Senior Distinguished Fellow
Rod Rosenbladt
Dr. Rod Rosenbladt (Ph.D., University of Strasbourg), now retired, was a professor of theology at Concordia University in Irvine, California for over 30 years, and has contributed to numerous books and recorded presentations. He is also an ordained minister in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS).
Senior Distinguished Fellow
John Warwick Montgomery
John Warwick Montgomery is considered to be one of the foremost living apologists for classical, biblical Christianity. A renaissance scholar with a flair for controversy, he lives in France. Dr. Montgomery is the author of more than sixty books in six languages. He holds eleven earned degrees, including a Master of Philosophy in Law from the University of Essex, England,
Senior Distinguished Fellow
Steven A. Hein
Dr. Steven A. Hein serves as Director of the Concordia Institute for Christian Studies, an organization that offers auxiliary educational services to Christian gatherings across the country and the leadership of Lutheran Churches in West Africa. Dr. Hein also serves as an affiliate professor of theology at Concordia University, Chicago and the Institute of Lutheran Theology. He is the author of, "Christian Life: Cross or Glory?" and "You Can Give an Answer: A Study in Christian Apologetics."
Senior Distinguished Fellow
John T. Pless
John T. Pless (D. Litt, Concordia University, Chicago) is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions and Director of Field Education at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Senior Distinguished Fellow
Uwe Siemon-Netto
Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto is a lay theologian and internationally-renowned journalist. He was born in Leipzig, Germany. He is the former religion editor of United Press International. In mid-career, at age 50, he began his theological studies. He studied for his M.A. in theology at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. His Ph.D. in theology and sociology of religion is from Boston University. He is the author of several books, including "The Fabricated Luther."
Senior Distinguished Fellow
Mark Mattes
Mark Mattes is associate professor of religion and philosophy at Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa. He is the author of "Martin Luther’s Theology of Beauty," "The Role of Justification in Contemporary Theology," "Imaging the Journey," and "Law and Gospel in Action."
Senior Distinguished Fellow
Steven Paulson
Professor Steven Paulson is a Senior Fellow in Residence at 1517. He holds degrees in theology from St. Olaf College, Luther Seminary and has a Doctorate from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. He has taught at Concordia College, Moorhead, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, and Luther House of Study of Sioux Falls. He is the author of many articles and books, including three volumes of Luther's Outlaw God that launched his podcast "Outlaw God." He has added a new podcast for preaching from the lectionary called "Preaching the Text."
Senior Distinguished Fellow
Robert Kolb
Robert Kolb (PhD, University of Wisconsin) is mission professor of systematic theology emeritus at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the author and co-author of numerous books.
Fellow
Scott Keith
Scott Keith is the Executive Director of 1517. He is a co-host of The Thinking Fellows Podcast and a contributor to 1517 and Christ Hold Fast. He is also the author of "Being Dad: Father as a Picture of God’s Grace." He earned his doctorate from Foundation House Oxford, under the sponsorship of the Graduate Theological Foundation, studying under Dr. James A. Nestingen.
Fellow
Chad Bird
Chad Bird is a Scholar in Residence at 1517. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He holds master’s degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He has contributed articles to Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Modern Reformation, The Federalist, Lutheran Forum, and other journals and websites. He is also the author of several books, including The Christ Key & Limping with God.
Fellow
Adam Francisco
Adam Francisco is Director of Academics and Scholar in Residence at 1517. He earned his DPhil from the University of Oxford and has two decades of experience teaching history, philosophy, and theology. He is the co-host of the podcasts Faith and Reason Exchange and The Thinking Fellows, author of several books, articles, and translations, and a popular speaker on the topics of Christian apologetics, worldview, and the religion of Islam.
Fellow
Daniel Emery Price
Daniel Emery Price is the 1517 Operations Executive. He is also an author, church and conference speaker, and co-host of the podcasts 40 Minutes in the Old Testament and 30 Minutes in the New Testament. Daniel has served as a church planter, pastor and worship leader and currently lives in Northwest Arkansas, with his wife and two daughters.
Fellow
Dan van Voorhis
Dan van Voorhis is an author, historian, professor, and speaker at 1517. After receiving his Ph.D. in History from the University of St. Andrews, Dr. van Voorhis spent 11 years teaching history and political thought at Concordia University, Irvine. He is now the 1517 Academy Dean. He also spends his time writing for 1517 and hosting/producing podcasts including the Soul of Christianity and the Christian History Almanac. Dan is married to Beth Anne, and they have two sons, Coert and Raymond.
Fellow
Erick Sorensen
Erick Sorensen is in charge of Church Partnerships in the Development Department at 1517. His B.S. in Organizational Leadership is from Biola University, and his M.Div. is from Lutheran Brethren Seminary. Erick has served as a pastor in Fontana, California, Staten Island, New York and Roxbury, New Jersey. In 2015 he planted Epiphany Lutheran Church in New York City, New York. Erick is host of the Law & Gospel Devotional, co-host of the 30 Minutes in the New Testament and Field Guide to the Bible podcasts, and is co-author of Scandalous Stories: A Sort of Commentary on the Parables.
Fellow
Bror Erickson
Bror Erickson currently serves as pastor of Zion Evangelical Church in Farmington, New Mexico, where he resides with his wife, Laura. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 2004. He has translated numerous books and articles by Bo Giertz and has contributed to the scholarship surrounding this theologian, often thought of as the "C.S. Lewis of Sweden." His translations of Bo Giertz include, "To Live with Christ," "With My Own Eyes," and "Romans, a Devotional Commentary."
