H.1 - PEOPLE FILES
- Thomas Hammond - Hank Hanegraaff - Collin Hansen - Lisa Sharon Harper - Fred Harrell - Caroline Harries - Joshua Harris -
===thomas hammond======
Thomas Hammond is executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. Previously, he served as the lead pastor of Alpharetta First Baptist Church from 2013-2018. For several years during his leadership, Alpharetta First Baptist ranked among the top 10% of the fastest-growing churches in the Georgia Baptist Convention, planted three churches, began a Latino and Persian ministry, and increased their giving through the Cooperative Program from 1% to 6%. With a heart for evangelism, Rev. Hammond led Alpharetta First Baptist to baptize over 250 people. Prior to coming to Alpharetta First Baptist, Rev. Hammond served as vice president for Convention Advancement with the SBC Executive Committee; senior director of Church Evangelism with the North American Mission Board; director of missions at the Metrolina Baptist Association in Charlotte, North Carolina; minister of evangelism at Hebron Baptist Church, Dacula, Georgia; and evangelism associate at the Ohio Baptist Convention.
April 18, 2023: Baptist Press: SBC leaders, former presidents react to death of Charles Stanley
“Dr. Stanley’s unwavering devotion to preach God’s Word without compromise had a tremendous impact on my life during my most formative years. His commitment to the inerrancy of Scripture fortified the resolve of many during one of the most pivotal seasons of the Southern Baptist Convention. Charles Stanley was truly America’s pastor for nearly five decades.”--Thomas Hammond, executive director-treasurer, Georgia Baptist Mission Board
“Dr. Stanley’s unwavering devotion to preach God’s Word without compromise had a tremendous impact on my life during my most formative years. His commitment to the inerrancy of Scripture fortified the resolve of many during one of the most pivotal seasons of the Southern Baptist Convention. Charles Stanley was truly America’s pastor for nearly five decades.”--Thomas Hammond, executive director-treasurer, Georgia Baptist Mission Board
===Hank Hanegraaff======
Thomas Nelson (June 7, 2012)
These are not obscure teachers that Hanegraaff unmasks. We know their names. We have seen their faces, sat in their churches, and heard them shamelessly preach and promote the false pretexts of a give-to-get gospel. They are virtual rock stars who command the attention of presidential candidates and media moguls. Through make-believe miracles, urban legends, counterfeit Christs, and twisted theological reasoning, they peddle an occult brand of metaphysics that continues to shipwreck the faith of millions around the globe:
“God cannot do anything in this earthly realm unless we give Him permission.”
“Keep saying it—‘I have equality with God’—talk yourself into it.”
“Being poor is a sin.”
“The Jews were not rejecting Jesus as Messiah; it was Jesus who was refusing to be the Messiah to the Jews!”
“You create your own world the same way God creates His. He speaks, and things happen; you speak, and they happen.”
Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century exposes darkness to light, pointing us back to a Christianity centered in Christ.
From the Preface:
“Having lost the ability to think biblically, postmodern Christians are being transformed from cultural change agents and initiators into cultural conformists and imitators. Pop culture beckons, and postmodern Christians have taken the bait. As a result, the biblical model of faith has given way to an increasingly bizarre array of fads and formulas.”
“God cannot do anything in this earthly realm unless we give Him permission.”
“Keep saying it—‘I have equality with God’—talk yourself into it.”
“Being poor is a sin.”
“The Jews were not rejecting Jesus as Messiah; it was Jesus who was refusing to be the Messiah to the Jews!”
“You create your own world the same way God creates His. He speaks, and things happen; you speak, and they happen.”
Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century exposes darkness to light, pointing us back to a Christianity centered in Christ.
From the Preface:
“Having lost the ability to think biblically, postmodern Christians are being transformed from cultural change agents and initiators into cultural conformists and imitators. Pop culture beckons, and postmodern Christians have taken the bait. As a result, the biblical model of faith has given way to an increasingly bizarre array of fads and formulas.”
==collin hansen======
May 9, 2023: Anxious Bench: The Evangelical Conversion Narrative of Molly Worthen
Earlier today, Tuesday May 9, Collin Hansen released an interview with historian Molly Worthen on his podcast, Gospel Bound. What unfolded in the interview was the surprising narrative of Molly Worthen’s evangelical conversion to Christianity.
Earlier today, Tuesday May 9, Collin Hansen released an interview with historian Molly Worthen on his podcast, Gospel Bound. What unfolded in the interview was the surprising narrative of Molly Worthen’s evangelical conversion to Christianity.
