Meet Our Mentors

At the heart of the Institute for Christian Apologetics is a commitment to relational discipleship. We believe Christian formation requires more than receiving information through a screen; believers also benefit from faithful guides who model wisdom, intellectual virtue, and Christlike character. For this reason, ICA workshops are developed and led by carefully selected Workshop Creators and Cohort Mentors.

Who Are Our Mentors?

ICA is served by a worldwide volunteer mentor network. Many of our mentors are credentialed alumni of Southern Evangelical Seminary and Bible College, while others are carefully selected pastors, scholars, educators, and ministry practitioners.

Through live online MEET sessions, our mentors can guide participants from around the world without the geographical limitations of traditional classroom instruction.

How Do Our Mentors Serve?

Our mentors may serve in one or both of the following roles:

Workshop Creators develop workshop content, including the syllabus, readings or recommended resources, instructional videos, and learning activities.
Cohort Mentors facilitate live MEET sessions, guide discussion, answer questions, and help participants apply what they are learning.

Some mentors fulfill both roles, while others concentrate on workshop creation or live cohort facilitation.

What Makes Them Special?

ICA follows a ministry-first model. Our mentors use their education, experience, and ministry expertise to strengthen the Church and help believers defend and live the Christian faith with wisdom, gentleness, and respect.

Mentor profiles may also introduce participants to the independent ministries, publications, resources, and other work of those serving through ICA.

How Are They Chosen?

Prospective mentors are reviewed for appropriate qualifications, doctrinal faithfulness, Christian character, and their ability to communicate clearly and graciously.

Workshop materials are reviewed and approved by the ICA team to promote theological faithfulness, intellectual accuracy, educational quality, and practical application. Mentors agree to respect the doctrinal teachings of Southern Evangelical Seminary and Bible College and not teach against them while serving through ICA.

Hall of Mentors

Meet the Workshop Creators and Cohort Mentors who serve the ICA community. Each profile presents selected credentials and may include information about the mentor’s independent ministry, resources, contact information, and opportunities for support.

Dr. Thomas McCuddy

Families of Virtue Team | SES Alumnus

Executive Director of Families of Virtue, Professor of Apologetics at Carolina College of Biblical Studies, Family Pastor at Cape Fear Baptist Church in Fayetteville, NC

Thomas' Page

Rev. Thomas Quackenbush

Families of Virtue Team

Assistant Director of Families of Virtue, Elder/Pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Fayetteville, NC, School Chaplain at Cornerstone Christian Academy, Biblical Counselor

Thomas' Page

Merike Rademeyer

Families of Virtue Team | SES Student

Curriculum Editor and Afrikaans Translator at Families of Virtue, specializing in theological education, curriculum development, and discipleship resources

Merike's Page

Ryno Fermor

Families of Virtue Team | SES Student

Program Leader and Lecturer at Apologetics SA, CEO of Salt and Light Africa Missions NPC, and Host of the Hey Culture Podcast.

Ryno's Page

Karnu van Heerden

Families of Virtue Team | NWU Alumnus

Apologetics instructor and mentor specializing in biblical worldview, discipleship, and theological studies.

Karnu's Page

Hendrik Le Roux

Families of Virtue Team | SATS Student

Theology & Apologetics instructor.

Hendrik's Page

N. Charmain Barnes

SES Alumnus

Specializes in Classical Theism, the defense of Jesus, and the Trinity, helping believers discern truth and stand firm in their faith through theology and discipleship.

Charmain's Page

David Suarez

SES Alumnus

High School Apologetics, Theology, Bible, and Philosophy Teacher; BeTheIron Ministry on YouTube and Instagram; Young Adults Apologetics Director for Steel Valley Church

David's Page

Glenn Smith

SES Alumnus

Co-Founder, Reasoning Through the Bible

Glenn's Page

Harold Hensen

SES Alumnus

Bible Teacher & SES Graduate (M.A. Apologetics), Elder at Mazevo Church, Equipping University Instructor, SES TEAM Conference Speaker, and Corporate Strategic Planning & Business Continuity Contractor

Harold's Page

Dr. Jim Damron

SES Alumnus

Lecturer in Respiratory Care at UNC Charlotte, Clinical Ethics Consultant, and Elder at Forest Hill Church specializing in bioethics and theological studies

Jim's Page

Joshua Bovee

SES Alumnus

Director of Youth and Young Adults
Creator of Disabling Apologetics Podcast
Logikos Director for LeaderPaths

Joshua's Page

Prof. Kathryn V. Camp

SES Alumnus

Founder and Director of Living Into The Truth Ministries

Kathryn's Page

Dr. Mark S. Phillips

SES Alumnus

Educator, pastor, and Christian apologist specializing in integrating Scripture and science, classical apologetics, and biblical interpretation.

Mark's Page

Dr. Neil Steven Lawrence

SES Alumnus

International Missionary Educator with Church of God World Missions specializing in Christian Apologetics, Islam Exposé, and worldview discipleship

Neil's Page

Nel Brace

SES Alumnus

Ministry leader at Ratio Christi South Africa.

Nel's Page

Dr. Phil Fernandes

SES Alumnus

Senior pastor, Christian apologist, and author with doctorate degrees in apologetics and philosophy of religion. Founder of the Institute of Biblical Defense and former ISCA president.

Phil's Page

Dr. Richard (Lanny) Wilson

SES Alumnus

Specializes in systematic theology, moral ethics, and Christian apologetics, equipping students through high school and dual-enrollment instruction.

Richard's Page

Simon Brace

SES Alumnus

National Director of Ratio Christi South Africa.

Simon's Page

Dr. William T. Wallace Jr.

SES Alumnus

Founder of Inform Defend Shape Ministries, Author, Speaker, and Apologetics Instructor.

William's Page