JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Baptist Apologetics Network enters its third year with eleven speakers available to help MBC churches train their congregations to defend the Christian faith.
The MBC in 2015 launched the network, consisting of church leaders committed to the defense of the Christian faith and called to equip Missouri Baptists to engage others in meaningful spiritual conversations. Each leader is an active member of a Missouri Baptist church and is involved in an apologetics ministry.
These leaders are available to speak in churches and at conferences. Information about them and their areas of expertise may be found at mobaptist.org/apologetics. Topics range from arguments for God’s existence to apologetics training for women and children.
“Our vision is to equip every Missouri Baptist to defend the Christian faith with gentleness and respect, according to 1 Peter 3:15-16,” said Rob Phillips, who directs the MBC’s apologetics ministry. The demand by MBC churches for apologetics training is growing since the convention began an apologetics ministry in 2012, said Phillips. The network is the MBC’s effort to connect gifted Missouri Baptist apologists with more local churches to help them make disciples.
Each network member is an MBC-approved Christian apologist committed to equipping others to defend the faith by speaking and providing resources that enable Missouri Baptists to become bolder and more effective in sharing Christ with others. More apologists are added as the network grows. MBC Network apologists, listed alphabetically, are as follows:
Bruce Clark
Festus, Mo.
Topics: the existence of God; historicity of the resurrection of Jesus; the biblical mandate for doing apologetics
Phone: 314.680.0664
Email: bclark_63@zoho.com
Ed Croteau
Lees Summit, Mo.
Topics: Creation vs. evolution; worldview philosophy; Christian ethics
Phone: 816.554.8181
Email: eacroteau@gmail.com
Jonathan L. Hanna
Washington, Mo.
Topics: Historical arguments for the resurrection of Jesus; apologetics tactics; the New Testament canon
Phone: 573.819.6424
Email: exchangeanswers@gmail.com
Wil Hoffman
Fulton, Mo.
Topic: Mormonism
Phone: 816.550.9462
Email: pastorwil77@hotmail.com
Dennis Jackson
Greenwood, Mo.
Topics: Resurrection of Christ; reliability of Scripture; creation
Phone: 816.810.8274
Email: dennisj@j-country.com
Julie Loos
St. Louis, Mo.
Topics: Apologetics training for women and children; how apologetics can inform your prayers, especially for youth/college; why the church should care about the college campus
Phone: 636.237.8931
Email: julieloos@ratiochristi.org
Rob Phillips
Jefferson City, Mo.
Topics: Identifying false prophets/teachers; Islam; what every Christian should know about same-sex attraction
Phone: 573.636.0400 ext. 304
Email: rphillips@mobaptist.org
Jim Schurke
Springfield, Mo.
Topics: Mormonism; Jehovah’s Witnesses; cult definition and identification
Phone: 471.882.0254
Email: jmeschurke@sbcglobal.net
Dave VanBebber
Buffalo, Mo.
Topics: Presuppositional apologetics; debate training; the deceptive tactics of cults
Phone: 785.341.9260
Email: dvbj66531@yahoo.com
John Vernon
Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Topics: Biblical worldview; Islam
Phone: 573.275.9339
Email: dom@capebaptist.net
Bill Victor
Columbia, Mo.
Topics: The Gospels as history; historicity of the resurrection; formation of the canon
Phone: 573.680.4265
Email: bvictor@mobaptist.org