Fellow
Ken Sundet Jones
Ken Sundet Jones, Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa, loves teaching undergrads. He was born in Heidelberg, which must be why he likes Luther so much. He was shaped by the Sturgis motorcycle rally in his hometown and by summers at his grandparents’ cattle ranch. His doctoral dissertation covered 16th-century German evangelical funeral preaching. And he knows how to do knitting and Scandinavian flat-plane woodcarving.
Fellow
Mark Jasa
Mark Jasa graduated from Concordia, St. Louis in 2005. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism and Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. He currently serves as a missionary evangelist in the United States, Canada, and Europe and serves at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Pasadena, California.
Fellow
Cindy Koch
Cindy Koch lives in Ventura, CA with her family. She graduated from Concordia Irvine, earned an MA in exegetical theology, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Bible from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. She has authored several books and is a blog contributor on 1517.org. Cindy speaks at retreats and conferences around the country. She also hosts Family Style Theology Podcast featuring conversations with children about theological topics.
Fellow
Chris Rosebrough
Pastor Chris Rosebrough is a bi-vocational theologian and is a recognized voice in Confessional Lutheranism. Pastor Rosebrough is the Captain of Pirate Christian Radio and the host of Fighting for the Faith. Fighting for the Faith is a Christ-Centered and Cross-Focused daily apologetics internet-radio program with a global audience.
Fellow
Christopher Gillespie
Christopher Gillespie is a strange brew of husband & father, Lutheran pastor, media producer (gillespie.media), and coffee roaster (gillespie.coffee). His media production includes regular projects for 1517, Higher Things, Doxology, CPH Music, Concordia Theological Seminary, and others.
Fellow
Edward Killian
Pastor Edward Killian is a native Californian. He is a graduate of Concordia University (Irvine, 1999), and Concordia Theological Seminary (Fort Wayne, Indiana, 2006). He has served congregations in Waterloo, IA (2006-2016), Beverly Hills,CA (2016-2020), and is now serving The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Inglewood, CA. Pastor Killian has been married to Jill for nearly three decades. Together they have seven children, nine grandchildren, two pit bulls. They make their home in Inglewood, CA.
Fellow
Darrin Sheek
Pastor Darrin Sheek was born and raised in Southern California. He met his wife Cindy while they both attended Mission Viejo High School. Darrin then earned a B.A. in Religious Studies from Westmont College (Santa Barbara, 1986) is a graduate of Cross-cultural Ministry Center (“CMC”) program at Concordia University (Irvine), which in turn led to an MDiv through Concordia Theological Seminary (St. Louis).
Fellow
Mark Pierson
Mark A. Pierson is Assistant Pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Long Beach, CA, and Adjunct Professor at Concordia University Irvine. He has an MA in Reformation Theology, and is working on his PhD in New Testament Studies. His current research focuses on issues pertaining to early Christology, the Historical Jesus, and the Atonement.
Fellow
Ted Rosenbladt
Ted Rosenbladt is a founder of 1517 and acts oversees 1517's Information Technology. He is an entrepreneur who has created and owned a number of businesses, whose career expertise is focused on design and technology, customer support, logistics, and team management. He lives in southern California with his three children.
Fellow
Sam P. Schuldheisz
Samuel P. Schuldheisz is Pastor at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton, WA. He and his wife, Natasha, have two children, Zoe and Jonah. His reading, research, and writing interests focus on The Inklings, Imaginative Apologetics, and the intersection of theology and literature.
Fellow
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas is the pastor of Grace Lutheran in San Diego, CA. He is the author of "Wittenberg vs. Geneva" and "Draw Me Unto Thee: A Lenten Prayerbook." As a former naval officer, he loves serving our sailors and marines in the local San Diego region.
Guest Contributor
Jon Moffitt
Jon is the senior pastor of Grace Reformed Church in Spring Hill, TN., which he planted in 2017 and the co-host of the popular podcast Thocast. Jon is married to Judith, and they have four children. He attended college and seminary in California and upon graduating in 2011, moved his family to Tennessee. Jon is one of the founding members and director of Theocast Ministries.
Fellow
Craig Donofrio
Craig Donofrio is the Pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in Cleveland, OH. He began his ministry after graduating from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1998 with an M.Div. Craig has served congregations from New London, CT to Pasadena, CA. After serving as a missionary based out of the Czech Republic, he moved to Cleveland to serve as the Pastor of St. James Lutheran Church where he co-hosts the 1517 podcast, “For You Radio." Craig has been a personality in radio and podcasting since 1993.
Fellow
Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston has degrees from Martin Luther College, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Central Michigan University, and Erasmus University Rotterdam. He serves as Assistant Professor of Theology at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and served for ten years in parish ministry in Saginaw, Michigan. He one of the hosts of the 1517 Podcast, "Let the Bird Fly," and has authored several books including, "A Path Strewn with Sinners" and "An Uncompromising Gospel."
Fellow
Valerie Thur
Valerie Thur is a Fellow of the International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism, and Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, where she also earned the Diploma of Christian Apologetics. She is the author of "Called to Defend: An Apologetics Handbook" and a contributing writer and speaker for 1517. Her areas of interest include apologetics for the next generation and connecting the defense of the faith to different branches of knowledge.
Fellow
Seth Moorman
Fellow
Rick Ritchie
Rick Ritchie resides in Southern California and is a graduate of Christ College Irvine and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has contributed to the books Christ the Lord: The Reformation and Lordship Salvation, Let Christ be Christ, and Theologia and Apologia.
