Apologia

Dr. Chris Jakway (Spring Arbor Univ., B.A. in Biblical Studies; Western Michigan Univ., Ph.D., M.A. in Philosophy and Comparative Religion) is a Teaching Pastor at Battle Creek Evangelical Friends Church. For over thirty years he and his wife Cheri have traveled to the land of the Bible where they work on archaeological digs. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Near East Archaeological Society, and has led dozens of Bible study trips through Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and Greece. Chris is a professor at Kellogg Community College, and has taught for the Graduate College of Spring Arbor University (philosophy, ethics, world religions and cults, apologetics, and Bible survey courses). He is also adjunct faculty for the Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies.

Leo has a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from Western Michigan University where he graduated with honors, and a Masters in Theology from Liberty University, graduating with high distinction and receiving the gold medallion for being in the top of the class. He is a co-contributor to the “After Church Apologetics” podcast and an Apologia conference speaker for the last several years. He has traveled and studied biblical sites in Israel, Turkey, Italy, Greece, and Egypt. His passion is for discipleship and training up the next generation. He is married to Michelle, and they have two sons: Alec, 8, and Miles, 6. Being out in God’s creation is their favorite activity as a family - from camping and eating over a fire pit, to fishing and soccer, hiking and kayaking.

Dr. Austin Begley holds a Bachelors in Philosophy and Kinesiology: Exercise Science and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. He is most passionate about apologetics and philosophy. He also works as an adjunct professor at Kellogg Community College teaching biology, anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. Outside of work, Austin loves to spend time with his lovely wife Sarah. Austin also loves to serve as a leader and teacher at the high school youth group of Battle Creek Friends Church. You can connect with him at marshillmusings.wordpress.com or find him on Facebook (Mars Hill Musings) and Instagram (@mars_hill_musings) where he shares more about apologetics.

Sam is a native of Salem and grew up in the Evangelical Friends attending Sebring Friends Church where his dad, Quint Bryan, still serves as the pastor. He graduated from West Branch High School in 2019 and from Liberty University with a Bachelor of History and a minor
in Biblical Studies in the spring of 2023. In June of this past year, he married his high school sweetheart, Molly St. John (now Bryan). Molly and him currently live in Wilmore, Kentucky while he works on earning a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. Apologetics
has always played a sizeable role in his life since he is a firm believer in always having a defense for his faith (1 Peter 3:15). Whether it be in the cafeteria at West Branch or the realm of academia here at Asbury, he strives to seek the Truth of Christ and share it with those around him.