Saint Ambrose was fast tracked from being an unbabtized layman to a bishop in 8 days. The bishop of Milan suddenly died and there was an argument who should succeed him. Ambrose made a speech in church to calm the excitement caused by the election. The crowd cheered him and a child shouted Ambrose is bishop. The people took up the cry, he was baptized, ordained priest and consecrated bishop of Milan. This had not been his intention. He had studied law and had been appointed governor of a district in northern Italy. He gave all his possessions to the church, studied religion and became a very learned writer. As bishop of Milan he was able to dominate the culture and political life of Italy. He challenged the authority of the Roman emperor, through his ability as a diplomat, on more than one occasion and provided a model for medieval concepts relating to church-state relations. His writings have been acclaimed as masterpieces of Latin eloquence and his musical accomplishments are remembered through his hymns. He is one of the original 4 doctors of the church. He is also remembered as the teacher who converted and baptized Saint Augusto of Hippo. Sources used Britannica, wikipedia and The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander.

Samuel Rodriguez Jr. ( born 29th September 1969) is an Evangelical Christian evangelist. He is a pastor, author, television personality, civil rights activist and movie producer. He is the founder and pastor of New Season Christian Worship Center. He is president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC. His parents are Puerto Rican but he was born in the USA. Aged 16 he delivered his first sermon and quickly grew to be a leading and acclaimed evangelical preacher. He gained a MA for Organization Leadership form Northwest University. In 1992 he became an ordained minister in the assemblies of God, a Pentecostal fellowship. In 2000 he founded and is currently the president of NHCLC. NHCLC is the largest Hispanic Evangelical organization in the world with 40,118. Latino Evangelical churches as members. It helps to cultivate a network of Latino leaders in the Christian community. As a spokesperson for the Hispanic evangelicals he has featured as a speaker in the White House and congressional meetings. In 2017 as president of NHCLC he was pleased to release the statement that the organization was pleased President Trump had decided ’ to return power to states to withhold federal funds from abortion providers’ ( Read statement) Samuel currently serves on the board for the National Association of Evangelicals He is an author and his book You Are Next (2019) is a publishers weekly bestseller. In 2019 he was the executive producer of the film Flamin Hot. In 2013 he was nominated for Time Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People. In 2015 he was named as one of Newsmax’s Top 100 Christian leaders in America. In 2020 he was recognized as one of Israel’s Top 50 Christian Allies. Samuel is now in his early 50s and still has a great deal to offer to the Latino Christian Community and beyond. Sources NHCLC Wikipedia

Rodney Lee Parsley (born 13th January 1957) is a prominent American Christian minister, author, television host and evangelist. He is the senior pastor of World harvest Church, a large pentecostal church in Canal Winchester, Ohio, Columbus. He is the founder of a number of organizations. Rodney’s Breakthrough -a media ministry -covers 8 areas of ministry ( in alphabetical order) Bridge of Hope Center for Moral Clarity started 2004 founder and president City Harvest Network started 2017 Harvest Preparatory School founded 1986 Joni’s Journal written by his wife Valor Christian College founder and chancellor World Harvest Church Columbus started 1977 with 17, now 12,000 members World Harvest Church Elkhart (See separate sheet for further information on each heading) This is besides The Women’s Clinic of Columbus His television program Breakthrough with Rod Parsley is aired daily on the several networks. RODPARSLEY. TV is a 24/7 online streaming channel. Brief biography of Rod. Born in Cleveland, Ohio. Raised as a Free Will Baptist. Enrolled at Circleville Bible college- left after 2 years. As youngster influenced by Lester Sumrall who became his mentor and traveling companion. Became pastor at World Harvest Church (1977-present. Married Joni Parsley in 1986. Children - boy & girl- now adults. (See separate article on Lester Sumrall) In 2015 Rod was treated for cancer of the throat, but has since recovered. I have concentrated on Breakthrough. I have included information from Wikipedia about World harvest Church, Political activism, Writings and Criticism of Parsley Breakthrough is a worldwide soul winning ministry that is reaping the end time harvest and reviving the life of God in the hearts of humanity, With a fresh anointing on Rodney in this new millennium of ministry 1000s all across the world are being healed, saved and delivered by the power of God. Sources Breakthrough now daystar.com Ministries The center for Moral Clarity Wikipedia

