CIA | 2026
About
Meet Your 2026 Instructors
CIA | 2026
ABOUT CrossExamined Instructor Academy
Who We Are & What We Do
An intensive three-day Christian apologetics training experience designed to equip believers to confidently defend the faith.
The CrossExamined Instructor Academy (CIA) is a very selective, three-day intensive apologetics training event designed to train the next generation of Christian apologists to clearly articulate and defend the truth of Christianity in the most challenging environments.
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About the CrossExamined Instructor Academy 2026
An intensive 3-day Christian apologetics training experience designed to equip believers to confidently defend the faith.
Why the Instructor Academy Exists
The CrossExamined Instructor Academy (CIA) is a very selective, three-day intensive apologetics training event designed to train the next generation of Christian apologists to clearly articulate and defend the truth of Christianity in the most challenging environments: classrooms, churches, conversations, and culture at large.
Our mission is to train the next generation of Christian apologists by equipping them to:
• Clearly and persuasively articulate reasonable arguments for Christianity
• Respond to skepticism with evidence and critical thinking
• Develop structured debate skills
• Capture and intrigue an audience through thought-provoking arguments
This is not passive learning. It is hands-on training for real-world engagement.
How CIA Is Different from Other Christian Training
Intensive
Format
Three days fully focused on personalized Christian apologetics training.
Direct Access to Instructors
Designed to be an intimate and meaningful interactive experience.
Instructor-Level Depth
Designed to train the next generation of Christian apologists.
Hosted by CrossExamined
The Instructor Academy is hosted by CrossExamined, a leading Christian apologetics organization dedicated to proclaiming the evidence for Christianity and cross-examining claims against it.
For years, CrossExamined has engaged skeptics on college campuses, hosted debates, and trained the next generation of Christian apologists to clearly articulate reasonable arguments for Christianity.
The CrossExamined Instructor Academy represents the next level of that mission, raising up the next generation of Christian apologists.
(Optional: Add credibility metrics if available, such as years active, debates hosted, etc.)
Who the Academy Is Designed For
Youth Pastors and Church Leaders
College Campus Ministry Staff & Leaders
Christian Educators
Aspiring Apologists
Theology, Philosophy, and Seminary Students
Committed Christian Evangelists
What You Will Walk Away With
Sharpen your apologetics skills to make a persuasive case for Christianity.
Intrigue your friends and relatives to investigate Jesus.
Capture an audience with proven presentation techniques.
Answer the most challenging objections to Christianity without breaking a sweat.
Stay cool under pressure and master Q&A strategies for real conversations.
Know the right questions to ask a pressing skeptic.
Receive instructor feedback and a certificate as a CrossExamined Instructor Academy graduate.
Meet the Instructors
Dr. Frank Turek
Dr. Frank Turek is a nationally recognized Christian Apologist, author, and founder of CrossExamined.org, a Christian Apologetics Ministry dedicated to Proclaiming the Evidence of Christianity and Cross-Examining claims against it. He is widely known for his engaging presentation style, logical approach to difficult questions, and commitment to training Christians to articulate with clarity and confidence good arguments and evidence for Christianity in today’s culture.
Greg Koukl
Greg Koukl is the founder and president of Stand to Reason, a Christian apologetics organization committed to equipping believers to think clearly about their faith and engage skeptics with wisdom and grace. He is the author of the bestselling book Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions and has trained thousands of Christians in conversational apologetics.
Natasha Crain
Natasha Crain is a speaker, author of five books, and host of The Natasha Crain Podcast. She is passionate about equipping Christians to think more clearly about holding to a biblical worldview in a secular culture and is a frequent guest on podcasts and radio shows across the U.S. Natasha lives in Southern California with her husband and three teenage children.
Hillary Ferrer
Hillary Ferrer is the founder and president of Mama Bear Apologetics, a ministry dedicated to equipping parents—especially mothers—to train their children in biblical discernment and worldview defense. She is passionate about helping families navigate cultural challenges with confidence and clarity.
Alisa Childers
Alisa Childers is a Christian apologist, author, and instructor known for addressing progressive Christianity and defending historic Christian doctrine. A former CCM recording artist, she now equips believers to discern truth from error in modern theology.
Dr. Richard G. Howe
Dr. Richard G. Howe is a philosopher and Christian apologist specializing in classical apologetics, Thomas Aquinas, and philosophy of religion. He has taught extensively in seminaries and universities, has contributed to literature in philosophy and apologetics, and has done numerous debates.
Dr. John David Ferrer
Dr. John D. Ferrer is an educator, writer, and graduate of CrossExamined Instructors Academy. Having earned degrees from Southern Evangelical Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he’s also active in the pro-life community and in his home church in Pella Iowa. When he’s not helping his wife Hillary Ferrer with her ministry Mama Bear Apologetics, you can usually find John teaching Bible and cultural apologetics.
Allen Parr
Allen Parr is a Bible teacher and Christian apologist known for his influential YouTube channel where he explains theology, apologetics, and cultural issues from a biblical perspective. His clear teaching style has reached millions worldwide.
Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Journey as a Defender of the Faith?
Limited seats available.