A Devotional from Christianity Today

Brian Boecker (MA, LPC) is a trauma-informed therapist who guides clinical soul care intensives for individuals and couples with Restoring the Soul in Colorado.

Brook Chalfant is a senior writer for Dave Ramsey's EntreLeadership small-business division. She is also a Bible teacher and an adjunct professor of psychology at Regent University, where she gratefully served as editorial director for more than 16 years.

Caleb Campbell is a pastor in Phoenix, AZ, and the author of Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor. He is the founder of Disarming Leviathan Ministries and is the founding director of the J29 Coalition.

Wife, mother, and grandmother committed to serve individuals and families through ministry, counseling, and mentoring. Experienced as a children’s and women’s ministry pastor, rehabilitation counselor, homeschool educator, and counselor for children and families.

Cole Huffman is the Pastor of Missions and Church Planting at Living Hope Church in Piperton, Tennessee. He is the author of He Made the Stars Also.

Dave Gibson (ThM, DMin Dallas Theological Seminary) is a retired Bible college instructor, pastor, and international missionary. Dave and Kathi have been married for 52 years and have three children and eleven grandchildren. Dave has written three books and his ministry has taken him to 40 countries. Dave is retired in Eagle, Idaho but according to his wife he is "not very good at retirement," as he continues to preach, lead Bible studies, consult with local churches, and lead evangelistic missions trips to various countries.

Delaney Baker is a Nashville-based musician, composer, and teacher. He tours extensively with Country music artists and when he’s not on the road he can be found in rehearsal studios mentoring the next generation of performers.

Doug Powell received an MA in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, has done postgraduate work on the Shroud of Turin through the Athenium Pontificio Regina Apostolorum, and is a PhD candidate in Systematic Theology at South African Theological Seminary. He is the author of more than a dozen books on apologetics, including the best-selling Ultimate Guide to Defend Your Faith. In addition, he is the creator of the Graham Eliot series of biblical archaeological thrillers. As a musician and songwriter, he has released nine albums and performed on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, CNN, and NPR.

Dylan Musser (MA, Dallas Theological Seminary) is the College Director for his church, Immanuel Nashville. Dylan also serves as a cultural engagement fellow at The Hendricks Center for Cultural Engagement, and has written for Christianity Today and The Gospel Coalition. Dylan and his wife, Macy, live in Nashville with their 3 children.

James Hoxworth is husband to Sarah, and dad to Michael, Molly, and Brady. He has served in churches for over 20 years and currently serves as the Lead Pastor at The Bridge Church at Bear Creek in Lakewood, Colorado.

Dr. James R. Womack, PhD, is a pastor at Destiny Church, a leadership strategist, an educator, and co-founder with Cynthia Womack of Maximizing Life. He equips churches, schools, and leaders through biblical wisdom, organizational strategy, AI innovation, and high-performance coaching that produces measurable, lasting transformation and impact.

Jim has served as a pastor at Grace Church in Greenville, SC for the past twenty years. In his spare time, he writes flash fiction about humanity’s condition apart from God.

John Jay Alvaro is a pastor in Pasadena, CA where he leads the community of First Baptist Church. He also works with men at the intersection of masculinity, embodiment and spirituality.

Jon Nitta is the Pastor of Soul Care at Calvary Church in Valparaiso, Indiana for thirteen years after lengthy stints with a church in Fullerton, CA and Campus Crusade for Christ. He has been married to his wife, Kay, for thirty-six years and they have two boys.

Judy Nelson Lewis is a spiritual director, writer and retreat leader. Her book EXHALE is available at online retailers. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and their puppy, Biscuit.

Karie Lee has served on the leadership team at her local church for the last seven years as Bible Study Coordinator, writing seven inductive studies with the most recent being Strongholds: Heart | Soul | Mind.

Kelli Petrik is currently the Director of Women’s Ministry at The Vail Church in Avon, Colorado.  She and her husband of 38 years have raised 5 children and have followed the Lord in ministry all over the world.

Laurie Newman (MLA, Harvard University Ext.) is a writer, wife, mother and Lolly. She lives in Tennessee with her husband where she serves the women’s ministry of her local church.

Matthew Erickson is the Senior Pastor of Eastbrook Church, an urban, multiracial church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the author of The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry. He is married to Kelly, who operates her own spiritual direction practice, and they have together poured into pastors and others in ministry.

Miriam Walsh (Master's, Dallas Theological Seminary) is a Coach with Tin Man Ministries. She teaches women in church and parachurch settings, focusing on gospel clarity and the spiritual formation of leaders.

Dr. Martin serves as the President and CEO of Christianity Today. She is the founder and Executive Director of Soulfire International Ministries, which accelerates thriving for pastors, churches, and younger leaders. She is also active in her local congregation in Maryland at Kingdom Fellowship AME Church.

Phil Herndon is the clinical director of Tin Man Ministries, an internationally recognized organization that disciples and equips leaders to fulfill their calling, and is the co-author of Emotions Unveiled: A Bible Study Exploring the Depths of the Heart in Scripture.

Taylor Combs (PhD, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is lead pastor of King’s Cross Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and author of The One We’re Waiting For. You can read more of his work by subscribing to his newsletter, “East and Eden.”

Tim Gioia is the pastor of Christian Fellowship Free Church in Chicago, Illinois. He is the husband to Sarah, the dad to Benjamin and Sophia, and enjoys watching a thunderstorm roll in from his garage.

Tom Shirk has been a pastor for forty years.  He serves today as Pastor Emeritus at Calvary Bible Church in Boulder, Colorado, where he has ministered since 1992.

Monty Waldron heads up CT Leaders at Christianity Today and put together this year's Advent guide. He's the author of The Connected Life. Married 35 years, 4 kids, 11 grandkids — and still chasing trail miles, good coffee, and better ice cream.