Fellow
Steve Byrnes
Steve Byrnes holds a BA in English Literature and History from Concordia University, Irvine, and an MA in Biblical Studies from Westminster Seminary in Escondido, CA. He also spent over 20 years in the graphic arts and printing industry and recently completed an MA in Publishing from George Washington University in Washington DC. He directs book publishing for the many projects of 1517.
Fellow
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman is a Scholar in Residence at 1517. He Holds a BA in History and Political Science from Quinnipiac University, an MDiv. from the Lutheran Brethren Seminary, and an STM in Patristics from Drew University; He is the former Lead Pastor at Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church in Succasunna New Jersey where he served for 16 years. His research involves Augustinian studies, Early Christianity, Postmodernism, and hermeneutics. In his free time, he enjoys gardening and cooking. He is an avid student of both British and Japanese cultures and traditions. Other areas of academic interest include: Karl Barth, the question of certainty, Ancient Near-Eastern Wisdom Literature, Asian Christianity, church and culture, and philosophies of truth.
Fellow
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley is a Lutheran pastor, conference speaker, author, and contributing writer for 1517. He is the author of the books Crucifying Religion and The Withertongue Emails. He is also the co-host of the Banned Books podcast.
Fellow
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller is the senior pastor of Community Lutheran Church in Escondido, CA. He is a baptized husband, father, and pastor. He is the content editor for The Craft of Preaching, a preacher on You Are Forgiven Radio, and a contributor to 1517. He is also a co-host on White Horse Inn.
Fellow
John Bombaro
Rev. John J. Bombaro, Ph.D. (King’s College, University of London) is a missionary of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, serving as the Assistant Director of Theological Education at the Luther Academy, Rīga, Latvia.
Fellow
Paul Koch
Paul Koch is the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Ventura CA. where he has been called to hand over the goods; to kill and make alive and to recklessly forgive the broken and hurting.
Fellow
David Rufner
David J. Rufner is the 1517 Director of Relations and Development. His B.A. in Philosophy is from Concordia University - Chicago, and his M.Div. is from Concordia Seminary - St. Louis. He and his wife, Megan, have four excellent children. David enjoys cooking, sipping bourbon, smoking meats, reading, parties with neighbors, hiking, camping, and long road trips with his family to lands where mountains loom and canyons yawn.
Fellow
David Andersen
Fellow
Daniel Deen
Dr. Daniel Deen is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Concordia University Irvine. He earned his Ph.D. from Florida State University in 2015. His philosophical thought leans toward virtue epistemological perspectives in religious and scientific epistemology, with a strong penchant for dialogue between science and religion, Christ and culture. In other words, he is committed to that philosophical ideal of promoting great conversations.
Junior Fellow
Kelsi Klembara
Kelsi Klembara is the online content manager for 1517 and host of the 1517 podcast/show, Outside Ourselves. She holds an MA in Reformation Theology from Concordia University Irvine. She lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband, Doug, and her three children.
Junior Fellow
Caleb Keith
Caleb Keith is a Summa Cum Laude, and Honors Scholar graduate of Concordia University Irvine, and holds an MA in systematic and philosophical theology from the University of Nottingham. In 2018, he published a translation of Luther's Heidelberg Disputation. Caleb is husband to Erika Keith and father to Esther, Emerson and Edmund. He produces the Thinking Fellows and Outlaw God podcasts and oversees the 1517 Podcast network.
Junior Fellow
Sarah Crowder
Sarah Crowder is passionate about sharing the Gospel with freshmen students as a teacher at Faith Lutheran High School in Las Vegas, NV. Sarah graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin in 2000, and recently completed a MA in Theology with a focus on Reformation Studies from Concordia University-Irvine in May, 2020. She has been married to her husband, Jason for nearly 20 years, and is the loving mother to Katie and Brendan.
Junior Fellow
John W. Hoyum
John W. Hoyum is a graduate of Bethel University and Luther Seminary, both in St. Paul, Minnesota. He also holds a PhD in systematic theology from the University of Aberdeen. He now resides back home in the Pacific Northwest, serving as the pastor of Denny Park Lutheran Church in Seattle. He is also the co-host of the podcast Preaching the Text.
Junior Fellow
Charles E. Fry
Charles E. Fry (M.A. in Theology, Concordia University Irvine) teaches Church History with The Navigators and has spoken in various church and conference settings on the Protestant Reformation. He is the author of The Word of the Cross: Martin Luther’s Heidelberg Disputation and A World Upside Down: Four Essays on the Life and Theology of Martin Luther. He lives in Ona, West Virginia with his wife, Lisa, and their daughter, Heidi.
Junior Fellow
Sam Leanza Ortiz
Sam Leanza Ortiz is the Publishing Assistant for 1517 Publishing. Sam graduated from Concordia University, Irvine, with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Thought. As publishing assistant, she is responsible for a number of different administrative tasks - from author relations to sales reporting. In addition to her work for 1517, she is also pursuing a Master of Arts in History at Baylor University. Sam currently lives in Waco, TX, with her husband Patrick.
Junior Fellow
Blake Flattley
Blake Flattley is an accomplished singer-songwriter and the head of 1517 Music. He holds a BA in Humanities and an MA in Theology from Concordia University, Irvine and has served as a Worship Director for churches in Southern California, Houston, New York City and the Phoenix area. Blake currently lives with his wife Tara and their three girls, Amelia, Olivia, and Willa in Southern California.
Junior Fellow
Grant Klembara
Grant oversees Digital Marketing and Fundraising at 1517. He also helps with the 1517 Academy. He holds a BA in Rhetoric and Economics from Wabash College and is currently pursuing an MA in Humanities from the University of Dallas. He attended the International Apologetics Academy in 2018. He lives and works in Dallas, Texas.
