Speakers Roster
To Request more information or to schedule a speaker, please contact Reasons To Believe at (800) 482-7836 or click here.
Krista Bontrager
Background: KRISTA BONTRAGER earned a BA in communications (emphasis in radio, television, and film) from Biola University. Desiring to delve more deeply into the theological aspects of mass communication theory, she enrolled in Talbot School of Theology, where she completed an MA in theology and another in Bible exposition. Currently working toward a ThM from Covenant Theological Seminary, Krista serves as an adjunct instructor in Biblical Studies at Biola.
Krista's passion lies in teaching people of all ages the great truths of the Christian faith in terms they can understand and apply. She enjoys speaking to lay-level audiences on a wide variety of theological topics, including historical and cultural apologetics, and holds an active membership in the Evangelical Theological Society.
As dean of online learning for Reasons To Believe, Krista oversees the development of new courses offered via Reasons Institute and Reasons Academy. She has moderated and produced many episodes of RTB's former weekly webcast, Creation Update, and contributed to the development of many audio and video resources, including two documentaries, Journey Toward Creation and Dual Revelation, both of which she co-wrote.
Her most recent publication is RTB’s study guide entitled The Bigger Picture on Creation. Krista's articles have appeared in Perspectives on Science & Christian Faith (the journal of the American Scientific Affiliation) and Preview: Family Movie & TV Review. She also contributes a regular column to RTB's magazine, New Reasons to Believe (formerly Connections).
Krista and her husband, Bob, live in Southern California where they homeschool their two daughters. In her free time she enjoys honing her skills in Krav Maga, the personal hand-to-hand defense system practiced by the Israeli military.
Audiences: Christian college students, adults, teachers and home educators
Dr. Fazale Rana
Background: FAZALE “FUZ” RANA discovered the fascinating world of cells while taking chemistry and biology courses for the premed program at West Virginia State College (University). As a presidential scholar there, he earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry with highest honors. He completed a PhD in chemistry with an emphasis in biochemistry at Ohio University, where he twice won the Donald Clippinger Research Award. Postdoctoral studies took him to the Universities of Virginia and Georgia. Fuz then worked seven years as a senior scientist in product development for Procter & Gamble.
Research in biochemistry provided Fuz with the initial evidence that life must have been created. Although he recognized the work of a designer, he did not know the designer’s identity. An acquaintance’s challenge to read the Bible led him to believe that the God of the Bible is that Designer. Eventually, concern for the supposed incompatibility of science and Scripture led Fuz to Reasons To Believe (RTB).
Today Fuz travels widely, speaking on science-and-faith issues at churches, business firms, and universities, and has made guest appearances on The John Ankerberg Show, Harvest Show, and Newsmakers (hosted by Jerry Rose on The Total Living Network). Fuz also lectures for the Master of Science and Religion program in Christian Apologetics at Biola University.
Since joining RTB as executive vice president of research and apologetics, Fuz has authored and coauthored the books Origins of Life, Who Was Adam?, The Cell’s Design, and, most recently, Creating Life in the Lab. He also participates in RTB’s podcasts and science blog, Today’s New Reason to Believe. Additionally, Fuz has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals including Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres, Biochemistry, Applied Spectroscopy, FEBS Letters, Journal of Microbiological Methods, and Journal of Chemical Education. He has made presentations at numerous international scientific meetings, coauthored a chapter on antimicrobial peptides for Biological and Synthetic Membranes, and holds two patents.
Audiences: All
Dr. Hugh Ross
Background: HUGH ROSS launched his career at age seven when he went to the library to find out why stars are hot. Physics and astronomy captured his curiosity and never let go. At age seventeen he became the youngest person ever to serve as director of observations for Vancouver’s Royal Astronomical Society. With the help of a provincial scholarship and a National Research Council of Canada fellowship, he completed his undergraduate degree in physics at the University of British Columbia and graduate degrees in astronomy at the University of Toronto. The NRC also sent him to the United States for postdoctoral studies. At Caltech he researched quasi-stellar objects, or “quasars,” some of the most distant and ancient objects in the universe.
Not all of Hugh’s discoveries involved astrophysics. Prompted by curiosity, he studied the world’s religions and “holy books” and found only one book that proved scientifically and historically accurate: the Bible. Hugh started at religious “ground zero” and through scientific and historical reality-testing became convinced that the Bible is truly the Word of God! When he went on to describe for others his journey to faith in Jesus Christ, he was surprised to discover how many people believed or disbelieved without checking the evidence.
