Speakers

Dick Davenport has a Master of Divinity degree from Boston University’s School of Theology, where he concentrated on primitive Christianity and church history. He served for two decades, on three continents, as a Chaplain in the U.S. Air Force and then took early retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel to serve for several years as Dean of Students at Principia College. Dick is the Chief Executive Officer of Bible Study Seminars and became Director of its Asilomar Bible Conference in 2005. He is also Founder and Director of Higher Ground, a nationwide educational ministry (www.highergroundforlife.com).

Helen Mathis earned her Master’s degree in Biblical Studies at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. For four years she was the Director of The Foundation for Biblical Research in New Hampshire – a philanthropy that offered Bible workshops for lay people and clergy of any religious background. Helen is the editor of the new BSS Bible study curriculum entitled Foundation Stones,™ and she teaches Bible at Principia College.

Genelle Austin-Lett is the Founder and Director of www.biblewise.com, a website that provides wonderful resources for better understanding the Bible. It has especially rich offerings for children and teens, as well as for the adults who work with them. She has decades of experience teaching youth and is currently a professor at San Jose State University, where she directs the speech and debate team.

Mary Jane Chaignot received a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies from Luther Seminary in Minnesota. Author of a highly praised series on the Gospel of Mark, that ran for twenty-two months in The Christian Science Journal, she is also one of the primary researchers and writers for both The Researched Bible Guide and www.biblewise.com. Mary Jane runs an assisted living residence for adults.

Virginia “Ginny” Stopfel received a Master of Arts in Bible Education from Andover Newton Theological School outside of Boston. For many years she was active in supporting the spiritual development of young people and she served as the supervisor of the public Bible Exhibit at the Christian Science Plaza in Boston’s historic Back Bay. Ginny has served as the Superintendent of The Mother Church’s Sunday School and is currently very involved in prison ministry.

Madelon Maupin earned a Master of Theological Studies from San Francisco Theological Seminary. She leads regular trips to the Middle East and is a Trustee of the Crisler Library in Ephesos, Turkey. She is frequently published in the Christian Science periodicals, speaks widely on the Bible, and leads a dynamic and diverse Bible study through her local branch church. She is a nationally known expert on organizational leadership.

Maryl Walters has been active in interfaith work for over a decade. She is vice chair of the Cabinet of Interfaith Partnership in St. Louis and traveled in Israel two years ago with an interfaith group that included Muslims, Bahai, Jews, Protestants, and Catholics. She is attending Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis. Known for the use of drama and humor to reach young people, she has long taught Sunday School and continues an over three decade long healing ministry.

Ann Edwards has a Master of Theological Studies degree from the Emmanuel College of Victoria University in Toronto, as well as a Master of Music Performance degree (Piano) from the University of Toronto. She has been on the piano faculty at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto as well as its Board of Examiners for two decades. Currently she is chair of the Piano Department in the Conservatory School Division. She has also been the church soloist at her branch church in Toronto for a number of years. Ann has written articles for the Bible Forum in The Christian Science Journal, as well as for the Bible Lesson Commentaries in The Christian Science Sentinel.

Dorsha Campbell, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is certified in Analytical Reading and has taught classes on how to read the Bible in over 50 cities. Her professionalism has helped many, many people read with more meaning in their own study of Scripture and to do so with greater ease and effectiveness in front of their church congregations. Dorsha’s Reading the Bible for Meaning has been a popular part of the Asilomar Bible Conference for many years.

Dwight Oyer is a Grammy-nominated recording engineer who has owned his own recording and publishing business in Denver, Boston, and St. Louis. A noted performer and recording artist in his own right, Dwight’s gentle instrumentation and rich vocal interpretation of beloved hymns have brought inspiration and healing to people around the world. Dwight became Musician in Residence for the Asilomar Bible Conference in 2005.

