War of the Worldviews 2025: Our Full Recap
Intro
Earlier this year, I stepped away from an 18-year career in banking to pursue something closer to my heart: online apologetics. This new season has been both exciting and stretching, and one of the highlights so far was attending the first-ever War of the Worldviews Conference in Tennessee. What follows is a full recap of the weekend — the speakers, the sessions, the unexpected blessings, and the ways God confirmed our calling through it all.
Why We Went
Our goals for the conference were clear:
- Personal growth under faithful teachers.
- Ministry connections for future partnerships.
- A chance to watch and learn from those further along.
- Fellowship with like-minded believers.
With speakers like Dr. James White (Alpha & Omega Ministries), Eli Ayala (Revealed Apologetics), Dr. Jason Lisle (Biblical Science Institute), and Dr. Marcus Ross, we knew this would be a can’t-miss opportunity.
The Road to Tennessee
Getting there wasn’t simple. Between a sick baby, a broken furnace, and the usual scramble of childcare, clothes, and an 8-hour drive, we felt the weight of preparation. But God brought us through, and we arrived in time to grab food and find our seats Friday evening.
Almost immediately, we met two brothers in Christ we’d end up sitting behind the entire weekend. Their fellowship was one of the small but sweet gifts of the conference.
Friday Evening Sessions
The conference opened with Eli Ayala’s talk on “The Myth of the Unbiased Skeptic.” Eli set the tone right away, showing how neutrality in worldview discussions is really an illusion. It was a strong reminder that every conversation about God begins from a foundation of faith — whether admitted or not.
From there, Dr. Jason Lisle took the stage with his message, “Answering a Fool” from Proverbs 26. This wasn’t just theory — he unpacked how those verses guide us in real-life conversations, giving practical tools for defending the faith with both wisdom and restraint.
The evening wrapped up with a panel discussion that might have been my favorite part of the night. The panel watched short social media clips of skeptics mocking Christianity and responded on the spot — exposing logical fallacies and clearing up common misconceptions. It was both sharp and encouraging to see apologetics in action against the very kinds of challenges we run into online every day.
And as if that wasn’t enough, I even got to meet Nate Sala from Wise Disciple during the break. His “Debate Teacher Reacts” series has been a big help to me personally, and being able to shake his hand and thank him was a highlight I hadn’t expected.
Saturday Morning Sessions
We started the day with much-needed coffee and donuts from Kosmos Coffee (absolutely vital after travel and a late night!). Each speaker that morning layered fresh insight upon the last — it was the kind of lineup that kept your mind buzzing long after the session ended.
Eli Ayala – “Christ of Chaos”
Eli laid down the Transcendental Argument for God (TAG), showing us how logic, reason, and knowledge themselves depend on truths that presuppose God’s existence. In other words, without God, the very possibility of reasoning or experiencing truth collapses.
Dr. Jason Lisle – “The Importance of Genesis”
Jason invited us to see how Genesis isn’t just a starting point; it frames how we read and interpret the whole of Scripture. It was a timely reminder of the biblical foundation undergirding apologetics.
Dr. James White – “The Battle for Right or Wrong”
Dr. White came to the stage not just to teach, but to bless us with stories drawn from years of engaging on moral questions. His rich experience underlined that defending what’s right doesn’t happen in a vacuum — it’s shaped by real battles and real relationships.
Dr. Marcus Ross – “Playing the Infinite Game”
Dr. Ross brought in ideas from Simon Sinek’s book The Infinite Game (2019), showing how apologetics—and Christian ministry at large—isn’t about short-term wins. We’re called to play the right game—one that lasts and shapes generations.
Vendors & Encouragement
During the breaks, we had time to explore the vendor tables and connect with other ministries. Some were tied directly to the speakers’ work, while others were simply there to encourage and equip.
One of the first tables we visited was RefToons, a family-run ministry that takes stories from the Reformation and turns them into creative, comic-book style art for kids and adults alike. It was such a fun reminder that apologetics and church history don’t have to feel dry — they can be presented in ways that capture the imagination.
Another highlight was meeting Dr. Carl Werner, executive producer of Evolution: The Grand Experiment. He and his wife spent time listening to our story and pouring encouragement into us. Their words were exactly what we needed in that moment, and Dr. Werner even offered to be a guest on our show someday. That kind of generosity and support left a huge mark on us — it felt like confirmation that God is opening doors we never could have forced open on our own.
