Mary Jo Sharp: A Transformative Journey from Atheist to Apologist

Ever have doubts about your faith or find it hard to share the gospel with others? My guest today is all about helping us find answers to doubt and building confidence in our Christianity. It's important to know why we believe what we believe. A former atheist who came to faith, Mary Jo Sharp first encountered apologetics in her own spiritual search while seeking answers. Mary Jo is now an assistant professor of apologetics at Houston Baptist University and the founder and director of Confident Christianity Apologetics Ministry! What an amazing transformation and oh how God is using her to share His truth with others! The Confident Christianity Ministry focuses on addressing the hard questions of Christianity with love and logic through research, writing, training, and debate. But before we continue with the show--here's an important announcement... Operation Christmas Child has been reaching millions of children each year with the good news of Jesus Christ, through shoebox gifts. Even in the hardest to reach places of the world, churches are being planted and communities are transformed.  You can pack a shoebox this year and reach a child with the good news of Jesus! National Collection Week is November 15. To learn more visit samaritanspurse.org/occ Need a little help sharing your faith? I love how Mary Jo provides wisdom and guidance in navigating faith conversations, especially with those who may not believe what we believe. We tend to make sharing our faith so hard and even legalistic at times as if we have to do it to check off a box. I enjoyed hearing Mary Jo talk about the way faith conversations can be well, conversational! I know what she has to share will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Mary Jo Sharp... Favorite Quotes from the show... "We want to partner with God in like, lifegiving service to others... ""We really need to do more listening because people need that.""But I'll tell you what, you start telling God, 'Hey, put somebody in my path that wants to know you' and He will.""...being that redemptive, lifegiving sourcefor other people in the way that you're uniquely gifted--start there..." --Mary Jo Sharp Connect with Mary Jo! You can connect with Mary Jo at maryjosharp.com and confidentchristianity.com where you can also check out her resources and grab her Bible Study and books mentioned in the show. Plus, hop on over to Patreon where you'll find the podcast she has with her husband called The Pastor and the Professor. Other Cool Resources Mentioned in the Show Mary Jo and I mentioned Nabeel Qureshi's book Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity We also mentioned Mikel Del Rosario aka the Apologetics Guy so check out his page, too! Good stuff! More about Mary Jo... Mary Jo is now an assistant professor of apologetics at Houston Baptist University and the founder and director of Confident Christianity Apologetics Ministry. She has been featured in Christianity Today’s cover story “The Unexpected Defenders” and is an international speaker on apologetics, focusing on love and logic to uncover truth.  She serves on faculty with Summit Ministries Student Conferences and is a published author with Kregel Publications, B&H Publications, and Zondervan. Mary Jo is the author of the top-selling Bible study, “Why Do You Believe That?” as well as Living in Truth with LifeWay Christian Resources. You can also check out Defending the Faith, and Come Let Us Reason of which she is a contributor. She recently released her book Why I Still Believe. She lives with her husband and family in Portland, Oregon. Connect with me and if you love Fierce Calling, please leave a review on Podchaser. Thanks, friend!