The team behind the Ezra Institute

Rev. Dr. Joseph Boot (M.A., Ph.D.) is a Christian thinker and cultural apologist, Founder and President of the Ezra Institute for Contemporary Christianity. He is adjunct instructor for culture and apologetics at Bryan College, Tennessee. He also served as founding pastor of Westminster Chapel, Toronto for 14 years. Now resident home in Great Britain, Joseph has worked in the fields of Christian apologetics, worldview education and church leadership for over twenty-five years on both sides of the Atlantic. He has spoken and guest lectured globally at numerous university events, seminaries, churches, colleges, and conferences. He regularly addresses pastors and Christian leaders as well as academic, medical, legal, and political professionals and has publicly debated leading atheistic thinkers and philosophers in Canada and the United States. Joseph did his undergraduate studies in Theology (Birmingham Christian College, U.K), earned his Master's degree in Mission Theology with a dissertation focused on Christian cultural philosophy and apologetics (University of Manchester U.K), and holds a PhD in Christian Intellectual Thought (Whitefield Theological Seminary, Florida, USA). Joe's apologetic works include Searching for Truth (Crossway), Why I Still Believe (Baker), and How Then Shall We Answer (New Wine). His most noted contributions to Christian thought are systematic works of Christian cultural apologetics and philosophy elucidating the biblical worldview as it relates to the Christian's calling in the world, including The Mission of God (Wilberforce Publications/Ezra Press) and his latest work, Ruler of Kings (Wilberforce Publications). Other recent volumes developing a cultural apologetic include, Gospel Culture and Gospel Witness (Ezra Press) which serve as an introduction to a scriptural worldview and a Christian philosophy of culture. Joe is a Senior Fellow for the cultural and apologetics think-tank truthXchange in Southern California; is Senior Fellow of cultural philosophy for the California-based Center for Cultural Leadership; and is senior Fellow for Wilberforce Academy and public theology at Christian Concern in London, UK. In 2011 he was recognized by Toronto's Centre for Mentorship and Theological Reflection as 'Best Preacher Apologist' for his contribution to apologetic and expository preaching. Joe is general editor of the Ezra Institute's journal, Jubilee, and was founding chancellor of Westminster Classical Christian Academy in Toronto. Joe is married to Jenny and they have three adult children.

Rev. Nathanael Wright (B.A, MDiv.) is the Canadian Director of the Ezra Institute. He is a Christian leader, theologian and cultural apologist, and has worked in Christian ministry and church leadership in Canada for over fifteen years. While acquiring a Bachelors degree in English Literature and minoring in Cultural Studies at Western, Ontario, he came to faith in Christ through campus outreach ministry where God birthed in him a great passion for evangelism and apologetics. Nathanael went on to work as a youth pastor while pursuing his theological studies at Emmanuel Bible College and McMaster University. After several years in this role, he was apprenticed at West London Alliance Church in Ontario and then accepted his first senior pastorate at Crossroads Bible Church in Ingersoll, Ontario, in 2013 which has grown to about 1,000 people under his care. He continues to serve at Crossroads in senior leadership. A keen student of the reformational tradition in cultural apologetics and an emerging voice in Canadian Christianity, Nathanael was deeply influenced by the work of the Ezra Institute and became increasingly engaged in promoting its work, thought and message before joining our international leadership team. He hosts the popular Rebel Podcast on the Fight Laugh Feast Network and has had numerous opportunities to speak in churches and conferences in Canada. Nathanael and his wife Colleen live in London, Ontario. They have four children.

TC Cook serves as the Director of Relationships and Donor Development for the Ezra Institute, where he works to strengthen partnerships with individuals, churches, and organizations committed to advancing a distinctly Christian worldview in every sphere of life. TC has spent much of his career building and leading mission-driven initiatives that equip communities and mobilize leaders. Prior to joining Ezra, he served as Executive Director of the PowerHouse Youth Center, a ministry focused on building relationships with teens and sharing the gospel through mentorship and discipleship. His leadership helped establish a thriving program that engaged hundreds of young people and families in the community. TC is also an author and keynote speaker. He wrote Battle Ready: A 21-Day Teen Devotional and Before the Ask: 7 Easy Steps to Sustainable Nonprofit Fundraising. Through his writing and speaking, he encourages leaders to think and live faithfully in every sphere of life. In addition to his work with Ezra, TC hosts The TC Cook Show, where he interviews Christian business leaders about faith, leadership, and cultural engagement. He also serves as a county commissioner and an elder at Calvary Baptist Church. TC previously served as Director of Habitat for Humanity and has held leadership roles on several community boards, including the Chamber of Commerce and the local hospital board. TC resides in Indiana with his wife and two children.

Jordan is the Director of Content & Publishing at the Ezra Institute and is a graduate of Western University with a degree in Business. Jordan has worked in Marketing for over 10 years and has run a digital marketing consultancy since 2016. He has a passion for seeing Christ's Kingdom advance in the world and has been active in street evangelism, apologetics and preaching for over a decade. He lives in Strathroy, Ontario, with his wife Melissa and their four children.

Jonathan serves as Finance Manager at the Ezra Institute. With more than a decade of experience assisting churches and Christian organizations in stewarding their finances, he has also operated his own bookkeeping practice for the past five years. Jonathan came to faith during his university years and was quickly challenged to defend the truth of the Gospel. This formative experience impressed upon him the importance of keeping the faith public. In addition to his financial oversight, Jonathan also supports the Ezra Institute by providing Spanish interpretation for various events in Latin America. He lives in Windsor, Ontario, with his wife, Jovana, and their three sons.

Lisa Young serves as the Executive Assistant and Events Coordinator for Ezra Institute Canada. She holds a college diploma in Administration and brings extensive experience from customer service roles at several large corporations, as well as more than a decade of service in church administration and local missions ministry. In addition to her professional background, Lisa has contributed her administrative expertise as a volunteer with a variety of ministries and has served with the Ezra Institute for several years, supporting its work through effective coordination and organizational leadership. Lisa lives in London, Ontario, with her husband, Brad, and their two children. Together, they are active members of their local church.