We also connected with Jeremiah Nortier, known as The Apologetic Dog. Throughout the weekend he was livestreaming conversations with speakers and guests, giving his audience a front-row seat to the event. Watching him work reminded us of the creativity God is stirring up across the apologetics community — each person using different tools and platforms to defend the faith.
These weren’t just casual encounters. Each conversation felt like a divine appointment, reminding us that God is building a network of believers who share the same heartbeat for truth. We left those interactions encouraged, energized, and more convinced than ever that we’re not in this work alone.
Saturday Afternoon Sessions
After lunch (yes, another round of Mexican food — our second of three visits to what’s now officially our Nashville go-to spot), we came back ready for another round of teaching.
Eli Ayala – “Sense Only Makes Sense with God”
Eli jokingly called this session “Apologetics in Sneakers.” It was his way of tying everything together from the weekend and making sure we didn’t just hear abstract arguments but saw how to apply them in real life.
Dr. James White – “Answering Attacks on Scripture”
This was vintage James White, stepping into one of his strongest areas: defending the reliability of Scripture. He wove in stories from his travels around the world, showing how God’s Word has been challenged — and stood firm — across cultures and contexts.
Dr. Marcus Ross – “Recovering Adam”
Marcus gave a clear, compelling case for why belief in a real, historical Adam matters. In a culture eager to erase or redefine him, Ross showed how the biblical Adam is essential to both theology and the gospel.
Dr. Jason Lisle – “Fractals: The Secret Code of Creation”
If the afternoon had a “showstopper,” this was it. Jason opened our eyes to the breathtaking beauty of fractals — repeating patterns hidden in creation that reveal mathematical order and artistry at every scale. It was science, theology, and wonder all in one. And I have to say, this was Amber’s favorite session of the entire weekend. She’s already talking about getting Lisle’s books into our bookstore so others can experience it too.
The afternoon wrapped up with a lively Q&A session, which gave us a chance to hear the speakers interact directly with questions from the crowd. By then, our heads were full, our hearts encouraged, and we knew the grand finale was still ahead.
The Debate Finale
After a full day of teaching and Q&A, the conference saved its most intense moment for last: a head-to-head exchange between Dr. James White and progressive deconstruction pastor Josh Scott.
Though it was introduced as a “discussion,” it quickly became clear that this was a clash of worldviews. On one side stood a high view of Scripture as the certain, unchanging Word of God. On the other was a perspective filtered through modern eyes — a lens that rejects the idea of certainty when it comes to God’s Word, even going so far as to deny the certainty of the bodily resurrection itself.
What struck me most was the transformation in Dr. White. Earlier he had spoken like a seasoned storyteller, calm and pastoral. But as the debate began, he shifted into full apologetics mode — razor-sharp, relentless, and leaving no doubt where he stood. It was unforgettable to watch him embody the very principles of faithful defense we had been learning all weekend
What We Took Home
Every expectation we carried into the weekend was met and exceeded.
- We grew personally.
- We made friends and connections.
- We saw what seasoned ministries look like in action.
- We came home with renewed clarity and passion.
The weekend reminded us that when we release control and let the Lord lead, He often gives more than we dared hope.
Conclusion
The War of the Worldviews didn’t end when the conference wrapped up. The drive back turned into our best attempts to decompress — talking through what we had heard, formulating our plans, and sketching out the takeaways we didn’t want to lose. Honestly, I think we’ll be unpacking the fruit of this conference for months to come. Some of what we learned will take root quickly, and some may not bear fruit until later, but either way, we believe God used this weekend to plant seeds that will shape our ministry for years.
As we move forward, we would love your prayers in a few specific ways:
- Clarity and wisdom as we develop the many ideas that came out of the conference.
- Partnerships — that the relationships we began wouldn’t just be one-time connections, but lasting friendships that sharpen and expand the work.
- Focus and discernment — we have so many opportunities, and we need to know where to invest our time and energy.
- Faithfulness — that we would stay dependent on the Lord, trusting Him as He narrows and sharpens our focus.
We are excited — and yes, a little overwhelmed — but deeply confident that He’s at work. Thank you for standing with us. Please continue to pray, share our ministry with others, and join us in asking God to guide each step. Thank you so much Aaron Yost, Tim Tant, and The Tennessee Fellowship For Christian Apologetics for putting this on. You all did an amazing job. We cannot wait till next year.
Until next time, stay shaped by reason, guided by faith, grounded in Christ. Take it easy.
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