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 14 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 the Lumerit Corporation, which serves the training needs of many Fortune 100 companies. Jeff and his wife Stephanie and their family live in Colorado.
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 (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
Kathy Koch –Dr. Kathy Koch (“cook”) is the Founder and President of Celebrate Kids, Inc., based in Fort Worth, TX, and the co-founder of Ignite the Family, based in Alpharetta, GA. She has influenced thousands of parents, teachers, and children in 30 countries through keynote messages, seminars, chapels, and other events.
She is a featured speaker for the Great Homeschool Conventions and a regular presenter for Care Net, Summit Ministries, Axis, and other organizations. She speaks regularly at schools, churches, and pregnancy resource centers. Dr. Kathy is also a popular guest on Focus on the Family radio and other radio talk shows. Kirk Cameron chose her as the technology expert to interview in his movie, Connect: Real Help for Parenting Kids in a Social Media World. She has authored six books including five published by Moody Publishers.
Dr. Kathy’s practical, relevant, and results-oriented concepts and engaging, honoring, and humorous speaking style draw enthusiastic raves from children, teens, parents, and educators. They leave her events armed with new beliefs, attitudes, practical tools, and increased hope to build healthy relationships and increase success in family, life, and school.
Alan Shlemon –Alan Shlemon is an author and speaker for Stand to Reason and trains Christians to share their convictions in a persuasive, yet gracious manner. Known for teaching on some of the most controversial issues of our time, he tackles topics such as abortion, evolution, homosexuality, bioethics, and Islam. Alan has been a guest on both radio and television and has spoken to thousands of adults and students across the country at churches, conferences, and college campuses.
Tripp Almon – Tripp Almon joined Summit in 2018 and serves as the Director of Summit Semester. He relocated to the great state of Colorado with his wife, Megan, and their kids, Neely and Rogan, from the little town of Newnan, Georgia — just south of Atlanta. Tripp’s passion for educating students in the areas of Christian theology, worldview, and apologetics grew in large part from growing up in a Christian home and then struggling profoundly with the tidal wave of cultural ideas that engulfed him as he entered a secular university. Thankfully, his experience taught him that Christianity not only stands in the marketplace of ideas — it soars. Since then, he and Megan, an apologist and speaker with Life Training Institute, seek to cultivate environments where students feel the freedom to ask big questions and are encouraged to pursue real answers. Before joining Summit, Tripp, a former elite gymnast, coached gymnastics for more than two decades and served as a pastor for 10 years. He and his family love the outdoors and adventure sports, particularly off-road motorcycling. Tripp is also a rally car co-driver with Almon Brothers Racing Team — 2017 champions of the NASA Rally Atlantic Cup Series.
Dustin Jizmejian – Dustin Jizmejian is the Vice President of Programs at Summit Ministries. Starting in 2003, Dustin has been working on Summit’s Summer Staff while pursuing an undergraduate degree from Biola University and a graduate degree from Denver Seminary. In 2011, Dustin was brought on full-time as Director of Summit Semester. Dustin speaks on topics ranging from God’s Will, The Christian Worldview, Christian Community, Leadership, The Worldview of Work, The Biblical Meta-Narrative, and Pornography. He recently completed an additional Masters in Leadership, Theology, and Society from Regent College in Vancouver, Canada. Dustin and his wife Ruthann have been married for twelve years and have five children, Rafferty, Cosette, Briar, Trask, and Land they call Colorado Springs their home.
Haley McNamara –Haley McNamara is the Vice President of Advocacy and Outreach at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation where she develops and executes national campaigns to change policies and raise awareness. Most notably, she promotes corporate social responsibility by constructing annual activism campaigns like the Dirty Dozen List, which names 12 mainstream private companies that facilitate sexual exploitation. Her advocacy work has contributed to instigating policy improvements in the native online advertising, retail, and hotel industries.
She is a member of the Washington DC Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect, September 2018-2019. This Committee advises DC Mayor Muriel Bowser on the multi-faceted continuum of the District of Columbia’s child welfare services, including prevention, early intervention, treatment, and sources of permanency.
Haley regularly speaks and writes on topics including child sexual abuse, sex trafficking, prostitution, sexual objectification, the exploitation of males, and more.
Derek McCoy – Rev. Derek McCoy is an executive leader with a servant-heart who has worked to advance and encourage solutions and partnerships to issues of race, poverty, and culture. He currently serves with Compassion International, helping build church partnerships and release children from poverty. Rev. McCoy has served in executive leadership roles in non-profit organizations and pastoral roles in the local church. He has an extensive background in ministry, management, media communications, and community outreach.
