Our Story
The Ambassador’s Forum is a Christian apologetics ministry that exists to “make God known, AS HE IS,” taken directly out of Scripture (1 John 3:2), and to equip believers with relevant, Biblically-based content in the areas of science, Scripture reliability, worldview, world religions and current social topics. The Ambassadors Forum stands to help Christ followers feel confident in answering hard questions and defending their faith with resources including:
- Fall Apologetics Conference featuring nationally recognized speakers and apologists.
- Weekly Radio Show every Saturday at 9:30am PST on TrueTalk800am KPDQ or truetalk800.com.
- Monthly Friday Forum – a live event on the third Friday of every month addressing issues and topics with a live Q&A.
- Newsletter - e-mailed monthly providing insights, updates and more.
The Ambassador’s Forum has a focused passion to reach the next generation for Christ. Research indicates 70% of kids raised in the church and in Christian homes will leave their faith by the time they finish college. This is why the content provided by the Ambassador’s Forum is real and relevant.
CLICK HERE to see our Mission and Vision.
Meet the Team
Roy Swart, the Ambassador’s Forum Lead
With a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, Roy’s day job is working in the Semiconductor Industry, but his passion is Jesus! Roy is all about relentless examination of the Christian faith and challenging it with questions and sourcing the answers. Roy leads the Ambassadors Forum and hosts its radio show every Saturday on 800am KPDQ.
Rex Smith, Executive Coordinator
Rex is a retired Silicon Valley executive who became interested in apologetics in 2009. Since then, he has earned a certificate in Biblical Studies from Western Seminary while continuing to study apologetics. Rex is a founding member of the Ambassadors forum.
Bryon Mengle, Creative Services Director
Bryon has served in Christian ministry for more than 15 years – as a Christian radio host, Youth Pastor, Campus Pastor and currently Online Pastor. Bryon hosts the monthly Friday Forums and the Fall Apologetics Conference and provides direction and oversight to the creative elements for the Ambassador’s Forum.
Herb Grey
Herb is an Oregon lawyer whose interest in apologetics subjects and the importance of a Christian worldview dates back to his youthful fascination with American and European history, especially history reflecting the impact of ideas on nations and cultures. In addition to many years of teaching church classes about issues and his regular law practice, Herb has extensive professional experience involving challenges to traditional Judeo-Christian values in policy and law from over 26 years of litigating free speech, religious liberty and conscience cases arising under the U.S. and Oregon constitutions, including defense of traditional marriage, parents’ rights, the transgender agenda in public schools and the Sweet Cakes by Melissa case. He is a member of the national board of directors for the Christian Legal Society and has long been an allied attorney affiliated with Alliance Defending Freedom. Herb is admitted to and regularly practices before Oregon trial and appellate courts, the U.S. District Court for Oregon, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
Kari Denker
Kari is the founder of Stone Soup for Five, a blog dedicated to encouraging women to grown in their spiritual lives in practical, hands-on ways. Kari has taught two years of Jr. High and High School apologetics at their homeschool co-op and is the author of the Journal and Doodle Bible studies and creator of the I Will Meditate Bible journals. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and has survived raising three sons.
Adrian Toader
Adrian is a member of the Southwest Hills Ambassador's forum who has been teaching on apologetics topics for over 10 years. He is a former public school teacher with a Masters in teaching and has extensive experience engaging the secular culture.
Charles Jackson
Charles is a member of Southwest Hills Baptist Church. He has been married to his stellar wife Royale for 23 years and they have 4 superlative children: Erin, Nick, Hope and Markus. Charles is available to talk about critical theory, progressive theology, sex in the modern culture and the violent parts of the Old Testament. And out of all folks in the Ambassador's Forum, he is the tallest.
Dr. Stephen Van Horn
Born and raised in So California.
Moved to Oregon to serve with Campus Crusade 1972 to 74; Moved back to Oregon permanently Aug 1981
Experience: 1972-78 served on the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ; 1981-96 Lead pastor, Faith Bible Church, Aloha, OR; 1996-2005 Associate pastor, Calvary Chapel Worship Center, Hillsboro, OR; While on staff at Calvary Chapel, taught as adjunct professor at Nairobi International School of Theology (now International School of Theology) 1998-2003; 2003 Founded International Training & Equipping Ministries (ITEM), serving as Exec Director 2003 to present.
Education: BS, Mathematics, California Baptist College (now university) 1971; MDiv, International School of Theology 1981; Dmin in Leadership, Western Seminary (Portland), 1996
Married: 1970, Spouse-Brenda, two daughters, six granddaughters, two great grandsons.