“The Tyranny of Adam” by Gary Thomas, bestselling author and international speaker.

Gary enjoys spending time with his family, is an avid runner and has completed seven marathons including the Boston Marathon. He is a writer and adjunct faculty member at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is the author of several books including Sacred Marriage, Holy Available, Sacred Pathways, Sacred Parenting and the Gold Medallion Award-winning Authentic Faith. For more information visit: http://www.garythomas.com.

Mike believes he is formed by Christ to form others. He is an ordained Minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. In March of 2004, Mike received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California. He specialized in adult lay leadership development.

Mike is the core author of most of Ascending Leaders’ material. He sees his calling and gifting as being a faithful tool for creatively forming others. His passion is to help people grow and serve effectively as discipled leaders in God’s Kingdom.

Mike, his wife, Gina and their two children, Emmelyn and Nicholas, have made Sugar Land, Texas their home since 1990. Mike enjoys gardening with his wife and family activities, such as traveling and camping. He also enjoys friends and reading.

Mike is an experienced church planter, pastor, author, professor (at Fuller Seminary Texas Campus and Calvin Seminary) and organizational leader who six years ago founded Ascending Leaders and continues to lead that mission of “Christ-like change for real people.”  Mike considers himself a dumb husband, growing less dumb every year.  For more information, please see: http://ascendingleaders.org/