadership-oriented book, Becoming a Contagious Church, which presents an innovative blueprint for church-based evangelism, as well as several books on apologetics, including The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask (With Answers).
Mark was the first evangelism director at Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, as well as Executive Vice President of the Willow Creek Association. He teaches for Summit Ministries in Manitou Springs, Colorado, and is the main U.S. evangelism trainer for the Luis Palau Association. He writes and speaks from Denver, where he and his wife Heidi live (they have two Summit-trained children, Emma Jean and Matthew, both serving in ministry roles).
Matthew Lee Anderson
Matthew Lee Anderson is the Founder and Lead Writer at Mere Orthodoxy. He is the author of Earthen Vessels: Why our Bodies Matter to our Faith and The End of our Exploring: A Book about Questioning and the Confidence of Faith. He is also the author of a number of articles and essays away from Mere Orthodoxy, of which there is a selection below.
Anderson is currently pursuing a D.Phil. in Christian Ethics from Oxford University, having received his M.Phil. in 2014. He is also a Perpetual Member of Biola University’s Torrey Honors Institute. He invites you to follow him on Twitter or Facebook.
Mike Sherrard
Mike Sherrard (B.A. Religion, M.Div. Apologetics, D. Min. Ethics in progress) has been equipping young adults to defend the Christian faith for nearly 20 years. He is the lead pastor of Crosspoint Community Church, the former director of Ratio Christi College Prep, and the author of Relational Apologetics. He is currently under contract to write You Matter: How the World’s Quest for Meaning is Meaningless Without God (Baker, Spring 2021). Mike and his family live in Peachtree City, Ga.
Mike has a B.A. in Religion and a Masters of Divinity with a concentration in Apologetics from Luther Rice Seminary and is currently doing post-grad work in the area of New Testament Ethics.
Mike has a passion for equipping Christians with the knowledge necessary to love God deeply, defend their hope in Him faithfully, and engage culture effectively.
Paul Boling
Dr. Paul Boling is professor of philosophy and Christian Thought at Bryan College. He has published book reviews in scholarly and popular journals; he is also active in several professional societies, as well as being a published musical composer. Dr. Boling is active in a discipling ministry and he speaks at churches, conferences, and retreats. He is currently working on a book project with a colleague on the subject of humor. He holds a B.A. degree in zoology from the University of California at Berkeley, a Th.M. degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, and an M.A. and Ph.D. degree in philosophy from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He and his wife Lauralee have five children and live in Dayton, Tennessee.
Ricky Chelette
Ricky Chelette is Executive Director of Living Hope Ministries and the Minister of Pastoral Ministries at First Baptist Church in Arlington, TX. Ricky has been involved in ministry in the church for over 30 years. He has served as a pastor to youth, students, and single adults, as well as Minister of Education. Speaking around the world to thousands of teens and adults who struggle with their sexual identity or love those who do, Ricky brings vast experience and personal knowledge to this difficult and controversial subject. His logical, humorous and straight-forward approach makes sense of a very complex and often confusing topic. Ricky has a BA in Political Science/Pre-Law, a Master in Religious Education, has taught on the college and seminary level, and is an ordained minister.
Scott Klusendorf
Scott Klusendorf is President of Life Training Institute where he equips pro-life advocates to make a persuasive case for life.
He has taught pro-life apologetics at the graduate level at Biola University and Trinity Law School, and lectured at over 80 colleges and universities including Stanford, Berkeley, UCLA, USC, Johns Hopkins, MIT, and the U.S. Air Force Academy — to name a few.
Scott’s debate opponents have included Nadine Strossen (former President of the ACLU), attorney Edward Tabash (of the Council for Secular Humanism), attorney Kathryn Kolbert (who argued for abortion rights at the Supreme Court), and Katherine Kneer (President of Planned Parenthood California).
Nationally, he’s been featured on syndicated shows such as Focus on the Family, Truths that Transform, Issues Etc, and Faith Under Fire. He is the host of the television series, “Life is Best.” Scott is the author of The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture (Crossway, 2009).
Scott is a graduate of UCLA and holds a Master’s degree in Christian Apologetics from Biola University.
At the practical level, Scott helps non-profit organizations raise money to assist women facing unplanned pregnancies.
He and his wife Stephanie have been married since 1985 and have four children.
Tim Barnett
Tim is a dynamic speaker who provides a perfect blend of expertise and humor in each talk. Using easy-to-follow and visually engaging presentations, Tim trains Christians to think clearly about what they believe and why they believe it. Tim’s passion and energy will help motivate you and your group to love God with all your mind.
Before joining the Stand to Reason speaking team, Tim founded an apologetics-based speaking ministry. Through his speaking, he has been able to help make a powerful impact defending and contending for the faith both in church settings as well as on the university stage. He has also had the opportunity to speak at numerous ACSI conferences, Power to Change events, the Apologetics Canada conference, and the National Conference on Christian Apologetics.
Tim has worked as a professional teacher since 2008, employed in both the private and public sector.
Tim has bachelor’s degrees in physics and education from York University and the University of Ontario, respectively. He is currently working on his master’s degree in philosophy from Southern Evangelical Seminary.
Tim lives with his wife and three children in Ontario, Canada.
Travis C. Barham
Travis C. Barham, Esq., serves as legal counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, where he plays a key role with the ADF Center for Academic Freedom.
Since joining Alliance Defending Freedom in 2006, Barham has focused his legal efforts on preserving and reclaiming religious freedom and freedom of speech for students and faculty at universities throughout the country. His work has been instrumental in securing several strategic appellate court victories. For example, in Adams v. Trustees of the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ruled that public universities cannot discriminate or retaliate against Christian and conservative professors in promotion decisions. In Badger Catholic v. Walsh, the 7th Circuit ensured that public universities must grant religious student organizations equal access when distributing student activity fee funding. And in DeJohn v. Temple University, the 3rd Circuit eliminated an unconstitutional speech code that restricted Christian and conservative students from speaking freely on campus.
Barham earned his J.D. in 2006 from Washington and Lee University School of Law, where he graduated summa cum laude. Before graduating from law school, he completed the Alliance Defending Freedom leadership development program to become a Blackstone Fellow in 2004. He is a member of the bars of the U.S. Supreme Court; the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 4th, 7th, and 11th Circuits; and in the states of Georgia and Arizona. He is also admitted to federal district courts in Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.