Speakers

and Their Presentations at Apologetics Forum (AFSC) Meetings

Chris W. Ashcraft is a Christian educator, creation scientist, and speaker currently employed at Cedar Park Christian Schools teaching creation-based Biology, Chemistry, and Human Anatomy and Physiology. Chris speaks regularly at churches, Christian schools, teacher conventions, and creation organizations. He is the founder of the Northwest Creation Network ministry and the CreationWiki internet encyclopedia where he serves as senior administrator. He is also the organizer of a monthly Apologetics Symposium and the annual Seattle Creation Conference.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings:

More Presentations by Chris Ashcraft here.

Eric Barger is the Founder and President of Take A Stand! Ministries. After spending two decades immersed in the world as a record producer, rock musician, drug addict, and New Ager, Eric Barger is now widely recognized in the area of Christian Apologetics and Discernment Ministry.

After hosting his own weekly radio program heard nationally, Eric now serves as the co-host of Understanding The Times with Jan Markell heard currently on over 800 stations. Through the years Eric has been a featured guest on hundreds of Christian and secular programs.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings:

More talks by Eric Barger here.

Bruce Barton has degrees in meteorology and theology, with studies in engineering and graduate work in atmospheric sciences. Mr. Barton was an instrumentation engineer in R&D for Weyerhaeuser Company until retirement. He has a broad background as a teacher and speaker to groups of all ages in a wide range of subjects including science and technology, aviation, and Bible topics, particularly apologetics. Bruce has been speaking on the Creation/Evolution controversy for over ten years, especially to homeschool groups. He continues to give seminars and lead field trips for them. Bruce also serves on the Board of Directors for CAPS.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More talks by Bruce Barton here.

Jerry Bergman has taught biology, biochemistry, anatomy, genetics, and psychology; has 9 college degrees; written over 1400 publications and 43 books; and spoken over 2000 times around the world. He was also a speaker and researcher for The Institute for Creation Research.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

Dennis Bokovoy is a creation scientist, Christian educator, speaker, and author. Dennis began collecting fossils as a youth in Montana. He followed his interest in paleontology earning a MS degree in Geology from Montana State University with additional study in biology. His 28 years as an educator include 13 years as an Adjunct Professor of Geology at Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles, OR. Dennis and his wife Yvonne live in Hood River, OR. He has done research in Bolivia, Peru, and Nepal, trekking to a Mt. Everest Base Camp.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

Dr. John Byl has a Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of British Columbia. He is Professor Emeritus at Trinity Western University, Langley, BC, where he taught for over 30 years, and was chair of the department of Mathematical Sciences. He has written two books, “God and Cosmos: A Christian View of Time, Space, and the Universe” (2001) and “The Divine Challenge: On Matter,Mind, Math, and Meaning” (2004), as well as numerous articles on science, Christian worldview, and science/religion issues. His blog http://bylogos.blogspot.ca/ promotes a Biblical worldview.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More talks by Dr. John Byl here.

Jason Carlson is the President of Christian Ministries International, an organization devoted to evangelism and equipping Christians to share their faith with those in cults, world religions, and false philosophies. He is a graduate of Bethel University having majored in Philosophy and Biblical Theology and has his Masters degree in Philosophy and Christian Worldview from Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

Dr. Tim Campbell is an ordained pastor with a BS in Chemistry and Mathematics, a Master’s of Divinity degree, and a Doctorate of Ministry degree. He currently teaches at Cedar Park Christian School in Mountlake Terrace and pastors a Church in Marysville, Washington. Dr. Campbell has had the opportunity to view the Dead Sea Scrolls in Jerusalem and during traveling exhibits in Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles. He and his wife, Carline, reside in Lake Stevens and have been married for 33 years and have three grown boys.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

Dr. Rob Carter has a PhD in Marine Biology. He is a senior scientist and speaker for CMI-USA in Atlanta and is currently researching human genetics and other issues related to biblical creation.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More talks by Dr Rob Carter here.

Mark Champneys was born a 5th generation Mormon, the son of an LDS bishop. Now a believer, he is lay Evangelism Director with Saints Alive in Tacoma, is the King County Fair Ministry Coordinator for Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), and he produced and directed the film “Evolution Demolition.” Mark has had the blessing of training dozens for evangelism, and, by God’s grace, of leading hundreds to Jesus.

