Calvin Thielman Lecture Series

Dr. Calvin Thielman (1930-2002) was born in Paris, Texas, in 1930. Thielman was on a fast track to a career in politics when he experienced a call to the ministry. He held many roles and responsibilities in his life, including serving as an assistant to Billy Graham. He was the pastor of Montreat Presbyterian Church (now Christ Community Church) from 1962 to 1995, as well as the chaplain of Montreat College from 1962 to 1992. He was known by many as a skilled teacher, preacher, counselor, and ambassador for Christ.

Dr. Preston Sprinkle is a biblical scholar, speaker, podcaster, a New York Times bestselling author, and is the co-founder and president of The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender. He loves talking and writing about hot-button cultural and theological issues with thoughtfulness, honesty and grace and works hard to challenge himself and others to read the Bible with conviction and humility.

Rev. Dr. James Choung serves as Vice President of Strategy & Innovation—overseeing evangelism, discipleship, planting, growth, missions, multi-ethnic initiatives, and the Creative Labs—at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA.

Rev. Rufus Smith, IV is the senior pastor of Hope Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Memphis, Tennessee, one of the largest 100 congregations in America. He joined Hope’s staff in September 2010, and in 2013 was elected to succeed the founding pastor of 25 years, Dr. Richard Craig Strickland. For nearly 12 years, Rev. Smith was the senior pastor of The City of Refuge (COR) Church in Houston, Texas, an inter-racial, inter-generational, biblically-centered and socially active fellowship. Prior to being called to Memphis, Rev. Smith was the founder and CEO of the FORGE for Families (FFF). The FORGE employed athletics, after-school enrichment, adult life-skills, and entrepreneurial programs as a means to empower at risk families. For three years he was the lead chaplain for the NBA’s Houston Rockets, and he continues to advise other local/national boards. He studied at Houston Baptist University, majoring in theology and psychology, and maintains an active traveling and speaking schedule.

Phil Vischer made his first animated film when he was nine years old; by the age of fourteen, he was convinced he would be a filmmaker when he grew up. After a brief stint at a Bible college, Vischer struck out on his own, looking for a way to integrate his faith with his filmmaking. This quest led him to a tomato and a cucumber. The year was 1991, and Phil Vischer was a newly married 25-year-old with no financial backing and no idea how his vegetables would ever see the light of day. Today, almost 50 million VeggieTales videos have been purchased and Vischer’s faith-filled stories can be found in one-third of all American homes with young children. Although his original company, Big Idea Productions, collapsed in bankruptcy in 2003, Vischer continues his creative involvement with VeggieTales through its current owner. He actively develops new ways to integrate faith and storytelling through Jellyfish Labs. Vischer lives in Wheaton, Illinois, with his wife, Lisa (aka Junior Asparagus), and their three kids.

Dr. Sean McDowell is a gifted communicator with a passion for equipping the church, and in particular young people, to make the case for the Christian faith. He earned a Ph.D. in apologetics and worldview studies from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2014. McDowell is the author, co-author, or editor of over fifteen books including Same-Sex Marriage: A Thoughtful Approach to God’s Design for Marriage, with John Stonestreet, Is God Just a Human Invention? with Jonathan Morrow, and Understanding Intelligent Design along with William A. Dembski. He has also written multiple books with his father, Josh McDowell, including The Unshakable Truth and More Than A Carpenter. McDowell is the general editor for Apologetics for a New Generation and The Apologetics Study Bible for Students. He has also written for YouthWorker Journal, Decision Magazine, and the Christian Research Journal.

A Montreat native and Montreat College alum, Rev. Wood is the founder and executive director of Wears Valley Ranch and the former director of mobilization of My Hope America with Billy Graham, the largest evangelistic effort in U.S. history. Wears Valley Ranch is a home and school for children from families in crisis that includes two homes for boys, two homes for girls, a counseling center, a fully accredited K-12 school, a summer camp, a radio ministry, and conference facilities serving hundreds of visitors and volunteers each year. In addition to his work with Wears Valley, Rev. Wood maintains an itinerant preaching ministry. Wood and his wife have authored fourteen books.

Dr. Campolo, professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University, is also the founder of of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education. He is known for his forward thinking approach to Christianity.

Os Guinness is a renowned author and social critic. He has vast expertise in the areas of public policy, international relations, and faith. He has worked as a freelance journalist for the BBC, written over 25 books, and served at the Brookings Institute and the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Affairs.

Warden Cain is the warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary. He has been featured on ABC’s “20/20” with Barbara Walters, “Stephen Fry Goes to America,” and “Louisiana Lockdown” on Animal Planet.

Newt Gingrich is known as a politician, political consultant, and author. He was the 58th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from the years of 1995 to 1999, and was also a candidate for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination in 2012.

Dr. McCarthy is a writer, and currently holds the role of English Department Chair at Lithuania University. She has taught at universities in China, Holland, Russia, Afghanistan, and Nigeria.

Andrew Young is a pastor, politician, and activist. He is widely known for his work with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a close friend and supporter of King during the Civil Rights Movement. In addition he has held roles as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Congressman, Mayor of Atlanta, and more.

General Mastin Robeson served for 34 years in the Marine Corps and has boundless experience in the areas of intelligence and counterterrorism. He has also served on the board of trustees at Montreat College.