Junior Fellow
Kevin McClain
Kevin McClain grew up fishing and surfing in Southern California. He is an avid outdoors-man. He attended Seminary at Wittenburg Institute and was recently ordained as a minister in the NALC. He has a wife and four young children.
Junior Fellow
Gretchen Ronnevik
Gretchen loves writing about rich theology rooted in real life. She is a mom to six kids that range in age from preschooler to teenager. She works as a homeschool mom, writer, and speaker. She’s the author of Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted. She is also the co-host of the weekly podcast, "Freely Given." She enjoys knitting, reading many books at the same time, and embarrassing her teenagers in public. She and her husband, Knut, live in Minnesota on the family farm.
Junior Fellow
Katie Koplin
Katie is passionate about highlighting Christ for us in the Scriptures and encouraging others to live in the freedom we have on account of Christ in her writing, speaking, and coffee dates. She co-hosts the podcast Freely Given with Gretchen Ronnevick. Katie lives in Minnesota where fields of grain meet woods and water. She shares her home with her husband Dallas, 4 kids, and a sturdy lab named Moose. She graduated from Bethany Lutheran College in 2007 (B.A. Communications).
Contributor
Travis Scholl
Travis Scholl (MDiv, Yale Divinity School; PhD, University of Missouri) leads mission integration at Lutheran Senior Services. Previously, he served as managing editor of theological publications at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, where he continues as a guest instructor. He is the author of Walking the Labyrinth.
Contributor
Dan Weber
Dan Weber is a graduate of Concordia University, Irvine and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and serves as Lead Pastor at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Federal Way, Washington. Since 2008, Dan has worked with the LCMS Youth Gathering as both a speaker and planner. He's spoken at Maata Näkyvissä Festival in Turku, Finland and Konnekt in Aarhus, Denmark. He's been an adjunct professor of theology for Concordia University in Irvine, California since 2012.
Contributor
Scott Landrum
Scott Landrum is pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in Sumter, SC. He is husband to Susan, dad to their five kids, and Poppy to their six grandchildren.
Contributor
Nicholas Kallis
Nicholas Kallis recently graduated from Cedarville University with an M.Div. He is married to Mary and together they have a daughter, Miriam Mae. Nicholas is currently serving as the pastor at Donnels Creek Church of the Brethren in Springfield, OH.
Contributor
Steve Kruschel
Steve Kruschel served as a vicar in Lapeer, Michigan. After graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2009, Steve was assigned to serve Grace Lutheran Church in Geneva, NE, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Grafton, NE. He served those congregations for 9 years He currently serves as a pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Two Rivers Wisconsin.
Contributor
Roland Ehlke
Dr. Roland Cap Ehlke is a professor in the Philosophy Department at Concordia University Wisconsin. His book, "Like a Pelting Rain: The Making of the Modern Mind" (1517, 2018), looks at the spiritual condition of Western civilization.
Contributor
Nicholas Hopman
Contributor
John Bortulin
John Bortulin is a Lutheran pastor, a husband to Sarah, and a dad to five fantastic daughters. Together they enjoy time in gyms and on ballfields, traveling, laughs, and an occasional week at the family cottage. In addition to serving a loving and patient parish, John serves the broader church in the areas of worship, missions, and ministerial education.
Contributor
Kerri Tom
southern California with her husband and two miraculous children.
Contributor
Kevin Hale
Kevin Hale is a husband, father, pastor, and perpetual student. He and his wife, Annie, have six kids and live in Conway, Arkansas where he pastors Christ Church Conway and oversees a Lamp Seminary learning site that helps train men for ministry in the PCA. Kevin’s love for studying has him pursuing a PhD in Old Testament through Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in partnership with Union School of Theology. He hosts the podcast The Daily Devotion and blogs occasionally at ozarkdogmatics.com.
Contributor
Tyler Cronkright
Tyler Cronkright is the Associate Pastor at Family of God Lutheran Church in Detroit, Michigan. He gets to walk with recovering and active addicts, sharing the good news of Jesus in a very dark neighborhood, alongside the many congregations that support Family of God. He and his wife, Brandi, live just north of Detroit in Clinton Township.
Contributor
Andrew Foss
Andrew Foss is a northern New Jersey native who enjoys cheering on his beloved New York Yankees, chances to chill at the shore, and eating NYC pizza. In his downtime, he loves fishing, playing golf, and reading books authored by his intellectual mentors and theological soulmates. He is a Lutheran Brethren pastor in DeWitt, Iowa, where he met his wife, Jenna. They have two children – Talan & Keatyn.
Contributor
Jason Lang
Jason Lang says, "I get to be married to Heidi," they have been married for over 20yrs. and still go on date night every Monday. He is currently serving as Lead Pastor with Word of Life Church in Le Sueur, MN. He has degrees from Philadelphia Biblical University and Lutheran Brethren Seminary. He speaks at youth camps and conferences because he loves sharing God's message of salvation through Jesus Christ and reminding people they are loved.
Contributor
Brad Soenksen
Brad Soenksen was the Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Studies at Lutheran Brethren Seminary for twenty-two years. He has been the Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Erhard, MN since 2010. He holds a BA in History and Biblical Studies from Crown College, an MDiv. from Lutheran Brethren Seminary, and a THM in Old Testament Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Contributor
Jenifer Mohan
Jenifer Mohan lives in California. She loves theology and is the mother of 3 children.
Contributor
Ryan Cosgrove
Ryan Stevenson-Cosgrove is a pastor in southeast Iowa, along the mighty Mississippi River. Serving in this little corner of the world has shown him how God loves to show up in the unlikeliest of places. The call to serve God's Word on the edge of this fly-over state has made a better theologian out of him than he could have managed on his own. It also landed him in the company of his now wife, Amanda, who manages to extend grace as well as Ryan could ever hope to preach it.