Phillip Jensen is an Australian cleric of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney and the former Dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral. He founded the Australian Christian publishing house Matthais Media. He founded the Christian magazine The Briefing in 1988. He authored the Gospel tract The Two Ways of Living. He also created the Ministry Training Strategy (MTS). He was chairman of the Katoomba Youth Convention (KYC) (1974-1991) & Convention Council (1983-91). Phillip spent his early years living at Bellevue Hill, a suburb of Sydney. His first public statement of faith came at a Billy Graham crusade in 1959. From 1967-70 he studied theology at Moore Theological College. He married his wife Helen in 1969. On graduation he worked at St. Matthew’s Manley and at the Department of Evangelism (now Evangelism and New Churches). In 1975 he became Anglican chaplain to the University of New South Wales (UNSW) In 1977 or8 he became rector of St. Matthias’ Centennial Park. His university ministry was based around expository preaching and ‘walk-up evangelism’. There were many conversions and large student gatherings at UNSW. The congregation at St. Matthias grew from 20-30 in 1977 to over a 1,000 by the mid 1990s. His work at UNSW included the creation of the Ministry Training Strategy (MTS) which trained young people in practical ministry skills, preparing them for church ministry, ordained or otherwise. After over 30 years he resigned as Chaplain for the UNSW in 2005. From 1974-91 he led the reinvigoration of the Katoomba Christian Convention - an interdenominational ministry providing evangelical Biblical preaching to Christians. ( See notes on ’ Katoomba Christian Convention’) 1988 founded *The Briefing* an evangelical Christian magazine published by Matthias Media . It had a distinct Sydney Anglican slant. (See notes 'The Briefing' - closed in 2014 He promoted lay administration of the Lord’s Supper and is an opponent of the ordination of women. In 2003 he was appointed Dean of Sydney’s St. Andrews Cathedral and Director of the Sydney Diocesan Ministry Training and Development (MT&D)(2003-12). During his time there he changed many things. Peter Phillips, the Tallis Scholars’ director, accused him of ‘vandalising’ Anglican culture, ( Read 3rd para on ‘Views’) In 2014 he announced he was resigning as Dean at the end of the year. Phillip commenced work on Two Ways Ministries* (TWM) at Moore Theological College. TWM seeks to serve people by proclaiming the death and resurrection of Jesus through teaching people the Bible Phillip currently accepts invitations to preach and to speak at inter/national conferences. Sources twowayministries

Charles Frazier Stanley is Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church (FBC) in Atlanta, Georgia, having been senior pastor for 50 years. He is the founder and president of In Touch Ministries (ITM) which broadcasts his sermons through television. He has served 2 one year terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) from 1984-6. Charles was born in Dry Fork, Virginia on 25th September 1932 His farher died 9 months after he was born. He grew up in Dry Fork. Aged 12 he became a born again Christian. 2 years later he began his life’s work in Christian ministry. Degrees BA from University of Richmond MD from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Fort Worth MT & DrTh. Luther Rice Seminary in Florida (now in Lithonia) He joined the staff at FBC in 1969 and became senior pastor in 1971. The book Think and Grow Rich served as a motivational book over many years. In 1972 launched a half hour religious television program The Chapel Hour The Christian Broadcasting Network began televising it in 1978. In 1982 he founded In Touch Ministries . It uses tools like radio, television, magazines and digital media to advance the Gospel as quickly as possible. Television *The Breakfast Club 1983-5. In Touch with Dr Charles Stanley 1990-present * 1989 ’ In Touch’ named by NRB as Television Producer of the Year 1999 ‘In Touch’ named radio program of the year In the USA it is broadcast on approximately 500 radio stations, 300 television stations and several satellite networks. He is a an avid photographer and many of his photographs appear in the In Touch magazine, ( Called In Touch becomes it comes from a Living Bible he owned) In 1984-6 he was elected president of the SBC. He has authored more than 60 books and has hit the New York Times Best Seller’s List several times. He developed 30 Life Principles that have guided his life and helped him grow in his knowledge, service and love of God. His grandfather gave him this principle - Obey God and leave all the consequences to him. He was married to Anna J. Stanley for more than 40 years. They had a son, Andy and a daughter Becky. They divorced on 11th May, 2000. Anna died on 10th November 2014. On 13th September 2020 he announced his retirement as senior pastor. He is now pastor emeritus. Charles does not believe in retirement so he continues to work, now aged 88, at In Touch ministries *It is the Word of God and the work of God that changes people’s lives * Dr Charles F. Stanley Sources used Meet Dr. Charles Stanley Wikipedia

