Our Writers

Amber Goodson is a former English & Language Arts teacher turned freelance creative with experience in writing, editing, proofreading, graphic design, and more. Amber earned a BA in English from The University of Texas at Tyler and is the author of the fictional novella Wall of Crosses, published under the pseudonym Baj Goodson. Besides Jesus, she loves music, ice cream, quirky art, quality storytelling, and sweatpants. Amber resides in East Texas with her husband, Mark, and their two Chorkies.

Allen S. Nelson IV is the pastor of Perryville Second Baptist Church in Perryville, AR, where he resides with his wife Stephanie, and their 6 children. Allen is the author of From Death to Life: How Salvation Works, Before the Throne: Reflections on God’s Holiness, and A Change of Heart: Understanding Regeneration and Why it Matters. He is an M.Div graduate of Grace BIble Theological Seminary in Conway, AR.

Austin Rouse is the Pastor of Families and Students at Southern Heights Baptist Church in Russellville, KY, where he and his wife, Addie, reside with there two children, Naomi and Tommy. He will graduate from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary this fall with his BA in Biblical Studies and is on track to graduate with his M.Div in the fall of 2024. Austin shepherds Southern Heights in the areas of family worship and discipleship, mission strategization, corporate worship, student ministry, and co-hosts The Council podcast with a fellow elder of the church.

“Barrett Case has served as pastor/elder of Rich Hill Christian Church in Rich Hill, Missouri since October 2010. He served as preaching pastor, associate pastor, and interim pastor in churches throughout Kansas before moving to Rich Hill. He graduated from Manhattan Christian College in 2005 with a B.A. in Pastoral Ministry. He and his wife, Meghann, were blessed to adopt four incredible children: Magal, Miracle, Patience, and Makai.

Pastor of First Baptist Church in Livingston, Louisiana. Married to the wife of my youth and the Lord blessed us with 4 kids. 1689 Baptist. Abolitionist. Redneck.

Billy Jack Smith embraced Jesus Christ as Lord in 2009. He lives in Hudson, TX with his wife Ashley and their two boys. Billy Jack was licensed to the ministry by Harmony Hill Baptist Church of Lufkin, TX on September 25, 2011. He was ordained by Chestnut Drive Baptist Church in Lufkin where he served as Associate Pastor and Pastor for five years. He is an alumnus of BMA Seminary in Jacksonville, TX where he earned his Associate of Divinity degree and Bachelor of Arts in Religion. Billy Jack embraced the doctrines of grace in April of 2023 and in September 2024, respectfully resigned at Chestnut Drive Baptist church over disagreement in the doctrines of grace. Billy Jack and his family are members of Keltys First Baptist Church in Lufkin, where he serves in the nursing home preaching ministry, pulpit supply and awaits God’s call upon him to pastor a church again one day.

Brandon Scalf is the Preaching Pastor at Heritage Tulsa in Tulsa Oklahoma, where he resides with his wife Lacey. He is the President of Cruciform Media and a graduate of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Brandon is also pursuing his Doctorate in Preaching at The Master’s Seminary.

“Husband, Father, Pastor, Friend. Married for 31 years to my wife, April. Our son, Joseph is 29. I was saved at age 12, called to preach at age 17, and served my first pastorate at age 30. At age 35, we planted Reformata Baptist Church here in Knoxville TN. As well, I host The Here I Stand Theology Podcast, as well I am part of The Truth In Love Network. “

Colin Lundstrom serves as the Deacon for Worship & Administration at Fellowship Church in Lubbock, TX, and has served as a music minister in the region for nearly 10 years. He received his BA in Pastoral Studies in 2009, and is eager to resume his MDiv studies in 2024. Along with his own classical training in piano, clarinet, conducting, and vocal performance, Colin has also received a number of technical degrees and certifications in the area of musicianship, and has taught on music and worship over a decade. He and his wife Jessica have 6 children.

Conrad Murrell served in evangelistic ministry for over 50 years and was powerfully used by God in many Assemblies of God and Baptist churches in the United States and around the world. Throughout that time, Conrad pastored churches in Texas and Louisiana, successfully hosted numerous Bible conferences, engaged in continuous itinerant preaching, and diligently evangelized throughout the United States and Mexico. In addition to his fruitful ministry, he also wrote several books, many of which are read worldwide today. Mack Tomlinson’s biography of Conrad Murrell is a testimony of God’s grace and truth in the life of a man called by God for the proclamation of the Gospel. Conrad Murrell was a significant contemporary and friend to two of the 20th Century’s leading experts on revival, Leonard Ravenhill and Richard Owen Roberts, as well as a dearly loved co-laborer and associate of several other significant evangelists of our age, such as Manley Beasley and Al Whittinghill. Like them, he was a committed, passionate, and anointed itinerant minister. He was a man’s man, a man of conviction and grit, but most importantly, he was God’s man—a man completely devoted to his Lord and Savior.

