Stand Your Ground Ministries

Stand your Ground: the Youth Apologetics Conference

JULY 12-16th 2010

on the campus of Charlotte Christian School, 7301 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC

Registration is now open!!! Click here for your registration form.

The Youth Apologetics Conference is designed to give students evidences for the Christian faith. The seminars are taught by professional school teachers, as well as college and seminary professors. While the focus is the study of apologetics, students will also have time to develop new relationships, have small group interaction, worship with the student-led worship team, and play sports and other wild games.

NEW Video and Photos from the 2010 Youth Apologetics Conference!

Frank Turek explains his SURGE argument for God's existence

The Wolverines Vs. The Dust Bunnies

Michael Spicher challenges the students to consider God and Beauty

Crazy picture of Teen Apologetics Students

“Thank you for putting on a conference that helped me learn how to defend my faith and prove the Bible is true. The speakers did an awesome job keeping our attention and getting us involved.”
–Miana

“I had the most amazing time of my life. It was so life changing. Not that I was on the edge before but it really just helps you set your faith in stone and KNOW that everything is true and feel equipped to talk to anyone who wants to know/debate about it. It has been one of the most life changing things I have ever attended. Thank you so much for everything you put into this and I can't wait until next year!”
-Chelsea

“One of the most amazing facts I learned was on the first day when you gave the statistics of Christians who live by beliefs contrary to scripture. That explains quite a lot and it certainly justifies “preaching to the choir” – it made me realize that every Bible believing church should have an ongoing apologetics class.”
-Lisa, a parent/volunteer

Video and Photos from the 2009 Youth Apologetics Conference!

Dean Hardy, Brian Henson, and Dr. Norman Geisler

Dean Hardy, Brian Henson, and Dr. Norman Geisler

Rachel treats Dr. Norman Geisler like a Rock Star

Confirmed Speakers for 2010:

Hank Hanegraaff

Hank Hanegraaff serves as president and chairman of the board of the North Carolina-based Christian Research Institute International. He is also host of the Bible Answer Man radio program, which is broadcast daily across the United States and Canada-as well as around the world through the Internet at www.equip.org.

He will be speaking this year on: "Who did Jesus say he was?: A Comparison of Christian, Islamic, Judaistic and Cultist views of Jesus."

Click here for the Bible Answer Man's website!

Frank Turek

Frank Turek is a dynamic speaker and award-winning author. He has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs including: The O'Reilly Factor, Hannity and Colmes, Faith under Fire, Politically Incorrect, The Bible Answerman, and Focus on the Family. He has a doctorate in Apologetics and a Master's degree in Public Adminstration. A former Naval Aviator who served in the Pacific, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf, Frank conducts engaging presentations for Churches, Youth Events, Non-Profits, Universities, and Corporations.

Frank's amazing website!

Alex McFarland

As a speaker, writer, and advocate for Christian apologetics, Alex McFarland has spoken in hundreds of locations throughout the US. and abroad. He has been interviewed by Billy Graham's Decision radio broadcast, James Dobson (Focus On The Family radio), The New York Times, The Washington Post, Chuck Colson's Breakpoint broadcast, CBS, FOX, NBC news, (SRN) Salem Radio Network news, the Associated Press (AP) wire service, Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, the BBC, OK- Celebrity News Magazine, Prime Time America, Bible Broadcast Network, La Vie (France), Christianity Today, Charisma, On Mission, and by many other media outlets as well. Alex McFarland earned an M.A. in Christian Thought / Apologetics from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Southern Evangelical Seminary.

Alex's personal Website

Southern Evangelical Seminary's Website

Dean Hardy

Dean is the teacher of Christian Philosophy and Apologetics at Charlotte Christian School. Even though he was brought up in a strong Christian home, he questioned his faith during his college years. During this time of questioning, he came to the conclusion that Christianity was the only cohesive and rational religion. Since then he worked with Youth for Christ for three years, became a Christian school teacher, and received a masters in apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary. He has spoken at Intervarsity and FCA meetings, the ACSI and GCACS teachers conferences, was published in Areopagus Journal, and has authored the book entitled Stand Your Ground, published by Wipf and Stock.

Dean will be speaking on "The New Atheism and the proof for God’s Existence." The new atheists have publically argued that God is not good, that he is a delusion, and that religion poisons everything. Dean will explain and critique some of these arguments, while giving the basic arguments for the existence of God.

