Matthew L. Rubinstein is a Christian writer working at the intersection of biblical and covenantal theology. Shaped by Lutheranism and integrating literary reflection and poetic attentiveness, he writes to invite readers to see Christ anew in scripture, vocation, and ordinary life. He also teaches undergraduate and graduate students in clinical laboratory science. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and children.
Russ Lackey
Contributor
Russ Lackey
Contributor
Russell Lackey pastors Mission Lutheran Church in Laguna Niguel, California, after serving as campus pastor at Grand View University. He delights in proclaiming Jesus to hearts that are both wandering and held by grace. His hope is that every person hears again that the love of God in Christ is for you.
Gage Jordan
Contributor
Gage Jordan
Contributor
Gage Jordan is the Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Dyersburg, TN. He holds a B.A. in Biblical Studies with a Pastoral Emphasis from Central Baptist College and a Masters in Theology from Lamp Theological Seminary while currently working on a Doctorate of Ministry at Birmingham Theological Seminary. Gage co-hosts the podcast Assurance of Pardon with Scott Davis and is married to Katie and has a 3-year-old daughter named Ayla Grace. He loves people and Jesus and is passionate about helping make the truth of the Scriptures accessible to everyone.
Tanner Olson
Guest Contributor
Tanner Olson
Guest Contributor
Tanner Olson is an author, poet, and speaker living in Nashville, TN with his wife Sarah and their dog, Pancake. The mission of Tanner’s writing is to spread hope and announce love through written and spoken word poetry. From classrooms to churches to coffee shops to conferences, Tanner has traveled the country performing poetry, delivering messages of hope, and sharing stories. You can find Tanner's work at writtentospeak.com and @writtentospeak on Instagram.
Ben Haupt
Guest Contributor
Ben Haupt
Guest Contributor
Rev. Dr. Benjamin Haupt was recently chosen to join PLI as Global Executive Director. Ben is coming to PLI from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, where he served as associate provost and associate professor of Practical Theology. There, he oversaw the Seminary’s recruitment and admissions teams and liaised with the Board of Regents, the Executive Management Team, faculty and staff to accomplish the Seminary’s enrollment goals related to its residential, distance, and multiethnic Ministerial Formation programs and Advanced Studies programs. He has also been a faculty member since 2013.Ben’s areas of interest and expertise include the history of the text of the New Testament, early Christianity prior to Constantine, the intersection of church and society, 19th-century Lutheran missiology, the theology and practice of preaching, and pastoral/congregational leadership.He earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the University of Birmingham, U.K. (2019), and both a Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (2011, 2005). He received a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon (2000).During his M.Div. program, he studied for a year at Lutherische Theologische Hochschule in Oberursel, Germany. After graduation, he was installed as an associate pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church, a large congregation in Boca Raton, Fla., and served there until 2008. From 2008-13, he was the sole pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, a small congregation in Gainesville, GA.Ben is married to Celina, who works at Captain Elementary School. They have two teenage sons. He and his family are avid travelers, comics readers, theater fans, Lego-maniacs, and video gamers. Ben enjoys running, lifting and has led the Concordia Seminary Wine Society for the last 8 years.
Erica Sorensen
Contributor
Erica Sorensen
Contributor
Erica is in charge of Individual Partnerships in the Development Department at 1517. She holds a B.A. in both International Economics and Spanish from Valparaiso University and a M.A. in Teaching from the University of St. Thomas. Erica has a diverse work background in non-profit business operations, K-12 education, and fundraising. She is a passionate Gen Z advocate and speaker to church leadership and youth alike, teaching about the unique joys and challenges of sharing the Gospel message with young people in a post-Christian world.
Louis Markos
Guest Contributor
Louis Markos
Guest Contributor
Louis Markos is a Professor in English & Scholar in Residence at Houston Christian University, where he holds the Robert H. Ray Chair in Humanities. His books include Restoring Beauty: The Good, the True, and the Beautiful in the Writings of C. S. Lewis; Apologetics for the 21st Century; From Achilles to Christ; On the Shoulders of Hobbits; and Heaven and Hell: Visions of the Afterlife in the Western Poetic Tradition.
