The mind-boggling flood of recent literature and conferences acclaiming innovative ministry methods has sent many churches reeling with methodological vertigo. Pastors get spun from one model to another in search of a meta-method that ties it all together and enables them to see “success” in doing God’s work. The Aqua-Church, The Alpha Course, Mosaic, FAITH, The Emerging Church – how do you sort through all the alternatives without becoming hopelessly disoriented? How do you evaluate them? How do you know which one is right for the local church in which you serve? And once you settle on implementing one, what are the criteria for “success”? Increased numbers? Indicated decisions? Emotional intensity? A well-funded diversity of programs? How can we navigate the method maze?

9Marks wants to help local churches re-establish their biblical bearings and re-think their ministry methods. We exist to help local church pastors and leaders in the discovery and application of the biblical priorities that cultivate health and holiness in the local church. Kick around below and to the right to learn more about the people of 9Marks, how they understand the problems confronting the church today, and the solutions they propose.

Matt has served 9Marks as the executive director since 1998 and gives oversight to the organization. He focuses on church and pastor consulting, conference planning, book editing, and speaking. He has served Capitol Hill Baptist Church since 1991—in administration and as an elder—aiding Mark Dever in the vital work of renewing a local church. Matt graduated from the University of Maryland with a double major in finance and marketing and lives with his wife and five children in Washington, DC. 

Jonathan serves as director of communications for 9Marks. He writes or edits most 9Marks communications, including website content, 9News, marketing material, and so on. Jonathan originally worked in journalism. Since his call to ministry, he has earned a master of divinity from Southern Seminary and has worked as an interim pastor. He is also working on his Ph.D. in ecclesiology. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Cheverly, MD.

Andrew serves as project coordinator for 9Marks. Overseeing most of the major projects, he also works to facilitate spreading the word to others about the vision of 9Marks and the ways in which the organization can be of help. After graduating with a degree in business and philosophy from Baylor University, Andrew served as a pastoral intern at Capitol Hill Baptist Church and then served on their staff for two years. He somehow got the world's greatest woman to marry him and they have one daughter.

Tosan serves as senior business solutions analyst for 9Marks. Responsibilities include management of technology projects, web development and internet strategy implementation. Tosan comes to us with several years of experience in helping non-profits navigate the "ins and outs" of all things "IT".

EXPOSITIONAL PREACHING: AARON MENIKOFF

Aaron is the senior pastor of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He is currently a PhD student in church history at Southern Seminary where he is writing on the church and social reform in early nineteenth-century Baptist life. Aaron has served as an elder at Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky and Capitol Hill Baptist Church. Prior to entering full-time ministry, he worked for U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield. He and his wife, Deana, have three children: Rachel, Jonah, and Natalie. Email Aaron at preaching@9Marks.org.

BIBLICAL THEOLOGY: MICHAEL LAWRENCE

Michael serves as an associate pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church. He previously served on the staff of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at UNC-CH and at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Concord, MA. A Duke graduate, he holds the M.Div degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and a PhD in Church History at Cambridge University. Michael and his wife, Adrienne, have four children: Michael, Christian, Samuel, and Sarah. Email Michael at theology@9Marks.org. 

GOSPEL: GREG GILBERT

Greg is senior pastoral assistant at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. Having graduated B.A. from Yale and MDiv from Southern Seminary, Greg intends to pursue a senior pastorate. He and his wife Moriah have two sons, Justin and Jack. Email Greg at gospel@9Marks.org. 

CONVERSION: BRAD WHEELER

Brad works as a Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch while pursuing his ThM at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. After graduating from Princeton University, he spent a number of years in investment consulting before pursuing a call to pastoral ministry. He served as a pastoral assistant and elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC, and is now an elder at Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville. Brad was raised a Unitarian, and was converted while growing up in California through the ministry of his (now) wife Erin, and emerging church pastor/writer Dan Kimball. He and Erin have four children: Page, Maggie, William and Eliza. Email Brad at conversion@9Marks.org.

EVANGELISM: RYAN TOWNSEND

Ryan is an M.Div student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. Ryan is an elder on staff at Clifton Baptist Church, and serves as the administrative pastor and children's ministry director. Before beginning seminary in the Fall of 2005, Ryan lived in Washington, DC, where he worked for the Capitol Hill Baptist Church (2003-2005) and accenture, an information technology and strategy consulting firm (1998-2003). Ryan was converted in 1998 through the ministry of CHBC, following his graduation from Georgetown University. He is married to Tara Beth, and they have three children, Bethan, Kyla and Luke. Email Ryan at evangelism@9Marks.org.

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: MIKE MCKINLEY

Mike is the pastor of Guilford Baptist Church in Sterling, VA. Mike did his undergraduate work at The George Washington University and his M.Div at Westminster Theological Seminary. He is married to Karen (his college sweetheart!) and has three children: Kendall, Knox, and Phineas. Email Mike at membership@9Marks.org.

CHURCH DISCIPLINE: JONATHAN LEEMAN

In addition to serving as the 9Marks director of communications (see bio. above), Jonathan covers the area of church discipline.
Email Jonathan at discipline@9Marks.org.

DISCIPLESHIP AND GROWTH: DEEPAK REJU

Raised in New Jersey, Deepak Reju serves as an associate pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. His pastoral responsibilities include oversight of the biblical counseling and family ministries at CHBC. He previously served on staff at Grace Church in Westfield, N.J. and Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. A George Washington University graduate, he also holds the MDiv and PhD degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Deepak and his wife, Sarah, have two children, Zachariah and Lydia. Email Deepak at discipleship@9Marks.org.

LEADERSHIP: THABITI ANYABWILE

Thabiti is the full-time husband to a loving wife, Kristie, and father to three adorable children, Afiya, Eden and Titus. He previously worked as an assistant pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, and is now the senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Thabiti holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in psychology from North Carolina State University. He has been a member of CHBC since March 2002, and an elder since September 2004. A former high school basketball coach and bookstore owner, Thabiti loves reading, sports, and watching sci-fi films. Email Thabiti at leadership@9Marks.org.