Board of Reference


randy alcorn 150x130Randy Alcorn,
 Eternal Perspectives Ministries

Randy is an author and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), a nonprofit ministry dedicated to teaching principles of God’s Word and assisting the church in ministering to the unreached, unfed, unborn, uneducated, unreconciled, and unsupported people around the world. His ministry focus is communicating the strategic importance of using our earthly time, money, possessions and opportunities to invest in need-meeting ministries that count for eternity. He accomplishes this by analyzing, teaching, and applying the biblical truth.

Before starting EPM in 1990, Randy served as a pastor for fourteen years. He has an MA degree in Biblical Studies from Multnomah University and an Honorary Doctorate from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and has taught on the adjunct faculties of both.

New York Times bestselling author, Randy has written more than fifty books, including the bestsellers HeavenThe Treasure Principle, and the Gold Medallion winner Safely Home. His books in print exceed ten million and have been translated into over seventy languages.

Steve berger 150x152Steve Berger, Founding Pastor Grace Chapel, Franklin, TN

For nearly 30 years, Steve Berger’s ministry has been marked by purpose and passion.  He is the founding Pastor of Grace Chapel, in Leipers Fork, TN, and is known for his straight-talk in the pulpit. With his wife, Sarah, they self-published “Have Heart: Bridging the Gulf between Heaven and Earth”. This project, the most personal to date, deals with the events surrounding their 19 year old son’s entrance into Heaven. An additional Bethany House book project, “Between Heaven and Earth” was released in March 2014. Whether preaching or writing, in great joy or pain, Steve longs to be a proclaimer of the grace and hope that Jesus came to offer. Since June of 1987, he has been married to Sarah, the love of his life, and together, they have four beautiful children.

Dr Brown 150x150Dr. Michael Brown, FIRE School of Ministry

Michael L. Brown is the founder and president of FIRE School of Ministry in Concord, North Carolina, director of the Coalition of Conscience, and host of the daily, nationally, syndicated talk radio show, The Line of Fire, as well as the host of the Jewish-outreach, documentary TV series, Think It Thru, which airs internationally on the INI network. He became a believer in Jesus 1971 as a sixteen-year-old, heroin-shooting, LSD-using Jewish rock drummer. Since then, he has preached throughout America and around the world, bringing a message of repentance, revival, reformation, and cultural revolution.

He holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University and has served as a visiting or adjunct professor at Southern Evangelical Seminary, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (Charlotte), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Fuller Theological Seminary, Denver Theological Seminary, the King’s Seminary, and Regent University School of Divinity, and he has contributed numerous articles to scholarly publications, including the Oxford Dictionary of Jewish Religion and the Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament.

Dr. Brown is the author of 22 books, including, Our Hands Are Stained with Blood: The Tragic Story of the “Church” and the Jewish People, which has been translated into more than twelve languages.  He is a national and international speaker on themes of spiritual renewal and cultural reformation, and he has debated Jewish rabbis, agnostic professors, and gay activists on radio, TV, and college campuses. He is widely considered to be the world’s foremost Messianic Jewish apologist.

carsond-a-01Donald A. Carson, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Donald Arthur Carson is a Canadian-born evangelical theologian and professor of the New Testament.  Carson served as pastor of Richmond Baptist Church in Richmond, British Columbia from 1970 to 1972. Following his doctoral studies, he served for three years at Northwest Baptist Theological College (Vancouver) and in 1976 was the founding dean of the seminary. In 1978, Carson joined the faculty of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School as a research professor of the New Testament. Carson has written or edited 57 books, many of which have been translated into Chinese.

jim-dalyJim Daly, Focus on the Family

Jim Daly is president of Focus on the Family and host of its daily radio broadcast. In March 2019, he celebrated his 30th anniversary with the ministry. Daly was named president of Focus on the Family in 2005 by Dr. James Dobson. Daly’s personal journey from orphan to head of an international Christian organization dedicated to helping families thrive is a powerful story.

Daly graduated from California State University, San Bernardino, in 1984 with a B.S. in Business Administration. During his senior year, he attended Waseda University in Tokyo, and after graduating worked for a Fortune 500 company. In 1997, he completed his MBA in International Business at Regis University in Denver. In 2009, he received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Colorado Christian University in Denver.

Daly has received numerous awards from humanitarian groups, appeared on "Fox & Friends,” “America Live with Megyn Kelly,” “ABC World News Tonight” and PBS’ “Religion & Ethics”; and been featured in Time, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today and Newsweek, which named him one of the Top 10 next-generation evangelical leaders of influence. He was also the subject of a July 2011 cover story in Christianity Today. Daly is also an author of several books. His latest book is, "When Parenting Isn’t Perfect”.

