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. 

Josh serves as the director of operations for 9Marks. He oversees the daily operations of 9Marks and its many volunteers. This includes order fulfillment, website maintenance, database administration, and office management. Josh holds a bachelor of business administration and master of public administration from the George Washington University. Before joining 9Marks, Josh worked as a business consultant for IBM. He has been a member of Capitol Hill Baptist church since 1999.

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.

EXPOSITIONAL PREACHING: AARON MENIKOFF

Aaron is currently a PhD student in historical theology at Southern Seminary where he is writing on the church and social reform in early nineteenth century Baptist life. In addition to his studies, Aaron writes for the Kairos Journal, an online journal for pastors, and teaches high school literature and composition. Before moving to Kentucky, Aaron served Capitol Hill Baptist Church as a pastoral assistant and elder. Prior to this, he worked for U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield. Aaron is an elder at Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, and 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 Gilbert is the director of theological research for the president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Having graduated B.A. from Yale in 1999 and M.Div from SBTS in 2006, he intends to complete a PhD and then pastor. Greg is an elder at Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, and 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 M.Div 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 Townsend 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 administrator 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 McKinley 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

Deepak Reju is soon to serve as the associate pastor for Biblical Counseling & Family Ministry at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. He previously served on the staff at Grace OPC in Westfield, N.J. and is currently wrapping up his service at Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. A George Washington University graduate, he holds the M.Div and PhD degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. 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.