Worldview Initiative Staff

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Ben Williams, Executive Director

Ben began his career teaching high school English at a large private Christian school in Orlando, FL.  Ben is an alum with high honors from Bryan College, earning a Bachelor's degree in English Literature.  During his time as a full-time teacher, Ben used his degree and worldview training to challenge students, both in his mainstream classes and in the Advanced Placement program, toward a biblical understanding of literature and humanity. He was honored while in Florida as Educator of the Year and listed in Who's Who Among American Teachers 2004-2005.  As a result, he is passionate about connecting students to the story of Christianity and equipping teachers to incorporate into their classes an understanding of how to view and live in the world. In addition to the Worldview Initiative, Ben serves as the Director of Summit East Conferences during the summers. He and his wife Jessica live in Dayton with their baby son Neil. 
 
Contact Ben: 
E-mail:  ben.williams@bryan.edu
Phone:  423-775-7191
 
 

Bonnie-Marie Yager, Director of Programming and External Communication

Bonnie-Marie Yager is beginning her second year with the Worldview Initiative.  Bonnie-Marie graduated from Bryan College in 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in Political Communication. She traveled to Bratislava, Slovakia, in order to assist fundraising and development for two non-profits: Duha, a Crisis Center, and Bratislava Educational Resource Center. Since her return to the United States, she has worked as the Director of Research for Worldwide Interactive Network (WIN) and served as Director of Public Relations for The Refuge Tennessee, a ministry in Harriman, TN, for homeless women and families. She truly has a passion for helping the global body of Christ understand the intersection between faith and life. She becomes particularly impassioned when dealing with issues of how a Christian understanding of humanity shapes everything from the atrocities of human trafficking to the desperate need for mentoring in our everyday lives. 

Contact Bonnie-Marie: 
E-mail:  bonnie-marie.yager@bryan.edu
Phone:  423-775-7318
 

Anna Downer, Educational Consultant

Anna Downer serves as an Educational Consultant with the Bryan College Worldview Initiative and leads the "Voices" Program. She also serves with Discipleship Network of America as a Field Staff Director of DNA's Young Women's Ministry.  She is a 2009 graduate of Bryan College where she studied Spanish and Bible, served as vice president of her freshman class, and traveled with the Worldview Team.  Anna has been an adjunct speaker at conferences and conventions with DNA Ministries for eight years. 

 

Anna was homeschooled K-12 and was a member of the back-to-back national championship mock trial team. Anna is passionate about mentoring and discipling girls and enjoys traveling the country speaking to high school students and their parents about the core identity, cultural, and spiritual issues that are facing the up and coming generation.

Contact Anna:
anna.downer@bryan.edu


 

Associate Staff

Our associate staff is made up of sixteen Bryan College students ranging from sophmores to seniors. They undergo an application and interview process to be selected to join the Worldview Initiative. They come from various academic programs at Bryan and are excellent leaders on campus. Many participate in our Practical Christian Involvement (PCI) program and regularly serve our community. Our associate staff is passionate about connecting with high school students and challenging them to think about Christianity through conversation and interaction.