Rod Casey, D.Min.
Dr. Rod Casey is an expert in the art of teaching preachers how to speak. He understands how communication works, especially when unchurched listeners are trying to understand what's being said from the pulpit.
Dr. Casey is the founder of the Theological Education Initiative in central Missouri and an adjunct preaching professor in the master's program at Tozer Seminary and also in the doctoral program at Bethel Theological Seminary. He has published in Preaching Today and written a doctoral project on learner-sensitive preaching at Talbot School of Theology. His passion for the local church and transformational communication is only eclipsed by his seasonal insanity during Mizzou basketball games.
Rod Casey’s mission statement is:
To urge all to let God guard us
Nancy Grisham, Ph.D.
Dr. Nancy Grisham is a real estate agent who ministers primarily as a full-time evangelist. She is the founder of a speaking ministry called Livin’ Ignited, a contributor to the Billy Graham Center’s evangelism blog, and a guest preacher in local churches and chapel services. Her first book, Thriving: Trusting God for Life to the Fullest (Baker, 2013), is followed by her forthcoming book, Forever Together: Sharing Christ With Your Family.
Dr. Grisham earned her Ph.D. in Educational Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and her MA in Evangelism from Wheaton College. She has served as the Discipleship and Evangelism Pastor at Elmbrook Church in Waukesha, WI in a congregation of 6,500 people, as Associate Director of Evangelism at the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College, and as adjunct faculty at Wheaton College.
Nancy Grisham’s mission statement is:
To pour forth speech that gathers more people to Jesus.
Tom Mount, Ph.D.
Tom Mount is the founding pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Chico, CA. Ordained in the Christian & Missionary Alliance, he has been a pastor since 1987.
Tom's interests include the areas of theology, church history, spiritual direction, and spiritual formation. Dr. Mount holds degrees from Cal Poly (SLO), A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary, and South African Theological Seminary. His Ph.D. dissertation focused on how our transcendent-yet-proximate God compassionately interacts with His creation.
Tom’s mission statement is:
To guide others into the endless beauty of God.
Lisa Orimoto, Ph.D.
Dr. Lisa Orimoto is a Senior Associate and is regularly involved in every aspect of Right On Mission. But her favorite part of her job is serving as a faculty member. Dr. Orimoto is an astute facilitator, and formally trained scientist whose growing expertise includes human development, communication, strategic planning, and relational dynamics. “Dr. O” is our top expert in emotional maturity and effective listening. She also teaches the Knowing Yourself course. Her publications on these subjects are forthcoming.
Dr. Orimoto's education includes a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Studies from the University of Hawaii. She holds an associate coaching credential (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation.
Lisa Orimoto’s mission statement is:
To persuade people to dare to develop their creative potential.
Jack Painter, Ph.D.
Dr. Jackson Painter has been teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels for over two decades. Being fluent in biblical Greek and Hebrew, he has many keen insights into God’s Word. There is nothing Dr. Painter would rather do than walk people line by line through Holy Scripture. Given Jack’s dedication as a father, he only recently began to take the bulk of his leisure to develop his original research primarily on the Book of Jude. Though Dr. Painter has presented numerous scholarly papers on a variety of New Testament topics, his publishing contributions that could influence future scholarship are imminently forthcoming.
Dr. Painter earned his Ph.D. at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He was the Professor of New Testament and Greek at Simpson University and Adjunct Professor of New Testament at A. W. Tozer Theological Seminary. His first published volume, The Gospel of John: A Thematic Approach (Wipf & Stock, 2010) develops the motifs of witness, testimony, and identity.
Jack Painter’s mission statement is:
To celebrate God’s handiwork in the light of God’s Word.
Hugh Ross, Ph.D.
Dr. Hugh Ross is an astronomer and best-selling author of almost a dozen books. He travels the globe speaking on the compatibility of scientific discoveries with the timeless truths of Christianity. His organization, Reasons to Believe (RTB), is dedicated to demonstrating that science and biblical faith logically accord. After Hugh’s study of big bang cosmology convinced him of the Creator's existence, curiosity led Dr. Ross to test religious "holy books" for scientific and historical accuracy. Only the Bible passed the test. That is how this former Cal Tech professor came to become a prominent apologist for the gospel.
Dr. Hugh Ross earned a degree in Physics from the University of British Columbia on a National Research Council of Canada fellowship. He then earned his PhD in astronomy from the University of Toronto. For several years he continued his research on quasars and galaxies as a postdoctoral fellow at the California Institute of Technology. In 2012, Dr. Ross with Dr. Gerald Schroeder, received the Ide P. Trotter Prize presented by Texas A&M University in recognition of his work in demonstrating connections between science and religion.
