Speaker Bios
Special Series:
Presidents' Lectures
The Presidents' Lectures are named in honor of the eight Presidents in the history of Biola University, whose commitment, as expressed in the mission statement of the University, has been biblically centered education, scholarship and service -- equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. This commitment and passion of these men intentionally shapes these lectures.
Reconciliation Chapels
The purpose of the Racial Reconciliation Chapel Series is to provide students with a diverse worship experience in the midst of a diverse community. The program's aim is education about the diversity in the Body of Christ, celebration of different styles of music in worship, and enhancing the process of reconciliation in the Body of Christ.
Lloyd Oglivie Series
This series is funded by a private grant, allowing Biola to bring excellent Bible expositors to our chapel program.
Spiritual Renewal Week
Spiritual Renewal Week is designed to allow the Biola Community to experience a series of messages from a godly communicator who speaks several times in one week. Hopefully, this allows both messenger and listener the opportunity to develop rapport as the speaker builds one message upon another. Placing this series early in the semester, our desire is to schedule individuals who have a heart for spiritual renewal on the university campus.
Torrey Memorial Bible Conference
R. A. Torrey (1856-1928) was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. He graduated from Yale University (B.A., 1875) and from the theological department there (B.D., 1878), and studied at the universities of Leipzig and Erlangen. Inspired by D.L. Moody, he held evangelistic meetings around the world with song leader Charles Alexander, and at age 33 was called by Moody to head the Bible Institute of the Chicago Evangelization Society (now the Moody Bible Institute). He would later become the first Dean of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (BIOLA), from 1912- 1924. His pastorates included Chicago Avenue Church (now Moody Memorial Church) and the Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles. He wrote more than forty books. At his funeral, it was said that “... those who knew Dr. Torrey more intimately knew him as a man of regular and uninterrupted prayer. He knew what it meant to pray without ceasing. With hours set systematically apart for prayer, he gave himself diligently to this ministry.” A short biography of Torrey is available at www.believersweb.org/view.cfm?ID=62
2009-10 Speakers (alphabetically):
Associated Students
AS exists to serve you, the student. As an entirely student-led organization we seek to represent your best interests to the Administration while also communicating its activities to you. While we constantly strive to provide events and services that enrich your Biola experience, we ultimately hope to be an organization that brings unity to a campus that is seeking to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Clint Arnold
Dr. Arnold's interest lies in the historical and cultural context of the New Testament, especially the letters of Paul. He has written and edited numerous books and articles, has published in Christianity Today and is a regular columnist for Discipleship Journal. Dr. Arnold, his wife and three boys are vitally involved in their local church. Visit his webpage.
Leonard N. (Len) Bartlotti
Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies. Dr. Bartlotti is a specialist in Islamic Studies and the anthropology of Muslim societies. He joined the School of Intercultural Studies at Biola in 2006 to teach in the Undergraduate Department and provide leadership for Biola's emerging program in the study of Islamic cultures. Dr. Bartlotti also serves as a consultant to faith-based organizations engaged in humanitarian work in Afghanistan and Central Asia. He and his wife Debi, a nurse midwife, have three adult children and two grandchildren.
The BEAT Team
The B.E.A.T. (Biola Ethnic Advancement Team) is composed of three teams, led by student leaders who focus on serving the African-American and Latino communities, respectively. The B.E.A.T. is a volunteer program and serves as an extension of the Admissions Office. Their mission is to engage and build bridges with the surrounding Latino and African American communities and develop college students as volunteer leaders. The team also seeks to serve their local communities by partnering with local churches (leading worship, praise dance, testimony, special participation, etc.) and occasionally service activities such as neighborhood clean-ups, food drives, school visits (middle school and high school), health/college/career outreach activities, and after-school programs.
