About ATRI

Every human being is searching for something that gives their life meaning. Despite the confusion of our age, people know there is more to life, and they secretly yearn for it. We see indications of this all around us, in culture, science, philosophy, politics, and nearly every other human endeavor. People are asking real questions if left unanswered, will cause them to leave the faith altogether. If it was within reach, there isn’t a person alive who wouldn’t like to know the truth.This is why, since our inception in 1978, Ankerberg Theological Research Institute (ATRI) has focused on Christian apologetics. Apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia which means to defend, the same word 1 Peter uses to exhort believers to always be “prepared to make a defense [apologia] to anyone who asks” the reason behind their hope (1 Peter 3:15). Since God created humans as rational beings (Gen 1:27; cf. Col 3:10), He calls upon His people to exercise reason as they discern truth from error and make a defense to the skeptical or inquisitive (Isaiah 1:18; Hebrews 5:14; 1 Peter 3:15; 1 John 4:6).

Broadcast & Digital Media

We use wide-ranging forms of media to provide real answers to today’s real questions to appeal to a thinking audience of Christians and non-Christians alike.

A central part of our ministry is our television program, The John Ankerberg Show, where conversations with leading scholars help people discover the truth and relevance of the Christian faith. Through engaging, insightful, and faithful conversations with world-class scholars, The John Ankerberg Show answers today’s pressing questions with the truth and wisdom of the historic Christian faith. Bolstered by the best of theological scholarship, this weekly, half-hour television show demonstrates the validity of Christianity so that our viewers will embrace it for themselves and be equipped to share the reason for their faith with others. Our mission extends further through digital resources designed to reach a worldwide audience, including podcasts, web series, Bible translations in over 1,400 languages, and much more. These resources are designed to lead people to Christ, answer tough theological questions, proclaim biblical truth, encourage the believer, and challenge the skeptic.

Our work in broadcasting and digital media reaches people in over 200 countries and territories. By God’s grace, we have seen people worldwide come to faith in Christ and grow in Him due to our work in broadcast and digital media, especially in hard-to-reach places such as the Middle East, Russia, and South Asia.

EDUCATION

ATRI collaborates with world-class scholars to use the best evangelical scholarship to defend the historic Christian faith and strengthen discipleship through compelling and accessible resources.

ATRI produces books and articles that equip believers to answer difficult scientific, cultural, and historical questions and encourage them as they walk in faith. In the past four decades, Dr. Ankerberg has authored or co-authored over 160 books, including the “Facts On” series which has sold over 1.9 million copies. Our website features articles written by scholars and other contributors that offer theological research and reflection to address contemporary concerns and offer Christian wisdom for all areas of life. ATRI creates a wide breadth of resources, guiding a new believer through the basics of following Jesus to offerings that encourage and strengthen life-long discipleship.

OUTREACH

ATRI is committed to fulfilling the Great Commission through enduring partnerships bringing the hope of the gospel to people worldwide.

God’s Word to the World

Approximately 70% of people worldwide learn primarily through audible communication, meaning that around 5.7 billion people need to hear the gospel to understand and accept it. Shockingly, over 1 billion people still do not have access to God's Word in a format they can understand.

Our partnership with Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH) brings God’s Word to those who have never heard the gospel in their native language. With your help, we have reached millions of people with God’s Word. Access to Audio Bibles gives these men, women, and children the Word of God to guide, encourage, and point them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

This partnership was inspired by Dr. John Ankerberg's experience in 2013 when he was asked to find an audio version of the Bible for a blind acquaintance who could no longer read. Through his search, Dr. Ankerberg discovered FCBH. Dr. Ankerberg recognized FCBH's significant impact on fulfilling The Great Commission and how it aligns with the mission of ATRI. He connected with FCBH and discovered their desire to share their work through media. Thus, a partnership was born, with ATRI responsible for sharing FCBH's mission through various media outlets, most notably on The John Ankerberg Show. At the same time, FCBH continues its primary work of translating, sharing, and delivering the Word of God.

International Discipleship

The need for the gospel reaches across language barriers and national borders. This is why we are committed to providing resources that strengthen the discipleship of believers across the world. We have partnered with faithful international church leaders to create a discipleship course that has been translated into seven languages and is now being used to train pastors and disciple their congregations. Additionally, we translate The John Ankerberg Show into twelve other languages and cover the broadcast costs so that we might share the truth of God’s Word in over two hundred countries. All of our international discipleship resources are provided free of charge so those who need them most will have ready access to the good news. In this way we are answering Jesus' command to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).