Hugh’s unshakable confidence that God’s revelations in Scripture and nature do not, will not, and cannot contradict became his unique message. Wholeheartedly encouraged by family and friends, communicating that message as broadly and clearly as possible became his mission. Thus, in 1986, he founded science-faith think tank Reasons To Believe (RTB). He and his colleagues at RTB keep tabs on the frontiers of research to share with scientists and nonscientists alike the thrilling news of what’s being discovered and how it connects with biblical theology. In this realm, he has written many books, including: The Fingerprint of God, The Creator and the Cosmos, Beyond the Cosmos, The Genesis Question, A Matter of Days, Creation as Science, Why the Universe Is the Way It Is, More Than a Theory, and, most recently, Hidden Treasures in the Book of Job .
Between writing books and articles, recording podcasts, and taking interviews, Hugh travels the world challenging students and faculty, churches and professional groups, to consider what they believe and why. He presents a persuasive case for Christianity without applying pressure. Because he treats people’s questions and comments with respect, he is in great demand as a speaker and as a talk-radio and television guest.
Audiences: All
Kathy Ross
Background: KATHY ROSS (née Drake) showed a passion for language and learning early on. She earned a BA and an MA in English at the University of Southern California (USC). Following a brief stint at the Los Angeles Times, Kathy returned to USC to work in the Communications and Publications office. Two years later, when the opportunity arose to teach English at Pasadena City College, she took it. She taught for three years full-time, but as travel and ministry opportunities increased, she shifted to part-time and substitute assignments, “retiring” from her post in 1980.
Even as a child, Kathy desired to see others come to faith in Christ. Whenever missionaries visited her church to share stories and pictures from the field, Kathy gave them her rapt attention, deeply moved by visions of God’s power to ignite faith and hope in people raised without either. Kathy recalls praying, “Lord, I want to serve you with my life, wherever you may lead, but please not in a place with big bugs.”
During her time working at USC, Kathy, though happy with her job (and football tickets), felt frustrated by her inability to spark spiritual interest among her coworkers. So when Caltech scientist Hugh Ross showed up at her home Bible study group one evening, she suspected the Lord had sent her the kind of help she needed. Here was a walking news bulletin of intriguing faith-relevant discoveries from science’s leading edge.
The benefit of their friendship was mutual. Kathy eventually became Hugh’s partner in ministry, helping him sharpen his communication skills and encouraging him to tell the story of his unusual journey to faith—and to describe for others the evidences he continually uncovered linking scientific fact with biblical truth. In 1977, Hugh proposed to Kathy and they married in July of that year.
As senior vice president at Reasons To Believe (RTB), Kathy oversees multiple departments, including communications. She is one of the primary editors behind Hugh’s books and articles, as well as RTB’s newsletter, Reasons. In addition to her regular columns in RTB’s magazines, Facts & Faith and Facts for Faith, she contributed to Katie Brazelton’s book, Praying for Purpose for Women.
Audiences: high school and college students, women’s groups of all ages
Dr. David H. Rogstad
Background: DAVE ROGSTAD developed an interest in science early under the influence of his Norwegian immigrant father, and an older brother who allowed Dave to explore his math and science books. After graduating from Caltech with a BS in physics, he went on to earn a PhD in physics, also from Caltech, doing research in radio astronomy. After spending several years as a radio astronomer, including two years in the Netherlands, he began his career as a NASA scientist.
During his 31 years at Caltech and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Dave worked on such high-profile projects as "Star Wars," developing the supercomputers used to simulate national defense scenarios. He also led a technical team that contributed to saving the Galileo Mission to Jupiter. Though Dave stepped down from his leadership role at JPL to join the RTB staff, he still serves as a technical consultant to JPL.
The pressures of the university environment put the high moral values Dave learned growing up in a Christian home to the test. While a beginning graduate student, accumulating moral failures brought about a crisis that led to his receiving Christ as his Savior. As a postdoc Dave met Hugh Ross and is mentioned in Hugh’s testimony as the first Christ-following scientist that Hugh encountered.
In addition to publishing more than 20 papers on radio astronomy in scientific journals, Dave was commissioned to coauthor and edit Antenna Arraying Techniques in the Deep Space Network. This book is part of the prestigious JPL series that lays a foundation for innovation in deep space navigation and communications. A member of the RTB board since the ministry's inception in 1986, Dave is available for a limited number of speaking engagements.
On Sunday mornings Dave leads a class at his church, where he also serves as an elder and mentor. He loves studying and teaching from the Bible, especially communicating complex ideas, both scientific and spiritual, in applicable terms.
Audiences: All
Kenneth Richard Samples
Background: KENNETH RICHARD SAMPLES began voraciously studying Christian philosophy and theology when his thirst for purpose found relief in the Bible. He earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy and social science from Concordia University and his MA in theological studies from Talbot School of Theology. For seven years, Kenneth worked as senior research consultant and correspondence editor at the Christian Research Institute (CRI) and regularly cohosted popular call-in radio program, The Bible Answer Man, with Dr. Walter Martin.
