leadership
Instructors

Dr. Michael S. Heiser
Founding Executive Director
Dr. Heiser passed away in February 2023
due to pancreatic cancer. Although he is no longer with us physically, his legacy lives on through his work and teachings and continues to minister to people around the world.
Dr. Michael S. Heiser (who prefers to be called Mike) is a scholar of the Bible and its ancient context. He earned master’s degrees in Ancient History from the University of Pennsylvania and Hebrew Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has a Ph.D. in Hebrew and Semitic Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Before teaching at AWKNG School of Theology, Dr. Heiser taught at the university level for over 20 years and was the Academic Editor and Scholar for Logos Bible Software for 15 years. He supervised scholarly data projects related to the Dead Sea Scrolls, Hebrew and Semitic inscriptions, the Septuagint, and the Greek Pseudepigrapha.
Dr. Heiser is published widely in scholarly academic journals, including the Bible Study Magazine, and authored several portions of the Faithlife Study Bible. In addition, he is the author of several best-selling books, most notably:
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- The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible
- Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World and Why It Matters
- Angels: What the Bible Really Says About God’s Heavenly Host
- Demons: What the Bible Really Says About the Powers of Darkness
Dr. Heiser has a wide online presence through his blog, podcast, and YouTube channels, all of which can be found on his website. Dr. Heiser also has a nonprofit ministry MIQLAT, which provides free translations of his books Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World and Why It Matters and What Does God Want? in dozens of languages.
On a personal note, Dr. Heiser has been married for more than thirty years to his incredible wife, Drenna. They have four adult children. He enjoys pop culture science fiction and has published two science fiction novels The Facade Sage (Volume 1 and 2) and The World Turned Upside Down: Finding the Gospel in Stranger Things. He loves dogs (especially pugs), enjoys playing fantasy football and baseball, and loves the Red Sox and the Packers.
To learn more about the impact Dr. Heiser made and the legacy he has left to all of us, click here.

Dr. Justin Bass
Justin W. Bass has a Ph.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary in New Testament Studies. He has formally debated Dr. Bart Ehrman, Dr. Richard Carrier, Dan Barker and Mufti Hussain Kamani. Dr. Bass’ latest book The Bedrock of Christianity: The Unalterable Facts of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection was released April 8, 2020. He has also written The Battle for the Keys: Revelation 1:18 and Christ’s Descent into the Underworld. He is currently teaching at Dallas Christian College and teaching courses online at Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary in Jordan and Asian Christian Academy in India. When he is not working, he is reading, watching movies (usually The Lord of the Rings), and spending time with his high school sweetheart Allison Bass and three children.

Dr. John M. Phelps
Dr. John M. Phelps was born in Jackson, Mississippi. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business. He earned a Master of Theology in Bible Exposition from Dallas Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry in New Testament Context from Northern Seminary. He planted a church in St Louis, Missouri, and pastored in various roles for over 30 years. He is an adjunct professor in Bible and Theology for Southeastern University. Dr. Phelps is married to his college sweetheart Karen, and they have four children – Jordan, Jake, Gracie, and Tori.

Dr. Dominick S. Hernandez
Dr. Dominick S. Hernandez, PhD, specializes in Semitic Philology. He completed a M.Div. degree at Princeton Theological Seminary and an M.A. at Columbia University. He earned his PhD in Semitic Philology from Israel’s Bar Illan University and currently works as an assistant professor at Moody Bible Institute.

Dr. Craig A. Evans
Dr. Craig A. Evans, PhD, is the John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins and Dean of the School of Christian Thought at Houston Baptist University in Texas. A well-known evangelical scholar throughout the world, he is an elected member of the prestigious SNTS, a society dedicated to New Testament studies and has authored many books and articles on Jesus and the Second Temple Period
Staff

Karla Adcox
Executive Director and President
Karla has worked in church and nonprofit ministries since 2004. She holds a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Social Science with concentrations in both Sociology and Public Administration from Florida State University and has over 16 years of organizational leadership experience.
Ordained in 2019, she has served in a variety of ministry roles including executive leadership, pastor, operations, and team management. She has a deep love for God’s Word and God’s people and desires to use her giftings to advance the Kingdom of God forward in whatever way the Lord leads.
Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she loves Cajun food and LSU football, but is proud to call Jacksonville, Florida her home. Karla has been married to her husband Matt since 2006 and is blessed with two boys, Baize and Greyson.

Mike Chu
Academic Director
Mike is a born and bred Bostonian who has been a lifelong resident of Massachusetts. He became a follower of Christ at the age of 15 at a local Chinese Heritage church, where the foundations of his love for Jesus and the Scriptures were laid down. It was Dr. Heiser’s content, however, that rekindled an interest in pursuing theological training. He is currently finishing up his Master in Divinity degree at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in the Spring of 2023. He, additionally, has recently been accepted as a Doctorate of Ministry candidate at the same institution. He and his wife Sofia have been part of local multi-ethnic church community in the city of Quincy since 2012, where they have served in various capacities over the past decade.

Britnie Bellamy
Learning & Development Specialist
Britnie is born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida – one of the few locals left! She graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She has extensive learning and development experience, ranging from facilitation, instructional design, knowledge management, and performance consulting. Britnie is passionate about learning and the adult learner experience. She is married to her husband Rick and has four pups – Callie, Benny, Max, and Molly!
Board of Directors
AWKNG School of Theology is governed by an independent board of directors. We are not affiliated with any local church, but we love to support churches by working with pastors to provide resources to help in their discipleship efforts.

Karla Adcox – President & Chairman

Drenna Heiser – Director

Stephanie Lippincott – Director & Acting Chief Marketing Officer

Wayne Lanier – Director

Dawn Wilson – Secretary & Treasurer