eX-skeptic

Growing up in a small town, religion was a constant yet subtle presence in Trevor Lancon’s community. Deeply involved in his church’s youth group, Trevor longed to grow closer to God, but he began questioning whether his experiences were authentic or merely emotional manipulation. Drawn to the freedom of a secular lifestyle, he eventually distanced himself from the church, and he embraced scientism, seeking tangible evidence of reality. He rejected Christianity and identified as an atheist, diving into a worldview centered on materialism and skepticism. From the outside, Trevor seemed to have it all—a home, a loving wife, two beautiful children, and a stable career. Yet, inwardly, he was burdened by feelings of dread and brokenness.  

His journey back to faith wasn’t marked by a single dramatic moment but rather by countless small, profound experiences.

Guest Bio:

Trevor Lancon is a devoted father and husband and works as an engineer at a leading tech company on the outskirts of Houston, Texas. With a deep passion for STEM, Trevor holds a Master's degree in Health Physics and has a background in nuclear engineering. 

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Books Mentioned:

The Road by Cormac McCarthy 

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

During childhood, David Westerhoff’s faith never really extended outside of the church building. The tradition and practice of Christianity just didn’t make sense to David, and he began naturally moving with culture’s secular flow, becoming the ruler of his own life. On the surface, David’s life was unfolding perfectly; he had a loving wife, a growing family, and a steady career, but he still wasn’t content. His own internal battles and addictions threatened David’s marriage, and he began to feel a loss of control for the first time. On a night that seemed at first like any other, David felt the sudden presence of the Spirit of God, revealing the weight and gravity of his sins. 

Guest Bio:

David Westerhoff is a software engineer, a husband, and a father of two. David grew up in the secularized culture of northern California but moved to Georgia after marrying his wife, Megan. He spent fifteen years of his career in tech and software, but after encountering Jesus and feeling powerfully convicted in August of 2022, David immediately realized he needed to switch gears and pursue God wholeheartedly. He is now a seminary student at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, studying to obtain a Master’s in Divinity.

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Former atheist and Swedish physicist Krister Renard dismissed God at a young age, believing science was the key to understanding reality.  In his pursuit of knowledge, he came to see that the universe demanded a greater explanation, eventually believing in God.  

Krister's Website: www.gluefox.com

Resources Mentioned by Krister:

Former atheist Dr. John Studebaker viewed religion as boring and inconsequential until he encountered surprising evidence about God and meaningful experiences with Christians.  Over time, his quest for truth led him to a profound personal relationship with Jesus.

John's Resources: 

John's Recommended Resources:

Daniel Ray did not have a religious upbringing, yet he somehow ‘knew’ God was real but  kept him at a distance.  He was living his own way on his own terms, but eventually he was found by God.

Daniel's Resources: 

Daniel's Recommended Resources:

www.exskeptic.org

Cambridge educated Dr. Sharon Dirckx was raised in a secular culture where religion played a minimal role. Intellectual authorities led her to believe that science and belief in God were incompatible until she began investigating the verifiable claims of Christianity. She came to see that a robust, intellectually grounded faith was possible.

Sharon's Resources: 

Sharon's Recommended Resources:

Former atheist Daniel’s questions about the world and morality were dismissed by the religious people around him. His skepticism eventually revealed the logical flaws of atheism, leading him from a godless perspective to a robust understanding of the Christian worldview and belief in Jesus Christ. 

Daniel's X (Twitter) Profile

Resources mentioned by Daniel:

Dominion by Tom Holland

The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt

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Former atheist Dr. Dan Mizell left Christianity and embraced science as the most rational way to understand and live in the world.  Over time, he began to question whether the natural world was sufficient to explain reality.  His search for answers led him to a more solid foundation for knowledge, ethics, and life in God.

Nate Sala rejected his parents’ faith tradition of Christianity and pursued life on his own terms, but his life failed to bring satisfaction to his deepest longings. His search led him to find all that he desired in God.

Nate's Resources:

C.S. Lewis Institute's Study Courses