Associate Professor of Theology Ben Akers

I’ve always had a desire to participate in the work of the New Evangelization through teaching. One of the greatest gifts I’ve received in my life is to have incredible teachers and mentors who have introduced me to the rich theological tradition of the Catholic Faith and helped open my mind to the story of salvation found in the Sacred Scriptures (cf. Lk 24:45). And they encouraged me to do the same for others. I’ve been able to participate in this work through evangelization on college campuses with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) and in theological and catechetical formation in the Archdiocese of Denver as director of the Denver Catholic Biblical School and Catechetical School and adjunct for the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. My experience living and studying in the heart of the Catholic Church in Rome, Italy, has inspired me to teach theology in a way that integrates history, art, literature and spirituality.

Associate Professor of Theology and Catechetics | Director, M.A. in Leadership for the New Evangelization Lucas Pollice

I have been extraordinarily blessed to be a humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord over the past 20 years in service to the New Evangelization. It all began in 1993 with World Youth Day in Denver, CO (my hometown) where St. John Paul II deeply inspired me to dedicate my life to serving the Church wherever and however the Lord wished. Since then I have had the amazing and deeply humbling opportunities to teach and be an Assistant Principle at a Catholic school in Keller, TX, a Director of Religious Education at a parish in Arlington, TX, and the Director of Catechesis at the Diocese of Fort Worth, TX. Those experiences have given me a deep love for serving the Church, especially in the areas of RCIA and Adult Faith Formation, but also in the work of forming catechists and other parish leaders to do the important work of the New Evangelization. In 2012, I was called back home to Denver, where I began my work here at the Augustine Institute where I have been very blessed to work on catechetical projects such as Symbolon: The Catholic Faith Explained, Beloved: Finding Happiness in Marriage, Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession, and other AI catechetical video series as well as assisting with the creation of FORMED.org. I have also had the great opportunity to travel across the country doing diocesan training for RCIA, Adult Faith Formation, and parish catechetical leaders. In 2014, I was invited to teach in the MA in Leadership for the New Evangelization Degree program focusing on catechetics and pastoral theology. In 2017, I began my current work as director of the Leadership Degree Program where I have found a real love and passion for forming leaders for the New Evangelization by bringing my experiences in the “trenches” of ecclesial service to train and form those who have a desire to also be humble workers in the vineyard of the Lord. I have a deep love and devotion to St. John Paul II who has been my inspiration throughout my years of service to the Church and I deeply desire to pass on that same inspiration on to my students as they prepare for their own humble service to the Church in this time of the New Evangelization.

Professor of Sacred Scripture | President Tim Gray

Tim Gray is President of the Augustine Institute and well known Catholic speaker and author. He received an MA from Franciscan University of Steubenville, ThM from Duke University, and PhD in Biblical Studies from Catholic University of America. Under Dr. Gray’s leadership, the Augustine Institute has created popular programs including Symbolon, a comprehensive program of faith formation for adults, FORMED, a digital platform with Catholic film, ebooks, and audio talks, and Signs of Grace, a sacramental preparation program for children. He is the author of several books including Peter: Keys to Following Jesus and Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina. Tim and his wife Kris, and son Joseph, live in Littleton, Colorado.