Draft:Amy Orr-Ewing

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Name Amy Orr-Ewing
Website www.amyorr-ewing.com
Date and place of birth December 29, 1975, in Sydney
Occupation Author, Christian Apologist, Speaker.[1][2]
Nationality British
Denomination Anglican
Spouse Francis Orr-Ewing [3] (m. 1997)
Children 3
Education University of Oxford, D Phil., Theology

Kings College London, MA., History of Christianity University of Oxford, Christ Church, BA Hons., Theology

Amy Orr-Ewing (née Kopsch; born December 29, 1975) is an international author, speaker, and Christian theologian known for her evangelism and cultural engagement work [4]. She is one of the founders and former President of OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and a former EMEA Director of the Zacharias Trust, Oxford [5] [6]. In 2008 to 2012, Amy was an Associate Lecturer at St Paul’s Theological Centre in London[7], and was an Associate Tutor at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University until 2018[8].

The author of numerous books, Orr-Ewing is highly regarded in the academic and apologetic circles as, one of the most prominent female Christian public voices[5]. Amy writes about Christian theology and presents perspectives that address the deep questions of our day with meaningful answers found in the Christian Faith[5]. She advocates for the integrity and historicity of the Bible, women’s ordination and egalitarianism, and a Christian philosophical response to the problem of evil and suffering[9]. Orr- Ewing’s books include, Where is God in all the Suffering? (The Good Book Company)[10], Why Trust the Bible? (IVP Books)[11], But is it Real? (IVP Books)[12], and her new book Mary’s Voice: Advent Reflections to Contemplate the Coming of Christ debut’s October 2023 (Hachette Publishing)[13].

In recent years Amy Orr-Ewing has advocated significantly for transparency and justice working alongside and representing survivors of abuse and mistreatment[14]. Her significant contribution was recognised by the Church of England in June 2023 at the Annual Lambeth Awards, where Orr-Ewing was awarded the Alphege Award for Evangelism and Witness, for exceptional dedication, skill and insight in her advocacy work [15][16].

Early life and education[edit]

Amy was born on December 29, 1975, in Sydney, Australia. She attended the King Edward VI High School for Girls and completed high school at Dover Grammar School in 1994. She developed an interest in apologetics and theology at a young age, despite her parents being staunch atheists[17] for many years. When Orr-Ewing was 2 both her parents became Christians and her father went on to be ordained. Amy recalls, “My sister and I grew up seeing that transformation in them and also seeing people becoming Christians and churches being planted – we were right there in the midst of it, undeniably seeing God at work.”[18]

After high school, Orr-Ewing went on to study Theology at Christ Church, University of Oxford where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Theology in 1997 with First Class Honours. Whilst in Oxford, Amy met her future husband, Francis ‘Frog’ Orr-Ewing and got married in July 1997[19]. Two year’s later, Orr- Ewing moved to London to study at King’s College London, where she received her MA in History of Christianity[20], and in 2017, Orr-Ewing earned a D.Phil in Theology from the University of Oxford [21].

Career[edit]

Orr-Ewing began her career as a speaker and evangelist, focusing on engaging with the intellectual challenges of Christianity[22]. She has lectured at numerous universities, businesses and academic institutions, including Cambridge University, Oxford University, The White House and the Houses of Parliament at their annual National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast [22] [23]. She has been ministering as an evangelist since 1998 and is a regular speaker at regional and international events including, Spring Harvest, Keswick Convention, IFES, New Wine and Creation Fest, and is the author of numerous books and contributions to mainstream publications including, Christianity Today[24] and The Times[14] [25].

In 2003 Amy and newly ordained Francis 'Frog' Orr-Ewing moved to London where Frog was Vicar of All Saint’s Peckham[26]. This was an outward facing church which focused on evangelism. They had over 400 different languages spoken within their parish[27]. During this time Orr-Ewing was also a Simeon Preacher at Holy Trinity Cambridge between 2005 and 2010[28]. After 7 years in London, Orr-Ewing and her husband moved to Beaconsfield to plant Latimer Minster Church in 2010, which focuses on farming, conservation, missional church planting and charity work[29].

Orr-Ewing founded the OCCA the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, alongside Graham Tomlin, Michael Green, Alister McGrath and Michael Ramsden. The OCCA the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics is a non-profit religious education institution[30]. Since its creation in 2003, Amy led a team of scholars and communicators offering apologetic training to students from around the globe eager to present winsome and credible arguments in defense of the Christian worldview.[31] Orr-Ewing was appointed co-Director in 2015 and later President in 2020. During this time, Orr-Ewing spearheaded the project REBOOT, a global youth initiative which grew internationally to host numerous events worldwide for thousands of teenagers[32]. Remembering how significant it was for her as a pre-teen and teenager to know “that the Gospel makes sense and there is evidence for it”, she says: “I think God has specifically laid it on my heart for secondary school aged kids – it’s such a critical age [18].

In 2015 Amy became the EMEA Director of the Zacharias Trust in Oxford, where she directed a team of 75 people across Europe, Africa and the Middle East regions. Between 2010 and 2018, Orr- Ewing held an Associate Tutor role at Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford[8].

In 2021 following the Ravi Scandal at RZIM[33], Orr-Ewing departed the Zacharias Trust and the OCCA the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics to pursue her speaking work and advocacy work with victims of abuse[24].

In 2022 Orr-Ewing was appointed Honorary Lecturer in the School of Divinity, History, Philosophy, and Art History at the University of Aberdeen[34], and in 2023 was awarded the Alphege Award for Evangelism and Witness, for her work advocating for the good new of Jesus Christ and for unflinching commitment that the church embodies the truth and grace of which is speaks. The Alphege Award was awarded by The Archbishop of Canterbury at the Lambeth Awards in June 2023[15].

