Dr Andrew Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, USA. He writes and researches in areas of theology, ministry, culture and younger generations. Andy also serves as theologian in residence at Youthfront. He has worked in congregations, parachurch ministries, and social service programs. His most recent books are Evangelism in an Age of Despair (Baker, 2025), The Church in an Age of Secular Mysticisms (Baker, 2023), and Churches and the Crisis of Decline (Baker, 2022).
Chris Russell worked as political researcher before training for ordination. While Stephen Cottrell was bishop of Reading, Chris became vicar of St Laurence’s in Reading and their shared vision of evangelism saw it become a multi-generational community with a focus on the town’s unchurched young people, a passion that distinguishes it still. Chris has participated in training events at the Youth Ministry Institute of Yale Divinity Scholl and is currently Adviser on Evangelism to the Archbishop[ of Canterbury. He is the author of Yearning for the Vast and Endless Sea: The good news about the good news.