His powerful testimony is available here.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

Rick Deighton is a graduate of Boise Bible College and did post-graduate study at Ozark Christian College. He makes mission trips to Ukraine. Rick and his wife Della are Northwest representatives of Peace On Earth Ministries, and Rick is an associate evangelist with Reggie Thomas (White Fields Overseas Evangelism.) He is also one of the directors for Northwest Science Museum in Boise and serves on the promotion team for Mike Riddle’s Creation Training Initiative

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

Dr. Don DeYoung is on the science faculty at Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana. He is a graduate of Michigan Tech University (B.S., M.S., Physics), Iowa State University (Ph.D., Physics), and Grace Theological Seminary (M. Div.). He has written twenty books on Bible-science topics including object lessons for children. His website is DiscoveryofDesign.com. Don currently is president of the Creation Research Society with 1700 members worldwide. He and his wife Sally have three married daughters. In their local church Don is an overseer and small group leader.

More talks by Dr. DeYoung here.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More talks by Dr. Don DeYoung here.

Dr. Phil Fernandes is the Senior Pastor of Trinity Bible Fellowship and the President of the Institute of Biblical Defense founded in 1990 to help train Christians in their defense of the faith. He also teaches Bible, philosophy, and world religions at Crosspoint Academy and the Gateway School of Ministry in Bremerton, WA. He has completed doctoral work in both philosophy of religion (Greenwich University) and theological studies (Columbia Evangelical Seminary). He has authored many books dealing with the defense of the Christian faith.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More presentations by Dr. Phil Fernandes here.

Frank Figueroa is a speaker with Reasons for Hope defending the biblical worldview. He has a science education degree and was a pastor in Hawaii.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

Shahram Hadian speaks around the nation with a heart to awaken America, and especially the church. Shahram was born in Iran and came to America at the age of 7 to escape an oppressive Islamic regime. He is a proud US citizen. He experienced a transformational life change when he committed his life to Jesus Christ 14 years ago. He has served his local community as a police officer, teacher and coach, and was a candidate for WA State Governor in 2012.

Shahram is the founding pastor of Truth in Love Christian Fellowship.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More presentations by Shahram Hadian here.

Bill Hoesch earned a B.A. in Geology from the University of Colorado and a M.S. in Geology from the Institute for Creation Research. He has worked in petroleum exploration, as a missionary, and for 17 years at the Institute for Creation Research as information officer, speaker, tour-leader, and research assistant. He is now the Director of the Mount St. Helens Creation Center.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

Eric Hovind is President and Founder of Pensacola-based organization, Creation Today.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

Dr. Don Johnson earned Ph.D.s in both Computer & Information Sciences and in Chemistry. He was a senior research scientist and consultant for over 14 years, and taught 20 years in universities in the US and Europe. Since “retiring” as an APU (Christian university) professor, he has done consulting, speaking, and writing (4 books, including best-selling “Programming of Life,” and several peer-reviewed papers). He has made Christian and secular presentations across the US and on most continents.  His www.4iam.org Christian Website has links to the “Programming of Life” PoL video (over 236,000 on-line views),  several video presentations and printable flyers, as well as links to his two secular science Websites.  For over 20 years he believed, taught, and defended the evolutionary scenarios, until science convinced him of the bankruptcy of those beliefs.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More presentations by Dr. Don Johnson here.

Dr. John Johnson is the President of the Creation Association of Puget Sound. He has a PhD in applied math from the University of California at Berkeley. He retired from Boeing after 31 years, mostly in aerospace. He has studied and taught Bible archaeology since he was a biblical christian in 1980. He has argued for creation in five college debates, and did a radio debate defending Bible accuracy against prominent skeptic and atheist J. Ferrell Till. He has taught a University of Washington Osher course on math applications in the arts, part of which analyzed historical objects of dubious provenance to establish probability of either a fake or authentic.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

Kyle Justice produced the first kids creation science show, The X-Nilo Show, The Creation Network,  and Awesome Science, a twelve-episode series used by homeschoolers and aired throughout the world. His programming is now seen by viewers throughout the world and is on most major Christian VOD platforms. He continues to produce programming, including a new documentary refuting the growing belief in the Flat Earth. His programs can also be seen on Kyle’s exclusive SVOD platform, AwesomeSciTV.com.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More presentations by Kyle Justice here.

Carl Kerby is a former air-traffic controller and a creation apologist speaker who teaches how to defend the Bible against scientific naturalism. He was one of the founding board members for Answers in Genesis, and has been described by AiG as one of their most dynamic lecturers on the Book of Genesis. After serving with Answers in Genesis for over 15 years, Carl became the Founder and President of Reasons for Hope. He is a much sought-after speaker, both in the U.S. and abroad.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More presentations by Carl Kerby here.

