Writer Bios

Susan L. Maros (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is an affiliate assistant professor of Christian leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary, where she has also served as a doctoral supervisor, and an adjunct professor at the King's University, Southlake, Texas. She is a past president of the Academy of Religious Leadership.

Karen Wright Marsh is executive director and cofounder of Theological Horizons, a university ministry that has advanced theological scholarship at the intersection of faith, thought, and life since 1991. Karen directs daily programs, writes resources and curriculum, teaches weekly classes, mentors students, leads the staff, and speaks at retreats, churches, and campus ministries. She holds degrees in philosophy and linguistics from Wheaton College and the University of Virginia. Karen lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, with her husband, Charles Marsh.

Melodie Marske has served on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship since 1988, beginning as a part-time administrator and part-time Campus Staff Minister. After serving undergrad students at the University of Michigan for several years, she began working with graduate students at the University of Michigan. She received her MA in Biblical Studies at Trinity School for Ministry in Pittsburgh in 2003. Melodie became a Team Leader for Graduate & Faculty Ministries in 2005, then an Area Ministry Director in 2007. In July 2014, she began serving as the GFM Midwest Regional Director. 

Melodie is an avid runner, usually running half marathons each spring and fall. She enjoys time outdoors, visiting campus coffee shops, and reading both fiction and theology. Legolas & Gimli, her two cats, keep her entertained at home and are always glad to welcome guests.

D.L. Mayfield lives and writes on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon with her husband and two small children. Her first book of essays, Assimilate or Go Home: Notes from a Failed Missionary on Rediscovering Faith was released by HarperOne in 2016. Her second book, The Myth of the American Dream: Reflections on Affluence, Autonomy, Safety, and Power will be released in April 2020. Her writing has appeared in a variety of places, including McSweeneys, Christianity Today, Sojourners, The Washington Post, Image Journal, Vox, and The Rumpus, among many others. She is trying very hard to be a good neighbor.

Marilyn McEntyre is an award-winning spiritual writer, speaker, retreat leader, and professor of medical humanities and American literature. She has written and edited over twenty books and has won several teaching awards. McEntyre currently teaches in programs at New College Berkeley, Western Seminary, the Oblate School of Theology, and Westmont College in San Francisco. She lives in Carmichael, California.

Emily Hunter McGowin (PhD, University of Dayton) is associate professor of theology at Wheaton College. She is also a priest and canon theologian in the Anglican diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others.

Rebecca McLaughlin holds a PhD from Cambridge University as well as a theology degree from Oak Hill Seminary. Formerly vice president of content at The Veritas Forum, Rebecca is now co-founder of Vocable Communications. Her first book, Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Worldview, will be published by Crossway in 2019. Follow her on Twitter or at rebeccamclaughlin.org.

Serena Menken writes books and articles that capture the unique moments of gut-wrenching pain and heartfelt joy experienced by parents of teens with mental health concerns. She counts each day of her three decades of recovery from bulimia as a gift.  However, nurturing her oldest daughter through a similar disorder proved to be even more challenging and ultimately rewarding. You can read more of her reflections on parenting at serenamenken.substack.com and learn about her upcoming book at serenamenken.com. When she’s not writing, Serena works full-time as a nonprofit leader, enjoys her three teenage children, and bikes through forest preserves with her husband.