CO-FOUNDERS
Bill’s passion is to help the church return to its disciple making roots and he considers himself a discipleship evangelist. Bill served as a pastor for 20 years and is the author of classic works that have supported the disciple making movement for the past forty years. He as written more than 25 books, among the books are Jesus Christ Disciplemaker, The Disciple Making Pastor, The Disciple Making Church, Conversion & Discipleship, The Discipleship Gospel with Ben Sobels and the False Promise of Discipleship with Brandon Cook. The Bonhoeffer Project has grown from two cohorts in 2015 and is on pace for 30 cohorts in 2020.
Brandon Cook is a writer, teacher, and trainer. He studied at Wheaton College, Jerusalem University College, Brandeis University, and The Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies. A former pastor, he had over ten years of local church experience and, during that time, he co-founded The Bonhoeffer Project with Bill Hull. He lives in Long Beach with his wife, Rebecca, and their three children, where he enjoys writing and photography. Follow him on Instagram at @brandonalancook and, for poetry and other writing, visit storyflight.com .
COHORT LEADERS
Dan is the lead pastor at Calvary Chapel Oceanside, in Oceanside California where he has been serving for over 13 years. He has been married to his wife Nicole for 17 years and they have 4 amazing children together - Qorban, Bryden, Elias, and Savanna. Aside from his role as lead pastor and teacher, Dan has a passion to see people trained up to be disciple-making leaders. Dan found his passion for making disciple-makers through his discovery of The Bonhoeffer Project in 2019 when a friend asked him to attend the National Disciple Making Forum. Since this discovery, Dan has dedicated his life to the pursuit of seeing the Great Commission come to fruition in every aspect of his life and ministry.
Email: dan@thebonhoefferproject.com
Cindy holds a B. S. in Christian Ministries from Trinity College of Florida, and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Regent University. Cindy is a writer, international speaker, and leadership-coaching consultant. Cindy leads women in multiple capacities, through discipleship and leadership development. She leads Women’s Cohorts and serves on the National Leadership Team, as Chief Operating Officer, for The Bonhoeffer Project (thebonhoefferproject.com). Cindy serves as a faculty professor at Trinity College of Florida as Department Chair for the Business and Organizational Leadership Department. She served as Spiritual Journey Pastor at Bay Life Church in Brandon, FL for many years.
Originally from southern West Virginia, Cindy is married to her high school sweetheart, Larry. They currently reside in Riverview, FL. Cindy has two grown kids, two grandchildren, and one adorable great-granddaughter. She has a passion for helping others grow more like Christ through intentional discipleship.
Jay and his wife Debbie recently moved to south-central Kentucky from Maui, Hawaii where they served Kihei Baptist Chapel for twenty years. Jay is a graduate of Denver Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary, where he received his Masters degree. He is a father to one beautiful daughter and grandfather to four very special grandchildren.
At the crossroads of the Pacific, Kihei Baptist ministered to thousands from across the globe and Jay’s passion for discipleship expanded with each of those friends and church family. Jay brings his years of experience in disciple making to The Bonhoeffer Project family.
Email: jay@thebonhoefferproject.com
Brandon serves as Spiritual Growth Pastor at Saddleback Church. He earned a BA in History and Theology from Azusa Pacific University, and a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. He lives in Laguna Niguel, CA with his wife, Bethany, and his two kids, Lincoln and Rae. His life objective is to make disciples that proclaim and live out God’s kingdom in such a way that curiosity is cultivated, hearts and lives are genuinely transformed, and communities come to life in the light of Jesus’ radical love.
Carmelita Boyce serves as the Women’s Ministry Coordinator at Bay Life Church in Brandon, FL, where her passion for nurturing spiritual growth shines through. In this role, she not only oversees a variety of women’s activities and events but also directs the training and development of leaders within the ministry. Carmelita firmly believes that this calling aligns perfectly with God's purpose for her life.
An alumna of Dallas Theological Seminary, Carmelita earned her degree with a focus on Christian Leadership, a foundation she imparts as an adjunct professor at Trinity College of Florida. Her enthusiasm for equipping the next generation to embrace God’s plan is evident.
With over 30 delightful years of marriage to her husband, Dave, Carmelita takes pride in their two adult sons and the recent addition of a cherished daughter-in-love to their family. Their household is shared with Carmelita's sweet mother and the delightful Winston, mom’s constant canine companion.
In her leisure moments, Carmelita savors a good cup of black tea, finding joy in the laughter that fills her home during family gatherings.