Daly has been married to his wife, Jean, since 1986. They have two sons and reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

dobsonDr. James Dobson, Founder and President of Family Talk

Dr. James Dobson is the Founder and President of Family Talk, a nonprofit organization that produces his radio program, “Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk.” He is the author of more than 30 books dedicated to the preservation of the family, including The New Dare to DisciplineLove for a LifetimeLife on the EdgeLove Must Be Tough; The New Strong-Willed ChildWhen God Doesn’t Make SenseBringing Up BoysMarriage Under FireBringing Up Girls; and, most recently, Head Over Heels.

Dr. Dobson served as an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine for 14 years and on the attending staff of Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for 17 years. He has been active in governmental affairs and has advised three U.S. presidents on family matters. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California (1967) in the field of child development. He holds 17 honorary doctoral degrees and was inducted in 2008 into The National Radio Hall of Fame. Dr. Dobson recently received the “Great American Award” from The Awakening.

Gagnon 120.151pxlRobert A. J. Gagnon, New Testament Theologian

Dr. Gagnon is Professor of Theology at Houston Baptist University. Previously he was a tenured Professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (1994-2017), after a one-year position as a Visiting Professor of Religion at Middlebury College in Vermont. He has a B.A. degree from Dartmouth College, an M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School, and a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary.

He is a member both of the Society of Biblical Literature and of the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas [Society of New Testament Studies]. He is also an ordained elder at a Presbyterian Church (USA) in Pittsburgh. He is the author of The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2001; 520 pgs.); co-author (with Dan O. Via) of Homosexuality and the Bible: Two Views (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003; 125 pgs.) and many and articles that he offers in service to the church on his website. 

jim_garlowJim Garlow, Founder & CEO of Well Versed

Dr. Jim Garlow is the Founder and CEO of Well Versed, Inc. He is an author, communicator, commentator, historian, cultural observer and has served most of his adult life as a pastor. Garlow is heard daily on nearly 800 radio outlets nationwide in his one-minute commentary called “The Garlow Perspective,” and has appeared on numerous national TV shows on NBC, ABC, CNN, Fox, MSNBC, CNBC and Comedy Central. Garlow has done over 1,400 radio, TV and print interviews – national and local – covering a wide range of topics: historical, theological, political, religious liberty, marriage and family issues and cultural trends.

He graduated from Drew University (Ph.D. in historical theology), Princeton Theological Seminary (Master of Theology), Asbury Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity), Southern Nazarene University (B.A. & M.A.), and Oklahoma Wesleyan University (A.A.).

Garlow has written 21 books, most recently Well Versed: Biblical Answers to Today’s Tough Issues, This Precarious Moment: Six Urgent Steps That Will Save You, Your Family And Our Country, both released by Regnery Publishers of Washington, DC and God Will See You Through This: 26 Lessons I Learned from the Father Through the Joys and Hurts of Everyday Life.

In 2013, Jim became a widower. He married Rosemary Schindler in 2014. Together, Jim and Rosemary have eight children, eight grandsons and two granddaughters.

june_huntJune Hunt, CSO & Founder, Hope for The Heart

June Hunt is one of the world’s leading biblical counselors. An author, singer, and speaker, she founded Hope for The Heart in 1986. Her life’s work has yielded landmark contributions in the field of Christian counseling. The ministry offers biblical hope and practical help—through biblical counsel, coaching, and context for contemporary concerns—in more than 60 countries on 6 continents. After years of teaching and research, she developed Counseling Through The Bible, a scripturally-based counseling course addressing approximately 100 topics, such as marriage and parenting, depression and anger, stress and suicide.

resized Jenkins 129x120pxlPastor John K. Jenkins Sr., Senior Pastor First Baptist Church of Glenarden

Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr.’s life calling is to see the lost come to Christ and disciples becoming spiritually mature. Since his installation as the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Glenarden in 1989, the church membership has grown from 500 to more than 10,000 members. With campuses in Landover and Upper Marlboro, Md., and a staff of 300 full- and part-time employees, FBCG is widely recognized as a community pillar with 100+ ministries meeting diverse needs throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, nationally and abroad.

Pastor Jenkins serves as the Chairman of the Board for the National Association of Evangelicals, Project Bridges, and The Skinner Institute. He also serves on the board for numerous organizations, including Bethel University, Denver Seminary, University of Maryland Capital Region Health and the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable. In addition, Pastor Jenkins serves as chairman emeritus of SHABACH! Ministries, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization that he founded in 1996 to provide food, clothing, educational and employment opportunities in the Maryland area. He also served for two years as vice president/executive director of National Ministries with Converge Worldwide.

