Speaker's and Artist's Bureau

Many members of Houghton College’s highly-accomplished faculty are available to your church for various kinds of workshops, events, and services. They are effective communicators and talented artists who are eager to serve you, and will bring fresh insight to your ministry setting. Their many areas of expertise include the following: emerging trends in worship, postmodernism, preaching, Christianity & Islam, and multimedia. A number of them are also available for guest preaching.

Listed below are the current members of our speaker’s bureau, along with their area(s) of expertise. If you would like more information about booking any of these speakers, please contact the Office of Church Relations. We will be happy to assist you.

Charles Bressler: Professor of English

• Spiritual Formation
• The Oxford Christians: CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, and friends

Douglas Gaerte: Professor of Communication

• Interpersonal, relational, and family/marital communication
• Drama in the church

Connie Finney: Professor of Education

• Understanding learning & memory
• Scripture-based devotional talks
• Understanding the Mennonite church

Cathy Freytag: Associate Professor of Education

• Inclusive (special needs) childhood development and education

Richard Halberg: Professor of Business

• Personal financial planning
• Biblical perspectives on money and wealth
• Investments/retirement planning

David Huth: Assistant Professor of Visual Communications and Media Arts

• The use of media arts in the church
• Film/internet/media and contemporary culture

Mark Hijleh: Professor of Music

• Theology of the arts
• World music and world Christianity
• Music in worship
• Postmodernity and Christian culture

Ben R. King: Professor of Voice

• Music in Christian worship
• The nature of Christian worship: boomers, busters, and millenials
• Vocal performance

Ndunge Kiiti: Professor of Intercultural Studies

• Human rights and justice issues

Benjamin J. B. Lipscomb: Associate Professor of Philosophy

• Biomedical ethics
• Just war and pacifism
• Worship and the Christian Year

H. "Skip" Lord: Associate Vice President for Athletics and Conferences

•  Sports Ministry
• Long-term ministry through short-term missions teams
• Pulpit supply

Linda Mills-Woolsey: Professor of English

• Spiritual disciplines
• Lessons from the lives of women mystics
• Journal-keeping for spiritual growth
• Family history and memory-keeping

Ted Murphy: Professor of Art

• Film studies
• Impact of media/film on culture
• Art history
• How art speaks to issues facing Christians today

Bill-John Newbrough: Associate Professor of Piano

• Sacred and classical piano concerts
• Worship/devotional concerts

Meic Pearse: Professor of History

• Religion and War
• Apologetics
• Why the Rest Hates the West
•  Do all religions lead to God?
• Doctrinal and ethical issues

Paul W. Shea, D. Missiology, Associate Professor of Missions

• Global Christianity
• Preparation for cross cultural mission
• Local church mission outreach
• Islam and religions
• General preaching
• Experience: Area churches; Senior Retreats; Youth events and retreats; Missions events and conventions.

Eric Thomas:  Director of Opera & Musical Theatre, Assistant Professor

• Powerful, dramatic baritone soloist
• Avid performer of opera
• Founding member of Opera Ovations of New York

J. Michael Walters

• Worship in the church
• Postmodernism and the emerging church
• Pastor’s spiritual life
• Preaching

Paul Young: Professor of Psychology

• Marriage and Family
• Human Sexuality
• Bible teaching