E. Calvin Beisner
E. Calvin Beisner is a founder of and the national spokesman for the Cornwall Alliance for Environmental Stewardship (formerly called the Interfaith Stewardship Alliance and among the founding leaders of Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church, Florida. He is a former associate professor (2000-2007) of historical theology and social ethics at Knox Theological Seminary, where he taught church history, ethics, apologetics, logic, systematic theology, and non-Christian religions. He is also an adjunct fellow of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty.
Beth Born
Associate Dean, Residence Life, Biola University.
Kneeland Brown
As a faculty member at Azusa Pacific University (APU), Kneeland serves as Director of Diversity Initiatives in the Office of Diversity Planning & Assessment, and is advisor to the Ethnic Studies minor. He graduated from APU with a B.A. in Liberal Studies and a M.A. in Christian Education. He has recently reached candidacy for his Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration at USC. He has been married to the love of his life Tearrah for the past 5 years, and they are the proud parents of a beautiful daughter, Savannah Lynn.
Jamie Campbell
A Biola (’04) alum, Jamie views her current role as a professor at Biola as a provident surprise. Jamie was born and raised in Okinawa, Japan, where her parents have been missionaries for over 30 years. She received her J.D. in May 2007 from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. While at Georgetown, Jamie had the opportunity to argue as amicus in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. In addition to mentoring and teaching students, she enjoys walking around Target, delights in a good book, and loves to challenge Andrew at Guitar Hero III.
Rachel Clark
Director, Residence Life, Biola University.
John Coe
Director, Institute of Spiritual Formation, Biola University. Dr. Coe teaches and writes in the areas of spirituality, theology and psychological maturity, and gender issues as well as the integration between theology, psychology, philosophy and ethics. His articles have been published in Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology, Journal of Christian Education, Journal of Psychology and Theology, Journal of Psychology and Christianity, Faculty Dialogue, and Ethics and Medicine.
President Barry Corey
Dr. Barry H. Corey became the eighth president of Biola University on July 1, 2007. He holds a BA in English and biblical studies from Evangel University, an MA in American Studies from Boston College, and a PhD from Boston College in curriculum, instruction and administration. Corey, a Massachusetts native, came to Biola from Gordon-Conwell Seminary, where he served as vice president/chief academic officer and academic dean. Corey was also a Fulbright Scholar and lived in Bangladesh among the rural poor from 1990 to 1991. He has served on a number of non-profit boards including "Convoy of Hope," and "The Boston Theological Consortium." He has also completed two Boston Marathons. He has been married to his wife, Paula, for 17 years, and they have three children: Anders, 15; Ella, 13; and Samuel, 9.
Mark Dever
Mark Dever serves as the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. A Duke graduate, Dr. Dever holds a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Ecclesiastical History from Cambridge University. He is the president of 9Marks Ministries and has taught at a number of seminaries. Dr. Dever has authored several books and articles, most recently, What is a Healthy Church? and The Gospel and Personal Evangelism (Crossway 2007).
Adam Edgerly
Pastor of the Newsong Los Angeles site. Adam is a graduate of Biola University with a B.A. and a Masters Degree in Inter-Cultural Studies. Adam also holds an MBA from Emory University. He served as the Director of Community Transformation Ministries, the Associate Director of Evangelism and Regional Director of Church Planting with the Evangelical Covenant churches. He loves to learn about other cultures and world religions and he has visited 15 countries. He enjoys the bohemian environment of coffee houses (he used to own one). Adam also enjoys reading, attending poetry slams, mountain biking and body surfing. www.newsong.net/la/index.php
Cathleen Falsani
Longtime award-winning religion columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times and author of The God Factor, the memoir Sin Boldly: A Field Guide for Grace; The Dude Abides: The Gospel According to the Coen Brothers and the forthcoming The Thread: Rediscovering Faith and Friendship on Facebook. She is a graduate of Wheaton College and holds master's degrees in journalism and theology.
