Trent’s heart is for the unbeliever to draw closer to Jesus. This motive is seen clearly every time he evangelizes. He knows his apologetics facts, yes, but better than that, he knows how to let people know that he cares for them. He artfully navigates conversations in order to reduce/remove barriers that people have between them and Christ. I met Trent at one of our first Ratio Christi meetings at MBTS and he said he knew of us from his time at Moody Bible Institute. Since that time, he’s been intimately involved in helping Ratio Christi at MBTS/Spurgeon College grow and thrive. His heart to teach Christians to engage well is exemplary. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do with Trent.
When did you come to Christ as Lord and Savior, and how did that come about?
I grew up surrounded by Christianity. My family, friends, and community were all devoted Christians, and I considered myself one too. From a young age, I was immersed in church life, learning scripture, memorizing verses, and even preaching sermons. Outwardly, I seemed like a faithful person, but internally, I eventually came to feel a deep disconnect. Despite my assumption that I was a real Christian from a very young age, the reality was that I was filled with self-deception and arrogance. I was going through the motions without ever having really turned my life over to Christ.
Eventually however, the Holy Spirit started specially working in me, challenging my assumptions and revealing the real condition of my soul. At first, I resisted, but God’s kindness and mercy toward me was unwavering. Eventually, I came to understand my true need for His grace and forgiveness. So, at twelve years old, I entrusted myself over to Christ alone for my salvation. Finally, I became a true Christian.
Since then, God has continued to shape me, growing within me a deep and unwavering passion for ministry and a desire to see others grow in their relationship with Him. This passion has since led me to pursue vocational ministry, specifically focusing on young people: youth and college students. Thirteen years later, I am still incredibly grateful to serve and am deeply committed to helping others deepen and defend their faith. I look forward to this journey with gratitude, trusting in God’s grace as I go.
In your high school church youth group, how much did you learn about the Christian faith and reasons to believe?
In high school, I learned a great deal about what Christianity teaches but not much about why Christianity is true. The closest thing I learned was the reasons for believing Young Earth Creationism, but not really anything for Christianity generally. Looking back, I wish I had been taught the very basics of apologetics first (evidence for God’s existence, the resurrection, biblically reliability, etc.) before diving into differing views of the age of the earth. Early on, like so many young Christians, I conflated giving reasons for young earth creationism with apologetics itself. And while I still heavily lean toward young earth creationism, I now don’t consider it nearly as fundamental as I once believed it to be. Should I have not learned general apologetics later on, the result may have been quite disastrous.
How did you become interested in apologetics, and how did you get involved with Ratio Christi?
I became interested in apologetics during my first few years of college while attending Word of Life Bible Institute and eventually Moody Bible Institute. At Moody is where I first encountered Ratio Christi and is also when I first began to do a deep dive into apologetic evidences.
What impact has the Ratio Christi ministry had on your walk with God and your personal ministry?
Ratio Christi has been extremely encouraging to me as a believer in my ability to articulate reasons for my faith as well as in my ability to integrate those reasons into conversations I have with unbelievers. Sharing the gospel has become much easier for me both on an emotional level as well as in my effectiveness.
What is this RC chapter like?
Ratio Christi Spurgeon / MBTS is very evangelistic-focused. Every lesson has within it the goal of being used to share the gospel with skeptical unbelievers. We engage with tough questions and challenge each other vigorously and then use our sharpened abilities to share the gospel more effectively with non-Christians.
What were some of your favorite areas of involvement with your local RC chapter?
I really enjoyed getting to know like-minded Christians who share an affinity for evangelism and apologetics. Getting to utilize my passions and interests in a helpful way through talks has also been very fun!
What does the Legatus Christi award mean to you?
I don’t know much about it, except that it’s a way to recognize students who take the club seriously and have grown in apologetics, evangelism, and hermeneutics.
How do you envision taking the apologetics you have learned through Ratio Christi into your future endeavors?
Primarily through turning around and leading a chapter myself and helping to cultivate the same abilities in others!
What are your short and long-term career/ministry/mission plans?
I plan to work for Ratio Christi as a chapter director as well as continue to generate ministry materials like my book and booklets on BaselineChristianity.com.
Would you consider coming back to work with your RC chapter, starting one at another school, or working with RC in any other capacity?
Yes.
What would you say to other students who might be considering getting involved in Ratio Christi, whether they be skeptics, seekers, or believers?
To skeptics, I would say this: “Be open minded and follow the evidence honestly, not allowing your emotions to cloud your ability to change your mind.” To the seeker, I would say this: “God is not afraid of your questions. If one Christian isn’t able to provide you with answers, ask others, until you find out what you want and need to know.” To the believer, I would say this: “You need apologetics for 3 reasons: (1) to increase your confidence in evangelism, (2) to increase your credibility in evangelism, (3) to help you in seasons of emotional doubt. Your faith is grounded in reality. Find out how.”
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