Many people today are apathetic or antagonistic to the gospel. Evangelistic conversations end with, “well I’m glad that works for you, but it’s not for me.” How do we cut through the cultural confusion so people see Jesus clearly? In this talk, Austin shares the importance of not just proclaiming the good news of the gospel, but the necessity of building the plausibility for it.

Did Jesus really rise? Or is it just legend, borrowed myth, or wishful thinking? In this talk Austin explores the most widely accepted historical facts to ask which explanation fits best. The resurrection is not only a fact of the past, it matters for your life now. Only a risen, ruling, and reigning Jesus meets real brokenness with grace and redemption.

Is the Bible we have today the same as what was originally written down? The Bible’s history is one of divine inspiration, and human transmission. Do we have reason to trust the transmission of Scripture over thousands of years? While laying out authentic and tangible Biblical manuscripts and studying those who faithfully copied it, Austin makes the case that the Bible we have today can be trusted.

Everyone wrestles with questions--some we google, some we bury. Instead of deconstructing, Austin chose to investigate not just the Christian faith, but also his questioning. In this honest and hopeful talk, we will explore why doubts are so painful, how to understand what doubt is, and three types of doubt: intellectual, emotional, and willful. As we name our questions and walk through them with wisdom, we discover a God who meets us personally.

Who is Jesus, really? Many say he was a wise teacher, a mere prophet, or a man of inspiration. In this talk Austin examines 5 converging lines of evidence to illuminate what Jesus claimed, and what scripture teaches. When we see Jesus for who he truly is, we don’t just believe differently, we find fulfillment. If Jesus is truly God, our lives find meaning, stability in chaos, meaningful relationships, healing, and a hope for a world made right. 

Suffering: The God Who Weeps and Overcomes

Why does a good God allow so much pain? Suffering is universal, but also deeply personal. In response, some conclude God must not exist, others conclude he must not care. The Bible does not sidestep this question, but places it at the center of the story. In this talk Austin explores why evil exists, and who has the power to overcome it. In Jesus, we don’t find a distant deity, but a Savior who steps into our pain, weeps with us, dies for us, and offers resurrection life. 

Identity Crisis: Discovering Who you Are and Where you Belong

At every stage in life, the same questions surface: Who am I? Where do I belong? In this talk, Austin explores three common paths of identity formation. With stories and scripture, we see that only the Christian story provides a stable identity, one not earned but received. Our God given identity is the only foundation which can endure through failures, successes, and change.

The Weight of Disconnection: The Problem of Pornography

It has been said: we are powerless to change the things we are unaware of or do not understand. In this talk, Austin breaks down the problem of pornography to help individuals understand why they do the things they do not want to do. Through scripture, psychology, and brain science we find that our behavior is not random, and God is with us in the pain.

While vulnerably sharing his story, Austin outlines four essential steps to finding freedom. As we understand our longings and why we medicate our pain, we can begin to reach out and find the connection to God and others we are truly longing for.