Contributor
Daniel Stenberg
Daniel Stenberg is married to Karen, and they have 5 boys. He is a graduate of the Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls, MN. Daniel is passionate about proclaiming Christ crucified, music that is harder than the stuff you listen to, video games, and the Seattle Seahawks. Daniel is currently serving as the pastor at Calvary Church in Bergenfield, NJ.
Contributor
Brandon Pangman
Brandon Pangman is married to Jenny and they have 3 children. He has a BA in Business from the University of Northwestern and an MDIV from Lutheran Brethren Seminary. He is the Lead Pastor at Emmaus Road Church, Director of Elevate Youth Convention and Chaplain of Dewitt Police Department.
Contributor
Jady Koch
Dr. Jady Koch, Associate Minister at Christ Church, Mount Pleasant SC. A graduate of Washington & Lee University (2000) and Trinity School for Ministry (2007), The Rev. Dr. John D. “Jady” Koch earned his Doctorate in Systematic Theology at the University of Humboldt in Berlin, Germany in 2014. In addition to various articles and lectures, he is the author of The Distinction Between Law and Gospel as the Basis and Boundary of Theological Reflection, which was published in 2016.
Contributor
Liturgical Folk
Liturgical Folk, a music project that centers around Nelson Koscheski's religious poems set to Ryan Flanigan's folk tunes. Since writing that first hymn in early 2015, Liturgical Folk has gained the support of producer Isaac Wardell, who has worked with many spiritually-minded songwriters, including Sufjan Stevens, Sandra McCracken, and Josh Garrels. Wardell produced Liturgical Folk's first two albums, which debut[ed] Feb. 1 [2017].
Contributor
Magnus Persson
Magnus is a husband, father and grandfather. He is an ordained Verbi Divini Minister and works as a pastor for EFS - a missional renewal movement in the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church. He is also the network co-ordinator of Re:formera and the host for its weekly podcast.
Contributor
Ryan Tinetti
Ryan Tinetti (D.Min., Duke University) is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Arcadia, Michigan, and author of the forthcoming book Preaching by Heart (Cascade Press). His website is www.preachingbyheart.com.
Contributor
Pete Lange
Pete Lange serves as pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Eldon, MO. He graduated from Christ College Irvine in 1991, was a DCE in Kansas for 10 years, and then attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis where he graduated in 2006. He loves Jesus and his family and likes reading, hiking, and golf.
Contributor
Ed Nugent
Ed Nugent is a 1991 graduate of Messiah College, and a 2008 graduate of the Lutheran Brethren Seminary. Because he sees the worst sinner he knows in the mirror each morning, he is personally desperate for God’s grace and passionate about proclaiming it to Fellow sinners both inside and outside of the church. His singular desire is to preach Christ and Him crucified. Ed has served Lutheran Brethren churches in Fergus Falls, MN and Le Sueur, MN prior to joining the staff at Our Redeemer’s.
Contributor
Noel Jesse Heikkinen
Noel Jesse Heikkinen is a pastor at Riverview Church, a multi-site church of over 3,000 near Lansing, Michigan. Heikkinen also helps lead the church planting ministry Acts 29 and is the chairman of the board for the mission agency Reliant. He and his wife, Grace, have four children.
Contributor
Loso
Juan Carlos Bedoya a.k.a. Loso, was born in Queens New York. Years later he was introduced to a group of friends who were involved in a Christian rap ministry called H.G.A. (His Glory Alone). Bible studies, evangelizing and Fellowship made up the majority of the ministry’s goals, and it is also in this ministry that his passion for preaching developed. In 2009 he began attending Trinity College of Florida where he is currently pursuing a pastoral degree.
Fellow
Jacob Smith
The Reverend Jacob Smith is the Rector of Calvary - St. George. Jake was born on the Navajo Reservation and was raised in Yuma, Arizona. He graduated from the University of Arizona in 2000 with a BA in History, with an emphasis in Near Eastern Studies. He received his M. Div from Trinity Episcopal in May, 2006. Jacob was ordained to the diaconate on June 3, 2006 in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, and ordained a presbyter at Calvary Church on December 3, 2006.
Contributor
Troy Neujahr
Pastor Troy Neujahr is a second-career pastor, having worked in the secular workforce for a number of years before entering the ministry. He graduated with honors from Grace University in Omaha, NE, with a dual major in Management/Organizational Leadership and Biblical Studies, and a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, where his focus was Missiology.
Contributor
Joshua Miller
Joshua Miller is the pastor of Jehovah Lutheran Church (LCMS) in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the author of "Hanging by a Promise" and the co-author of "Promising Faith for a Ruptured Age."
Contributor
Nick Lannon
Nick Lannon is a 2000 graduate of the University of Arizona and a 2007 graduate of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, having studied Communications and Religious Studies while at Arizona and Systematic Theology and Ethics at Trinity. An avid movie-watcher, NBA fan and all-around couch potato (when he's not playing sports himself), Nick is fascinated by the intersection of the Gospel and everyday life.
Contributor
Aaron Zimmerman
Aaron Zimmerman is graduated from Harvard in 1999 with a degree in History and Science. Before entering parish ministry, he taught English in Kazakhstan, wrote case studies at Harvard Business School, and worked as an analyst at H.J. Heinz Co. After receiving his M.Div. from Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in 2008, he served at St. Stephen's Church in Sewickley, PA. He is currently Rector of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Waco, Texas.