“Chance Summers serves as an elder at Maranatha Baptist Church in the charming town of Oak Grove, Kentucky. Before his journey to Oak Grove, he led Faith Baptist Church in Strathmore, California, from 2020 to 2021. before his pastoral responsibilities in California, he, alongside his wife, Amy Summers, established a boys’ home in southern Indiana. His commitment extends beyond the pulpit, as he’s cherished a decade-long marriage with Amy. Chance Summers presides as the Head Master of OGCCA, a distinguished classical Christian school in Oak Grove. In addition to his pastoral and educational roles, he dons the hat of a Co-Host for two engaging podcasts: Starving For Truth Podcast and the thought-provoking Anarchy Podcast. Chance Summers pursued his education at Shawnee Baptist College in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky, grounding his faith and knowledge. Three children have gone ahead of him, yet steadfastly holding onto the hope shared by David, that one day, he might be reunited with them. “

Kofi is teaching pastor at Redeemer Bible Fellowship in Medford, OR. He’s been at the church since 2019 and serving as pastor since 2021. Kofi’s married to Laura and they have one son, Gareth Kwabena.

Dustin is a Pastoral Ministries Major, Biblical Language Minor, graduate from Pensacola Christian College. He studied through Faith Bible Institute, receiving his Bible Diploma, and he is continuing his education through Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dustin is an active member of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Liberty Pastors, Lone Star Pastor Care Network, and several other associations. He received his ordination into the Gospel ministry and serves in bivocational ministry under the elders of his local church in Houston, TX.

Profession of faith in Christ at age of 9. Surrendered to the ministry at the age of 16. Completed high school at Hallsville, Texas in 1974. Achieved Bachelor of Science in History at the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978. Attended BMAA Seminary in Jacksonville, Texas. Filled in as a preacher and teacher in many churches and preached at various Bible conferences until 1994, when I became pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, Texas and continue to pastor there until the present day. Married to Mary Webber, and have four children, and four grandchildren.

Nicole Angeles has been married to her husband Jeremy for nineteen years and they have seven children whom they homeschools on their little farm in East Texas. Together they run One Room Schoolhouse in the Piney Woods which is an enrichment program where the children learn farm skills, creation science, church and Christian worldview history, entrepreneurialism, art and a number of other subjects. They also run a farm-stay guest house that offers families an immersive homesteading experience. A number of adult classes are held on their farm covering subjects like homeschooling, homesteading and agro-tourism. Nicole puts on an annual Discipleship Homeschooling Conference in Marshall, TX. Jeremy and Nicole also host the Dwell in the House of the Lord Podcast and they are working on an upcoming book titled Discipleship Homeschooling.

Elijah attends Faith Baptist church in Longview, Texas, in which he also teaches Sunday school. He and his wife, Taylor, have one son, Ezra, and two cats, Calvin and Luther. Elijah graduated summa cum laude from Liberty School of Divinity with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biblical Studies and Theology with a minor in psychology. He currently works in the mortgage industry and has a passion for systematic theology and historical theology.

Fred Beall is a Reformed Christian apologist and author. He is married to his wife Rose, they have two boys which are homeschool. Fred authored “The Collapse of the Watchtower,” critiquing Jehovah’s Witnesses from a Vantillian Presuppositional perspective. He’s an active member of Church of the King in McAllen, TX, where he contributes to teaching and preaching. Professionally, Fred is a Registered Nurse specializing in Nephrology.

Greg lives with his wife, Talia, and their six children in Umatilla, FL. Saved in June 2002, he has had the privilege and blessing of serving the Lord and His church as a pastor, church planter, pulpit supply preacher, and conference speaker. He and his wife are members of First Baptist Church of Coleman, FL. He is currently in search of pastorate where he can serve. You can check out some of his preaching and interviews at youtube.com/theepigone.

Jacob Tanner is the pastor of Christ Keystone Church in Middleburg, PA. He lives with his wife, Kayla, and two sons, Josiah and Owen. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with his M.Div in 2023, and is the author of various books.

