Compassionate Boldness Conference

Robert M. Bowman Jr. is the director of research for the Institute for Religious Research, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Previously he served as a researcher, editor, and speaker specializing in apologetics and countercult studies at the Christian Research Institute, Watchman Fellowship, and the North American Mission Board. Rob has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in apologetics, biblical studies, and cults at Luther Rice University, Biola University, and Cornerstone University.He is the author of nearly 60 articles (e.g., in the Christian Research Journal, Moody Monthly, Pastoral Renewal, Mission Frontiers, Journal of Evangelism and Missions, and the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society) and 12 books pertaining to apologetics, cults, and biblical theology, including two winners of the Gold Medallion Award, An Unchanging Faith in a Changing World (1997) and Faith Has Its Reasons (2001; 2ded., 2006). His most recent book (co-authored with Ed Komoszewski), Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ (2007), received numerous endorsements from such scholars as Ravi Zacharias and Richard Bauckham. Rob and his wife, Cathy, have been married since 1981 and have four children.

Sandra is the great-great granddaughter of Brigham Young and was a fifth generation member of the LDS Church. After extensively investigating the claims of Mormonism with her husband Jerald (1938-2006), they left the church to found Modern Microfilm, a company that provided reprints of hard to find documents regarding early LDS history. In 1983 Modern Microfilm Company became Utah Lighthouse Ministry. Together they wrote over 40 books dealing with Mormon history and doctrine. Sandra is currently the director of UTLM which operates the Utah Lighthouse bookstore on West Temple. She is often sought out by the national media when it comes to issues pertaining to the LDS Church.

Bill serves as the director of Mormonism Research Ministry, a Christian organization he founded in 1979 that is based in the Salt Lake City area. His interest in Mormonism began when his Mormon friends attempted to proselytize him into the LDS faith shortly after his conversion to Christianity in 1973 . The more he discussed spiritual issues with his LDS friends, the more concerned for them he became. Bill is the host of the daily radio program Viewpoint on Mormonism and co-author (with Eric Johnson) of Mormonism 101 and the completely updated edition of Answering Mormons’ Questions scheduled for release by Kregel in 2012. He is also the editor of In Their Own Words: A Collection of Mormon Quotations. Bill and his wife Tamar have three grown children

Cory is the lead pastor of Shadow Mountain Church in West Jordan, Utah. He holds a B.A inTheology from Briercrest Bible College and a M.A in New Testament from Briercrest Biblical Seminary. Prior tolaunching Shadow Mountain Church, Cory served as an Associate/Youth Pastor for 7 years in Canada. Heenjoys teaching the Word of God and providing answers to tough questions regarding theology and doctrine. He has published an article in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought entitled "Jude's Use of the Pseudepigraphal Book of 1 Enoch" (Vol. 36, No.2, Summer 2003). He is married to Trina and has four children

Born in Utah and raised in California as an active Latter-day Saint, Ross came to follow Jesus in college. After earning a Master of Divinity degree, he moved to Utah as founding pastor of WasatchEvangelical Free Church, where he served for 28 years. Ross has contributed to numerous articles and seminars and has written several books, most recently (Zondervan 2011). He is currently a teaching pastor at Alpine Community Church, a multisite congregation in northern Utah, and Director of Utah Advance Ministries, dedicated to advancing healthy churches in Utahunique cultural climate.

Marv grew up in the LDS Church. His great-grandparents were Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake area. After some discussions with Christians Marv began a serious study of the Bible in comparison to LDS scripture and doctrine which led him to become a Christian. He then went to Bible college and seminary and became a missionary to Utah in 1961 where he still ministers. He has started churches and developed a special ministry to Mormons. He is the author of Mormon Claims Answered and What Every Mormon Should Ask, as well as numerous tracts and articles. He and his wife, Janet, live in the Salt Lake area

Mike is an independent missionary and the founder and director of Share the Son Ministries (STS) in Idaho Falls, Idaho (est. 1999). Leading over 200 classes annually, Team STS places a strong emphasis on clarifying LDS and biblical gospel doctrine and equipping Evangelicals to strategically and compassionately share their faith. Mike is a "fisher of men" and an avid fly fisher.

Doris is the director of Shield and Refuge Ministry, and host of the weekly television program Polygamy: What Love Is This? Raised in a polygamist clan, she left at the age of 18 in order to avoid being forced into a plural marriage. She knows firsthand of the damage caused by such groups. Shield and Refuge Ministry is dedicated to raising awareness of fundamentalist Mormonism, as well as assisting those who are seeking freedom from the polygamist lifestyle.

Dennis was a sixth generation Mormon, born and raised in Idaho by very active LDS parents. He served his LDS mission to Finland. He married Rauni in the Salt Lake temple and served in various leadership positions including Elders Quorum president, Executive Secretary, Priesthood Quorum teacher and a High Priest who served as a Stake High Councilman. Rauni was a convert to Mormonism in Finland, where she also served an LDS mission. She worked over 14 years for the LDS Church as a translator, language coordinator, and interpreter as well as held teaching positions in her ward. They founded H.I.S. Ministries International to help questioning LDS people evaluate their beliefs and find the biblical Jesus Christ. Dennis and Rauni live in Sandy, Utah. They have three grown daughters who also live in Utah.

Bryan is the lead pastor at Lifeline Community in West Jordan, Utah. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, his passions include historical theology, worldviews, philosophy, and discipleship. Bryan is currently enrolled in a doctoral studies program at Biola University that focuses on engaging mind and culture. He and his wife Jennifer have three daughters, Brynne, Reghan, and Tierney.

Eric has been an associate with Mormonism Research Ministry since 1989. He has co-authored two books with Bill McKeever, including Mormonism 101 (Baker, 2000) and a number of journal articles. Eric graduated from Bethel Seminary San Diego in 1991 with an M.Div. and has been a credentialed teacher for 17 years at the high school, college, and seminary level in San Diego; he was also the Bible department head at Christian High located in El Cajon, CA. Currently he is helping Bill with a revision of Answering Mormons' Questions (due out next summer, to be published by Kregel) and is coordinating the 2013 MRM/UTLM trip to the Holy Land. Eric and his wife Terri have three children, Carissa, Janelle, and Hannah

Loren grew up in Fresno, CA, and attended Chapman University in Southern California where he earned a BA in Religion and Philosophy. Following his undergraduate education, Loren traveled to New Jersey, where he earned a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. After seminary, Loren accepted a call as a College Pastor at a large church in Fresno, CA, where he served for 5 1/2 years. In January, Loren and his family moved to Centerville, UT, with the goal of reaching the lost in Davis County by planting a non-denominational church in Centerville. The Bridge Community launched this past April in the Davis County Center for the Performing Arts.

Aaron has been a student of Mormonism for over ten years. As a research associate and web developer, he works with Mormonism Research Ministry to reach a culture that increasingly turns to the internet for spiritual purposes. Aaron and his wife Stacie live in Midvale, UT, as missionaries to the Mormon people. They have a son, John, and a daughter, Lydia.

For the past 19 years Chip and his wife, Jamie, have served the Lord in Ephraim, UT. During their first 13 years in Utah the Thompsons planted and pastored the Ephraim Church of the Bible. Presently, Chip and Jamie are the Executive Directors of Tri-Grace Ministries which directs the Solid Rock Christian Fellowship and Cafe - a Christian club on the Snow College campus in Ephraim. Chip is the author of a witnessing training manual titled The Mormon Scrapbook which encourages Christians to enter into meaningful religious dialogue with LDS friends and family. Chip, Jamie and their four children - Britney, Kristin, Travis, and Josiah - love Utah, its people, and the ministry to which God has called them.