The Gathering

Ron Peri

January 8th
"Where is God When He is Silent?"

Ron was born in Manhattan, and grew up in Madison, New Jersey. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. After college, he joined IBM in systems and marketing of mainframe computers. In 1975, he left IBM to pursue full time ministry. He graduated from Biblical Theological Seminary with an M. Div. in 1978 and subsequently pastored a church until 1985. In that year, he started a consulting business, Computer Support of North America, that grew to be a major installer of Local Area Networks in the United States. He has since started two other businesses and is currently CEO of Radixx International, Inc. which provides reservations systems and hosting services to thrity airlines on five continents.

Ron speaks extensively to Bible studies, retreats, churches, and other groups. He is particularly active with ministries reaching businessmen. In 1981, he participated in starting a new interdenominational seminary in New Jersey (first in 140 years), Regional Seminary of the Northeast. Ron was president of Regional Seminary from 1981 until 1989.

Dr Simon Vibert

January 15th
"How to Communicate Your Faith in a Secular Society."

Simon took up his post at Wycliffe Hall in 2007. He was educated at Oak Hill College in London, Glasgow University, as well as at the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi and Orlando, Florida. He is Chairman of the Fellowship of Word and Spirit and a Trustee of Latimer Trust. He has significant interest in theological training overseas, particularly in Tanzania, Serbia and Haiti. He is involved in John Stott's "Langham Trainers" which seeks to equip Pastors around the world with the desire and skills for better bible preaching.

He has 18 years of experience in parish ministry. The last 8 years were as Vicar of St Luke's Church Wimbledon Park, prior to that, Trinity Church Buxton, with a curacy in Houghton and Kingmoor, Carlisle.

He has written in the areas of Preaching, Human Sexuality and Contemporary Culture. His book "The Diamond Marriage" was published by Christian Focus in 2005. His forthcoming book on John's Gospel is provisionally entitled "Lives Jesus Changed".

Dr Mark McDonough

January 22nd
"Where is God When it Hurts?"

Dr Mark McDonough's calling to the profession of plastic surgery is unique. He was born the oldest of 5 boys in 1959. In 1976 his family home caught fire. It took the lives of his mother and younger brother while causing a severe burn injury to him. His recovery was the result of many dedicated professionals and the endurance of over thirty reconstructive procedures. Dr. McDonough understands the challenge involved in overcoming many of life's tribulations.

After undergraduate studies at Ohio University and Ohio State University, he enrolled and completed physical therapy school at Cleveland State University. His involvement with burn rehabilitation began at the Shriner Burns Institute in Cincinnati, OH. He ultimately established a rehabilitation practice in Orlando, FL providing therapy to a variety of patients with a multitude of problems including burn injury, neurological, and orthopaedic trauma.

Dr Rod Cooper

January 29th
"Where is God Among His Followers?"

Dr. Cooper comes to Gordon-Conwell from Denver Seminary, where he was Associate Professor of Leadership and Director of the M.A. in Leadership program. Prior to that, he was Director of the Robert Pamplin Jr. Leadership Institute at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Previously, he also served on Denver Seminary’s faculty as Associate Professor of Counseling and as Chairman of the Psychology Department at Colorado Christian College. Dr. Cooper also was the first Executive Director of the Houston Bible Institute which is now called the College of Biblical Studies in Houston, Texas. The College of Biblical Studies (formerly Houston Bible Institute) was one of the very first multi-cultural institutions in the country with fifty percent African-American, thirty-five percent white and the remaining fifteen percent Asian and Latino. The Institute grew to over three hundred when Dr. Cooper left over twenty years ago and now has up to 2,000 in attendance with the same multi-cultural emphasis.

In addition to teaching, Dr. Cooper has a reputation nationally and internationally as a powerful and impactful communicator. He has spoken to a variety of audiences, including leadership conferences (with speakers such as Ken Blanchard), the Pentagon, Presidential Appointees, Promise Keeper Stadium events, Dennis Rainey “I Still Do” conferences and various Bible conferences. Dr. Cooper was also a chaplain for the Houston Oilers and the Houston Astros franchises as well as speaking to many other professional teams. In his private practice, he specializes in couples, families, minority and men’s issues. Dr. Cooper has written numerous books, articles and published sermons. He is the author of Kids in Sports with Bill Perkins; We Stand Together; Double Bind: Escaping the Contradictory Demands of Manhood; Shoulder to Shoulder: The Journey from Isolation to Brotherhood; and Commentary on the Book of Mark in the Holman New Testament series.

Dr Del Tackett

February 5th
"Has Science Buried God?" (Focus on the Family's "Truth Project" DVD)

Dr. Del Tackett is president of the Focus on the Family Institute and Senior Vice President of Focus on the Family. He is also the chief spokesperson for Focus on the Family’s The Truth Project—a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.

An adjunct professor at New Geneva Theological Seminary and Summit Ministries, Dr. Tackett served more than 20 years in the United States Air Force. During the George H. W. Bush administration, he served at the White House, where he was appointed by President Bush as the director of technical planning for the National Security Council. Dr. Tackett later served in various senior analyst and manager capacities at Kaman Sciences Corporation and ITT Industries.

As a professor, Dr. Tackett has taught more than 30 undergraduate and graduate courses at three different institutions, over a 12 year period. He is also an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church in America. Dr. Tackett holds three earned degrees (D.M., Colorado Technical University; M.S., Auburn University; B.S., Kansas State University).

Dr. Tackett has published a variety of written works including articles in Focus on the Family magazine that address worldview and cultural issues. He has had several technical articles and manuals published by the U.S. Air Force. A sought after conference speaker, Dr. Tackett addresses topics such as American Christian heritage, Christian worldview, technical subjects and management. Del and his wife Melissa have been married since 1972. They have four grown children.

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