Linda Bargmann is a Certified Public Accountant currently working as a business manager for The Principia School in St. Louis. She also serves as Business Manager and Treasurer for Bible Study Seminars. Linda has been associated with the Asilomar Bible Conference since the late 1980′s. She has enthusiastically researched many facets of the Christian Science movement, a project she calls In Mrs. Eddy’s Day. With her CPA husband, she has been an active foster parent and has loved providing a caring home for children who need one.

Michelle Armstrong is an accomplished singer, rising in both popularity and critical acclaim. With over 90 songs written and two released albums, she also owns the rights to all her music and wrote the score to an Off-Broadway play. Writing and performing for TMC Youth, her music and her vibrant spiritual foundation for life have gained devoted fans and friends among diverse audiences. She has written a theme song for this conference and will share her moving styles of performance and her story with us during this week.

Lynne Bundesen has been in the forefront of helping millions better understand the trends of contemporary spirituality. In her sixth and most recent book, The Feminine Spirit: Recapturing the Heart of Scripture offers the public the same pioneering courage and love in understanding the Bible in a new and fuller way. Serving as an adjunct professor at the Boston Theological Institute, she instructed Protestant ministers and Catholic priests. She has been a syndicated columnist writing on religion and the manager of Microsoft’s online community focusing on spirituality. Currently she is the “Spiritual Expert” at the website of Dr. Andrew Weil, engaging science, theology and medicine. As a Christian Scientist since her teens, she states that her guiding inspiration has been the First Tenet of Christian Science – “As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life.”

Shirley Paulson is pursuing a second graduate degree in Christian Theological Studies and continuing a two decade long public healing ministry – which included serving as the Committee on Publication for Illinois. As a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship, she focuses on addressing academic communities, conservative Christian colleges, liberal universities, and non-Christian Science church study groups. She writes regularly for the Christian Science periodicals, has served as a chaplain in Chicago jails, and worked with children from the inner city. She currently serves on the national Board of Governors of the Religion Communicators Council and is President of its local chapter in Chicago. One of her podcasts of conversations with non-Christian Scientists won an award of excellence from the Religion Communicators Council.

Reverend Doctor Ricky Porter has been a Presbyterian Pastor since 1983 and a student of Christian Science since 1995. In 2002 he made a presentation to the staff of The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston and was subsequently featured in the Christian Science Journal. A 2005 recipient of a grant from the Lily Endowment for his work on “Christian Spiritual Healing,” he is currently pastoring a church in Georgia and is on the Board of Advisors for the Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity.

Sandy Wilder’s job description at the Educare Learning Institute he founded is Chief Listening Officer. His heart and life reflect an amazing capacity for hearing others, nurturing their development, discovery of purpose, and realization of transformative moments. He began his journey as a professional soccer player, then a college coach, a resident counselor at Principia College, and then Assistant Dean. He went on to develop a very successful customer care system that his company Communico taught to numerous Fortune 500 companies. Through Educare he now dedicates himself to the spiritual and character development of others.

Kate Robertson has enjoyed satisfying careers in the arts, education, and publishing. But, it was only “at the foot of the cross, within the dark gloaming of the sepulchre, and on the dusty road to Emmaus,” that she found her calling. As a Christian Science practitioner, author of “Water Like a Stone,” and a soon to be published anthology of salvation-based spiritual poetry, Kate practices spiritual healing, and writes contemporary gospel stories bi-weekly for thoughtgentlywhispers.com, a website dedicated to the resurrection of salvation, hope, and healing, as we each take our “Closer Walk…” with Him.

What Are They Doing Now?

(Faculty Updates)

Barry Huff and Susan Humble are pursuing doctoral degrees that preclude them sharing with us at this time.

Genelle Austin-Lett is handling some major professional commitments at San Jose State University and she can only be with us on Thursday this year.

Deanna Mummert is helping to welcome her next grandchild.

Rev. Dr. Ricky Porter and Rabbi David Louis will be at the Midwest Bible Conference this September.