Confessions
Devotional
Contributor credits
Justin Mcroberts
/ forewOrd & poet
Justin is a pastor and storyteller whose work comes in many forms. Along with authoring four books and releasing 18 musical projects since 1998, Justin helps lead a church community in The SF Bay Area (a church he helped plant).
After over two decades working with people both nationally and internationally as a musician and speaker, Justin is happiest working directly with people. He regularly travels to teach or lead retreats and is the host of the @ Sea Podcast, featuring guests like Jen Hatmaker, Ryan O’Neil (Sleeping At Last) and Mark Labberton, president of Fuller Theological Seminary.
He lives in Martinez, CA with his wife and two kids.
Justin’s most recently books are: PRAYER: 40 Days of Practice and MAY IT BE SO: Forty Days with the Lord’s Prayer co-authored with Scott Erickson.
Chad Bird
/ Author
Chad is a Scholar in Residence at 1517. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He holds master’s degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He has contributed articles to Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Modern Reformation, The Federalist, Lutheran Forum, and other journals and websites. He is also the author of several books, including Night Driving: Notes from a Prodigal Soul, Your God Is Too Glorious: Finding God in the Most Unexpected Places, Upside-Down Spirituality: The 9 Essential Failures of a Faithful Life, and Unveiling Mercy: 365 Daily Devotions Based on Insights from Old Testament Hebrew. He cohosts two popular podcasts: “40 Minutes in the OT” and “Hidden Streams.” Chad and his wife Stacy have four children and three grandchildren. They enjoy life together in the Texas Hill Country.
Jessica Thompson
/ poet
Jessica is the author of several books and is a frequent conference speaker. Her heart is to see women, families, and children freed from the bondage of moralism. She is a contributor at Christ Hold Fast. She is also a part of the podcast Front Porch with the Fitzes.
Jess has a Bachelor's Degree in Theology and with her mother, Elyse Fitzpatrick, she co-authored the books Give Them Grace , Answering Your Kids' Toughest Questions, and Mom, Dad… What’s Sex? Jess believes the truth that salvation is "naked confidence in the mercy of God."
Joel Fitzpatrick
/ Author
Joel has served as an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America with a focus on youth and family. He received his MDiv from Westminster Seminary California. Joel lives in Southern California with his wife of nineteen years and their two children. He is a sinner, a preacher the author of Between Us Guys: Life Changing Conversations Between Fathers and Sons and the coauthor of Mom, Dad . . . What’s Sex? He has contributed chapters to The Sinner and Saints Devotional: 60 days in the Psalms.
Elyse Fitzpatrick
/ Author
Elyse holds a certificate in biblical counseling from CCEF (San Diego) and an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary. She has authored 23 books on daily living and the Christian life. Elyse loves to proclaim the good news of the gospel: That Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, perfectly obeyed all the Law in our place, suffered in isolation and agony as punishment for our sin, died, and then rose again, all for our justification.
A frequent speaker at women’s conferences, she has been married for over 40 years and has three adult children and six really adorable grandchildren.
Levi the Poet
/ poet
Levi The Person Poet is a writer, spoken-word artist and human being living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has toured [some of] the world for [nearly] a decade, played ≈1000 shows, and look forward to more. He writes words for humans.
John Asirvatham
/ author & poet
John grew up in Nashville, TN, but is currently an M.Div student at Westminster Seminary California. While procrastinating, he enjoys playing ping pong, talking about the gospel, and taking long walks around the island in his kitchen. You can connect with him on Facebook.
Norman Paran
/ Author
Norman Paran (MDiv, Westminster Seminary California) serves as a special assistant to the president of The Gospel Coalition. He is a member and pastoral intern at Resurrection Presbyterian (ResPres) in downtown San Diego. He lives in Escondido with his wife, Jackie, and two sons.
Jared Anthony McNeal-Smith
/ Author & Poet
Jared Anthony Smith is a Life Coach, Writer, Teen Counsellor, & Martial Arts Instructor from San Diego. His vision is to equip today's youth with a Christ-centered perspective through youth ministry, his books and poetry, as well as through CrossSwords Battle School — a sword training & mentorship program he founded for teens grow in Knighthood and rest together in the finished work of the Cross.
