apprentice ministry team "the a-team"

	James Bryan Smith A professor at Friends University and Director of The Aprentis Institute, for 20 years Jim has been writing and speaking in the area of Christian spiritual formation, with titles like Devotional Classics (with Richard J. Foster), Embracing the Love of God, Room of Marvels, and the books in The Apprentice Series.
	Mike Clifford Originally from Cleveland, Mike is studying zoological sciences at Friends University, where he is also the Christian Spiritual Formation Recruitment Coordinator and leads worship, student experiences, and community outreach.
	CJ Fox With a MA in Christian Ministry, for six years CJ was the student ministry pastor at Central Christian Church in Wichita where he taught the Apprentice material to over 100 students. He is presently the Assistant Director of The Aprentis Institute at Friends University.
	Deidre Franklin As pastor of spiritual formation at Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City, Deidre delights in creating environments in which people can explore their God-given capacity to be changed over time, transformed into the image of our master, Jesus.
	Matt Johnson With a BA in Religious Studies from Friends University, Matt has served at Andover United Methodist Church (Kansas) for almost a decade and has led several Apprentice groups. He received training in spiritual direction through the Souljourners program in Atchison, Kansas.
	Patrick Sehl As the Director of Campus Ministries at Friends University, Patrick has implemented discipleship study and practice by using the Apprentice Series in college student small groups.
	Ben Simpson Holding an MA in Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary and an MA in Religious Studies from The University of Kansas, Ben has worked in children's and youth ministry for several years. He is presently a contributor to FaithVillage.com, and has written for Collide Magazine.
	Lyle SmithGraybeal With a background in retail business and inner-city ministry, Lyle has worked with James Bryan Smith and Renovaré in one aspect or another for most of 20 years. He is the Renovaré USA Coordinator and with Felicia, his spouse, is a contributor to The Life with God Bible.
	Andrew Tash A former professor, Andrew has led many large and small groups through Apprentice over the last four years. Fascinated and perplexed by the kingdom, he loves Sabbath and is glad to have been caught in the reckless raging fury that they call the love of God.
	Jimmy Taylor An ordained pastor serving Epworth United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, Jimmy encourages apprenticeship to Jesus through spiritual formation teachings and small groups, has worked extensively with Jim Smith on Apprentice, and loves all things U2.
	Kara Yuza Holding a BA in communications and public relations from Wichita State University, Kara is a spiritual formation student at Friends University as well as the assistant in the Aprentis Institute office. She has also served in local church education ministry for over a decade.