Meet The Prof

Shane Hartley
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  • Christianity
  • Updated weekly

Shane Hartley and Spence Hackney receive questions from college students and ask them to Christian professors in a fun, insightful interview format.Our mission: to encourage Christ-centered conversations on the college campus.We hope these interviews will help college students, inspire professors, and encourage parents and grandparents of college students.

  1. 5 days ago

    MTP 84: How to Help Students Find Jesus Through Small Steps of Faith, Len Lecci and Michelle Messer

    Have you ever shared some of your spiritual story, given someone a Christian book, or invited a friend to church, and wondered whether it made any difference? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Len Lecci, a psychology professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Michelle Messer, a UNCW graduate student whose journey to faith included a graduation gift from Dr. Lecci.  One of the most encouraging parts of our conversation was hearing Len explain that Michelle was the first student to give him feedback about the book. He had wondered whether those gifts were making any difference. If you’ve ever wondered whether your efforts to share Christ’s love matter, I think this conversation will encourage you. Book mentioned: Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution, by Kenneth R. Miller Key takeaways You may never hear how God uses your faithfulness.A trusted relationship can make someone willing to reconsider Jesus.Ask what is keeping someone from exploring Christianity.Give people room to respond freely.New believers need encouragement and community.Faith in God’s goodness provides strength amid uncertainty.Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry: Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

    MTP 84: How to Help Students Find Jesus Through Small Steps of Faith, Len Lecci and Michelle Messer

  2. 9 Oct

    MTP 83: How to Trust God When You Don’t Know What’s Next | Spence Hackney

    My friend and original Meet The Prof cohost, Spence Hackney, joins me again to share what God’s been doing in his life. After selling the business he led for about 25 years, Spence found himself asking some honest questions about his identity and whether God still had work for him to do. We talk about waiting on the Lord and following the Holy Spirit. Spence also shares about the AWE Conference in Wilmington on October 10, where listeners can hear from Christian leaders serving in places where following Jesus is costly. Spence explains supporting his wife Tara’s writing ministry and we finish with some encouragement for Christian professors and students. Learn more about the AWE Conference: https://awecon.org/ Tara Hackney’s website: https://jesusloves.org/ — her writing, books, and ministry resources.  Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry: Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

    MTP 83: How to Trust God When You Don’t Know What’s Next | Spence Hackney

  3. 22 Sept

    MTP 82: How God Is Awakening Spiritual Hunger on a Secular Campus, Doug Allen and Jason Huang

    From New Atheism to a New Openness to God For years, Professor Doug Allen and other Christian faculty members at Simon Fraser University struggled to generate meaningful spiritual interest on their campus. At the height of new atheism, they bought potato chips and invited students to ask questions about the Bible. They discovered that the students were more interested in challenging whether God existed at all. But over time, Doug began noticing a change. The aggressive skepticism that had once characterized many students was giving way to a new spiritual openness. Students were no longer necessarily rejecting the possibility of God; many were searching for something deeper and trying to understand what they were missing. Jason Huang is a living example of that changing spiritual environment. When Jason arrived in Canada, he knew almost nothing about Christianity. A vivid dream prompted him to begin searching, and a Billy Graham message helped him recognize the emptiness of pursuing the things in the world without Christ. After discovering the faculty-and-student organization called God and Reason, Jason found Christian professors who welcomed his questions, connected him with a church, and helped him grow in his new faith. He was baptized and eventually became one of the group’s primary student leaders. In this episode, Doug and Jason share how Christian professors and students can recognize spiritual hunger, create welcoming places for honest questions, and work together to help a new generation encounter Jesus. Their story is a hopeful reminder that God is already at work changing the spiritual climate of university campuses, and He invites both professors and students to join Him. To learn more about their ministry, check out their official Website: https://www.godandreason.com/  and their Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/godandreason Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry: Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