Sandy Mason has served Christ for over 40 years as a pastor, missions leader, disciple maker, and church planter. He has led the gamut, from the lead pastor of a church of 3,500 to a startup church plant. Currently, Sandy serves on the National Leadership Team of The Bonhoeffer Project as Director of Regional Representatives and Cohort Leader. He continues to mentor pastors and preach throughout the state of Arizona. His passion is making the invisible Christ visible to his people, whether from the pulpit or discipling pastors and church leaders. He has always led the men’s ministry at his churches with a love and burden to help men find joy and power in their walk with Jesus.
His wife, Margie, has served alongside him in his call as they celebrate 46 years of marriage, four kids, and seven grandkids. He and Margie enjoy watching sports, being with their grandkids, and hanging out with friends.
Kenny serves as Lead Pastor of Satilla Baptist Church in Wray, GA. He has served in various ministry roles for 30 plus years. Kenny holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Valdosta State College in Valdosta, GA and a Master’s in Church Music from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.
Kenny has been married to his beautiful wife, Gina, for 30 years. They have 3 children (Jana, Ginny, and Landon) and 5 grandchildren (Ella, Ava, Mia, Reid, and Bristol). Kenny enjoys music, playing guitar, reading, teaching and training, and golf.
7 years ago, Kenny was invited to join a Bonhoeffer cohort. Little did he know the impact it would make on his life; during the 10-month process, God did a work that will mark him for the rest of his life. Kenny has had the privilege of watching other men be transformed by this cohort process firsthand. The message he is taking to the people is simple, “Discipleship is NOT optional.” The Bonhoeffer Project fanned the flame already inside him in the area of discipleship and is thrilled to be part of a worldwide revolution.
My email: kenny@thebonhoefferproject.com
Dr. Jim Thomas is the Senior Pastor at North Side Baptist Church in Weatherford, Texas, and is an Adjunct Professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He is a member of the National Leadership Team of The Bonhoeffer Project, serving as a cohort leader and the Director of Bonhoeffer Press. He holds a B.A. in Religion from Baylor University, an M.A. in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Dallas Baptist University.
Jim has served churches in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Georgia. He has been a student pastor, an executive pastor, and a senior pastor. Jim is married to his beautiful wife, Laura. They have two daughters and a great son-in-law. Jim is passionate about turning leaders into disciple makers as they mobilize the body of Christ to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission.
Email: jim@thebonhoefferproject.com
Hollis is a graduate of West Virginia University where he played on the Mountaineers' 15th nationally ranked Peach Bowl Championship team. He later earned his Master of Divinity from Trinity School for Ministry. Hollis spent 18 years on the staff of Athletes In Action where he was one of the pioneers of pro sports ministry and served as Chaplain of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates from 1974-1988. He has helped to plant two churches in the Pittsburgh area and was the Founding and Senior Pastor of New Community Church.
Today, Hollis pursues his primary passion of disciple-making through The Bonhoeffer Project, The Pittsburgh Discipleship Forum, and New Community Church.
Hollis and his wife, Karen, have three adult children, who are married to wonderful spouses who have given them 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Tony and Joye worked in the IT and medical fields, respectively, before moving overseas in 2003 for almost ten years where they served cross-culturally in several African countries. They moved back to the US in 2012, and Tony most recently served at a church in Georgia for six years. During this time, Tony and Joye started disciple-making groups that have multiplied to the 4th generation. They enjoy investing in others and have a heart for seeing all equipped to be generational disciple-makers.
Currently residing in Griffin, Georgia, they have been married for over 30 years and are blessed with three wonderful adult children and a son-in-law.
Email: tony@thebonhoefferproject.com or joye@thebonhoefferproject.com
PARTNERSHIP LIAISONS
Jeff serves as a Superintendent leading a network of churches in the East Michigan Conference of the Free Methodist Church, where he is having the time of his life! A primary role there is leading pastors through The Bonhoeffer Project as a part of their ministry training. Previously, Jeff led churches in Michigan for more than 35 years, always stressing the call to disciple-making. He graduated from Spring Arbor University with a double major: Philosophy/Religion and Music. He also earned an MDIV from Asbury Theological Seminary with an emphasis in Biblical Studies.
He is passionate about seeing churches living out the gospel of the kingdom as pastors lead a disciple-making revolution. Jeff loves the great outdoors including hunting, fishing, and riding his Harley with his wife of 37 years, Tamra.
Leo is the Founder and Executive Director of Locking Arms Men, a disciple making focused men’s ministry in the Pittsburgh area. Leo has been in full-time Christian work for a majority of his career since he retired from the NFL in 1986. He worked from 2010-2014 as Director of Men’s Ministry for White Fields Foundation. Prior to this he was an assistant football coach and adjunct faculty member at Geneva College for three years from 2007-2010 where discipleship with athletes was an important focus.
