KEC 2025
Main Speakers
Philip Graham Ryken
Dr. Philip Graham Ryken is the eighth president of Wheaton College, where he studied English literature and philosophy. During his presidency, Wheaton has advanced the strategic priorities of deepening ethnic diversity, enhancing music and the performing arts, and globalizing a Wheaton education. Positive results include a more diverse campus community with students representing more than fifty countries, the state-of-the-art Armerding Center for Music and the Arts, and more than $400 million in new giving for scholarships and other priorities.
Dr. Ryken earned a Master of Divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary and a doctorate in historical theology from the University of Oxford. He preached at Philadelphia’s historic Tenth Presbyterian Church from 1995 until his appointment at Wheaton in 2010.
President Ryken has published more than 50 Bible commentaries and other books and has served as a board member for The Gospel Coalition, the Lausanne Movement, and the National Association of Evangelicals.
WATCH Philip’S WELCOME VIDEO
Glen Scrivener
Glen is an award winning author and filmmaker who speaks around the world about the intersection of faith and culture. Originally from Australia, he was educated at Oxford and is now ordained in the Church of England. He has written 9 books including 321: The Story of God, the World and You and The Air We Breathe: How We All Came to Believe In Freedom, Kindness, Progress and Equality. Glen is passionate about people meeting Christ and equipping Christians to share their faith. He’s often found speaking at Churches and Universities, in the studio producing online media or in his office, writing books and other evangelistic material. Glen is married to Emma, and they have a daughter, Ruby and son, JJ.
WATCH Glenn’S WELCOME VIDEO
Kirk Patston
Kirk has a background in speech pathology and Presbyterian ministry and has been lecturing at SMBC since 2000 where he is the Director of the Centre for Preaching and Pastoral Ministry. He’s interested in understanding the Bible well and applying it in a complex world.
Kirk and his wife, Lisa, share an interest in connections between art and faith and enjoy the creativity of the Springwood Presbyterian Churches.
They are the parents of two adult sons and Co-Founders of ‘Our Place Christian Communities’ – a ministry that builds capacity of churches in disability inclusion and nurtures mixed-ability residential communities in living relationships with local churches.
WATCH Glenn’S WELCOME VIDEOSpecial Guests
Rachel Ciano
Rachel is a historian, teacher, writer, and thinker. She loves uncovering stories from history and making them known, and believes the past teaches us to live better here and now. Rachel co-authored 10 Dead Guys You Should Know and 10 Dead Gals You Should Know which both aim to bring forward narratives from the past and consider how they impact us today.
She is Dean of Academic Development at Mary Andrews College, and lectures in Christianity in History at Sydney Missionary and Bible College.
Rachel speaks locally and internationally on the intersection between history, theology, and everyday life. Her research and publications are wide-ranging and particularly focus on the sixteenth-century Reformation period.
She lives in Sydney with her husband and two sons, is involved in ministry in Sydney’s Inner West where her husband is a minister, and loves to surf and soak up Sydney’s gorgeous beaches.
Rachel will be giving two short biographical talks over the weekend. These biographical talks are for our encouragement and to spur us on in living faithfully to Jesus Christ.
WATCH Philip’S WELCOME VIDEO
John Lennox
John Lennox MA MMath PhD (Cambridge) MA DPhil (Oxford) DSc (Wales) MA Bioethics (Surrey) is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford, Emeritus Fellow in Mathematics and the Philosophy of Science and Pastoral Advisor at Green Templeton College and former Associate Fellow at Saïd Business School.
John has written extensively on the interface between science, philosophy and theology, and recent titles include: Can Science Explain Everything? Where is God in a Coronavirus World? 2084: Artificial Intelligence and The Future of Humanity, and Cosmic Chemistry: Do God and Science Mix? He has also been involved in high-profile public debates with Richard Dawkins, Peter Singer and the late Christopher Hitchens. He has done many lectures, interviews and debates for the Veritas Forum, particularly in the USA. He is a Senior Fellow of the Trinity Forum.
John and actor Kevin Sorbo featured in a full-length documentary film entitled Against the Tide made by Pensmore Films and Kharis Productions. He recently did an invited interview with Dr Jordan Peterson.
He is married to Sally. They have three children and ten grandchildren and live near Oxford.
John will be joining us virtually, live from the UK on Friday night. In this interview, John will discuss the topic of ‘Christians & Worldliness’, looking at the most profound challenges Christians face in our culture and understanding where the opportunities for powerful Christian witness lies.
WATCH Glenn’S WELCOME VIDEOChildren’s Program Speakers
Matt Jacobs
Matt is married to Keren, and is dad to Abby, Noah, and Hayley. He has worked in youth ministry for over 20 years, the last 7 at St Jude’s Anglican Church in Bowral. He loves Bible teaching, seeing young Christians grow to maturity in their faith, and serving alongside the fun team of youth leaders at St Jude’s. In his free time, Matt loves running, cooking, and playing with Lando, his big dopey Hungarian Vizsla.
Matt will be teaching the KEC Senior High Program.
Watch Matt’s Welcome Video WATCH Philip’S WELCOME VIDEO
Quiz Worx
Quiz Worx exists to share the Good News of Jesus with primary aged kids in creative, fun and engaging ways. They perform live shows with puppetry, music, art & stories at schools, churches, outreach events, afternoon kids’ clubs and Holiday Kids’ Clubs all over Australia. Quiz Worx live shows are fast paced, action-packed and clearly present who Jesus is from the Bible! To find out more about Quiz Worx you can go to Quiz Worx.com.
QuizWorx will be teaching the KEC Kids Primary Program.
WATCH Glenn’S WELCOME VIDEO
Tim Edwards
Tim is currently studying at Moore Theological College while also serving as a student minister, working with youth and young adults, at Norwest Anglican Church.
Tim is married to his amazing wife Maddy, has a two-year-old son named Isaac, and a giant dog named Moseley. In addition to his family, Tim loves Jesus, talking to people about the Bible, and passionately supporting his favourite English football (soccer) team Crystal Palace.
Tim will be teaching the KEC Kids Junior High Program.
WATCH Glenn’S WELCOME VIDEO