Speakers & Staff
Stand to Reason faculty members are available to teach in order to help you effectively engage the culture around you with knowledge, wisdom, and character. STR teachers teach lectures and seminars, preach sermons, and lead workshops geared towards helping Christians gain the practical tools they need to make a difference in their world, giving them both the knowledge and confidence to be players in the world of ideas.
Greg Koukl
Greg Koukl started out thinking he was too smart to become a Christian and ended up giving his life for the defense of the Christian faith. A central theme of Greg’s speaking and writing is that Christianity can compete in the marketplace of ideas when it’s properly understood and properly articulated. Greg is founder and president of Stand to Reason and is an author and talk show host.
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Brett Kunkle
Brett Kunkle is passionate about seeing people “transformed by the renewing of thier minds” and trains both adults and students to apply the Christian worldview to every area of their lives. As Student Impact Director at STR, he has created a one-of-a-kind training experience that immerses students in real-life apologetics, theology, and evangelism.
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Alan Shlemon
Alan Shlemon excels at making complex issues accessible to anyone, and is known for teaching on some of the most controversial issues of our time, including abortion, evolution, homosexuality, bioethics, and Islam. Alan has spoken to thousands of students and adults across the country at churches, conferences, and on college campuses, and has been a guest on both television and radio.
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J. Warner Wallace
J. Warner Wallace was an atheist for 35 years. He enjoyed talking to his Christian friends, but seldom found them prepared to defend what they believed. He became a homicide detective, and followed the evidence for Christianity. He is passionate about teaching Christians to defend their faith.
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Greg Koukl, contact Melinda Penner at melinda@str.org. For Brett Kunkle, Alan Shlemon, or J. Warner Wallace, contact Dawnielle Hodgman at dawnielle@str.org
STAND TO REASON STAFF
Melinda graduated from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska with her B.S. in Education, and then earned a B.A. in theology from Christ College in Irvine, CA. She also completed her M.A. in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics at Talbot School of Theology. She taught middle school in Christian schools until founding Stand to Reason with Greg and becoming Director of Operations.
Our resource manager, Derek, first moved to Southern California from Missouri in 2003. He has an interest in theology, holds a B.A. in English composition from Truman State University, and has an M.A. in Christian apologetics from Biola. He and his wife Annie currently reside in Orange, CA, with their two children.
Wendy is STR's office assistant, answering the phones, doing data entry, lending a hand in the resource department, and is generally helpful in any way possible. Wendy received a B.S. in Nutrition from Cal State Long Beach. She lives in El Segundo with her husband John. Wendy and John were at STR's launch May 1, 1993.
Dawnielle lives in Dana Point with her husband, Raz, and their two boys, Asher and Zadok. Dawnielle graduated from East Carolina University with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. She's been involved in youth ministry for over 15 years and is passionate about seeing young people develop a love for developing a robust Christian worldview. Dawnielle is very excited about assisting Brett, Alan, and J. Warner at STR.
Tom and his wife, Tina, have four little girls, Mackenzie, Avery, Emery, and Cassidy. He is an Apple Certified System Administrator, and is STR's overall troubleshooter and handles STR's IT, web, and technical needs.
Amy worked in the film industry for ten years before coming on staff with STR, though she'd volunteered for years. Now she contributes to STR's online content. Amy has a B.A. in mass communication and journalism from CSU Fresno and an M.A. in Christian apologetics from Biola. She plays flute in a community concert band in Santa Monica.
Kyle is currently enrolled in the Theological Studies program at Concordia University Irvine. He and his wife, Megan, live in beautiful downtown Orange with their first child. Kyle manages STR's warehouse.
Crissy was born and raised in Anaheim, California. She graduated with a B.A. in History from Cal State Long Beach. She is a graphic artist and manages online content and communication. She lives in Corona, CA.
Tina is married to Tom, STR's IT manager. She is primarily a homemaker, raising their daughters. She assists STR with mailings and patiently supports Tom in his demanding work life.