Leo has received a B.A. from Penn State (1983) and a Master of Arts in Religion degree from Trinity School for Ministry, an evangelical seminary in the Anglican tradition (Biblical Studies concentration). See tsm.edu Leo speaks at men’s events, churches, and retreats both in Western Pennsylvania and nationally. Some of his devotional writing is available on our website.
He resides in Pittsburgh with Cindy, his wife of 40 years. They have two adult children, Stefen and Sarah. They are both married. They have two precious granddaughters presently and two more on the way!
lockingarmsmen.org
Phil, alongside his wife, Barb, started their first church straight out of seminary and consider themselves missionaries to North America. Their first assignment was to “start a church for unchurched people using only unchurched people to do it.” It was an exciting ride! The Claycomb’s stayed in hands-on church planting for 13 years, planting 2 churches, each of which planted a daughter church. In 2001 Phil and Barb transitioned into a coaching and training role, helping other church planters pursue their own callings. Phil worked with Stadia: new church strategies from 2001-2005. He and Barb moved to Texas in 2006 and launched Nexus: church planting leadership. Phil enjoys working with his wife to support church-planting couples and families.
nexus.us
Trevor serves as Lead Pastor of Bridge of Hope Church, a multi-ethnic congregation committed to making, maturing, and multiplying disciples in Greensboro, North Carolina. Trevor is a first-generation Caribbean American who’s served as an Urban Missionary in the Bronx, NY, pastored in Montreal Quebec, and trained youth workers in 34 countries. In addition to pastoring Trevor now partners with the Church of God of Prophecy to build schools and churches in Sierra Leone, West Africa. He earned a BA in English Literature and a minor in Bible from Nyack College in Nyack NY, and a Master of Divinity in Christian Leadership from Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been married to the love of His life, Aileen for 24 years. Together they have three great kids: Joshua, David, and Alexa. Trevor’s heart is to help cultivate a movement of disciple-makers for the nations.
www.nccogop.org
Denny Heiberg is an elder in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church where he pastored Grace at Fort Clarke UMC in Gainesville, FL from 1994-2012. He currently serves with TMS Global as a member of their Ministry Resource Group focusing upon Discipleship Training and Member Care and is a National Leadership Team member with The Bonhoeffer Project. Denny graduated from Columbia International University with a BA in Biblical Studies and Christian Education. He also earned an MA in Biblical Studies, an M. Div., and a D.Min. in Biblical Preaching and Leadership from Asbury Seminary. Denny lives with his wife, Cindy, in Hendersonville, TN. His passion is investing globally in the next generations of leaders who will develop disciple making cultures in their context of ministry.
www.tms-global.org
INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
Felix holds a PhD in Theological Studies from Pan-Africa Theological Seminary (PATH), Lome Togo; an M.A. in Missiology from the Assemblies of God Graduate School Theology (AGGST), Lome, Togo and a B.A. in Cross-Cultural Communication and Missions from the Assemblies of God Divinity School of Nigeria (AGDSN), Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. Felix is a conference speaker, a leadership-coach, a church planter and a disciple maker. Felix is discipling pastors and ministry leaders to make disciples who make other disciples. Felix currently leads a cohort for The Bonhoeffer Project (thebonhoefferproject.com) in Cameroon. Felix serves as the coordinator of the West Africa Advance School of Theology (WAAST), Cameroon Extension Center. Felix has mentored about a dozen of Masters Degree students working on their MA thesis and also served as an external reader and member of jury for doctoral students at the Cameroon Evangelical Faculty of Theology. He has held different leadership positions in the Full Gospel Mission, Cameroon. In 2017, in collaboration with other church leaders, he successfully organized the Africa Discipleship Forum that brought together about 200 participants from 14 countries and 34 denominations and para-church organization.
Originally from Cameroon, Felix is married to Bridget Niba. They currently live in Yaounde, Cameroon. Felix and Bridget have three grown up children: Hananeel, Daniel, and Beracah. He has a passion for intentionally discipling church/ministry leaders to become true followers of Jesus who reproduce, multiply and replicate.
Email: felix@thebonhoefferproject.com
Learn more about what’s happening in Cameroon & West Africa here.
Eduardo is married to Sandra, with whom he has two children: Agustina and Tobías. He is Senior Pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Bíblica in Buenos Aires as well as Director of a Multinational Telecommunication Company, and has been vice president of Bible Society.
Eduardo has been graduated in Computer Science, having studied at the University of New York and in Argentina, he has an MBA in Business Administration from the University of Belgrano and L'Ecole Dus Ponts et Chasseuss and was trained in the Executive Development Program at the Wharton School of Business - University of Pennsylvania.
Email: eduardo@thebonhoefferproject.com
Learn more about what’s happening in Argentina here.