Worldview Leadership Summit - 2017
Col. Allen West was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia in the same neighborhood where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once preached. He is the third of four generations of military servicemen in his family. During his 22 year career in the United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel West served in several combat zones: in Operation Desert Storm, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was a Battalion Commander in the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, and later in Afghanistan. He received many honors including a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals and a Valorous Unit Award. In 1993 he was named the US Army ROTC Instructor of the Year. After his retirement from the Army in 2004, Allen taught high school for a year before returning to Afghanistan as a civilian military adviser to the Afghan army, an assignment he finished in November 2007.
Craig Vincent Mitchell, PhD a former Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) where he also serves as director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement. In addition, Dr. Mitchell is also a Research Fellow for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Mitchell also serves as a part-time lecturer in economics at the University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Mitchell has completed seven degrees. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electronic engineering technology/ mathematics from Savannah State University and a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif. In addition, Dr. Mitchell holds master’s degrees in engineering management and information systems, both from West Coast University, and a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern. In 2011 he completed a Master of Arts degree in
economics from the University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Mitchell holds a PhD in Christian ethics and philosophy of religion from Southwestern and is the author of two books: Charts of Christian Ethics and Charts of Philosophy and Philosophers, both published by Zondervan. He is a Senior Fellow with the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation and a board member for the Institute for Religion and Democracy. Dr. Mitchell served as a Research Fellow for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2005-2014. Dr Mitchell served as a U.S. Air Force Officer from1980-1992 (active duty). He attained the rank of major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. His work involved the testing of various aircraft and spacecraft as a research and development engineer. The aircraft include the B- 52, the FB- 111, the B-1B and planning work for the B-2. The sub- orbital spacecraft include, the Minuteman Missile, the Peacekeeper Missile, and the Small ICBM. He served as the test director for the Chemical Release Observation on space shuttle mission STS- 39. Finally, he was involved with the testing of Titan IV Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Units.
to take all of these experiences and use them for the last 22 years serving families in public policy influence,” said Hettinger, who currently serves as the state director for Concerned Women for America. Hettinger believes the scriptural instructions related to pastoral roles in church do not apply to women serving in government roles. “Indeed, the Scripture is replete with examples of women who bear strong governmental responsibilities,” she said, pointing to Deborah in the Old Testament. “In my view, women bring to the public policy arena experience as unique and necessary as men bring. There is no governmental task that does not involve both genders’ consideration in the same way that we need multi-generational and multi-ethnic considerations.”
Marius Meintjes, PhD is board certified as a High Complexity Laboratory Director, a Human Embryology Laboratory Director, a Technical Supervisor, and a Clinical Consultant through the American Board of Bioanalysts. Currently, he is one of 3 embryologists in the United States that are also certified as a Senior Clinical Embryologist by the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology. He has served as the Program Director and Scientific Director for the ARTS programs at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Presbyterian Hospital of Plano, and Harris Methodist Hospital. Today, Dr. Meintjes serves as an advisor for numerous national and international fertility companies. IVF laboratories under his direction consistently rate among some of the best in the United States. Dr. Meintjes is frequently featured as a national and international speaker on IVF laboratory excellence and design, as well as on various aspects of the optimization of assisted reproduction procedures and outcomes. He has published many book chapters and papers on
these topics in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Growing up on a rural farm in Africa, Dr. Meintjes decided to pursue an education during his college years and completed a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, Medical degree, and Ph.D. During this time, Dr. Meintjes had many firsts in the burgeoning field of assisted reproductive technology, which began with treatments of animals. Dr. Meintjes completed his Doctorate degree in reproductive physiology and embryo biotechnology at Louisiana State University (LSU) under the tutelage of the renowned Dr. Robert A. Godke, who trained many reproductive physiologists, embryologists, reproductive scientists, and laboratory directors in the field of human infertility. While at LSU, Dr. Meintjes participated in developing numerous innovative techniques in assisted reproduction and embryo biotechnology, which assists in bringing some of the best treatments to infertility patients. After graduation, Dr. Meintjes functioned in various capacities at fertility centers in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
John Haughton, J.D.
After graduating from Liberty University, Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Political Science and a J.D. from Regent University School of Law, John was admitted to the practice of law in Texas in 1993 and opened his law office in Aubrey, Texas. Since then John has handled a wide variety of legal matters and has handled many jury trials to verdict in Federal and State courts successfully resolving matters as varied as: Contract disputes, personal injury, medical malpractice, easement and property line disputes, federal racketeering and fraud, and state criminal matters.John has represented his clients in County and District courts throughout Texas and has argued cases before the 2nd Court of Appeals in Fort Worth, the 5th Court of Appeals in Dallas, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court.
In addition, John has also appeared before the Commonwealth of Virginia Corporation Commission, the Federal Board of Contract Appeals, United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in New Orleans, and the United States Supreme Court. John also works as a mediator, certified in general civil and family mediation. In addition to his work in the courtroom and the boardroom, John has made informative presentations including, “The Anatomy of a Lawsuit for Businesses” and “Entity Selection for your Business”.