In 2001, Pastor Jenkins received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Southern California School of Ministry in Inglewood, Calif. After becoming a licensed pilot in 2002, he takes great delight in flying.

Even with his many obligations, Pastor Jenkins holds his role as a family man as the highest treasure. He and his wife Trina are the proud parents of six children and five grandchildren.

Martinez 150x100Dr. Juan Martinez, Vice President of Ashland University

Juan Martínez is Vice President of Ashland University and Executive Dean at Ashland Theological Seminary—a graduate division of Ashland University. He previously served as associate provost for diversity and international programs and associate professor of Hispanic studies and pastoral leadership and director of the Center for the Study of Hispanic Church and Community (2001-2019). Among other topics, his current research focuses on the history of Latino Protestantism, Latino Protestant identity, ministry in Latino Protestant churches, Latino and Latin American Anabaptists, and transnational mission among US Latinos.

Previous to his work at Fuller, Martinez served as rector at the Latin American Anabaptist Seminary in Guatemala City, Guatemala for nine years. A Mennonite Brethren pastor, Martínez also has experience in church planting and teaching in both religious and secular venues. He served as director of Hispanic Ministries for the Pacific District Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Church and of Instituto Bíblico del Pacífico, a Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute.

Alex McFarland picDr. Alex McFarland, Christian Apologist

Alex McFarland has spoken in hundreds of locations throughout the US and abroad. He has preached in over 1,500 different churches throughout North America and internationally and has been featured at conferences such as The Billy Graham School of Evangelism, Focus on the Family's Big Dig, Josh McDowell's True Foundations events, California's Spirit West Coast, and many more.

In a 2009 story, CNN said, "Alex McFarland is an expert on world religions and cults." Beginning in 1991, Alex pioneered apologetics conference formats designed to equip teens and adults to defend their faith. Attendees of all ages began to attend Alex's "Truth for a New Generation" events, eagerly learning from scholars such as Josh McDowell, Ravi Zacharias, Lee Strobel, Chuck Colson, and others.

Alex was named the third president of Southern Evangelical Seminary and College, located in Charlotte, NC (2001-2005). Under his leadership the school saw unprecedented growth. Prior to this, Alex had served as Focus on the Family's first-ever Director of Teen Apologetics. He has authored over 20 books tackling the difficult topics about faith, including, The 21 Toughest Questions Your Kids Will Ask about Christianity: & How to Answer Them Confidently (Focus on the Family Books).

Dalr. R. Albert Mohler Jr., President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

 Called "an articulate voice for conservative Christianity at large" by The Chicago Tribune, Dr. Mohler's mission is to address contemporary issues from a consistent and explicit Christian worldview. Dr. Mohler is a theologian and an ordained minister, having served as pastor and staff minister of several Southern Baptist churches. His writings have been published throughout the United States and Europe. In addition to contributing to a number of collected volumes, he is the author of several books. He serves on the boards of several organizations including Focus on the Family. He is a member of the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and serves as a council member for The Gospel Coalition. He is married to Mary, and they have two children, Katie and Christopher.

janet_parshallJanet Parshall, host of In the Market with Janet Parshall, author and speaker

Janet has been consistently profiled as one of the top 100 "talkers" in Talkers magazine, the leading trade publication of the talk industry. In 2011 and 2008, Janet was awarded the National Religious Broadcasters On-Air Personality of the Year. Janet was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Religious Broadcasters in 1998 and had served on its Executive Board. She is the recipient of the Excellence in Communications award from Women in Christian Media. Janet was also elected to Sigma Delta Omega for high attainments in the field of broadcasting.

Throughout her career, Janet has been a devoted advocate of the principles and policies that strengthen the family. In February 2005, Parshall was selected by President George W. Bush to represent the White House as a public delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. As a radio and television commentator, author, and advocate for the family, Janet speaks nationwide on public policy issues that impact family preservation and promotion. She has authored several books, including her latest, Buyer Beware: Finding Truth in the Marketplace of Ideas.

Parshall and her husband, Craig, live in Virginia, and have four children and six grandchildren.