Jake has been a realtor in Spokane, WA since 2018 and has his masters degree in Music Composition. He got his love for theology when he studied at Moody Bible Institute. He has been married to his Wife Heide since 2015.

Jeremiah was born and raised in Jonesboro, he attended Westside High School and graduated from Arkansas State University. He has been in ministry since 2016. His love for God, theology, apologetics and people are evident as he teaches the saints. He and his wife Ali have been married since 2015, and she has continually been his number one supporter in ministry.

Joseph Hamrick is a Reformed Baptist Christian and, since 2016, has served as a deacon of Commerce Community Church (C3) in Commerce, Tx, where he lives with his wive, Jesse. Joseph graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce with a Liberal Studies degree, and keeps a weekly column of the Christian life, Something to Consider, in the Greenville Herald-Banner. When he is not at work, he can usually be found with a bible, a work of Dostoevsky, or some other book in his hands.

Jimmy De Los Santos is a father of 3 grown children and grandfather of 6 young ones. Born and raised in the Dallas, Tx. area, he still calls this home. Jimmy is passionate about Evangelism and has taught many classes on the subject. He is currently serving at a church plant in West Dallas, Redemptive City Church, (RCC). Jimmy also co-hosts on 2 different podcasts, “Sola Cast” and “Hearts for the Lost: The Podcast,” both found on the B.A.R. Network. He serves as Vice President of “Hearts for the Lost,” which, as the larger ministry, teaches Evangelism in churches across the country that invite them to come and present a “Compelled” conference.

John William Crawford is married to Gracie, and they are the parents of John Charles. Together, they live in Castalian Springs, TN, where John William serves as one of the pastors of Creekside Fellowship, overseeing the liturgy and family ministries of the church. He is a graduate of Spurgeon College with a B.A. in Biblical Studies and of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. His particular areas of interest include the Law/Gospel Distinction, the ordinary means of grace, experiential theology, and revival.

Jon Speed is married to Kim and they have five children and two grandchildren. He is the Pastor of Missions and Evangelism at By the Word Baptist Church in Azle, TX. He is the author of Evangelism in the New Testament and co-produced Babies Are Murdered Here (2014) and Babies Are STILL Murdered Here (2019). He planted Christ is King Baptist Church in Syracuse, NY (2011-2019) and is a co-founder of Loor.tv.

Joseph Pliska is a church-planting missionary to Tokyo, Japan. He was ordained and sent out of Landmark Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. He is a husband to Sierah and father of a beautiful baby girl. He has a masters from Southern Seminary and records and produces Christian audiobooks on the side when not studying Japanese. Joe and his team in Japan have a heart to plant Baptist churches in urban Japan, led by mature and qualified men with the heart and training to evangelize and disciple others.

Lee Jones is a lay elder at Redemption Bible Church in Bellefontaine, OH. He is a podcaster with The B.A.R. Network, hosting Redemption Meditations and cohosting The Literary Baptists. Jones is fanatic for his Savior, sound theology, the Regulative Principle of Worship, and also pencils.

Levi Secord is the founding pastor of Christ Bible Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated with both an M.Div and a Doctorate of Educational Ministry from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. Levi has numerous publications with various outlets including WORLD Opinions, Christ Over All, Center for Baptist Leadership, and the Southern Baptist Journal of Theology. He also serves as the Senior Fellow of Theology and Culture at the Center for Cultural Leadership. He and his wife Emily have four children who they love to spend time with slaying dragons together.

“I was saved by God’s Grace after 32 years of disobedience. The expository preaching of a faithful pastor illuminated God’s word to me in a way that changed my life. Serving God and his people has been everything. I’m just a beggar telling other beggars where he found bread.”

Over the past seven years, Nick White (BTh) has served as church planting pastor in Boston, MA and senior pastor in NH. Nick is married to Chelsea and is a father to Grace and Abigail.

“Braden Patterson is the husband of Emily and the father of three sons: Shepherd, Owen, and Nehemiah. He serves as the Pastor of Grace Bible Church of Moorpark in Southern California. Braden was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but God graciously saved him at the age of 19, just before he was set to depart on his LDS mission. He was ordained to the pastoral ministry through Eastside Baptist Church and is currently attending Reformed Baptist Seminary. Prior to entering full-time ministry, Braden served for several years as a full-time firefighter in Twin Falls, Idaho, while also ministering as a bi-vocational pastor. In late 2024, he and his family moved to Southern California to embrace full-time pastoral work at Grace Bible Church. Pastor Braden is a Reformed Baptist, a 1689 Federalist, and holds an Amillennial eschatology, along with other historic Reformed convictions. He has a deep love for shepherding Christ’s flock and a burning desire to call sinners to repentance through the faithful preaching of God’s Word.”