    MTP 82: How God Is Awakening Spiritual Hunger on a Secular Campus, Doug Allen and Jason Huang

  4. 11 Sept

    MTP 81: Lane Weaver, How to Make Yourself Available for Spiritual Conversations with Students

    I was inspired by my interview with Lane Weaver, a faculty member in Utah State University’s music department and director of its marching band. He discusses how professors can build spiritually meaningful relationships with students, how Cru and apologetics strengthened his faith during college, how he recently discipled a new Iranian believer, and how he opens his office for prayer with students! He encourages professors to be intentionally available, create safe places for honest questions, and remember that they are teaching people—not merely subjects. Read more about Lane Weaver online: https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/lane-weaver/ Book reference: The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How it Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Gregory Koukl Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry: Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

    MTP 81: Lane Weaver, How to Make Yourself Available for Spiritual Conversations with Students

  5. 16 Jul

    MTP 80: Jay Northington & Mathew Nelson, How 2 Simple Steps Can Connect Christian Professors and Students & Change a Campus

    Professor Jay Northington (Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University) and graduate student Mathew Nelson share a simple 2-step strategy any campus can use to start a Bible study connecting professors and students around God's Word: Step 1: Christian professors make it known that they follow Jesus Step 2: Christian students find them and initiate ministry ideas Jay and Mathew discuss why students long for Christian mentors, how faith can transform engineering (and any field of study) into worship, the value of multi-generational discipleship, and how God uses ordinary conversations to create extraordinary ministry opportunities. Whether you're a Christian professor, college student, campus minister, or someone who simply loves the college campus, you'll discover practical ways to build Christ-centered relationships that can impact an entire campus. Read more about Jay at: https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/jay-northington/ Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry: Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

    MTP 80: Jay Northington & Mathew Nelson, How 2 Simple Steps Can Connect Christian Professors and Students & Change a Campus

  6. 25 Jun

    MTP 79: Dr. Kim Shorter, Hitting Rock Bottom in Postdoctoral Years, Until God Rescued

    Dr. Kim Shorter is a Full Professor of Biology at University of South Carolina Upstate. Her research focuses on epigenetics and neuroscience, and she recently received a National Institutes of Health grant of $517,000 supporting her work. She shares about her battle with depression and anxiety during a difficult postdoctoral appointment and answers college student Ashley Davis’ question, ‘How do you show grace in the classroom when discussing science and faith?’ Some of Shane’s highlights: Growing up in church but not truly knowing ChristThe sermon on Jesus’ crucifixion that changed everythingHead knowledge vs. heart knowledge of GodWhat Kim most appreciates about Jesus todayRomans 8:28 and seeing God's hand in difficult seasonsScience, epigenetics, and viewing research through a biblical lensEncouragement for Christian professors to be boldAdvice for students: ask questions and don't fear failureResources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry: Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

    MTP 79: Dr. Kim Shorter, Hitting Rock Bottom in Postdoctoral Years, Until God Rescued

  7. 15 May

    MTP 78: Robert Kaita, Princeton, Creatively Integrating Faith and Field, and a Response to a Hostile Student That Leads Another Student to Jesus

    Dr. Robert Kaita is Senior Physicist Emeritus at the Plasma Physics Laboratory at Princeton University, where he conducted nuclear fusion energy research for nearly four decades. In this episode, he discusses mentoring graduate students, integrating Christian faith naturally within academia, helping introverted professors engage spiritually with students, and approaching retirement as a new calling from God. Read more about Robert Kaita online: Meet The Prof Profile for Robert Kaita Main Takeaways • The university should teach students how to think critically, not simply memorize information. • Mentoring relationships often create the best opportunities for spiritual conversations. • Many professors are introverts and need relational encouragement to engage spiritually with students. • Faith integration works best when it flows naturally from the discipline itself. • Students are often impacted as much by humility and character as by arguments. • Christian faculty can partner with campus ministries to become more accessible to students. • Witnessing is more about faithfulness than winning debates. • Retirement can become a new season of calling rather than a loss of identity. • Great mentoring often means helping students eventually surpass you. CHAPTERS 00:13 — Introduction to Meet The Prof and Dr. Robert Kaita 01:06 — The true purpose of the university and critical thinking 02:23 — How mentoring relationships create opportunities for faith conversations 04:15 — Why many professors are introverts and struggle relationally 06:04 — How Christian professors can share faith naturally instead of forcing boldness 07:39 — Integrating faith into teaching without making it feel artificial 09:57 — Finding identity in Christ instead of feeling obligated to perform spiritually 11:29 — A colleague searching for meaning and a student praising God in his thesis 13:02 — Why traditional evangelism approaches feel unnatural for some introverted faculty 14:03 — Finding creative bridges between shared interests and faith conversations 15:16 — Why Bob says he “needs science to be a Christian” 17:12 — Practical ways professors can make themselves spiritually accessible to students 19:48 — The importance of professors speaking at campus ministry gatherings 20:12 — A hostile student interaction that eventually led another student to Christ 22:01 — Why witnessing matters more than winning debates 23:50 — Retirement as a calling and rediscovering your first love 25:12 — The joy of seeing former students surpass you 26:01 — Identity beyond titles awards and accomplishments 26:48 — Concerns about higher education producing “excellent sheep” instead of critical thinkers 27:40 — Final encouragements about mentoring students well Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry: Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

    MTP 78: Robert Kaita, Princeton, Creatively Integrating Faith and Field, and a Response to a Hostile Student That Leads Another Student to Jesus

  8. 30 Apr

    MTP 77: Gbola Adesogan on How to Surrender Fully as a Christian Professor and Spark Revival on Campus

    Dr. Gbola Adesogan is a professor of Ruminant Nutrition at the University of Florida and serves as Associate Vice President and Director of the Global Food Systems Institute. In this interview, he shares his powerful testimony of transformation, his journey of surrender to Christ, and how a deep dependence on the Holy Spirit has shaped his life, work, and relationships with students. He also describes practical ways he engages students in Christ-centered conversations and encourages faculty to see their role as a single calling—to be ambassadors for Christ. Read more about Gbola Adesogan online: https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/gbola-adesogan/ Main Takeaways Surrender is not a one-time event but a daily and ongoing process of dying to self.Professors do not have two callings; their academic role is a platform for their one calling as Christ’s ambassador.Time with the Holy Spirit is essential and should be prioritized above all else each day.Academic success can easily become an idol if not surrendered to God.God often works through relationships more than achievements.Inviting students into your home creates natural opportunities for meaningful faith conversations.International students represent a significant opportunity for gospel engagement.Prayer is foundational to revival and spiritual impact on campus.Faculty should be both excellent in their work and deeply dependent on God.Campus ministers should boldly and gently challenge professors to live missionally.Mentioned in interview: JAMES TOUR https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Tour Why Revival Tarries Book by Leonard Ravenhill Resources from Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry: Find 500+ Christian professors at https://meettheprof.com/Faculty Commons – https://www.facultycommons.org/A Grander Story – https://a.co/d/8VoYXSV Watch MTP on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MeetTheProfOfficial/videos You can support Meet The Prof through Shane Hartley's work with Faculty Commons, a Cru ministry, at this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://give.cru.org/0424344⁠⁠⁠

    MTP 77: Gbola Adesogan on How to Surrender Fully as a Christian Professor and Spark Revival on Campus
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About

Shane Hartley and Spence Hackney receive questions from college students and ask them to Christian professors in a fun, insightful interview format.Our mission: to encourage Christ-centered conversations on the college campus.We hope these interviews will help college students, inspire professors, and encourage parents and grandparents of college students.

Information

  • Creator
    Shane Hartley
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Meet The Prof
  • Show Website
    Meet The Prof

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