La Nej Garrison
Speaker, “Teaching Like Jesus Ministries.” La Nej Garrison earned her MA in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics from Talbot. She has worked in teen ministry and taught at churches and conferences around the world—from South Africa to Japan, using her unique blend of philosophy mixed with theology and a healthy dose of dry humor. La Nej is married to pro basketball player Matt Garrison.
Michael Gonzales
Professor of Communications & Film Studies, Biola University. He has a graduate degree in screenwriting from the University of Southern California and a doctoral degree in intercultural education from Biola. Gonzales taught at USC as a production professor for 10 years. He has sold three scripts and optioned two and is currently directing television commercials and producing television specials.
Monica Romig Green
Facilitator, Biola's Center for Spiritual Renewal. Monica administers and helps to supervise the spiritual direction ministries on campus and for the local Christian community. She is also adjuct faculty for Talbot and Biola, currently teaching a class on Spiritual Formation and Worship for Biola's Music in Worship undergraduate program. She has a BA from Stanford University and an MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot's Institute for Spiritual Formation. She has been a practicing spiritual director for five years. Her academic interests include spiritual formation, spiritual direction, prayer, worship and improvisation.
Todd Hall
Director of the Institute for Research on Psychology and Spirituality, Associate Professor of Psychology, and Editor of the Journal of Psychology and Theology at Biola University. Dr. Hall holds a PhD in clinical psychology from Biola University and a doctoral specialization in measurement and psychometrics from UCLA. Having conducted research on spiritual transformation for over fifteen years, Dr. Hall is considered a leading expert in spiritual assessment, having consulted with numerous organizations, including the National Institute of Mental Health. He is the author of two forthcoming books with IVP Academic: Psychology in the Spirit: Contours of a Transformational Model (co-authored with John Coe), and The Relational Revolution. He speaks and consults regularly on spiritual transformation, leadership, and organizational development.
Craig Hazen
Director of M.A. Program in Christian Apologetics; Associate Professor of Comparative Religion and Apologetics, Biola University. Author of the book The Village Enlightenment in America (Univ. of Illinois Press) and a number of articles such as Science Never Fails, The Origins of American Metaphysical Religion, and God and the Law. He is also the editor of the philosophy journal, Philosophia Christi.
Joe Hellerman
Professor of New Testament, Biola University. Dr. Hellerman has lived in both the church and the academy for more than a decade. His Talbot training focused on Old Testament studies, while his doctoral research at UCLA dealt with the social history of the early Christians. His most recent book is When the Church Was a Family (B & H Publishing, 2009). In addition to his full-time duties with our New Testament Department, Joe presently serves as Co-Pastor at Oceanside Christian Fellowship in El Segundo. When not teaching or preaching, he may be fishing in the ocean, playing jazz-rock piano, or wine-tasting in Temecula with his wife Joann.
Matthew Hooper
Associate Dean of Students, Biola University.
David A. Horner
Associate Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies. Dr. Horner has taught at the University of Oxford, Denver Seminary, and served as a Visiting Scholar and Research Associate at the University of Colorado. He has lectured in numerous classrooms and university forums nationally and in Europe, and he has written numerous articles and book chapters on ethics, apologetics, and ancient and medieval philosophy. Dr. Horner serves as Research Scholar for Centers for Christian Study, International, an effort to develop intellectual Christian communities within secular university contexts.
Michael Scott Horton
Michael S. Horton is the J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Seminary California, editor-in-chief of Modern Reformation magazine (www.modernreformation.org), and co-host of the nationally syndicated White Horse Inn radio broadcast (www.whitehorseinn.org). His books include Putting Amazing Back into Grace, A Better Way: Rediscovering the Drama of God-Centered Worship, Too Good to be True, and God of Promise; as well as his most recent books, Covenant and Salvation, People and Place, and Christless Christianity. He is associate pastor of Christ United Reformed Church in Santee, California and lives in Escondido, California with his wife Lisa and four children.
