Jim has been on staff with New Life Christian Fellowship (NLCF) at Virginia Tech for 23 years and has been one of its pastors for 18. He and his wife Tracy have three kids that are all in college so now a few of his hobbies are to pay everybody’s tuition and keep an extensive fleet of aging cars semi-street-legal. Jim is pursuing a doctorate from Northern Seminary in Contextual Theology and received his Masters from Leland. When he isn’t making payments to various institutions of higher learning and pastoring, he consults with churches, coaches other pastors, and speaks on emerging cultural issues. He wrote “Should We Fire God?” in 2009 and looks forward to writing again once the endless process of post-graduate education is finished.

Nicole Pertillar holds an MA in Counseling from Regent University and has served children and families through intensive family therapy for more than ten years. Nicole’s experiences as a school counselor and program director for a community arts organization increased her passion for community revitalization efforts. Currently, Nicole anticipates graduating from Regent University in May 2022 with a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership Foresight. She is using her leadership skills to advise church and ministry leaders in the areas of strategic planning, anticipatory management, communication flow and structure, and cultural diversity. Nicole resides in Harrisburg, PA.