Dan Kreft is a cross-generational teacher, itinerant speaker, and author of the three-volume book, “Jesus” Is Not the Answer to Every Sunday School Question. In addition to his own ministry, he also serves as an adjunct instructor for Creation Training Initiative and serves on the board of directors for the Apologetics Forum of Snohomish County. Dan’s passion is to equip and encourage the body of Christ to confidently deliver biblical responses to skeptical assaults on our faith, with a particular emphasis on the sufficiency and authority of Scripture, starting with the very first verse.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

VinceLaPointVince LaPoint was not raised a Christian. During his upbringing, he was introduced to naturalism, astrology, witchcraft, eastern mysticism, and various forms of organized religion. In school, he pursued math and science and has spent the last 25+ years in the high-tech industry. He is now convinced from the empirical evidence, not just blind faith, that the Bible is the true and reliable Word of God. This message will explore some of the evidence that Vince considered.

Vince now attends Calvary Chapel Eastside in Bellevue, WA and is involved in ministry there. He actively mentors (disciples) young adults, addressing the concerns that our next generation is wrestling with. With his passion for apologetics and creationism, his door is always open for those who come by his place in pairs and you might find him in spiritual conversations in restaurants and other locations. Vince is a member of the Creation Association of Puget Sound. He frequents evolutionist and atheist gatherings to engage in probing dialog. He is an active member of The Gideons International, taking advantage of the opportunities to share the testimonies of God’s work around the world in churches, even as they distribute Scriptures locally and around the world.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More presentations by Vince LaPoint here.

Dr. Heinz Lycklama has a PhD in Nuclear Physics and is now retired after more than 40 years in the high tech industry. He has been involved in the Creation vs. Evolution controversy for more than 25 years. Heinz is President of Apologetics Forum of Snohomish County (AFSC), founded in September 2013. He has given lectures and courses on Apologetics/Creation topics in various venues locally as well as overseas.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More messages (Lectures and Sermons) by Dr. Lycklama here.

Dr. Andy McIntosh has a DSc from the University of Wales and a PhD from Cranfield University and is a research professor in Thermodynamics and Combustion Theory. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, and the Royal Aeronautical Society, and he lectures in many countries on the subject of origins, showing that science is entirely consistent with the Bible.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

J.D. Mitchell is a registered professional engineer in Oregon and Washington and has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington. He has also completed his Master of Biblical Studies in Biblical Creation Apologetics from Master’s Graduate School of Divinity. J.D. is also the Executive Director of the Institute for Creation Science of Oregon, and speaks and writes regarding the creation versus evolution controversy as a part of his creation science ministry (Creation Engineering Concepts).

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More presentations by J.D. Mitchell here.

Dr. Ed Neeland has always been a curious person (interpret that as you like). As a young boy, he spent hours exploring creeks, live-trapping raccoons, making plaster of Paris impressions of animal prints and raising abandoned birds (which he mistakenly rescued from a bird sanctuary). He became a PhD scientist because the beauty of nature captured him early and he wanted answers to his questions. Ed became a follower of Jesus Christ at the age of 18 and soon learned that his biology professors and the Bible were at odds. This started an eye-opening period of comparing the evidence against both origin accounts. It became very apparent that the Biblical story of creation was far more consistent with the evidence than evolution. Today, Ed is a university chemistry professor teaching students and specializing in the synthesis of new antibiotic/anti-inflammatory medicines. Ed continues to educate people in creation-evolution talks as well as being an archer, gold prospector and motorcyclist.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More presentations by Dr. Ed Neeland here.

Patrick Nurre was trained in the secular view of geology. Over the past 40 years he has been actively involved in the Creation/Evolution issue in the field of geology. He has spoken to hundreds of college students, and is a popular speaker at many conventions and homeschool conferences. In 2005, Patrick created Northwest Treasures to provide opportunities to study geology from a Biblical perspective. In the fall of 2012, he opened the Geology Learning Center, a geology museum/educational center located in Mountlake Terrace.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More presentations by Patrick Nurre here.

Michael Oard earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in atmospheric science from the University of Washington. For six years he was a research meteorologist at the University of Washington, and is widely published by the American Meteorological Society. Michael retired in 2001 after 30 years at the National Weather Service. Since then, he has been engaged in full time research, writing, and speaking in creation earth science. Author of over 20 books, Michael is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Creation Research Society, and is an adjunct speaker for Creation Ministries International.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More talks by Michael Oard here.

Maureen O’Kane has been a marketing executive and motivational speaker. Her passion is to research scientific discoveries through the eyes of Scripture, believing science and faith together provide a more complete image of our Creator God.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More Presentations by Maureen O’Kane here.