Philip Ryken is an American theologian, Presbyterian minister, and academic administrator. He is the eighth and current president of Wheaton College in Wheaton , Illinois. He was born on the 29th September 1966. Degrees B.A. for English literature and Philosophy from Wheaton College 1988 M.D. for Divinity Westminster Theological Seminary 1992 D.Ph. in Historical theology University of Oxford 1995 Philip joined the pastoral staff of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia in 1995 and was promoted to senior pastor in 2000 on the death of James Boice. February 2010 Wheaton College of Board of Trustees announced his selection as their 8th president. He took office on 1st July 2010 and formally inaugurated on 17th September 2010 at Edman chapel. He is on the council of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals which features his preaching on its weekly radio and internet broadcast Every Last Word (See information on ACE and Every last Word Radio). He serves as a board member for the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities, the Gospel Coalition, the Lausanne Movement and the National Association of Evangelicals. He maintains a full schedule of speaking engagements on and off campus. He has written over 50 books on a variety of Christian subjects. He has also co-authored a series of commentaries on individual books of the Bible with R. Kent Hughes. Together with his father Leland and James Wilmoit they wrote Ryken’s Bible Handbook. He met his Lisa while they were students at Wheaton The couple have 5 children. I have included information about Wheaton College. Sources used Amazon Wheaton College Wikipedia

Andrew Purves is a Scottish theologian in the Reform tradition through the church of Scotland and later the Presbyterian Church USA. He is the Jean and Nancy Davis Professor Emeritus of Historical Theology at Pittsburgh Seminary Andrew was born in 1946 in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1978 he moved to the USA and ordained by the Philadelphia Presbytery in 1979. Degrees Philosophy and Divinity at University of Edinburgh Master of Theology form Duke Divinity School Doctor of Philosophy from University of Edinburgh He served as pastor at the Hebron Presbyterian Church in Clinton, Pennsylvania until 1983 when he began teaching at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (PTS). He retired from PTS after 32 years (2015). In addition to his academic work he has served the church and wider community though his work with the PC(USA) and lectureships around the world. He has written a number of publications, both books and articles, academic and popular. His primary concerns surround Christology - the branch of Theology concerned with the person, attributes and deeds of Jesus Christ. Recontructing pastoral Theology; A Christogical Foundation and Exploring Christology and Atonement:Conversations are two of his books. ( See Amazon sheet and ‘Purves has along list of publications’) He has become a leader of evangelical renewal in the Presbyterian Church of the USA (PC(USA) and is known for his conservative Christian views concerning the person and work of Jesus, ( See notes on PC(USA) ) He agrees with the withholding of ordination of self-avowed, practicing, unrepentant gays and lesbians. Andrew is married to Catherine (Cathy) Purves. They had 3 children.