Contributor
Delwyn Campbell
Delywn X. Campbell is a Lutheran pastor serving Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lansing, MI. Del has served as a strategic mission developer for many years for the LCMS. Del lives in Lansing with his wife Lenita and their two daughters.
Contributor
David Zahl
David Zahl is the founder and director of Mockingbird Ministries, editor-in-chief of the popular Mockingbird website, and cohost of The Mockingcast. He and his family live in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he also serves on the staff of Christ Episcopal Church. Zahl is the author of A Mess of Help: From the Crucified Soul of Rock N' Roll and coauthor of Law and Gospel: A Theology for Sinners (and Saints).
Contributor
Karen Stenberg
Contributor
Amy Mantravadi
Contributor
Contributor
Raleigh Sadler
Raleigh Sadler has served in Christian ministry since 2001. Currently, he is the founder and executive director of Let My People Go, headquartered in New York City. He is also the author of the 2019 book, "Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking."
Contributor
Laura Bauer
Laura lives in Traverse City, Michigan. She is mother to four energetic children, wife of an adventurous LCMS pastor for 20+ years, and a baptized child of God. Laura completed her undergraduate work with a Director of Christian Education certification as well as a degree in Elementary Education from Concordia University in Chicago, Il. Currently, Laura is pursuing continuing education in Deaconess studies at the Concordia Seminary in St. Louis with the hopes of finishing with a master's in Spiritual Care. She is also working towards her master’s in Professional Clinical Counseling at Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin. She hopes to use this education to bring healing to a hurting world.
Contributor
Dan Chrismer
Dan Chrismer is a Pastor/Mission Developer at Ascension Lutheran Church in Pratt, Kansas.
Contributor
Walter Hwang
Walter Hwang is the pastor of Austin Korean Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas.
Contributor
StoryMakers NYC
Contributor
Doug Klembara
Doug Klembara is the Creative Director for 1517. He is a Dallas based photographer that believes there is beauty in simplicity. His work with non profits and companies has given him a wide understanding of the creative world and its processes. Doug was a part of Apple's Inaugural World Gallery and his photography was on skyscrapers around the world. He now lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, Kelsi and his three children.
Contributor
Norman Nagel
Norman Nagel was a Lutheran Pastor, theologian, and Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology.
Contributor
Jonathan Ruehs
Jonathan Ruehs serves as an assistant professor of theology and the director of the Center for Church Leadership at Concordia University Irvine. He earned his BA in religious studies. He also has two earned MA degrees from Biola University and CUI. He is working on a PhD in Intercultural Studies from Columbia International University in South Carolina where he will be researching the topic of spiritual warfare. Jonathan is married to Brenda and they have three children together.
Contributor
Jared C. Wilson
Jared C. Wilson is the director of content strategy at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, managing editor of For the Church, and director of the Pastoral Training Center at Liberty Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri. He speaks at churches and conferences around the world. He is a prolific author whose books include Your Jesus Is Too Safe, Gospel Wakefulness and The Imperfect Disciple.
Contributor
Jacob Corzine
Dr. Jacob Corzine is assistant professor of theology at Concordia University Chicago and is co-editor of Feasting in a Famine of the Word: Lutheran Preaching in the Twenty-First Century (Wipf & Stock, Eugene, OR 2016)
Contributor
Michael Berg
Michael Berg is an assistant professor of theology at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI. He is married to Amanda and together they have three daughters: Abigail, Noelle, and Sophia. Michael is a graduate of Martin Luther College, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, the International Academy of Apologetics, Human Rights, and Evangelism, and Biola University.
Contributor
Luke Kjolhaug
Luke Kjolhaug is the current pastor of Elim Lutheran Church in Osakis, MN. He is a husband, father, and mediocre basketball player. He also impersonates a theologian from time to time. Luke holds undergraduate degrees from Wheaton College and the University of Minnesota, and earned his MDiv. from Lutheran Brethren Seminary (Fergus Falls, MN). You can find him on YouTube at Foxhole Theology, where he is a founder and contributor.
Contributor
Joel Fitzpatrick
Joel Fitzpatrick has served as an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America with a focus on youth and family. He received his MDiv from Westminster Seminary California. Joel lives in Southern California with his wife of nineteen years and their two children. He is a sinner, a preacher the author of Between us Guys and the coauthor of Mom, Dad... What’s Sex? And contributed chapters to The Sinner and Saints Devotional: 60 Days in the Psalms.
Contributor
Matt Popovits
Matt Popovits serves as Lead Pastor of St. Mark Houston, in Houston, Texas. Prior to serving in Houston, Matt was the planting and Lead Pastor of OSNY, a family of neighborhood parishes in New York City. Matt has also served as a staff writer for Homiletics and is a frequent speaker at churches and events around the country. Prior to entering ministry Matt studied acting at the University of Michigan department of Theatre and Dance; and later received his MDIV from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
Contributor
Elyse Fitzpatrick
Elyse Fitzpatrick holds a certificate in biblical counseling from CCEF (San Diego) and an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary. She has authored 21 books on daily living and the Christian life. A frequent speaker at women’s conferences, she has been married for nearly 40 years and has three adult children and six really adorable grandchildren.
Contributor
Matt Johnson
Matt Johnson is a husband, father to two little girls, and is an armchair student of theology. He is a freelance writer and editor with a penchant for redemptive snark. Until recently, Matt spent 7 years as an associate volunteer pastor in counseling and recovery ministry. Many moons ago Matt forwent a proper education and traveled the country playing drums in bands you've never heard of. He likes long walks on the beach, puppies, and has questionable taste in music.