Ron Payne was a chemical process engineer in the aerospace industry, a board member for the Creation Association of Puget Sound and the Mount St Helens Creation Center. He has made presentations to homeschool and church groups and led creation tours.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More talks by Ron Payne here.

Spike Psarris was previously an engineer in the United States’ military space program. He entered that program as an atheist and an evolutionist. He left it as a creationist and a Christian. Spike has a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, and has done graduate work in Physics. Today he speaks on creation/evolution, especially as it relates to astronomy, and has published three DVDs on the subject.

More information on Spike here.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

Mike Riddle is an international speaker and educator on Christian education and apologetics. Mike is also an adjunct speaker for Answers in Genesis. He holds a degree in mathematics and a graduate degree in education and has been involved in creation ministry for more than thirty years. Prior to getting involved in creation ministry, Mike was a Captain in the U.S. Marines and a national champion in track and field. Mike currently lectures and teaches world-wide on creation apologetics, Christian education, science and the Bible, and developing a biblical worldview. He is the President of CTI.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More Presentations by Mike Riddle here.

Marcus Ross has degrees in earth science, vertebrate paleontology, and geoscience. He was professor of geology at Liberty University and fellow and director of the Center for Creation Studies. He founded Cornerstone Educational Supply and is a creation-science speaker.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

Pat Roy worked at the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) for over 12 years. In that time, he and his team conducted hundreds of interviews with leading creation scientists. Pat and his wife, Sandy, created, wrote, and produced the Jonathan Park Audio Adventures, reaching an audience of millions. Now they have created a new creation-based family audio series called Time Chroniclers. Pat has given hundreds of presentations and hands-on workshops. His duties include research, speaking, and producing new resources to reach teens with the scientific case against evolution, and for creation. He and his wife wrote the scripts, and directed the video production of the new Debunking Evolution series.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More talks by Pat Roy here.

Dr. Jonathan Sarfati has a Ph.D. in physical chemistry, is co-editor of Creation magazine, and writes and reviews articles for Journal of Creation. He has written many books and technical articles on apologetics and creation science.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

Dr. Frank Sherwin is an author, speaker, and a staff member at the Institute for Creation Research. His degrees are in biology and zoology.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

keith-swenson0Dr. Keith Swenson is a retired medical doctor who now teaches courses in biology and geology at Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon. He also served for twenty years as President of Portland’s Design Science Association and was on the board of the Seven Wonders Museum near Mount St. Helens.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

Paul Taylor was born and grew up near Manchester in the North of England. He studied piano at Chetham’s School of Music, but read Chemistry at the University of Nottingham. Paul taught Chemistry, Physics and Science in government (“public”) schools in England and Wales for 18 years, eventually becoming a Head of Science, with a Masters in Science Education and Management from the University of Cardiff. Paul was saved at the age of 15. He came across creationist literature in his late teens, and quickly became involved in speaking and writing on the subject of creation and evolution, Genesis and apologetics. Since 2005, he has been a full-time creation speaker, having worked for Answers in Genesis (UK/Europe) and Creation Today. He and his wife are now the Directors of the Mount St Helens Creation Center.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More presentations by Paul Taylor here.

Dr. Juan Valdez is a pastor in Miami, FL. He has master’s degrees from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Logos Graduate School and a Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

Dr. Larry Vardiman retired from the Institute for Creation Research in 2012 after 30 years of research, writing, teaching, and speaking on creation. Prior to his full-time ministry in creation science he conducted 15 years of field research in cloud physics and weather modification for the US government and Colorado State University. Larry obtained his B.S. in Physics from the U of Missouri at Rolla, a B.S. in Meteorology from St. Louis University, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science from Colorado State U. Widely published, he was Director and Editor of the RATE Project. He continues to conduct research, writing, and speaking in the Northwest.

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

Dr. Tas Walker holds a B.Sc. (Earth Science with first class honours), a B.Eng (hons) and a doctorate in mechanical engineering, all from the University of Queensland. Tas works full-time for Creation Ministries International (CMI) in Brisbane, where he is employed as a researcher, writer and speaker. He has authored many articles in both Creation magazine and the Journal of Creation (formerly TJ).

Presentations at AFSC Meetings

More presentations by Dr. Tas Walker here.

Apologetics Forum Lecture Schedule

A schedule of the current speakers and their topics is kept online in AFSC-Schedule.pdf. A schedule of the past events, speakers, and their topics from the beginning of the Apologetics Forum meetings in September 2013 until December 2016 is kept in AFSC-SchedulePast.pdf.

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