Georgene RiceGeorgene Rice, host of The Georgene Rice Show

Georgene has been a talk show host with KPDQ for more than 20 years and has traveled internationally as a station correspondent. In 2003 Georgene served as the chief spokesman and debater for the Defense of Marriage Coalition, which successfully amended Oregon’s constitution. She has lectured on university campuses and is a frequent speaker and worship leader at Christian conferences and retreats. Georgene has served on several Boards and regularly volunteers for charitable organizations. A musician, Georgene and husband Dan have traveled around the world teaching and performing Gospel music.

matthew_staverMathew Staver, Esq., Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman

Mat Staver is the Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel and also serves as Vice President of Liberty University, Dean and Professor of Law at Liberty University School of Law, and Chairman of Liberty Counsel Action. He has the highest AV rating given to attorneys by Martindale-Hubbell and is board certified in Appellate Practice.

Mat holds Bachelor, Master, and Juris Doctorate degrees and an honorary Doctorate of Laws and a Doctorate of Divinity. He has argued two landmark cases before the United States Supreme Court as lead counsel and written numerous briefs before the High Court. Mat has argued in numerous state and federal courts across the country and has over 210 published legal opinions. He has authored hundreds of popular articles, five scholarly law review publications, numerous brochures and booklets, and 11 books, most of which focus on constitutional law, including his two most recent books, Eternal Vigilance: Knowing and Protecting Your Religious Freedom, which is the most comprehensive book ever written on religious liberty, and Same-Sex Marriage: Putting Every Household at Risk.

Mat produces and hosts Faith & Freedom, a 15-minute daily radio program, and Freedom’s Call, a 90-second daily radio program, focusing on topics of cultural and political interest from a Christian worldview. He serves on the Board of Reference of The Christian Film & Television Commission. As a former pastor and one of the nation’s preeminent constitutional attorneys, he frequently appears as a guest on national network and cable TV and radio programs and also appears in several thousand print articles each year.

sam-stormsDr. Sam Storms, Lead Pastor Bridgeway Church

Sam Storms is the Lead Pastor for Preaching and Vision at Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and the President of Enjoying God Ministries (www.samstorms.com). He has authored or edited 22 books and has published numerous journal articles and book reviews. He is a graduate of The University of Oklahoma (BA), Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM), and The University of Texas at Dallas (Ph.D.). He and his wife Ann have been married for 41 years and are the parents of two grown daughters and have four grandchildren.

chris_westChristopher West, Founder of The Cor Project

Christopher West is a renowned educator, best-selling author, cultural commentator, and popular theologian who specializes in making the dense scholarship of the late Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body accessible to a wide audience. As founder of The Cor Project, he leads a non-profit global outreach devoted to cultural renewal through the “new evangelization.” His extensive lecturing, his numerous books and articles, his popular audio and video programs, and his multiple media appearances have sparked an international groundswell of interest in the late Pope’s teaching across denominational lines. He has appeared on Fox News, ABC News, MSNBC, and EWTN.

West has been teaching graduate and undergraduate courses on the Theology of the Body and sexual ethics since the late 1990s, having served on the faculties of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, The Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University in Omaha, and as a visiting professor at the John Paul II Institute in Melbourne, Australia. Since 2004 he has served as a research fellow and faculty member of the Theology of the Body Institute near Philadelphia.

Melvin Wong 2.JPGDr. Melvin Wong, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Wong was born and raised in Hong Kong but was educated and has lived in the U.S. since 1970. He was Honorary Director of the Pastoral Counseling Program at the Hong Kong Baptist Theology Seminary as well as a co-worker at CCM and CFFC. He was Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UCSF school of medicine and Attending Psychologist at SF General Hospital: African-American Psychiatric Unit 6-B. He has been a volunteer teacher at many universities and seminaries in Asia and China. He has completed 6 years of earthquake relief work in Sichuan as well as volunteer work in Cambodia where he assisted/supervised the prevention and aftercare of human trafficked victims. 25% of his time is dedicated to missional volunteer work abroad in Leadership Development, Clinical Training, and cross-cultural psychology.

Dr. Wong is a Board Member of the Herald Foundation, Exodus Global Alliance, and Culture Regeneration Research Society, Canada. His most recent clinical research and interests include Traumatized Asian Women: Prevention and Treatment Strategies; Sexual Violations: Prevention and Recovery; Gender Identity Formation: Theory and Practice; homosexuality, bisexuality, pansexuality, and transgenderism; Christian Leadership and Management Theory; Prevention of Divorce and Single Parenting; and children aftercare for orphans and street children. Wong has authored two books: Raising Gender-Confident Kids and Trauma Survivors' Casebook. 

In Memorium and glory...

Dr. Joseph Nicolosi, Founder of NARTH
Leanne Payne, Founder of Pastoral Care Ministries