Feb 7, 2023: Religion News: New Tim Keller Center for Apologetics hopes to help churches reach a changing country
“This is the largest and fastest transformation of religion in American history,” said Collin Hansen, vice president for content and editorial director for the Gospel Coalition, an evangelical group that produces resources for churches. “The demographics don’t suggest any positive turn around the corner.”
That reality led Hansen and his colleagues to launch the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, a new initiative designed to help pastors and other Christian leaders adapt to a “post-Christendom culture.” Named for influential evangelical writer the Rev. Tim Keller, founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, the center hopes to support “a new generation of bold evangelists and effective apologists who will communicate the unchanging gospel for a changing world.”
“This is the largest and fastest transformation of religion in American history,” said Collin Hansen, vice president for content and editorial director for the Gospel Coalition, an evangelical group that produces resources for churches. “The demographics don’t suggest any positive turn around the corner.”
That reality led Hansen and his colleagues to launch the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, a new initiative designed to help pastors and other Christian leaders adapt to a “post-Christendom culture.” Named for influential evangelical writer the Rev. Tim Keller, founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, the center hopes to support “a new generation of bold evangelists and effective apologists who will communicate the unchanging gospel for a changing world.”
==lisa sharon harper=========
Lisa Sharon Harper, a former Sojourners columnist, is the founder and president of Freedom Road and author of Fortune and The Very Good Gospel. Her first book, Evangelical Does Not Equal Republican…or Democrat, offers a power-packed look at the roots of evangelical faith, how evangelicals strayed so far from those roots, and what is bringing them back. Her second book, Left, Right & Christ: Evangelical Faith in Politics, was co-written with D.C. Innes (an evangelical Republican who is also a Tea-Partier). Harper and Innes explore their philosophies of government and business, as well as six major issues that the next generation of evangelicals must wrestle with to be faithful witnesses in the public square. Harper co-founded and co-directed the Envision 2008: The Gospel, Politics, and the Future conference on the campus of Princeton University (June 2008) and co-chaired the Envision 2011: Caring for the Community of Creation: Environmental Justice, Climate Change, and Prophetic Witness symposium in New York City (June 2011). She was the recipient of Sojourners’ inaugural Organizers Award and the Harlem “Sisters of Wisdom” Award. She was celebrated on Rick Warren’s website purposedriven.com as one of the inaugural “Take Action Heroes,” and was recently named fifth among the “13 Religious Women to Watch in 2012” by the Center for American Progress. She earned her master’s in human rights from Columbia University in New York City. Harper serves on the board of directors of the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good and is a member of Metro Hope Church in New York City, an Evangelical Covenant Church.
Church at the Crossroads highlights story of Palestinian Christians
Last month, pastors, theologians, thought leaders and Christians gathered in Chicago for a rare and urgent assembly. The event, called Church at the Crossroads, was led by Palestinian Christians and drew together voices across evangelical, Mainline, Catholic and ecumenical traditions. Its premise was stark: The church stands at a defining moment. As violence escalates in Israel and Palestine (and as some Christians continue to use Scripture to justify war, occupation or silence), the church faces a searing question that will mark its witness for generations: “What kind of church will we be in the face of genocide?” Over the course of the three-day conference, 800 attendees (in-person and online) heard from a robust line-up of speakers that included Jemar Tisby, Lisa Sharon Harper, Anton Deik, Fares Abraham, Shane Claiborne, Lamma Mansour, Brian Zahnd, Ruth Padilla DeBorst and Munther Isaac. (Baptist News Global 10/14/25) READ MORE>>>>>
Last month, pastors, theologians, thought leaders and Christians gathered in Chicago for a rare and urgent assembly. The event, called Church at the Crossroads, was led by Palestinian Christians and drew together voices across evangelical, Mainline, Catholic and ecumenical traditions. Its premise was stark: The church stands at a defining moment. As violence escalates in Israel and Palestine (and as some Christians continue to use Scripture to justify war, occupation or silence), the church faces a searing question that will mark its witness for generations: “What kind of church will we be in the face of genocide?” Over the course of the three-day conference, 800 attendees (in-person and online) heard from a robust line-up of speakers that included Jemar Tisby, Lisa Sharon Harper, Anton Deik, Fares Abraham, Shane Claiborne, Lamma Mansour, Brian Zahnd, Ruth Padilla DeBorst and Munther Isaac. (Baptist News Global 10/14/25) READ MORE>>>>>
Jan 6, 2023: Red Letter Christians: January 6 Shows Us the Path to Religious Freedom is Not Christian Nationalism
Political pundits will fine tooth comb the January 6 committee’s highly anticipated report. As faith leaders, that is not our job. Our work is to reach into the moral conscience of our country, into the core values we share. Among those is freedom and among those blessed freedoms, our much-cherished freedom of religion.