Contributor
Zack James Cole
Zack James Cole grew up in the Bible Belt of the American South. He became a United States Marine in 2004 and served on Active Duty until 2009. He was deployed to Iraq twice during Operation: Iraqi Freedom. He earned his M.Div in Theological Studies from Liberty Theological Seminary. He now serves as an Associate Pastor at Suwannee Station Family Life Church in Suwannee, Georgia.
Contributor
Paul Dunk
Paul Dunk is a graduate of Knox Theological Seminary and the founding pastor of KW Redeemer in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. He is an MCO race school graduate, but presently his main hobby is drinking espresso because it's cheaper than fixing cars. Paul and Susan live in Waterloo with their three children.
Contributor
Jay Sawrie
Jay Sawrie is an intern of the Presbyterian Church in America. He is also a contributor for Late Night Theology, a reader of Flannery O’Connor, and is working toward pastoring Presbyterian churches in the South.
Contributor
RJ Grunewald
RJ Grunewald is a Pastor at Faith in Troy, Michigan. He is a theology nerd who believes that theology isn’t just meant for the academics and dead guys but it is for everyday life. He is the author of The Art of Law & Gospel and Reading Romans with Luther. He’s also got a digital copy of The Art of Law and Gospel that you can download for free by subscribing to his emails. RJ has been married to his wife Jessica since 2007, and they have 3 kids: Elijah, Emaline, and Alice.
Contributor
Jessica Thompson
Jessica Thompson is the author of several books and is a frequent conference speaker. Her heart is to see women, families, and children freed from the bondage of moralism. She is a contributor at Christ Hold Fast and a part of the podcast, Front Porch with the Fitzes. Jess has a Bachelor's Degree in Theology and with her mother, Elyse Fitzpatrick, she co-authored the books, "Give Them Grace," "Answering Your Kids' Toughest Questions," and "Mom, Dad… What’s Sex?"
Contributor
Jake Allstaedt
Jake Allstaedt serves as the pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Williston Park, NY. He received his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 2011. His passions include exploring the depths of God's grace, playing guitar, good coffee, White Castle burgers, and old school video games. Jake and his lovely wife, Christina, have one adorable little son named Roman.
Contributor
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray serves as the senior pastor of Stonington Baptist Church in Paxinos, Pennsylvania, where he lives with his wife Natalie and their three children, Lydia, Braxton, and Bailey. He blogs regularly at www.graceupongrace.net and hosts a semi-regular podcast, “Ministry Minded.”
Contributor
Scott Davis
Scott Davis is a husband, father, magician, and pastor. He and his wife Leigh Anne live in beautiful Hot Springs, Arkansas with their five children, one dog, and one cat. Scott is the pastor of Hope Church Hot Springs, a small church that is affiliated with The Presbyterian Church in America.
Contributor
Dominick Santore
Dominick Santore is a theological misfit landing in the area of Lutheranism. He has come to deeply appreciate the truth of Scripture as defined by the distinction between Law and Gospel. He has found freedom in knowing that Christ is his substitute even on his worst days. He is blessed with a wonderful wife and two awesome young men, which he can say without a doubt, he doesn't deserve. He wears a variety of hats at Epiphany, a new church in the heart of NYC.
Contributor
Jessica Delgado
Jessica Delgado is a Social Media Strategist turned Content Marketing Manager and was just as surprised as you are to learn that those things are real things. She longs to see Christians set free from sin and living without shame in the truth of the gospel. She is passionate about pointing single women toward God's faithfulness and abundance in their own lives and awaits the day they have seen so much of Jesus that they'd be perfectly content if He was all they ever got.
Contributor
Ryan Couch
Contributor
Mariah Coward
Mariah Coward is a wife, mother, and musician. She loves music and theology and the intersection between the two. She is wife to Daniel and mother to Clara and Amelie. She lives in Rogers, Arkansas.
Contributor
Brandon Hanson
Brandon Hanson is husband to Becky, father to Hadassah, Delaney, and Athanasius. He served in the U.S. Army as an infantryman for seven years. He has served in children's and youth ministry, jail outreach, and as an officer on boards for evangelism and missions. Modern folk, Indian Pale Ales, Scotch, Cigars and good conversation are some of Brandon's favorite vices. For everything else, there's Jesus' substitutionary life, death, and resurrection for us.
Contributor
Haroldo Camacho
Haroldo Camacho is retired and lives with his wife, Mercedes, and son, Orlando, in Davie, Florida. He obtained his doctorate from the School of Theology at Claremont in 1991 and served many years as a Certified Court Interpreter with the Judicial Council of California. He has translated Luther’s Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians (1535) to both Spanish and English. The English commentary is available through 1517 Publishing.
Contributor
Larry D. Hughes
Larry D. Hughes is a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Danville, Kentucky where he serves as head elder. He is a graduate of Western Kentucky University holding a degree in Geology and Chemistry. He is a contributor to the books "Wittenberg Confessions – Testimonies of Converts to Confessional Lutheranism" and "Theology of the Cross: Luther's Heidelberg Disputation & Reflections on Its 28 Theses."
Contributor
Kyle G. Jones
Kyle is a husband and father. He serves as Director of Faith Formation at Calvary Lutheran Church in Brookfield, WI. He graduated from Concordia University Texas with a B.A. in Religious Education with an emphasis in Worship and the Arts through the Director of Christian Education program. He is the co-author of The Sinner/Saint Lenten Devotional and is a regular contributor for 1517.
Contributor
Joel Hess
Joel Hess is the senior pastor of St. James Church & School Chicago, host of the down-to-earth podcast, Ringside with the Preachermen, and a regular contributor to 1517. Along with performing in his band, Sunday Morning Moonshine, he enjoys fighting the system with painting, poetry and cocktail parties.
Contributor
Bonnie Petroschuk
Bonnie Petroschuk is a wife, mother of three grown children and Grammie to five amazing boys. She has dubbed herself a Grace Herald who will always be a teenager at heart after working with the teen and college-age groups in her church for more years than she wants to admit. She says that teaching those students gave her the incredible opportunity to both grow in her understanding of scripture and to share what she learned.
Contributor
Kathy Morales
Kathy Morales graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College with a B.A. in Media Design. She is currently a writing contributor with Christ Hold Fast, Higher Things, and Coffee by Gillespie, as well as a freelance graphic designer. She is the co-author of "The Sinner/Saint Lenten Devotional" from 1517 Publishing.
Contributor
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger (Ph.D. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO) is Assistant Professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He is the author of "These Are Written: Toward a Cruciform Theology of Scripture."
Contributor
Jason Lane
Jason Lane (Th.D., University of Hamburg, Germany) is Assistant Professor of Theology at Concordia University, Wisconsin.
Contributor
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse (STM, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN; PhD, University of Durham, England) is Professor of Exegetical Theology, director of Certification and Placement, and Director of Continuing Education at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. He is also the author of "Figuring Resurrection: Joseph as a Death and Resurrection Figure in the Old Testament and Second Temple Judaism" from Lexham Press.
Contributor
David Clay
Contributor
Bob Sundquist
Bob Sundquist is a pastor in Las Vegas Nevada. He is an avid student of preaching and teaches Homiletics as an adjunct in the Concordia University System. With his wife and three daughters he enjoys reading and taking walks in the greenbelt by their home.
Contributor
Hayden Lukas
Hayden Lukas is a singer-songwriter from Royal Oak Michigan. He started writing music when he learned to play the guitar in 6th grade, playing in a band with his best friend. Now as a PhD candidate in systematic theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, he writes essays and music that explore what it means to have hope in a complex and often dark world.
His musical influences include Sufjan Stevens, Jon Foreman, and the Killers. His scholarly influences are Alasdair MacIntyre, Eric Perl, and Stanley Hauerwas. He strives to have Roger Scruton influence both his music and his writing.
Contributor
John Andrew Schreiner
As a musician, composer, arranger, and producer; John Andrew Schreiner epitomizes what it is to be a musician’s musician. His wealth and depth of experience in all aspects of music creation and production is unrivaled.
John began his musical journey at the age of 3 when he would regularly pick out tunes at the church where his father ministered, this musical fascination in his early life compounded throughout his teens and towards adulthood, resulting in the only true course and outlet for his pitch perfect creativity.
In a professional music career that has spanned over three decades John has influenced almost every genre of music, musical production, and composition, and this influence and creativity has been recognized by his peers in his 2010 Emmy award, an ASCAP award, and seven dove awards.
After several projects being compromised in production John made the decision in 2001 to create his own full service recording facility near his home in Southern California in order to take full control of the projects under his direction. Due to his consummate experience and contact list his studio quickly became the home to a truly world class installation. Many less experienced musicians, producers, and composers dabble in a pro-tools environment, but John immerses his musical experience and knowledge into a medium that complements and expands his creative input across all musical genres, applications, and audio visual production.
As a producer/arranger Schreiner: Arranged and recorded a song for Aretha Franklin in the movie remake “Miracle on 34th St”. Produced debut CD for Cambria Detken, winner of the Ellen Degeneres “Sing In My Shower” contest 2009. Produced and co-wrote “Dance with Me” with the legendary Hal David (composer of “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head”) as background music for Cindy Crawford's 2010 beauty infomercials. Produced Jose Feliciano for Burger King commercial. Arranged and produced numerous string arrangements for Gustavo Santaolalla with well known alternative bands Café Tacuba and Julieta Venegas.
As a musician/composer, Schreiner: - Made numerous appearances on Jay Leno, Johnny Carson, Late Show, etc. with Donna Summer, Nell Carter, Lauren Christy, and Clarence Clemons of the E street Band.
In addition to his extensive musical accomplishments John has:
- Scored numerous movies, short films, and commercials both domestically and internationally.
- Won an Emmy Composition Award for the series “Understanding Chemistry in Our World in 2010.
- Played on Dokken’s hit song “Dream Warrior”, released for Nightmare on Elm Street 3
- Played piano and synth on Don Dokken’s 2008 solo album “Up from the Ashes"
- Won the 2001 ASCAP Christian Music Award for writing the number one song “This Good Day” with Fernando Ortega.
- Written seven number one songs for Inspirational Radio.
Other credits include playing and arranging music for internationally renowned recording artists such as: - Aretha Franklin, Cher, Paula Abdul, Gary Wright, Stephanie Mills, Donna Summer, Vanessa Williams, Rosie Flores, Henry Mancini, CeCe Winans, David Pack, Sheri Belafonte, Jose Feliciano, Amy Grant, Stewart Copeland, Stanley Clarke, John Patitucci, Larry Taylor, Joe LaBarara, Bill Liston, Buddy Miller, Fernando Ortega, Michael W. Smith, Third Day, Marilyn McCoo, Nel Carter, Hamish Stuart (of the average white band), Mandy Barnett, the Blackwood Brothers, and many, many more.
John is often asked by recording hardware and software manufacturers to advise and consult on future products, a fact that speaks volumes to his unique reputation in the business of music. John Andrew Schreiner can and will make a difference to any project no matter what is required or desired.
Contributor
Jason Oakland
Contributor
Gage Jordan
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.