Brian Henson

Brian became a Christian his freshman year of college at East Carolina University. He majored in Religious Studies, History, and Anthropology. As a young Christian, his faith was severely challenged in the classroom. He soon learned the importance of defending his faith and dedicated his life to studying and teaching apologetics. He received a Masters in Biblical Archaeology from Wheaton College and attended Jerusalem University College in Israel. He is currently seeking a second Masters in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary. Brian has been teaching high school students for six years now. He has taught Old Testament, New Testament, Christian Theology, World Religions and Apologetics. He now lives in Matthews, NC with his wife Gabriela and teaches Bible full time at Charlotte Christian School.

Michael Spicher

Michael Spicher is a PhD candidate in philosophy at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Currently, he is working on his dissertation, which links political philosophy with aesthetics. He received his master’s degree in apologetics and philosophy from Southern Evangelical Seminary in 2004. He recently published an essay in the book, Transformers and Philosophy, and has a forthcoming article, “Medieval Theories of Aesthetics,” in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Ted Wright

Ted Wright is a professor at Southern Evangelical Bible College where he teaches Old Testament and Biblical Archaeology. In addition, Ted also teaches as an adjunct professor at New Life Theological Seminary in Charlotte where he teaches Apologetics, Christian ethics and Logic. Ted has a B.A. in anthropology and an M.A. in Christian apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary in Matthews. This year Ted will begin his PhD. work at the University of Wales in the UK.
Ted will be speaking on the subject of Anthropology at the Local University: What is it? How Should A Christian Student Respond? What is man? What is culture? What is society? What does it mean that humans communicate with language? What is Euro-centrism? Are all cultures essentially the same? Is there a "Christian" position on any of these questions? Does the Bible have anything to say about these questions? If you are planning on attending college then more than likely you will have a required class in either anthropology or sociology. Come to this session to be equipped and prepared to give an answer to one of the most important questions of all - "What is man?"

Simon Brace

Simon is the current Missions Director of Southern Evangelical Seminary. He has a MA in Apologetics and leads TEAM and RatioChristi in local, national and international work. Simon is married to Nel who is currently completing her MA in Philosophy at Southern Evangelical Seminary and they have a little girl Eva. Simon was born in Zimbabwe and grew up in South African and has travelled extensively.
Simon will be opening up our conference asking the simple question: "To Whom Does Your Mind Belong?"

Past Speakers:

Norman Geisler

Dr. Norman Geisler is the author or co-author of some 70 books and hundreds of articles. He has taught theology, philosophy, and apologetics on the college or graduate level for 50 years. He has spoken or debated in some 26 countries on six continents. He has a B.A, M.A., Th.B., and Ph.D (in philosophy). He has taught at some of the top Seminaries in the United States, including Trinity Evangelical and Dallas Seminary, and has been guest professor at numerous other schools. He and his wife Barbara live in the Charlotte, N.C. areas. He maintains an active writing, speaking, and lecturing ministry across the country.

Doug Beaumont

Doug Beaumont is a former skeptic who has spent time on both sides of the religion debate. He is currently a college instructor and is pursuing a Ph.D. in philosophy of religion at Southern Evangelical Seminary. Doug is the author of The Message Behind the Movies: Engaging the Film without Disengaging Your Faith (Moody Publishers, 2009 ), and has published works in T he Christian Apologetics Journal, The Baker Dictionary of North American Cults, The Teen Apologetics Bible, and was one of the only Protestant contributors to The Best of Catholic Writing (2006).

Dr. Paul Copan

Paul Copan is the Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL.

Click HERE to visit Paul's website for more great information on one of the foremost apologists of our time!

Derwin Gray

Derwin "Dewey " Gray is a native of San Antonio, Texas. In 1988, Dewey received first team All-State honors in football at Converse Judson High School in Converse, Texas. In college (BYU), he was an All-American and a Jim Thorpe Award nominee for the best defensive back in college football (1992). Dewey was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts as the 92nd selection in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL draft. He played five seasons with the Colts and one season with the Carolina Panthers. Derwin was nominated twice for the Pro Bowl in his six-year NFL career and served as one of the team captains on the 1995-1996 Indianapolis Colts team that advanced to the AFC Championship game.

Click here for Derwin's Notes on his presentation!

Alex McFarland at the Youth Apologetics Conference

Frank Turek at the Youth Apologetics Conference

Travis says, "Thanks for stopping by! Come see us again!"

The Youth Apologetics Conference is Officially Sponsored by: