Nikki Carroll Hardeman

Video Script Writer & Onscreen Personality

In addition to her work with Faithelement, Nikki pursues her vocational ministry as a minister to youth and families, and through retreat-leading and supply-preaching. She has also enjoyed the opportunity to adjunct-teach Old Testament at Mercer University. The Rev. Nikki Hardeman graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Mercer University in 2002 and from the McAfee School of Theology with a Master of Divinity in 2005.

Nikki and her husband Daniel have two children at home: Natalie, a curious and sensitive eight-year-old and Liam, a very busy four-year-old. They also have a lovable rat terrrier, Jayne. When she has a free moment, Nikki enjoys traveling, watching great T.V. shows on Netflix, taking on new projects around the house, and learning to quilt.

Also check out Nikki on the Glass Half Full podcast (with Erin Robinson Hall).

Jon Parks

Mind Session Page Writer

Jon Parks lives and works in Kosice, Slovakia with his wife Tanya and their two daughters. They minister among the marginalized Roma people of Eastern Slovakia, many of whom are trapped in generations-long cycles of poverty and discrimination. The Parks share God’s love as they serve in Roma schools, teach English classes in Roma communities, and partner with local churches and organizations to spread the Gospel in word and action.

Before moving to Slovakia, Jon served as a pastor in Virginia. He is a singer-songwriter, and he and Tanya have served in various ministries involving music and the arts. He enjoys running, hiking, reading and writing.

Jon Self

Media Session Page Writer

Jon has served in various ministerial capacities in his lifetime in AR, TX, MO, IN, KY, IL, and overseas. He is honored to have such a wonderful family with his spouse, Maggie, and son, Ryan. In addition to writing for FaithElement, Jon writes central FL theme park articles as a guest blogger for universalfamilyvactions.com, uogrubhub.com, piratesandprincesses.net, and touringplans.com.He is a graduate of Williams Baptist College with a degree in Christian Ministries, and a graduate of Baptist Seminary of Kentucky with a Masters of Divinity. In addition, Jon has some professional athletic experience. He worked as a tennis professional and coach for many years and trained at the USOTC before the 1988 summer Olympics in South Korea. He has a love for God, Bible study, baseball, and Pepsi Zero Sugar. Sadly like many of us, he does not always like them in the correct order.

Steve McClain

Current Session Writer

Once the writing bug bit Steve in college, it was in his bloodstream. After 20-plus years as a sports editor, copy editor and editor, he left journalism to work in public relations and public affairs before recently returning to journalism as a reporter at the Georgetown News Graphic. He has worked with youth groups for many years, and currently is a deacon at Faith Baptist Church in Georgetown, KY. Besides church and family, he has two passions – sports and reading, particularly anything by Robert B. Parker. But he spends many nights watching the Cincinnati Reds, UK football and basketball and other sports. He may or may not be a closet pro wrestling fan as well. A political junkie, he is constantly searching for ways that God’s calling can happen in today’s polarized society.

David Adams

Chief Curriculum Guru

While he is currently wearing many hats, including that of Director of Institutional Design at the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky, David served on a number of church staffs, as well as on regional and national boards and committees for multiple Christian denominations and has been in and around curriculum resource design and production for a very long while. In addition to various projects for FaithLab, he has also worked with Group Publishing, Judson Press, Smyth & Helwys Publishing, and other professional resource providers, as well as creating numerous resources for churches, camps, and other organizations.

A dedicated technologist (which sounds better than saying “computer geek”), David has spent much of the past few years exploring ways to apply information-age tools to faith and culture, and is often called upon for pulpit supply, workshops, consulting, or anything else that congregations might need as they come to grips with the changing times. As one of those people who would do just about anything for his students, he sometimes has to. David is currently the Interim Pastor of the Living Faith Church of Northern Kentucky. He and his wife Patty live in Northern Kentucky with their daughter Rebecca. In addition to being an ardent basketball fan, he works to maintain his readiness in case John Calipari should call for help.