Jasmine De andres-Kim
/ author
Jasmine de Andres-Kim is a dynamic freelance writer, holding a BA in Literature and Writing from California State University San Marcos. In addition to being a San Diego native, Jasmine and her husband are currently worshipping and serving at Redeemer Ventura County where she particularly enjoys hearing the absolution every Sunday. As a liver transplant survivor, Jasmine holds a keen knowledge of the ways God chooses to work, and currently possesses a love/hate relationship with the way of the cross. All in all, she’s grateful and humbled to know that Grace will see us all through to the end.
Elise Grangetto
/ Poet
Elise is a second grade paraprofessional at a Charter school in San Diego county. She received a Literature & Writing degree from the California State University of San Marcos with a minor in Film Studies. Elise is a multimedia artist as a hobby; she creates written and multimedia projects that use nature to glorify God and declare the gospel. She enjoys writing poetry and filming special events for local churches and for her loved ones. Currently, she is studying to be a high school English teacher. Elise is humbled to be a part of the Confessions project and team of authors.
Jeremiah Bonds
/ Poet
Jeremiah Bonds of San Diego California is a gifted songwriter and performer who lives his heartfelt lyrics. He’s toured internationally, performing at some of Europe’s biggest Christians festivals as well as did work with the Grammy’s stateside. Bonds has performed poetry around the world at children’s shelters, coffee shops, and on large stages. He’s also a published poet & photographer, whose photos have been in museums and art galleries around the country, courtesy of his partnership with Google. Jeremiah has an interesting outlook on the entertainment industry since he benefited from both sides of the business, behind the scenes as well as center stage. As a man of the community, Jeremiah lends his voice and opinions to political and spiritual conversations at church or on local and sports radio. His youthful charm mixed with age-old skill makes him a quintessential part in artistic and creative circles, staying well-grounded and constantly trying to seek the positive side of everything in order to encourage those with an ear to listen.
Lizzy King
/ Poet
Lizzy writes songs, sometimes without music. Her work explores the experience of uncertainty, and taps into the hope and joy that exist just beyond doubt. Lizzy also works with artists to unblock creativity and leads workshops on songwriting and worship leadership. She has a B.A. in Business Administration from Life Pacific University and currently lives in Los Angeles, CA.
J.N. Wheels
/ Author
J.N. Wheels (Jeremiah Nathaniel Wheelersburg) is a writer and preacher from Aurora Colorado. He began Preaching and Teaching the Bible at 17 years of age and continues today through speaking engagements, through his blog at jnwheels.com and via his audio and video podcast, “The Minister The Ministry & Me Show” also known as the 3M Podcast. He loves being a husband to his wife Lindsay and a dad to their two daughters. His most recent book is titled, “The Minister the Ministry and Me”.
Jordan Defiesta
/ poet
Jordan was born and raised in and around Los Angeles, California. Traveling and seeing the world and the Church beyond America is something that Jordan believes has greatly impacted her love for the body of Christ. She has a heart to see people pen their stories of the redemptive work that Christ has accomplished in their lives. Jordan’s heart is tied closely to youth, women, and enjoys being able to use spoken word as a catalyst to minister to the Church and non-believers alike. She continues to hope to see and is passionate about seeing a diversity of cultures, people, gifts, and creativity flourish in the Church.
Jim Grey
/ Poet
Jim Gray is an artist development manager and writer living in Nashville, Tennessee. He is currently working on self publishing a collection of both short stories and poems.
Amanda Cave
/ Author
Amanda is a proud wife and mother of six. She is deeply passionate about seeing hearts radically liberated by the transforming truths of the Gospel. Amanda teaches multiple times a month at Las Colinas Women’s Prison and powerfully expresses the message of grace and reconciliation. Amanda has released a Bible study, Under the Influence of Grace, and is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology. To learn more about what Amanda has been up to, you can follow her @iamamandacave on popular social platforms.
Emma Kathryn Kalizang’oma
/ Poet
Emma Kathryn Kalizang'oma, or Emma Kate, puts her hands to a rotating variety of arts and crafts while serving alongside her husband Yami to pastor their church-plant in Blantyre, Malawi. She has an MA in Theological Studies from Bethel Seminary and particularly loves exploring theology through thought-experiments that use mythology and fiction. Emma considers herself most a writer--a thinker and world builder--though the work she is typically paid to do is photography and web design. Writing what she loves to read, Emma works on worlds that are similar but different to ours and likes to play with how Christ might be manifest in a different star system or a dimension with different rules. She does her best work in the company of Alanna the Lioness, her cat, and two dogs, Sherlock and Watson.