James Porter Moreland ( born 9th March 1948), better known as J.P. Moreland, is an American philosopher, theologian and Christian apologist - a person concerned with the defence and rational justification of Christianity. He currently serves as a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University in La Mirada, California, He specializes in metaphysics - the system of first principles and assumptions underlying an inquiry or philosophical theory, philosophy of mind and Christian philosophy. Degrees He received a B.S. in physical chemistry from the University of Missouri. M.A. in Philosophy from the University of California, Riverside Th.M in Theology form Dallas Theological Seminary Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Southern California 1985 For 10 years he served with the Campus Crusade. He planted 2 Campus Crusade works and planted 2 churches James has spoken on over 200 college campuses and in 100s of churches. He has authored, edited, or contributed papers to 95 books. ( See ‘Works’ and ‘Amazon’) James has also published close to 90 articles He has had his work published in journals such as *Metaphilosophy and American Philosophically Quarterly. * He regularly contributes articles to Christianity Today, Faith and Philosophy, Philosophia Christi, and Philosophy Phenomenological Research. James has been a frequent guest on the PBS television series Closer to Truth. ( See sheet on ‘Closer to Truth’) He is a member of the Board of Advisers for the Center on Cultural and Civil Society (CCCS) at the Independent Institute. The purpose of CCCS is to bring together top scholars in their various fields to produce books, events and media programs for all to use. ( See notes on CCCS) James has received many awards and honors ( See ‘Awards and honors’} In 2016 J. P. Moreland was recognized by The Best Schools as being one of the 50 most influential living philosophers. A recognition well deserved. Sources Biola University Discovery Institute The Independent Institute TV Episodes/ Closer to Truth Wikipedia

Mark Dever is the senior pastor of the Capitol Hill Baptist Church (CHBC) in Washington D.C. He is the co-founder and president of 9Mark which was created to build biblically faithful churches in America. He earned a B.A. at Duke University, a M.A. in Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a M.A, in Theology form Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Dr of Philosophy from Cambridge University. Mark grew up in rural Kentucky and was an avid reader, reading sections from encyclopedias by the age of 10. Based on his reading and thoughts he considered himself an agnostic. Later he reread the Gospel and seeing the change in the life of Jesus’ disciples led him to becoming a Christian. In 1994 he became the senior pastor of CHBC. CHBC is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Mark believes that Baptist churches should be led by a plurality of congregational elders as opposed to a single elder. In 1998 Mark founded The Center for Church Reform which eventually became*9Mark The aim of 9Mark is to help Bible believing churches become more healthy by recovering a Biblical view of the church. The 9 marks are:- Expositional preaching Biblical Theology '' understanding of the gospel '' '' '' '' conversion '' '' '' '' evangelism '' '' '' '' membership '' church discipline Promotion of Christian discipleship and growth 9 .Biblical Understanding of church leadership ( See About 9Mark) Mark and CHBC also train church leaders an a small scale. Every year 12 interns pass through the church’s internship program that centers around ecclesiology. (See Notes for definition) He is a member of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals (ACE) where he leads the Alliance Forum. The ACE promotes the traditional doctrines of the Protestant Reformation especially Calvinism. (See Notes for more ACE info.) Mark has become more widely recognized among conservative evangelicals as he has appeared at large nationwide conferences. He co-founded the Together for the Gospel conference. Notes on Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals Ecclesiology - definition of Sources Wikipedia

Leland Ryken ( born 1942) has been a professor of English emeritus at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois for nearly 50 years. He edited the comprehensive Christian writing on literatureThe Christian Imagination He was the literary stylist for the English Standard Version of the Bible (2001) published by Crossway Bibles. He wrote How to Read the Bible as Literature *Words of Delight: A Literary Introduction to the Bible *** He co-edited *Ryken’s Bible Handbook ESV Literary Study Bible with his son Philip Leland was the literary content contributor to the ESV Study Bible released in 2008. Leland Ryken is now 80 years of age. (See also extensive ‘Bibliography’)