By: Brian G. Chilton, M.Div., Ph.D. | November 22, 2024
Due to the unfortunate passing of our cherished friend, Dr. Michelle Johnson, and my work as a hospice chaplain, I have reflected even more on the mortality of each of us. Dr. Michelle Johnson wonderfully served as the Executive Vice President for many years. She gladly accepted the mantle of 2nd in command until she reached the point that she was no longer able to contribute. At that time, we appointed her Executive Vice President Emerita.
When Bellator Christi was first established in 2012, it was my vision that the ministry would continue to provide reasons to believe in the truths of Christianity for those who are struggling with their faith and others who are seeking answers. As such, it is important to appoint persons who can continue this ministry if I should ever become incapacitated and to appoint those who can further expand the outreach of this ministry. Because of the aforementioned reflections, it was time to consider expanding the role of the Executive Vice President.
The Role for Executive Vice Presidents (a.k.a., Executive Directors)
Executive Vice Presidents work closely with the President to cast visions for the ministry, pray over the ministry, guard the theological and ethical integrity of the ministry, and to make difficult decisions whenever needed. The Executive Vice Presidents are trusted with taking the brand name of the ministry into new unexplored areas. As such, Executive Vice Presidents are appointed directly by the President of the ministry.
Bellator Christi Appointed Dr. T. J. Gentry as Senior Executive VP (2nd in Command)
After prayer and a great deal of consideration, I was led to appoint Dr. T. J. Gentry as the Senior Executive Vice President of Bellator Christi. T. J. has already been entrusted with the namesake of Bellator Christi with his work and our partnership with Illative House Press. If for some reason I am unable to run the ministry for a period of time, T. J. would step into the role of President.
Bellator Christi Appointed Dr. Deanna Huff as Executive VP (3rd in Command)
Dr. Deanna Huff also agreed to accept the role of Executive Vice President. She would be entrusted with running the ministry if both T. J. and I were both incapacitated for some reason. As such, she would then step into the role of President. Deanna has agreed to help us develop our newsletters and schedule our contributors, tasks that Michelle had taken on. Additionally, Deanna is planning to take the Bellator Christi brand into new territories on social media.
I am personally thankful for the friendship and comradery of both Dr. T. J. Gentry and Dr. Deanna Huff. Both are not only wonderful colleagues, but they are also cherished friends.
On behalf of the Bellator Christi team, join me in welcoming Dr. T. J. Gentry and Dr. Deanna Huff as our new Executive Vice Presidents!
Below are the bios for both Dr. T. J. Gentry and Dr. Deanna Huff:
T. J. Gentry, D.Min., Ph.D.: Senior Executive Vice President, Assistant Editor, Publisher, and Contributor
Dr. Thomas J. Gentry II (aka T. J. Gentry) serves as the Senior Pastor of First Christian Church of West Frankfort, Illinois, the Assistant Vice President of Publishing and Communications, and the Assistant Editor of Bellator Christi Ministries. He formerly served as the Executive Editor of MoralApologetics.com. Dr. Gentry earned his Ph.D. in Theology and Apologetics (Liberty University); Ph.D. in Theology with Missiology (North-West University, South Africa); and Ph.D. in Biblical Studies, Ph.D. in Leadership, and D.Min. in Pastoral Counseling (Carolina University). Additionally, he is the President of Illative House Press (illativehousepress.com), having previously published Pulpit Apologist: The Vital Link between Preaching and Apologetics (Wipf and Stock, 2020) and Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord: Biblical, Theological, and Rational Arguments against Purgatory (Wipf and Stock, 2019).
Dr. Gentry proudly served his country, both enlisted and officer, in the United States Army Chaplain Corps, and he has taught martial arts as a Christian ministry platform since the late 1990s. He is an adjunct professor at Carolina University (carolinau.edu) and Carolina College of Biblical Studies (https://ccbs.edu). He and his wife are blessed with five children and two grandchildren. His daily Bible teaching and devotions can be heard at tjgentry.net.
Deanna Huff, Th.M., Ph.D.: Executive Vice President of Outreach, Assistant Editor, Publisher, and Contributor
Deanna Huff is a wife and mother. She is passionate about teaching others to share and defend their faith, drawing on 25 years of experience in the field. Her publications include The Prophets’ Use of the Shepherd Motif and Its Contribution to Their Presentation of the Character of God, and she has contributed chapters to Why Creationism Still Matters and Strong Faith.
She works at Museum of the Bible. She is also a speaker who has led seminars for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Ladies Retreat, and the State Evangelism Conference. In addition, she taught high school students for ten years at Christian Heritage Academy, covering subjects such as Bible, Universal History, Apologetics and Philosophy.
Deanna earned a Ph.D. in Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University. She holds a Master of Theology in Apologetics and Worldview from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oklahoma.
Deanna is an active member of Capitol Hill Baptist Church where she co-hosted a podcast called The Analysis with Pastor Mark DeMoss. She also co-hosted a podcast with her daughter Ellie Huff called but why should i care. She and her husband teach an adult Sunday school class, discipling others in the faith.