John Hutchison
Dr. Hutchison brings outstanding ministry experience to the classroom, having served 22 years in youth, associate, interim, and senior pastor positions. He is the author of Thinking Right When Things Go Wrong - Biblical Wisdom for Facing Tough Times., and has also been published in Vital Apologetic Issues, Bibliotheca Sacra, Journal of Evangelical Theological Society, and Decision magazine. Through clear exposition and good communication skills, his aim is to pass on to his students a love for God's Word, including its relevance and practicality for ministry today.
Clay Jones
Assistant Professor of Christian Apologetics. Dr. Jones was previously the executive director of Simon Greenleaf University (now Trinity Law School), which offered degrees in law, Christian apologetics, and international human rights, and hosted a weekly nationally syndicated talk radio program. Author of a forthcoming book, Why God Allows Evil, Dr. Jones has been on the pastoral staff of two large churches and speaks widely on why God allows evil; crusades, inquisitions, witch-hunts, etc.
Joanne Jung
Assistant Professor of Spiritual Formation, Biola University; conference speaker.
Kim Kira
Primary teaching elder at Lighthouse Community Church in Torrance, and a graduate of the Master’s Seminary (MDiv.). He is also currently a student (along with his wife) at the Master’s College working on a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling degree.
Sean McDowell
Popular speaker at camps, churches, schools, and conferences nationwide, Sean co-teaches with Mark Matlock at the Planet Wisdom Student Conferences, and is also a regular speaker to both teens and adults at Worldview Weekends (www.worldviewweekend.com). His most recent book is Ethix: Being Bold in a Whatever World (Broadman & Holman, 2006). He also compiled Josh McDowell’s Youth Ministry Handbook. Sean is a contributor for Passionate Convictions, an apologetics book compiled by William Lane Craig and Paul Copan (Broadman & Holman, 2007). He graduated summa cum laude from Talbot Theological Seminary with a double Master’s degree in Theology and Philosophy.
Ken Myers
Host and producer of the Mars Hill Audio Journal, a bimonthly audio magazine that examines issues in contemporary culture from a framework shaped by Christian conviction. Formerly magazine editor of This World: A Journal of Religion and Public Life and Eternity. Served as a producer and editor for National Public Radio, as arts and humanities editor for Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Mr. Myers serves as an advisory editor for Christianity Today, and his published writings include All God's Children and Blue Suede Shoes: Christians and Popular Culture (Crossway Books:1989).
Todd Pickett
Associate Dean for Spiritual Development, Biola University. In July 2008, Todd became the point person for undergrad students' spiritual development. Prior to this, he served for three years as Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Biola, and for nine years before that was a faculty member in, and chairman of, the English Dept. During that time, he was doing Bible teaching and pastoring in both official and unofficial capacities. He has a BA from Stanford University, an MA from Trinity College Dublin, a Ph.D. from UCI, and another MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care at Talbot. He is married to Dottie, a marriage and family therapist, and they have two children: Carly and Abbey.
Pluzios Chapels
"Pluzios" is a transliteration of the Greek word for "richly," as in Col. 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." (NIV). The periodic Friday Pluzios chapels are a chance to revisit in greater depth a passage or topic discussed earlier in the week.
Steve Porter
Associate Professor of Philosophy and Theology, Biola University. Dr. Porter teaches theology and philosophy for Talbot's Institute for Spiritual Formation and at Rosemead School of Psychology. His areas of interest include theological methodology, the doctrine of sanctification, philosophical theology, and the integration of psychology and theology. He has contributed articles to the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Philosophia Christi, Faith and Philosophy, and the Journal for Psychology and Theology. Dr. Porter's book on epistemology, Restoring the Foundations of Epistemic Justification, was recently published by Lexington Books.
Chris Rattay
Pastor, Epicentre Church, East Los Angeles. Has worked for five years as a campus minister at USC with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Three of those five years were spent working with the African American Student Community pioneering a fellowship and ministry. Previously, Chris spent three years as associate pastor in a Chinese American church. He has been married to his wife Maggie for six years and they have 2 boys.