Freedom of religion thrives in a strong and vibrant democracy and ours is currently under assault by an authoritarian faction that claims to value freedom of religion—as long it’s theirs. Cloaked in the cross, white Christian Nationalists were visible and violent during the January 6 Capitol Hill insurgency against the peaceful transfer of power. They have made it abundantly clear that they are willing to take away a breathtaking range of rights in the name of their faith. That is neither religion nor is it freedom.
Lisa Sharon Harper, President and Founder, Freedom Road
Author of Fortune: How Race Broke My Family And The World—And How To Repair It All
Political pundits will fine tooth comb the January 6 committee’s highly anticipated report. As faith leaders, that is not our job. Our work is to reach into the moral conscience of our country, into the core values we share. Among those is freedom and among those blessed freedoms, our much-cherished freedom of religion.
Freedom of religion thrives in a strong and vibrant democracy and ours is currently under assault by an authoritarian faction that claims to value freedom of religion—as long it’s theirs. Cloaked in the cross, white Christian Nationalists were visible and violent during the January 6 Capitol Hill insurgency against the peaceful transfer of power. They have made it abundantly clear that they are willing to take away a breathtaking range of rights in the name of their faith. That is neither religion nor is it freedom.
Lisa Sharon Harper, President and Founder, Freedom Road
Author of Fortune: How Race Broke My Family And The World—And How To Repair It All
Sept 19, 2021: Brethren Newsline: Lisa Sharon Harper takes NOAC along on a journey wrestling with identity
n 2003, Lisa Sharon Harper undertook a journey to wrestle with her identity. The journey took her along the Trail of Tears as well as into the heart of slavery in the American South.
Mar 20, 2015: Lisa Sharon Harper: Christian Post: Progressive Christian Leaders Pen Open Letter to Franklin Graham Over Racial Reconciliation
Mar 19, 2015: Lisa Sharon Harper: Sojourners: An Open Letter to Franklin Graham
Aug 25, 2014: Lisa Sharon Harper: Christianity Today: It's Time to Listen: "The Lie," a guest post by Lisa Sharon Harper
n 2003, Lisa Sharon Harper undertook a journey to wrestle with her identity. The journey took her along the Trail of Tears as well as into the heart of slavery in the American South.
Mar 20, 2015: Lisa Sharon Harper: Christian Post: Progressive Christian Leaders Pen Open Letter to Franklin Graham Over Racial Reconciliation
Mar 19, 2015: Lisa Sharon Harper: Sojourners: An Open Letter to Franklin Graham
Aug 25, 2014: Lisa Sharon Harper: Christianity Today: It's Time to Listen: "The Lie," a guest post by Lisa Sharon Harper
==Fred Harrell======== |
Rev. Fred Harrell founded City Church San Francisco in 1996 andserves as the faith community’s senior pastor. In this role, Rev. Fred Harrell preaches the Christian gospel, visits members, and oversees the church’s staff.
The Rev. Fred O. Harrell is a native of Central Florida and is a graduate of the University of Florida (degree in economics) and Reformed Theological Seminary (graduate degree in theology and pastoral care). Before coming to San Francisco, he founded and led a university-based ministry designed to answer the questions of thoughtful seekers and to equip Christians for transformational ministries in and through the church. He and his wife, Terely, have been married since 1986, and they have four children.
The Rev. Fred O. Harrell is a native of Central Florida and is a graduate of the University of Florida (degree in economics) and Reformed Theological Seminary (graduate degree in theology and pastoral care). Before coming to San Francisco, he founded and led a university-based ministry designed to answer the questions of thoughtful seekers and to equip Christians for transformational ministries in and through the church. He and his wife, Terely, have been married since 1986, and they have four children.