In June 2023 Orr-Ewing addressed the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast in Westminster speaking on the topic ‘The Power of Forgiveness in Public Life.[23]’

Publications[edit]

Orr-Ewing is a regular contributor to numerous publications, including Christianity Today [24], The Times[14][25], Premier Christianity[35], and Eternity News[36]

As of 2023, she has authored 8 books, among which Why Trust the Bible? and Where is God in All the Suffering? are the best-selling. In 2020 Where is God in All the Suffering? was translated into Italian and in 2022, into Spanish.

In her writings, Amy presents winsome answers to questions about Christianity, including the rationality of faith, the problem of suffering and evil, the historicity of the Bible, the role and value of women, and the relevance of Christianity in the current world.

Personal life[edit]

Amy married Francis ‘Frog’ Orr-Ewing in 1997, after they met studying at Oxford University [20]. The couple has 3 sons.

Honours[edit]

Orr-Ewing has been appointed Honorary Lecturer in the School of Divinity, History, Philosophy, and Art History at the University of Aberdeen in 2022.[34]

In 2023, she was awarded the Alphege Award for Evangelism and Witness by The Church of England for "significant contribution to the transparency and integrity which befits witnesses of the gospel, through her own personal costly decisions and her advocacy for those who are survivors of abuse and mistreatment.”[15]

Selected works[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "'Forgiveness and civil justice are not mutually exclusive'". Bible Society. 27 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Minster with a Mission". Church Times. 22 March 2011.
  3. ^ "Minster with a Mission". Church Times. 22 March 2011.
  4. ^ "Amy Orr-Ewing". Premier Christianity Magazine.
  5. ^ a b c Beaty, Katelyn (8 April 2015). "Oxford's Unapologetic Female Apologist". Christianity Magazine.
  6. ^ "Zacharias Trust Home Page". Zacharias Trust. 1 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017.
  7. ^ "St Paul's Theological Centre Staff". St Paul's Theological Centre. 21 June 2009. Archived from the original on 21 June 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2009.
  8. ^ a b "Wycliffe Hall Teaching Faculty". Wycliffe Hall. Archived from the original on 28 Feb 2018. Retrieved 28 Feb 2018.
  9. ^ Adams, David (October 2020). "UK Christian Apologist on Suffering". Sight Magazine.
  10. ^ "Where is God in All the Suffering? Amy Orr-Ewing". The Good Book Company UK.
  11. ^ "Why Trust the Bible? Amy Orr-Ewing (Revised and Updated)". IVP Books.
  12. ^ "But is it real? Amy Orr-Ewing". IVP Books.
  13. ^ Orr-Ewing, Amy (12 December 2022). Mary's Voice: Advent Reflections to Contemplate the Coming of Christ, Amy Orr-Ewing. Worthy. ISBN 9781546004523. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  14. ^ a b c Orr-Ewing, Amy (11 June 2022). "Truth must come to light, however uncomfortable". The Times.
  15. ^ a b c "Archbishop of Canterbury's Awards". Church Times. 30 June 2023.
  16. ^ "Lambeth Awards 2023: Shining a light on outstanding effort and dedication". The Archbishop of Canterbury Website. 22 June 2023.
  17. ^ "My passion for evangelism and young people, and what the Church needs to focus on now". Woman Alive. 19 February 2019.
  18. ^ a b "My passion for evangelism and young people, and what the Church needs to focus on now". Woman Alive. 19 February 2019.
  19. ^ Wright, Jemima (February 2002). "God in the life of Frog and Amy Orr-Ewing". The Door. p. 5.
  20. ^ a b Wright, Jemimah (February 2002). "God in the life of Frog and Amy Orr-Ewing". The Door. p. 5.
  21. ^ Orr-Ewing, Amy (29 November 2017). The apologetic value of theological truth through story and pattern in the works of Dorothy L. Sayers (Thesis). Oxford University Research Archive (Thesis).
  22. ^ a b Beaty, Katelyn (8 April 2015). "Oxford's Unapologetic Female Apologist". Christianity Today Magazine.
  23. ^ a b National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast 2023 Livestream, retrieved 2023-10-02
  24. ^ a b c Orr-Ewing, Amy (30 March 2021). "From the Empty Tomb to Today's Abuse: Believe Women". Christianity Today Magazine.
  25. ^ a b Orr-Ewing, Amy (15 January 2022). "Cancel culture is a scourge but rooted in goodness". The Times.
  26. ^ "Minster with a mission". Church Times. 22 March 2011.
  27. ^ "My passion for evangelism and young people, and what the Church needs to focus on now". Woman Alive. 19 February 2019.
  28. ^ "Holy Trinity Church Cambridge Annual Report". Charity Commission: Register of Charities.
  29. ^ Taylor, Florence (5 July 2016). "Modern Monasticism: What does community living look like in the 21st Century?". Christian Today.
  30. ^ "OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics Website". OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics Website. 2 May 2020.
  31. ^ Beaty, Katelyn (8 April 2015). "Oxford's Unapologetic Female Apologist". Christianity Today.
  32. ^ "Madrid: 900 people strengthen their faith at Reboot". Evangelical Focus. 7 October 2019.
  33. ^ Silliman, Daniel (11 February 2021). "Ravi Zacharias Hid Hundreds of Pictures of Women, Abuse During Massages, and a Rape Allegation". Christianity Today.
  34. ^ a b "University of Aberdeen: The School of Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History". University of Aberdeen.
  35. ^ "Premier Christianity: Amy Orr-Ewing". Premier Christianity.
  36. ^ "Eternity News: Amy Orr-Ewiwng". Eternity News.
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