John has also served on the Pilot Point Charter Commission and presently serves on the Pilot Point Board of Adjustment. John is a member of the Pilot Point and Aubrey 380 Area Chambers of Commerce, the Lake Ray Roberts Rotary Club and actively attends Midway Baptist Church.
Presently John enjoys the general practice of law in the Aubrey/Pilot Point area and a busy life in Pilot Point, with his wife of 31 years, Corey.
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Raymond D. Bohlin is Vice President of Vision Outreach with Probe Ministries. Dr. Bohlin was born and raised in Chicago, IL and is a graduate of the University of Illinois (B.S., zoology, 1971-1975), the University of North Texas (M.S., population genetics, 1977-1980), and the University of Texas at Dallas (M.S., Ph.D., molecular and cell biology, 1984-1991). He has been with Probe Ministries since 1975 and has lectured and debated on dozens of college and university campuses. He has addressed issues in the creation/evolution debate as well as other science-related issues such as the environment, genetic engineering, medical ethics, and sexually transmitted diseases. Dr. Bohlin was named a Research Fellow of the Discovery Institute’s Center for the Renewal of Science and Culture in 1997, 2000 and 2012. He and his wife Sue, an associate speaker and Webmistress for Probe Ministries as well as a professional calligrapher and Christian speaker, live in Plano, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, and they have two grown sons. The creation/evolution debate is not only a divisive issue between
the conservative Christian community and the scientific establishment, but it also divides Christians as well. The tension between both sets of groups often arises because people are talking with no one listening, and hearing without understanding. Strict adherence to a position is more important than understanding another’s point of view. This lack of communication only intensifies the confrontation due to internal biases.
I believe that a reasonable and calm presentation of the evidence can defuse the emotional bullets, especially if questions are answered straightforwardly and with integrity. As a result, the level of learning on both sides is drastically increased. While there are some points in which I believe strongly and will defend them rigorously, there are other issues which still require much study and discussion between all parties before a firm commitment can be taken. Part of my overall purpose is to increase the level and depth of communication between differing camps of the creation/evolution debate while reducing the level of suspicion, contempt, and confrontation. This approach is aimed first of all at bringing Christians together and secondly towards increasing the level of communication between creationists and evolutionists outside the church.
We must take up the Lord’s invitation to the nation of Israel through the prophet Isaiah when He said, “Come now, and let us reason together” (Is. 1:18).
In November of 2010, Allen was elected to the United States Congress, representing Florida’s 22nd District. As a member of the 112th Congress, he sat on the Small Business and Armed Services Committees and was instrumental in passage of the 2011 and 2012 National Defense Authorization Acts. He is a Fox News Contributor, contributing columnist for Townhall.com, and author of Guardian of the Republic: An American Ronin’s Journey to Faith, Family and Freedom. He is the former Executive Director of the National Center for Policy Analysis in Dallas Texas. LTC West holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee as well as two Masters degrees, one from Kansas State University and another from the US Army Command and General Staff Officers College. West is an avid distance runner, a Master SCUBA diver, a motorcyclist, and in his spare time he enjoys cheering his beloved Tennessee Volunteers. Lt. Col. West is a legacy life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, life member of the Association of the United States Army and the Society of the First Infantry Division, life member and is a Board of Directors member of the National Rifle Association. West is an inductee into the University of Tennessee Army ROTC Hall of Fame. He is on the Board of Advisors of Amegy Bank, Dallas Region and was appointed by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. He is married to Dr. Angela Graham-West, a financial adviser, and they have two daughters, Aubrey, who recently graduated with her Masters from SMU, now attending Physician Assistant school in West Virginia, and Austen, a college junior in South Florida, enrolled in Army ROTC seeking her Commission upon graduation.
Craig Vincent Mitchell, PhD was called to ministry in a time when few women committed to full-time Christian service. In college and as a young married woman, she served a variety of churches in administrative roles. When her husband’s profession relocated them to the northern U.S., Hettinger served as a church secretary to a medium-sized church, where she was the only full-time staff member. “The daily run of activities initiated at my desk, and God was my very present help in every moment of that journey,” Hettinger recounted. When her husband’s job relocated them to the Northwest, she served a small church as education assistant for seven years teaching children. And when they later moved to Texas, God provided service opportunities in a large church. Believing Scripture
is definitive concerning the male-only pastoral role, Hettinger said there are so many tasks women may fill that she cannot imagine “a woman not being able to match up her gift with some need.” “For over 30 years, God trained, moved, provided over and over again in my life to take all of these experiences and use them for the last 22 years serving families in public policy influence,” said Hettinger, who currently serves as the state director for Concerned Women for America. Hettinger believes the scriptural instructions related to pastoral roles in church do not apply to women serving in government roles. “Indeed, the Scripture is replete with examples of women who bear strong governmental responsibilities,” she said, pointing to Deborah in the Old Testament. “In my view, women bring to the public policy arena experience as unique and necessary as men bring. There is no governmental task that does not involve both genders’ consideration in the same way that we need multi-generational and multi-ethnic considerations.” “For over 30 years, God trained, moved, provided over and over again in my life