Derek has merged corporate and non-profit management expertise. He is a true organizational consultant and strategist with the unique ability and grace to bridge cultural, racial, and denominational divides. Derek’s biggest claim to fame is being married to his girlfriend Cathy, and they are proud parents of Derek Jr, Justin, and Cailin and reside in Maryland, about 7 miles from the Nation’s Capital.
Josh Bales –Josh is equal parts Singer-Songwriter, Anglican/Episcopal Priest, and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. 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. He is the Senior Fellow for Music and Art at the Colson Center. 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 2015, in addition to “Somehow I Knew,” Josh issued a collection of hymns and sacred songs called “The Birds Their Carols Raise.” His latest album is the second volume of hymns called “Come Away From Rush & Hurry,” released in 2018. Originally from Chattanooga, TN Josh now lives in Orlando, FL. where he serves as Canon Priest at the Cathedral Church of Saint Luke.
Megan Almon – Megan Almon, a former University of Georgia gymnast, was a part of the 2002 SEC Championship team. She worked as an award-winning journalist until 2008, joined Life Training Institute in 2009, and was awarded a Master of Arts degree in Christian apologetics from Biola University in 2011. Megan and her husband, Tripp, who served as a pastor and a gymnastics coach, have been married since 2003 and have two children, Neely and Rogan.
Megan enjoys spending time with her family at their log cabin in Newnan, Ga., and is still known to practice handstands in her living room and occasionally coach the sport she still loves. She and her family compete in motorcycle trials competitions throughout the Southeast U.S. On her own, she can most often be found in the company of a good friend or a good book and a mug of coffee on her front porch swing, or enjoying a challenging workout.
Scott Klusendorf – Scott Klusendorf is president of Life Training Institute, where he trains pro-life advocates to make a persuasive case for life in the public square. Scott’s talks have been featured on nationally syndicated programs like Focus on the Family, The Albert Mohler Radio Program, Truths that Transform, and Moody Radio—to name a few. Scott is also a staff speaker for the Rethink Conferences and Summit Ministries. His book “The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture” is published by Crossway (Wheaton, IL). In addition to reaching students with pro-life presentations, Scott helps pregnancy resource centers raise money to reach women most at risk for abortion. Scott is a graduate of UCLA and holds a Master’s degree in Christian Apologetics from Biola. He and his wife Stephanie have been married since 1985 and have four children.
Travis Dickinson – (MA , MA, Biola University; PhD, University of Iowa) is associate professor of philosophy and Christian apologetics at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Jon Noyes – Jonathan has worked as a speaker with Stand to Reason since 2019. A former atheist, Jonathan used to think belief in God was unwarranted and irresponsible. Then, after examining the evidence for Christianity he was faced with the fact that Jesus is who He says He is and the Christian worldview tells the true story of reality. Since then Jon has been passionate about engaging the culture with honest, well thought-out reasons why people should trust the Christian worldview. Jon has developed a series of passionate talks to do just that.
In 2013 Jonathan earned a master’s degree in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, graduating with honors. Jon brings a unique perspective to his audiences and the Stand to Reason team, having more than ten years’ experience in the legal field and serving more than five as a pastor in his local church. Jon also serves on the board of directors for Life Without Limbs and at Beacon Hill Classical Academy, where he teaches discipleship.
Sherri Selegson – Sherri Seligson is a 21-year homeschool veteran, M.Ed., and marine biologist. She has authored several Apologia middle and high school science courses as well as their instructional video courses, the Nature Truths devotional, and many other publications. An international conference speaker, Sherri encourages moms and teaches families the value and adventure of studying God’s creation.
Tim Barnett – Tim Barnett has worked as a speaker for Stand to Reason since 2015. He 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.
Tim has worked as a professional teacher since 2008, employed in both the private and public sector. He has earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from York University, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Southern Evangelical Seminary. Tim serves as an adjunct Bible and Science teacher at Innova Academy, a classical Christian school, and serves on the pastoral staff at Cedarview Community Church.
Roby Lashua – Robby Lashua is the newest Apologist at Stand to Reason and an Associate Professor of Apologetics at Arizona Christian University. Having earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Arizona Christian University, a Master’s of Divinity from Phoenix Seminary, and a Master’s Degree in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, Robby has a passion for equipping the church with good reasons to believe in classical Christianity. Most importantly, Robby has been married to his wonderful wife, Kelly, for over 15 years. Together they are raising four amazing kids to love and serve Jesus.