2017
Speakers
Individuals from a variety of backgrounds who shared their wisdom and experience on the relationship between faith and calling.
Dr. Robert E. Braylock is a child of God and joint-heir with Christ. He is a native of Cleveland Heights, OH and came to Findlay in 2007 to study at the University of Findlay (UF). Dr. Braylock graduated with a bachelor of science in 2012 and with his doctorate of pharmacy in 2016. During his time as a student, he worked very closely with the Office of Intercultural Student Services (ISS), including serving two years as its graduate assistant. Dr. Braylock currently serves as the director of ISS and practices pharmacy part-time. In his role at UF, Dr. Braylock enjoys engaging with students through discussions and programs that encourage them to consider other perspectives and experiences. He is blessedly married to Jasmine, his companion, and wife by covenant, and they have one energetic and loving child.
Dr. Adrienne Goss is a professor in the Department of Education at Ohio Northern University and was recently appointed as the university’s Director of Teacher Education. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies at Georgia State University. Her research focuses on parent and community involvement in schools and the effects of educational policy on marginalized communities. Dr. Goss taught middle and high school mathematics for 12 years before transitioning to higher education. She has served on multiple short-term mission projects both within the U.S. and abroad and is passionate about deepening her understanding of people from diverse backgrounds. Alongside her husband, Dr. Goss volunteers regularly in the children’s ministry at CedarCreek Church.
Marlena Graves is the author of A Beautiful Disaster: Finding Hope in the Midst of Brokenness (Brazos Press 2014). Hearts and Minds Books awarded it the Best Book on Spiritual Formation by a First Time Writer (2014). Marlena is also a bylined writer for Christianity Today and Our Daily Bread Ministries. She has written for many other venues including Relevant, the 2016 NIV Bible For Women, and the forthcoming (In)courage Women's Bible. She is the Director of Adult Discipleship at Maumee United Methodist Church, and occasionally teaches discipleship and spiritual formation courses at Winebrenner Theological Seminary. She lives in Toledo with her husband and three daughters.
Dr. Matt Stolick is Chair of the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy and Professor of Philosophy at The University of Findlay, where he has taught for 19 years. He earned his BA from Westminster College (PA) and MA, Ph.D. from University of Tennessee-Knoxville. His main professional organization is the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE), and annually is a moderator and judge at the National Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl, organizes the Ohio Regional High School Ethics Bowl, and generally considers himself one who specializes in applied ethics, theoretical ethics, and especially healthcare ethics and sports ethics. He is married to Randi and they have four children (Van-15, Simone-13, Moses-11, and Solomon-4).
Dr. Song-Chong Lee is an associate professor of the Religious Studies and Philosophy Department. He is currently chair of the Asian Religion section of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the American Academy of Religion. Dr. Lee earned his Ph.D. degree from Temple University. His scholarly and teaching interests include Indian religions, Neo-Confucianism, religion and politics and Korean Christianity. He teaches the courses for the Comparative Religion Emphasis in the department's curriculum, along with Introduction to Religion and Philosophy courses. In 2012, Dr. Lee was invited to a prestigious Wabash Center Workshop: 2012-2013 Teaching and Learning Workshop for Pre-Tenured Religion Faculty in Colleges and Universities, and he was awarded in 2013 a $5,000 Summer Research Fellowship by the Wabash Center, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. for his proposal "A Philosophical Problem of the Korean Church's Missiological Use of Sports."
Jim Smarkel serves as Director of Enrollment Theological Management at Winebrenner Seminary. A native of Northwestern Ohio, and alumnus of The University of Findlay (BA, MBA) and Winebrenner Seminary (MA), Jim has been privileged to serve professionally in higher education, social services, and pastoral and social justice ministry. Married to Lee Ann for twenty-nine years, Jim has two college-age daughters, Abigail and Sarah. Jim has served in various community programs, including the Findlay/Hancock County Salvation Army, Ohio Association of Senior Centers, Findlay Rotary, Young Miss Softball, Findlay Soccer Club, YMCA Basketball League, Northwest Hoopstars Basketball Club, and Findlay High School Girls Basketball. Jim's passion is high quality equipping, transformation, and servant-leadership of all disciples of Jesus Christ.
Crystal Weitz graduated from Ohio Northern University with a B.S.B.A. in International Business and Economics and a B.A. in Music and French. She received her M.B.A. from The University of Findlay. Crystal is the Director of Service and Community Engagement at UF. She has worked in the volunteer and service-learning field for 13 years. Crystal is interested in creating mutually beneficial partnerships based on meeting community needs, while creating learning experiences for students and community members alike. Crystal is also the adviser of UF Habitat for Humanity and co-adviser of Oilers Serving Abroad. Crystal and her husband, Craig, are leaders of The Catalyst Church’s music team in Findlay, OH.
2016
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Speakers
Individuals from a variety of backgrounds who shared their wisdom and experience on the relationship between faith and calling.