Sarah Condon
/ Author
Sarah Condon is an Episcopal priest, writer, and co-host of the Mockingbird podcast. She received her master’s degree from Yale Divinity School where she absorbed very little information because she was brave and dumb enough to have a baby in seminary.
She does know that Jesus loves her. And that’s really all she needs. Which is to say, do not ask her church history questions.
She lives in Houston, Texas where she is a chaplain and pastor to the students of Rice University. She is a married to Josh who is also an Episcopal priest. And they are attempting to raise two children with enough church to love it, but not too much because that could really backfire.
Megan Lagrange
/ Editor
Megan is a Learning and Development Consultant with over a decade of editorial experience. From large corporations to small churches, she comes alongside teams and individuals to help them best communicate truth to their audiences. With a Bachelors in English Literature and a Masters in Learning Design & Technology, she loves to understand how people operate and is thankful to God for a career that allows her to assist her clients with direction, clarity, and creativity.
Royce Rull
/ visual Artist
Royce is a graphic designer, illustrator, and worship leader based in Southern California. Born in the Philippines and raised in Riverside County, Royce has always been passionate about art and design. He encountered God in the late 90s and, since then, the Gospel has inspired him to make Christ known through all creative avenues. He has a heart to encourage and equip the next generation of creatives to purposefully use their gifts for God’s glory. Royce is living his best life with his wife Krista collecting house plants, children’s books, and vinyl records in Temecula, California. Together they serve with Reliance Church, REVO Collective, and Cross Culture Missions.
Faith Wake
/ Preface & Graphic Designer
Faith is a worship leader, graphic designer, social media manager, content creator currently living in Temecula, CA. She has served in ministry for over sixteen years and has a heart for Christians creatives and their prophetic voice in the world. She cohosts the Third Culture Podcast with her best friend Krista Rull. Faith and her husband currently serve with REVO Collective and Reliance Church.
Confessions
Study
Contributor credits
Wendy Hindman
/ Co-Author
Wendy Hinman is an Adventure Specialist at North Coast Calvary Chapel; she designs adventures for disciples of Christ revealing their unique purpose in being. And, bi-vocational, she is Senior Staff Writer for Carlsbad Magazine, where she uncovers Carlsbad's unique geography and human topography. Married to John for almost 40 years, they enjoy backpacking and hiking with their seven adult kids and five grandkids.
Megan Lagrange
/ Editor
Megan is a Learning and Development Consultant with over a decade of editorial experience. From large corporations to small churches, she comes alongside teams and individuals to help them best communicate truth to their audiences. With a Bachelors in English Literature and a Masters in Learning Design & Technology, she loves to understand how people operate and is thankful to God for a career that allows her to assist her clients with direction, clarity, and creativity.
Faith Wake
/ Design & Layout
Faith is a worship leader, graphic designer, social media manager, content creator currently living in Temecula, CA. She has served in ministry for over sixteen years and has a heart for Christians creatives and their prophetic voice in the world. She cohosts the Third Culture Podcast with her best friend Krista Rull. Faith and her husband currently serve with REVO Collective and Reliance Church.
Confessions
documentary
Contributor credits
Chad Bird
/ featured
Chad is a Scholar in Residence at 1517. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He holds master’s degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He has contributed articles to Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Modern Reformation, The Federalist, Lutheran Forum, and other journals and websites. He is also the author of several books, including Night Driving: Notes from a Prodigal Soul, Your God Is Too Glorious: Finding God in the Most Unexpected Places, Upside-Down Spirituality: The 9 Essential Failures of a Faithful Life, and Unveiling Mercy: 365 Daily Devotions Based on Insights from Old Testament Hebrew. He cohosts two popular podcasts: “40 Minutes in the OT” and “Hidden Streams.” Chad and his wife Stacy have four children and three grandchildren. They enjoy life together in the Texas Hill Country.
tamara overstreet
/ featured
Amanda Cave
/ featured
Amanda is a proud wife and mother of six. She is deeply passionate about seeing hearts radically liberated by the transforming truths of the Gospel. Amanda teaches multiple times a month at Las Colinas Women’s Prison and powerfully expresses the message of grace and reconciliation. Amanda has released a Bible study, Under the Influence of Grace, and is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology. To learn more about what Amanda has been up to, you can follow her @iamamandacave on popular social platforms.