Al Mohler’s Disingenuous Distancing from His “Dear Friend” Joshua Harris
One of the unlikely people heavily influenced by Keller’s passion for urban church planting is Fred Harrell, founding pastor of City Church in San Francisco. “It is widely documented that Tim and I had fundamental disagreements on two crucial issues: the inclusion of women in ministry and the affirmation of LGBTQ persons. I have plenty to say about that for another time. Today I’m remembering and honoring his impact on me and the church I founded,” Harrell wrote in an online post. “His vision to see the importance of bringing gospel ministry to cities was not a popular idea in the late ’80s. His concept of ‘applying the gospel,’ while problematic in some respects, is dynamic in others and has shaped an entire generation of male pastors. His philosophy of ‘preaching to the empty seats,’ which revolutionized how I and countless others communicated, motivated people to invite their friends to church. His concept of ‘a contextualized communication of the gospel’ was made more mainstream and that is still sorely needed in all expressions of Christian faith today.
“His commitment to social justice, while not prophetic enough for many, was still at the tip of the spear in his own tribe, and predictably got him scapegoated by the ultra-right in the PCA.” Harrell explained: “I was shaped profoundly by Tim Keller. The first time I ever heard him preach was like lightning. I’ve often thought of that day as my ‘vocational conversion’. I never preached another sermon the same way after that one day. It was at the Church of the Advent Hope in 1992. The sermon was on Genesis 3. From that moment, it was evident that I was witnessing the emergence of a preacher who would go on to be regarded as one of the greatest in conservative Christianity. The Chrysostom of his era. (Baptist News Global 5/22/23) READ MORE>>>>>
One of the unlikely people heavily influenced by Keller’s passion for urban church planting is Fred Harrell, founding pastor of City Church in San Francisco. “It is widely documented that Tim and I had fundamental disagreements on two crucial issues: the inclusion of women in ministry and the affirmation of LGBTQ persons. I have plenty to say about that for another time. Today I’m remembering and honoring his impact on me and the church I founded,” Harrell wrote in an online post. “His vision to see the importance of bringing gospel ministry to cities was not a popular idea in the late ’80s. His concept of ‘applying the gospel,’ while problematic in some respects, is dynamic in others and has shaped an entire generation of male pastors. His philosophy of ‘preaching to the empty seats,’ which revolutionized how I and countless others communicated, motivated people to invite their friends to church. His concept of ‘a contextualized communication of the gospel’ was made more mainstream and that is still sorely needed in all expressions of Christian faith today.
“His commitment to social justice, while not prophetic enough for many, was still at the tip of the spear in his own tribe, and predictably got him scapegoated by the ultra-right in the PCA.” Harrell explained: “I was shaped profoundly by Tim Keller. The first time I ever heard him preach was like lightning. I’ve often thought of that day as my ‘vocational conversion’. I never preached another sermon the same way after that one day. It was at the Church of the Advent Hope in 1992. The sermon was on Genesis 3. From that moment, it was evident that I was witnessing the emergence of a preacher who would go on to be regarded as one of the greatest in conservative Christianity. The Chrysostom of his era. (Baptist News Global 5/22/23) READ MORE>>>>>
Dec 5, 2022: Fred Harrell: Reformed Journal: Curiosity and How Listening and Learning Transformed My Life in Ministry
July 1, 2015: Politico: I’m Gay, Christian—And No Longer an Outcast
Fred Harrell, City Church’s senior pastor, invited me to spend a full day with his staff team a few days before San Francisco Pride.
Mar 16, 2015: Religious News Service: Prominent San Francisco evangelical church drops celibacy requirement for LGBT members
“We will no longer discriminate based on sexual orientation and demand lifelong celibacy as a precondition for joining,” senior pastor Fred Harrell Sr. and six board members of City Church, one of the largest members of the Reformed Church in America denomination, wrote in a letter emailed to members Friday (March 13).
Fred Harrell, City Church’s senior pastor, invited me to spend a full day with his staff team a few days before San Francisco Pride.
Mar 16, 2015: Religious News Service: Prominent San Francisco evangelical church drops celibacy requirement for LGBT members
“We will no longer discriminate based on sexual orientation and demand lifelong celibacy as a precondition for joining,” senior pastor Fred Harrell Sr. and six board members of City Church, one of the largest members of the Reformed Church in America denomination, wrote in a letter emailed to members Friday (March 13).
Jan 21, 2021: Baptist News: These churches will resume in-person gatherings only when it’s safe for all
“Rather than looking for some date, we are values-driven about when and how we will resume in-person gatherings,” Harrell said. “That includes data and guidance from scientists, and we are also driven by the value of inclusivity. We are reticent to pick and choose who can participate: Until larger gatherings are permitted, we can’t imagine getting together.”
