WARREN BIRD is the research director for Leadership Network, a think tank that works with America's most innovative churches. There, he researches cutting-edge churches and works with their leaders to multiply their evangelistic and disciple-making influence. Bird has served churches for more than 15 years in various roles from pastor to church planter. A seminary adjunct professor, he is the editor or coauthor of 17 books and a Gold Medallion Award winner.
Elmer L. Towns is dean emeritus of the School of Religion and Theological Seminary at Liberty University, which he cofounded in 1971 with Jerry Falwell. He continues to teach the Pastor's Bible Class at Thomas Road Baptist Church each Sunday, which is televised on a local network and Angel One. He and his wife, Ruth, live in Forest, Virginia.
ED STETZER, a pastor for many years, is research team director and missiologist at the North American Mission Board for the Southern Baptist Convention. A former seminary professor, he has trained pastors and other church planters on five continents. He is the author of several books and has two masters and two doctoral degrees.