As a youth, Kenneth wrestled with “unsettling feelings of meaninglessness and boredom,” driving him to seek answers to life’s big questions. An encounter with Christian philosophy in Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis led Kenneth to examine the New Testament and “finally believe that Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God, the Lord and Savior of the world.” From then on, he pursued an intellectually satisfying faith.
Today, as senior research scholar at Reasons To Believe (RTB), Kenneth uses what he’s learned to help others find the answers to life’s questions. He encourages believers to develop a logically defensible faith and challenges skeptics to engage Christianity at a philosophical level. He is the author of Without a Doubt and A World of Difference, and has contributed to numerous other books, including: Lights in the Sky and Little Green Men, The Cult of the Virgin, and Prophets of the Apocalypse. He has written articles for Christianity Today and The Christian Research Journal, and regularly participates in RTB’s podcasts, including Straight Thinking, a podcast that encourages Christians to utilize sound reasoning in their apologetics. He also writes Reflections, a weekly blog dedicated to helping believers think through their worldview.
An avid speaker and debater, Kenneth has appeared on numerous radio programs such as Voice America Radio, Newsmakers, The Frank Pastore Show, Stand to Reason, White Horse Inn, Talk New York, and Issues Etc, as well as participated in debates and dialogues on topics relating to Christian doctrine and apologetics. He currently lectures for the Master of Arts program in Christian Apologetics at Biola University. Kenneth also teaches adult classes at Christ Reformed Church in Southern California.
Audiences: All
Dr. Leslie Wickman
Background: LESLIE WICKMAN currently serves as director of the Center for Research in Science (CRIS) at Azusa Pacific University (APU), as well as a Senior Engineering Specialist at The Aerospace Corporation. She is an internationally respected research scientist and engineering consultant.
For more than a decade Leslie was an engineer for Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space in Sunnyvale, Calif., where she worked on NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and International Space Station Programs, receiving commendations from NASA for her contributions and being designated as Lockheed's Corporate Astronaut. She has also worked as a consulting research scientist with The RAND Corporation on the technical and political aspects of various national defense issues, particularly involving fighter pilot training.
Her current projects include global climate change research, assessment of future space mission technologies, human factors problems for extreme environments, and a sustainable water reclamation system.
As director of CRIS at APU, Leslie's responsibilities include addressing the relationship between science and theology. She has lectured extensively around the world on satellite servicing, astronaut operations, mission planning, and space physiology issues. She is also a dedicated athlete, playing competitive beach volleyball and women's professional football. Leslie holds a master's degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering as well as a doctoral degree in human factors and biomechanics from Stanford University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Willamette University, Oregon.
Audiences: Christian and secular youth and adults, with or without training in the sciences
Dr. Jeffrey Zweerink
Background: JEFF ZWEERINK thought he would follow in his father’s footsteps as a chemistry professor until a high school teacher piqued his interest in physics. Jeff pursued a BS in physics and a PhD in astrophysics at Iowa State University (ISU), where he focused his study on gamma rays—messengers from distant black holes and neutron stars.
Upon completing his education, Jeff taught at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Postdoctoral research took him to the West Coast, to the University of California, Riverside, and eventually to a research faculty position at UCLA. He has conducted research using the STACEE and VERITAS gamma-ray telescopes, and currently works on GAPS, a balloon experiment seeking to detect dark matter.
A Christian from childhood, Jeff desired to understand how the worlds of science and Scripture integrate. He struggled when his scientific studies seemed to collide with his early biblical training. While an undergrad at ISU, Jeff heard Hugh Ross speak and learned of Reasons To Believe (RTB) and its ministry of reconciliation—tearing down the presumed barriers between science and faith and introducing people to their personal Creator. Jeff knew this was something he was called to be a part of.
Today, as a research scholar at RTB, Jeff enjoys speaking at churches, universities, and professional groups around the country, encouraging people to consider the truth of Scripture and how it connects with the evidence of science. His involvement with RTB grows from an enthusiasm for helping others bridge the perceived science-faith gap. He seeks to assist others in avoiding the difficulties he experienced.
Jeff is author of Who’s Afraid of the Multiverse? and coauthor of the Impact Events series for teens. Additionally, he contributes regularly to RTB’s podcasts and science blog, Today’s New Reasons to Believe, and directs RTB's online learning programs, Reasons Institute and Reasons Academy. He is also coauthor of more than 30 journal articles, as well as numerous conference proceedings, and still serves part-time on the physics and astronomy research faculty at UCLA.
Audiences: All
