Dr. Charlie Dates holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communication and rhetoric from the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana. He also earned a Master of Divinity and a doctorate in historical theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. Dr. Dates currently serves as senior pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago and lives in Chicago with his wife Kirstie and children Edward and Claire.

Dr. Cherith Fee Nordling is a preacher, speaker, writer, and mentor in theology, biblical studies, and Christian formation. She teaches theology for a master’s program in leadership, theology, and society at Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia, Dr. Fee Nordling is an ordained Anglican priest (Diocese of St. Anthony) and lives with her husband in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her grown children and grandchildren.

Dr. Francisco “Cisco” Cotto is a professor in pastoral studies at Moody. He earned a Master of Divinity from Moody Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Apologetics and Doctor of Ministry from Talbot School of Theology.  Dr. Cotto also works in broadcasting and can be heard weekday mornings from 5–10 a.m. on WBBM 105.9 FM. He and his wife Anna have been married for 20 years and have three children.

David Giese is the lead pastor at Village Church of Gurnee in Gurnee, Illinois. He is an alum of Moody Bible Institute and earn master’s degrees from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and the University of Edinburgh. David is a regular contributor to the segment Consider This on Moody Radio and periodically teaches as an adjunct instructor at the Institute. David and his wife Sally enjoy unhurried time together and deep-dish pizza.

Derrick Puckett started Renewal Church of Chicago in 2014, where he serves as lead pastor. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and a Master of Divinity from Mid America Baptist Theological Seminary. Derrick is currently earning his Doctor of Ministry degree at Emory Candler School of Theology. He and his wife Kaley live in Chicago and have four daughters and one son.

Dr. Eric Rivera is passionate for preaching God’s Word and is the lead pastor at The Brook, a multiethnic church in Chicago that he helped to establish in 2013. He earned his doctorate from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where he currently serves as affiliate professor of pastoral theology. Dr. Rivera is the author of the books Christ is Yours and Unexpected Jesus. He and his wife, Erikah, have three children.

Marlena Graves is the assistant professor of Spiritual Formation at Northeastern Seminary on the campus of Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester, New York. She has written five books and more than 200 articles for respected publications such as Christianity Today and Relevant magazine. Marlena serves on the board of several organizations, and along with her husband Shawn, is the parent of three daughters.

Dr. Mikel Del Rosario holds a master’s degree in Christian apologetics from Biola University, along with a Master of Theology and a doctorate in biblical studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is passionate about helping Christians explain our faith with courage and compassion and hosts a podcast called The Apologetics Guy Show on YouTube and featured on the Christianity Today Network.

Dr. Oksoon Cho serves as an Associate Professor and Field Chair of Counseling at Moody Theological Seminary.  She is also a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois with more than 20 years of experience in mental health, clinical supervision, and counselor education. Fluent in both English and Korean, Dr. Cho has a passion for integrating faith and clinical practice while equipping pastors and church leaders to promote emotional and mental well-being in their congregations.

Rhiannon Blaauw Erskine teaches physics and astronomy as an adjunct professor at Wheaton College. She holds master’s degrees in both astronomy and religion and previously worked for NASA. Rhiannon’s primary interest is studying the fascinating meeting place between science and religion, and in 2021 she received a Templeton Foundation grant to develop curriculum featuring these studies.

Romell Williams is lead pastor of Lilydale Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute and Trinity International University.

Wayne Gordon is lead pastor of Lawndale Community Church where he has served for 40 years. He directs the Christian community development master’s and doctoral programs at Northern Seminary in Chicago. Wayne is the author of several books, including Real Hope in Chicago and Who Is My Neighbor? He and his wife Anne live in Chicago and have three adult children.

Dr. Winfred Neely is Vice President and Academic Dean of Moody Theological Seminary and a professor of Old Testament, Biblical Interpretation, and Biblical Preaching. He is passionate about training and equipping the next generation of pastors to proclaim God’s Word and connect with people from all walks of life.

Pastor James Ford has served as senior pastor of Christ Bible Church of Chicago for 43 years and is president of Impact Ministries. A Moody Bible Institute graduate with a master’s from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, he hosts Treasured Truth for Troubling Times on Moody Radio. An international speaker, Bible teacher, former adjunct professor, and author of seven books, Pastor Ford is passionate about equipping believers with God’s Word.