“Rather than looking for some date, we are values-driven about when and how we will resume in-person gatherings,” Harrell said. “That includes data and guidance from scientists, and we are also driven by the value of inclusivity. We are reticent to pick and choose who can participate: Until larger gatherings are permitted, we can’t imagine getting together.”
==caroline harries======
Caroline Harries
“Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
WEARY = The command to “not grow weary” warns us that succumbing to weariness will be a temptation while waiting. For more see Luke 18:1, 2 Cor 4:1, 2 The 3:13
IN DUE TIME = Just like for any farmer, there is a proper season to reap a harvest after planting seeds. There is a process including planting, watering and more!
HARVEST = The harvest is produced from the seeds sown. You are responsible for what you produce based on what you sow. For more see Galatians 6:7-8.
IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP = “If” indicates the harvest isn’t guaranteed. Growing weary and giving up will prevent the harvest from happening. --Caroline Harries; In Due Time
WEARY = The command to “not grow weary” warns us that succumbing to weariness will be a temptation while waiting. For more see Luke 18:1, 2 Cor 4:1, 2 The 3:13
IN DUE TIME = Just like for any farmer, there is a proper season to reap a harvest after planting seeds. There is a process including planting, watering and more!
HARVEST = The harvest is produced from the seeds sown. You are responsible for what you produce based on what you sow. For more see Galatians 6:7-8.
IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP = “If” indicates the harvest isn’t guaranteed. Growing weary and giving up will prevent the harvest from happening. --Caroline Harries; In Due Time
==joshua harris=====
Joshua Eugene Harris is an American former Evangelical Christian pastor. Harris' 1997 book I Kissed Dating Goodbye, in which he laid out his ideas concerning a Biblically based Christian approach to dating and relationships, helped shape purity culture for many Christian millennials. Harris was lead pastor of Covenant Life Church, the founding church of Sovereign Grace Ministries, in Gaithersburg, Maryland from 2004 until 2015. In 2018, Harris disavowed I Kissed Dating Goodbye and discontinued its publication. The following year, Harris announced that he was separating from his wife, had "undergone a massive shift in regard to my faith in Jesus" and had given up on his Christian faith.
Joshua Harris Shares ‘Updated Version’ of His ‘I Kissed Dating Goodbye’ Apology on Instagram
Clear & Loud founder Joshua Harris has published on Instagram “an updated version” of his statement apologizing for how his book, “I Kissed Dating Goodbye,” harmed people. Harris originally published his apology in 2018 when he stopped publication of his bestselling book. “I originally shared this statement on my website in 2018, but I’ve never shared it on Instagram,” said Harris in the caption of his post. “I still get asked why my thinking on I Kissed Dating Goodbye changed, so I wanted to share an updated version of [the] full statement with you on these slides.” (Church Leaders 12/19/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Clear & Loud founder Joshua Harris has published on Instagram “an updated version” of his statement apologizing for how his book, “I Kissed Dating Goodbye,” harmed people. Harris originally published his apology in 2018 when he stopped publication of his bestselling book. “I originally shared this statement on my website in 2018, but I’ve never shared it on Instagram,” said Harris in the caption of his post. “I still get asked why my thinking on I Kissed Dating Goodbye changed, so I wanted to share an updated version of [the] full statement with you on these slides.” (Church Leaders 12/19/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Al Mohler’s Disingenuous Distancing from His “Dear Friend” Joshua Harris
Joshua Harris was Al Mohler’s “dear friend for many years.” Mohler spoke at his New Attitude conferences and had Harris on the Albert Mohler Program in order to commend his work and promote his book, Dug Down Deep – Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters. Mohler was a fanboy. When Joshua renounced biblical Christianity, Al wrote a piece titled, “The Tragedy of Joshua Harris.” Al never mentioned his long standing friendship nor his zealous promotion of Josh over the years.
(BrentDewiler.com 7/10/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Joshua Harris was Al Mohler’s “dear friend for many years.” Mohler spoke at his New Attitude conferences and had Harris on the Albert Mohler Program in order to commend his work and promote his book, Dug Down Deep – Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters. Mohler was a fanboy. When Joshua renounced biblical Christianity, Al wrote a piece titled, “The Tragedy of Joshua Harris.” Al never mentioned his long standing friendship nor his zealous promotion of Josh over the years.
(BrentDewiler.com 7/10/24) READ MORE>>>>>