John Mark Reynolds
Director and founder of the Torrey Honors Institute, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Biola University. His first book, Maker of Heaven and Earth: Three Views on the Creation and Evolution Debate, was co-authored with J.P. Moreland. Dr. Reynold's most recent book When Athens met Jerusalem: an Introduction to Classical and Christian Thought has been published by InterVarsity Press. While his emphasis is on Plato, Dr. Reynolds' interests include Philosophy of Science, Dante, anything British, films and current events. He speaks regularly on topics of apologetics, homeschooling, and classical education in churches and schools around the US.
John Riley
John Riley is lead pastor of Student Ministries at Whittier Area Community Church. John graduated from Biola in 2002 with a degree in Christian Education, and received his Master of Divinty from Talbot School of Theology in 2007. John has served as pastor to junior and senior high students at Whittier Area Community Church for eight years. He is married to his wife Kat and has two beautiful young daughters.
Jerry Root
Assistant Professor, Wheaton College; Director, Wheaton Evangelism Institute. Born and raised in Southern California, Dr. Root grew up in a Christian family but did not become a Christian until his freshman year at Whittier College. He was deeply influenced by the ministries of Campus Crusade for Christ and Granada Heights Friends Church in La Mirada, California. He spent 23 years in the pastorate; while pastoring he taught courses in Philosophy and on C. S. Lewis for ten years at the College of Du Page in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. He has served as Visiting Adjunct Faculty at Biola since 1991, teaching courses on Lewis.
Sue Russell
Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies. Dr. Russell spent 17 years in cross-cultural ministry and field research with Wycliffe Bible Translators working with indigenous communities in S.E. Asia. Dr. Russell brings her extensive background in anthropology into her study of the process of conversion and into her study of the cultural backgrounds of the New Testament. She is the author of Conversion, Power, and Identity. Her areas of biblical studies are Social Scientific Criticism, Luke-Acts, and Theology of Mission. She has a passion for teaching students to live out Acts in their lives.
Slam Poetry
Sponsored by the Office of Multiethnic Programs, the Biola Slam Fest features students, alumni, and special guests, performing original works. Slam poetry is poetry performed live; the works are specifically designed for oral recitation and often not for the printed page. The audience is expected to participate with the poet/performer, with encouraging or enthusiastic comments and exhortations. Many 'slams' are competitions, with audience feedback determining the winners. Much slam poetry is intensely personal and has social/political/economic (and in Biola's case, theological) overtones, displaying its common heritage with rap music.
Wayne Tesch
Wayne & Diane Tesch served as Sr. Associate Pastor on staff of Newport-Mesa Christian Center in So. California for 18 years. In 1985, they were challenged with the opportunity to develop a program for some of the most severely abused children in their community. These week-long summer camps became known as Royal Family Kids’ Camps. Each Royal Family Kids’ Camp is sponsored by a local church. Today, using a franchising model, the non-profit organization of Royal Family Kids’ Camps has grown nationwide to a network of camps sponsored by churches in 26 denominations and spans 36 states and 5 foreign countries.
Jon Wallace
President, Azusa Pacific University, since Nov 2000. An APU grad (BA and MBA) with a DBA from United States International University, he is also a published author and sought-after speaker. Wallace attends Baseline Community Church, where he has served as an elder. He enjoys cooking, outdoor exercise, and family time.He and his wife Gail have three children: David, Matt, and Kate.
Brian Wilson
Brian and his family came to Southern California from Scotland in 2002 to attend Talbot School of Theology. After graduating from Talbot in 2007 they returned to Scotland seeking God's guidance for the next chapter of their lives. Little did they know that one year later they would be back in Southern California where Brian now serves as College Pastor at Whittier Hills Baptist Church. Brian enjoys hiking in the mountains with his family, walking their dogs, Bonnie and Clyde, and when time allows, playing golf.