Hugh Ross’s mission statement is:
To promote the truth of the cosmic triumph of Christ Jesus.
James Spencer, Ph.D.
James Spencer, Ph.D. is the author of Thinking Christian: Essays on Testimony, Accountability, and the Christian Mind, a 2020 volume he developed after teaching “Developing A Christian Mind” at Right On Mission. He is co-author of Trajectories: A Gospel-Centered Introduction to Old Testament Theology. His other work includes being a consultant for Ruffalo Noel-Levitz where he assists colleges and universities in the areas of online program development and enrollment management and serving as the President of D.L. Moody Center.
Dr. Spencer came to faith in 1998 through the ministry of Campus Crusade (now Cru) and the persistence of his high school sweetheart (now his wife of 20+ years). He graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a Master of Divinity at Moody Theological Seminary, an M.A. in Biblical Exegesis from Wheaton College, and his Ph.D. in Theological Studies-Old Testament from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. After that, he attended the Institute of Education Management at Harvard University.
James Spencer’s mission statement is:
To prod the Church to learn how to please God together.
Jim Sumner, MA, MA
Jim wears multiple hats at Right On Mission: He's the Business Manager, and a member of the Speaking Team and Consulting Team. His expertise includes preaching, administration, children's ministry, facilities management, and analytical thinking.
Jim has a B.S. from Illinois State University, an M.A. from Azusa Pacific University, and an M.A. from A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary.
Jim's primary background as a non-Christian was in professional entertainment. After he came to Christ, he worked on church staff, then later became an adjunct faculty member at Simpson University and a Bible Study Fellowship leader. Jim and Sarah live in Redding, CA.
Jim Sumner’s mission statement is:
To feed God's truth to the hungry.
Sarah Sumner, Ph.D., MBA
Dr. Sarah Sumner is Founder and President of Right On Mission, a new model of education for believers. For over fifteen years, Dr. Sumner worked full-time in Christian higher education and loved it, yet lamented its leftward lean toward secularization. She was hired to teach at Wheaton College, Azusa Pacific University, Simpson University, and Trinity Law School. She has guest lectured or keynoted in chapel in almost forty (40) different schools of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).
Dr. Sumner was personally mentored by Carl F.H. Henry and Dallas Willard and worked as a T.A. for Kevin Vanhoozer. Her dissertation committee included H.O.J. Brown (chair), Douglas Moo, and Wayne Grudem. Dr. Sumner is the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. She holds an MBA from Azusa Pacific University, an MA in from Wheaton College, an MDiv equivalent from Trinity, and a BA from Baylor University. She was trained as a global change agent at Harvard University.
So far, Sarah Sumner has authored four books: Men and Women in the Church (now in its 12th printing, IVP, 2003), Leadership Above the Line (Tyndale, 2006), Just How Married Do You Want To Be? (IVP, 2008), and Angry Like Jesus: Using His Example To Spark Your Moral Courage (Fortress, 2015). She has published in Christianity Today, Relevant, Leadership Journal, Gifted For Leadership, Neue Quarterly, and Christian Management Report. She has also contributed to reference books such as Dictionary of Theology and Culture (NavPress, 2009); The Dictionary for Christian Spirituality (Zondervan, 2010), and the 3rd Edition of Elwell’s Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Baker, 2017). Currently, she is writing a book on headship.
Sarah Sumner’s mission statement is:
To build integrity in the Church.
Featured Scholars & Guest Lecturers
Lilian Calles Barger, Ph.D.
Lilian Calles Barger, a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, immigrated to the United States with her parents at the age of eight. She holds a Ph.D. in the History of Ideas (Humanities) from the University of Texas at Dallas and has expertise in the adaptation of religion/theology to modernity and the history of the gender revolution.
After a career in business, Lilian founded the Damaris Project, a ten-year initiative that provided resources for women to start faith conversations in their communities. Lilian is the author of two books: Eve’s Revenge: Women and A Spirituality of the Body (Brazos Press, 2003) and Chasing Sophia: Reclaiming the Lost Wisdom of Jesus (Jossey-Bass, 2007). Her forthcoming book from Oxford University Press is entitled The World Come of Age: An Intellectual History of Liberation Theology.
Today Dr. Barger speaks and writes for numerous scholarly venues as an independent scholar and serves as a regular podcast host for the New Books Network. She lives in Taos, NM with her husband and is the mother of two adult sons.
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William Griffin, Ph.D.