Matt Ginter
Pastor Matt Ginter serves as director of Christian Ministries at the University of Findlay. Having completed degrees in both history and Christian thought at Grove City College, Matt then earned his masters of divinity at Winebrenner Theological Seminary. He has served local congregations in a pastoral capacity for the past seven years, recently transitioning to full-time collegiate ministry. In his time at the University of Findlay, religious life has flourished, multiplying to include hundreds of students on a regular basis. Combined with years of experience serving at summer church camps, Pastor Matt brings a definite passion for interacting with young adults on questions of faith, life and calling.
Shawn Graves
Dr. Graves earned his doctorate in philosophy from the University of Rochester and has published articles in journals such as Oxford Studies in Philosophy of Religion, Faith and Philosophy and Journal of Philosophical Research in addition to contributing chapters for several books. He has a forthcoming co-edited book on Christian pacifism and nonviolence. Dr. Graves has presented work at numerous professional conferences, including meetings of the Society of Christian Philosophers, the Society for the Study of Christian Ethics, the Baylor Symposium on Faith and Culture, the Evangelical Philosophical Society, the American Academy of Religion, and the Knowledge, Belief, and Normativity Project. Dr. Graves serves as Chair of the Midwest Region of the Evangelical Philosophical Society. Dr. Graves and his wife, Marlena, and their three young daughters worship at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in downtown Findlay, where Marlena serves as minister of pastoral care.
Brent Sleasman
Dr. Sleasman earned his doctorate in rhetoric at Duquesne University and began his term as President of Winebrenner Theological Seminary on Dec. 1, 2015. His most recent publications explore various aspects of the study of the philosophy of communication including the examination of the role of a translator in an international classroom setting and the contemporary significance of the rise of the Evangelical mass media in the late twentieth century. Dr. Sleasman has presented work at the National Communication Ethics Conference and National Philosophy of Communication conference as well as numerous professional conferences, including meetings of the National Communication Association, the Eastern Communication Association and the Notre Dame Center for Ethics & Culture. Dr. Sleasman, his wife Julie, and their three children worship at College First: Winebrenner.
Marlena Graves
Marlena Graves is the author of A Beautiful Disaster: Finding Hope in the Midst of Brokenness (Brazos Press 2014). Hearts and Minds Books awarded it the Best Book on Spiritual Formation by a First Time Writer 2014. Marlena is also a bylined writer for Christianity Today and Our Daily Bread Ministries. She has written for many other venues including Relevant, and the 2016 NIV Bible For Women. She is the Minister of Pastoral Care at St. Andrews United Methodist Church and occasionally teaches spiritual formation courses at Winebrenner Theological Seminary. She lives in Findlay with her husband and their three daughters.
Song-Chong Lee
Dr. Song-Chong Lee is an associate professor of the Religious Studies and Philosophy Department at UF. He is currently chair of the Asian Religion section of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the American Academy of Religion. Dr. Lee earned his Ph.D. from Temple University. His scholarly and teaching interests include Indian religions, Neo-Confucianism, religion and politics and Korean Christianity. He teaches the courses for the Comparative Religion Emphasis in the department's curriculum, along with Introduction to Religion and Philosophy courses. In 2012, Dr. Lee was invited to a prestigious Wabash Center Workshop: 2012-2013 Teaching and Learning Workshop for Pre-Tenured Religion Faculty in Colleges and Universities, and he was awarded in 2013 a $5,000 Summer Research Fellowship by the Wabash Center, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. for his proposal “A Philosophical Problem of the Korean Church’s Missiological Use of Sports.”
Carmille Akande
Carmille Akande graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a B.A. in political science. She received her law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio and the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Ohio. Ms. Akande has served as an assistant prosecuting attorney with Montgomery County and the City of Dayton. She currently serves as a staff attorney for Lucas County Children Services advocating for children who are abused, neglected and dependent. Ms. Akande is amazed by the love of God and lives to share the love of Christ with others. She is an attorney who longs to serve the lost and “least of these.” She walks with those who are “broken” and helps lead them on a path of healing. Ms. Akande has served as a short-term missionary to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Ghana, West Africa.
Jerilyn Cox
Jerilyn Cox is a registered nurse who works in inner-city public health in Washington, DC and serves as a lead action corps volunteer organizer with Oxfam America. Although she’s currently rooted in the DC area, Jerilyn grew up in the Philippines and Papua New Guinea as the child of missionary parents. She started telling stories at the age of six while standing by her parents’ display table in the back of Midwestern churches. As she grew older and learned more about the world and the Christian faith, her stories changed from tales of exotic pets and climbing waterfalls to compelling stories of real life all around the world. Jerilyn received her B.S. in Nursing from Cedarville University in 2014 and worked on a maternal and child health project in Haiti after graduation. Her goal is to tell stories that spark questions and help us think creatively about faith and vocation.