Beth Stovell

Ph.D., McMaster Divinity College
Director, Host, Secretary
Biblical Studies

Born in Italy and raised in Texas, Beth immigrated to Canada in her early 20s to study at Regent College (MCS, Vancouver, BC) and at McMaster Divinity College (Hamilton, ON) for her PhD in Christian Theology (concentration: Biblical Studies). She is currently Professor of Old Testament at Ambrose University in Calgary, AB. Beth specializes in biblical metaphor, researching Johannine literature and biblical prophetic literature. Her current projects include:

a commentary on Ezekiel
a commentary on the Minor Prophets
a commentary on the Gospel of John
a co-written book on themes in Book of the Twelve
a fiction novel

She is an associate with the Canadian Poverty Institute and works on Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous leaders with the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good. A national leader in her denomination, Vineyard Canada, with her husband Jon, Beth enjoys preaching at her local church, Epic Vineyard. Jon and Beth have two kids and love to camp in the mountains and have long road trips. You can view her faculty profile at: https://ambrose.edu/profile/beth-stovell-phd

Candace Y. Smith

Ph.D., St. Thomas University
Director, Host, Social Media and Copy Editor
Practical Theology

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Candace relocated to South Florida in her 20s to pursue her doctorate. Candace earned her PhD in Practical Theology from St. Thomas University and taught as an adjunct professor within the School of Theology and Ministry. She additionally held a series of roles in student leadership, student affairs, and hospital chaplaincy. Candace’s primary research interest centers around Womanist thought, American Pentecostalism, and theological education. As a woman raised in the Black Pentecostal tradition, her current projects build on her dissertation to examine the connections of gender and race on spiritual and civic engagement. She actively serves within her church, The Faith Center Ministries. Candace currently resides in Dallas, Texas.

Claudia Herrera-Montero

Ph.D., St. Thomas University
Director, Host
Practical Theology

Born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia where she earned a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in International Relations at Universidad del Rosario. Claudia is a Catholic practical theologian and educator. She holds a Ph.D. in Practical Theology and an M.A. in Pastoral Ministries from St. Thomas University (Miami, Florida). Her research focuses on participatory-action in practical theology, faith identity, spirituality and engagement among first-generation college-age Catholic Latinas/os and their families. She currently works as Assistant Professor of Theology at Dominican University in the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences (River Forest, Illinois). In addition, she teaches graduate courses in pastoral ministry and theology at the Southeast Pastoral Institute for Hispanic Ministry (Miami, FL) and at Loyola University (New Orleans, LA). Her past experience was working as Director of Campus Ministry and teaching undergraduate theology at St. Thomas University (Miami, Florida). She currently serves as the Secretary of the Board of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS). Claudia lives in South Florida with her husband and their young daughter. They enjoy the ocean and are active participants in their local Parish.

Jon Stovell

Ph.D., McMaster Divinity College
Co-Host
Systematic Theology

Born in Mississauga, Ontario and raised in towns on the shores of Lake Huron, Jon earned his BA in Humanities at St. Stephen’s University (St. Stephen, NB) and his Master in Christian Studies in Theology at Regent College (Vancouver, BC). Jon holds a PhD in Christian Theology with a concentration in Systematic Theology at McMaster Divinity College (Hamilton, ON). Jon’s research interests include Eschatology and Christology. His vocational call has been to “encourage the Church” and Jon’s research often explores the unique contributions of the Vineyard movement, his denomination, to systematic theology. Jon currently lives in Calgary, Alberta with his wife Beth. He works as a national catalyst for Vineyard Formation for his denomination, Vineyard Canada. In this role, he oversees theological and spiritual formation programs including continuing theological education, resourcing existing pastors, providing theological training for new and developing pastors, as well as resourcing Children and Youth Ministry at the national level. He enjoys preaching at his local church, Epic Vineyard. Jon and Beth have two kids and they enjoy having conversations about theology and science fiction/fantasy, and planning epic road trips and camping adventures.

Kevin Hill

Ph.D., Durham University
Director, Host, Producer
Patristic Theology

Born and raised in Calgary, AB, Kevin moved to England for several years, where he received a PhD in Theology and Religion from Durham University, specializing in Christianity in Late Antiquity. Kevin’s primary research interests include Saint Athanasius of Alexandria and other Church Fathers, the theology of the Trinity and salvation, and the history of Biblical interpretation. Kevin’s projects include:

served as an editor for a new series of curated readings from the Church Fathers
a co-written book on the Nicene Creed
contributing to the Saints and Stuff YouTube channel.

A member of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada, Kevin enjoys volunteering in his local parish in Calgary, Alberta, where his wife serves as a children’s pastor. They have three daughters and two sheepdogs, Trousers and Hot Dog.

Ryan Reed

Ph.D., University of Toronto
Director, Host
Historical Theology

A dual US-Canadian citizen, Ryan was born in the Silicon Valley and moved with his family to Ottawa, Canada when he was eleven. Ryan currently serves as an adjunct professor of history at Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and as a Latin Teacher at Logos Academy, a Christian classical school for a diverse student population. Previously, Ryan has served in a number of academic and ministry roles, including as an adjunct professor at Moody Bible Institute and a chaplain and campus minister at Princeton University in his role as a Teaching Fellow with Christian Union, a Christian campus ministry. Ryan completed his doctorate from the University of Toronto in Theological Studies in 2019. He holds an M.Div from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and completed his undergraduate degree from Moody Bible Institute. His research interests lie at the intersection of historical theology and ethics. He is currently working on articles building on his doctoral research on John Calvin’s thinking of human purpose and well-being as well as revising his dissertation for publication. Ryan and his family live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and worship at Wheatland Presbyterian Church. He is married to Jenny, and has two young, energetic boys—Jonathan and Josiah. In his free time, he enjoys running, weight training, and hiking with friends and family.

Shonda Tilitzky

B.A., Ambrose University
Administrator
Shonda has lived on the eastern, northern, and western parts of Canada, but her heart remains in the north. Shonda is an alumna of Ambrose University, with a BA in English Literature and a minor in Christian Studies. She is passionate about all things literature and theology related, and relishes the connections between the two disciplines. She is a writer, editor, wife, and coffee enthusiast. She and her husband, a priest in training, worship in the Anglican Church of Canada (CofE). Shonda writes about her musings at https://shondatilitzky.substack.com/