The Sanctity of Human Life

Gary Thomas is a bestselling author, international speaker and Writer in Residence at Second Baptist Church Houston, Texas.He has written numerous books, which have sold over 1 million copies, have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and have won numerous awards. His writings have established him as a thought-leader in the areas of marriage, parenting and spiritual formation. His book Sacred Marriage has sold more than 700,000 copies, and its accompanying devotional was an ECPA Gold Medallion Award finalist.Thomas has spoken at conferences, retreats, and college campuses in 49 states and nine countries, including appearances at the Focus on the Family National Marriage Simulcast, the Gaithers’ Praise Gathering and several National Pastor’s Conventions. He has also brought thousands of married couples closer together through his popular Sacred Marriage seminars.As a prolific writer, Thomas has authored more than 150 articles published in major magazines, such as Christianity Today, Decision Magazine, Moody, Marriage Partnership, New Man, World, Charisma, Boundless.org and Discipleship Journal. His message has also been featured on national radio and television programs, such as FamilyLife Today and Focus on the Family.He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Western Washington University. In addition, he holds a master’s degree with a concentration in systematic theology from Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he studied under Dr. J.I. Packer. In 2006, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.Thomas is an avid runner who has completed 13 marathons, including Boston three times. He is married, has three children, and lives in Houston, Texas.

Jim Garlow is the author of the bestselling Cracking Da Vinci's Code. He has authored ten books total. Jim pastors Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego and hosts the daily radio program, The Garlow Perspective, heard on more than 425 radio stations daily.Jim’s wife Carol is a graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. She serves as Minister of Prayer & Intercession at Skyline Wesleyan Church. Jim and Carol have four children and five grandsons.

Mr. Stroud has served as a founder, director and officer of Capital Senior Living Corporation (CSU:NYSE) and its predecessors since 1986. Capital is one of the nation’s largest operators of residential communities operating 112 senior living communities with an aggregate capacity of approximately 14,600 residents.In 2009, Mr. Stroud returned to Stroud Companies, the real estate and investment Company he founded before Capital. Stroud Companies is a privately held real estate and investment company that has developed, acquired and sold senior housing and commercial real estate in excess of $1 Billion. Stroud Companies is currently developing assisted living and Alzheimer communities.Mr. Stroud has served on the Owner’s and Operator’s Board of the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industry, and served on the Board of the Assisted Living Federation of America. He founded the Texas Assisted Living Association, and served as President and Board Member of the National Association of Senior Living Industry Executives. He is an Inductee to the Stifel Nicolaus Senior Housing & Healthcare Real Estate Hall of Fame.Mr. Stroud earned a B.B.A. with highest honors from Texas Tech University, a J.D. with honors from the University of Texas Law School, and a L.L.M. with honors from New York University Law School where he was editor of the Tax Law Review and a Wallace Scholar. He is also a licensed CPA.