Trevor Bates is the Senior Pastor of Muldraugh Baptist Church in Muldraugh, KY. He and his wife, Sarah have two daughters. Trevor holds to the 1689 LBCF, postmil eschatology, and his greatest passion is preaching the whole counsel of the Word of God. He is also the author of six books.

Patrick is married to Allison and together they have three daughters: Naomi Grace, Elizabeth Faith, and Lydia Christine. He is the Pastor of Redemption Fellowship, a new church plant in Ashland City, TN and an author focusing on theology for children and family worship.

Juan Salas is married to Karen and they have four children. He served as Teaching Elder of Heritage Reformed Baptist Church in OKC, OK. He is now involve in Church Planting of Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church in OKC, OK. Juan is the CEO of Credo Press, author of “ Holocausto silencioso” a book base on Abortion for Latinamerica. Juan has a Church Planting degree in Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, He is pursuing a master’s degree in Pastoral Theology at William Ames Reformed Theological Seminary.

Anthony Green is a Husband, Father, and Apologist. He is a former pagan, drug dealer, and gang member, who’s life was radically transformed by Christ while in prison in 2019. He now devotes his life to Christ and ministering the Gospel and defending the Faith. He currently resides in Danielsville GA with his wife, amanda, and their soon to be born daughter, Dillon Kay. He is also a Bible teacher at his Church, Danielsville Baptist.

“Tom Sheppard is a devoted member of Grace Bible Church of Boerne. For the past four years, he has been actively engaged in Open-Air preaching and street evangelism in various cities in Texas. Supported by the elders, Tom, along with his wife Debbie, distributes tracts and spreads the gospel message of the Lord Jesus Christ. Open-Air preaching in Fredericksburg, Texas during Christmas produces crowds on average of 1000 people on weekend days that hear the gospel message. Tom has begun to help other Reformed churches launch their evangelism efforts. He has preached as a guest speaker at Heritage Church Tulsa, OK in the past and will be returning to partner with them in future evangelistic events, as well as Brightstar Bible Church in Tulsa, and Grace Church Coastal Bend Corpus Christi, Texas in 2024/25. Currently Tom will be appearing often as a guest on the “Open Air Theology” podcast and will be a featured speaker at “Open Air Theology Conference” February 2025 titled, “WAR” a conference on sanctification. It is an honor to be asked to write for the “art of worship.’ Often times street preaching can be a lonely and thankless task with no earthly reward, persecution comes not only from the world but sometimes even in the church. But God is glorified in the preaching of the gospel, even if none come. “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” Romans 10:14,15”

Skylar is a machine operator at a metal shop in his town. He and his wife Morgan have two children. Skylar is a graduate of the International ALERT Academy, and received his Bachelor’s in Youth Ministry from Pensacola Christian College in 2020.

Stephen Belk lives in Tullahoma, Tn with his wife Jessica and works currently in IT at Williamson Health. Stephen holds a MBA in Healthcare Administration and he is currently a M.Div student at Log College. Stephen has been raised in different churches and denominations but came to the knowledge of the doctrines of grace in 2017 and turned from a path towards deconstruction and progressive Christianity to a knowledge of the sovereign grace of God as revealed through the work of His Holy Spirit. Stephen is also the host of The Reformed Fire podcast and loves to preach the Word of God at every opportunity He is given.

“Travis Lee is a Nashville recording artist and ordained minister of Hope Church in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. He founded Faithwalk Ministries in 2009 and has authored several books including DEEPER: Launching a Faithwalk with God and the children’s book series entitled Adventures of Fred and Sylvia. The Travis Lee Band currently tours the United States and abroad teaching God’s Word at churches, recovery groups and prisons. Travis and his wife Allegra, minister together and travel with their six young children, Arrow, Sabre, Scythe, Lance, Dagger and Mace. LINKS: DEEPER: Launching a Faithwalk with God link: http://travisleeband.com/books/ Adventures of Fred and Sylvia link: https://www.fredandsylvia.com/ Travis Lee Band link: https://travisleeband.com/”

Wesley Russell is the Pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Pikeville, KY. Originally from the small town of Pond Ridge, Kentucky, he is passionate about expository preaching, the abolition of human abortion, evangelism, and discipleship. The Lord has given Wes a heart for small, rural local churches in the Appalachian region of our state and he has been beyond blessed to pastor in the region for nearly a decade now.