Raised in Germany, Dr. Griffin started following Jesus in 1972 and had a life-changing experience with the Holy Spirit of God in 1973. He relented to God’s prompting to attend seminary in Berkeley, CA, but was profoundly disappointed in what he was taught. When finally he entered into the Ph.D. program at Graduate Theological Union, he did so with resolve to become a disciple-making seminary professor.
Alas, Bill confesses that he “got too smart for God” for a long, long time. But during his most difficult season as solo pastor of small church, Dr. Griffin at last returned to his First Love. Eventually he joined the faculty at Simpson University, became campus pastor there for one year, and now teaches at Right On Mission. Dr. Griffin’s big project is to serve as Old Testament editor for iBethel Church’s forthcoming translation of the Bible. Dr. Griffin also ministers (often in the middle of the night!) to church planters in Germany.
Bill Griffin’s mission statement is:
To prepare more people to discover the treasures of Truth.
Paul Jones, Ed.D.
Dr. Paul Jones is a lifelong educator with over three decades of experience in California including one decade as a professor and director of the Administrative Credential at Simpson University. In his 43 years of being an educator, he spent 20 years serving in a variety of administrative leadership roles such as public school principal and university faculty president. Dr. Jones earned his B.A. and Secondary Teaching Credential at Sonoma State University; his M.A. and Administrative Credential at Chico State University and his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern California (USC). He has been married for forty-five years; he and his wife, Jeanne, have four adult children and seven grandchildren.
Paul Jones' mission statement is:
To rally people to muster all their might
Laurie Reinhart, M.A. H.R. Expert
Laurie Reinhart is the Director of Consultant Development and a Senior Consultant with The Genysys Group, an organizational development company that abides with Right On Mission in a contractual relationship that reflects the deep trust between the two companies’ two founders. Laurie spent almost three decades working in public sector Human Resources, including 18 years at the Orange County Fire Authority, one of the largest fire departments in the country with over 1300 employees.
Laurie holds an undergraduate degree from Whittier College, a Master’s degree from APU in Human & Organizational Development, and certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Evidence of her living out her mission can visibly be seen in her faithfulness as an adoptive mother and as the rescuer of her childhood pet turtle who still lives with the family is now over fifty years old.
Laurie Reinhart’s mission statement is:
To regard the sacred value of disregarded lives.
Raymond Rood, M.A.
Raymond Rood is founder of The Genysys Group, a Change Management consulting firm offering organizational development/transformation support to for-profit and nonprofit organizations and public agencies worldwide that seek to initiate, and sustain long-term change. His consulting, teaching, and keynote speaking have taken him to all continents; he has worked in over thirty countries so far.
Ray Rood is also the founder of graduate degree programs in Student Development Education and Human Resource Leadership at Azusa Pacific University where he served in some capacity for forty years. For over ten years he was on the Board at APU and for four the Vice Chairman and Chair of the Academic Committee.
Ray completed his undergraduate studies at Wheaton College and San Francisco State University. He completed his graduate studies through the Wright Institute at Berkeley, California and Fuller Theological Seminary.
He has been married to Mary-Ellen for over fifty years and has one son and one grandson.
Matthew Sayovitz, MBA
Matthew Sayovitz has a broad diversity of experience and expertise in software development and implementation in the non-profit, education, online learning, financial and HRIS sectors. Using his precise vocabulary, he teaches Tech Savvy as both a Webinar and a course at Right On Mission..
Instructor Sayovitz is famous for innovating a unique cutting edge conference pod fondly known at Right On Mission as “Matthew’s Robot” or the “ROMbot. His formal education includes a BA and MBA from Azusa Pacific University. For ministry, he volunteers at his local church, works with InterVarsity Fellowship’s Urbana, and prioritizes Right On Mission (ROM) as he tirelessly serves as our IT Director.
Matthew Sayovitz’ mission statement is:
To enhance the work of those who are building God’s Kingdom.
Halee Scott, Ph.D.
Halee Gray Scott, Ph.D, is an author and social researcher of issues related to millennials, women in ministry leadership, and spiritual development. She works full-time at Denver Seminary. Her writing has appeared in Christianity Today, Christian Education Journal, Real Clear Religion, Relevant, Books and Culture, Gifted for Leadership, Outcomes, Intervarsity’s The Well.
Her first book, Dare Mighty Things: Mapping the Challenges of Leadership for Christian Women was released by Zondervan in 2014. When Halee is not writing or teaching, she is usually randomly Googling, baking challah bread with her daughters, running, or doing Crossfit. Follow her on Twitter at @hgscott. Soli deo gloria.
Halee Scott’s mission statement is:
To compel people to consecrate all they have to God.
